Update on the Garden

While I was visiting with my neighbor this afternoon Will made a discovery in the garden.  He came running around the corner at full speed yelling, "we have a fresh tomato, we have a fresh tomato".  I had to see it with my own two eyes to believe it.  Yes, indeed we do have one red, ripe, cherry tomato on our plant and we have resisted the urge to pluck it and pop it into our mouths. We want to savor our success.  :)  My neighbor, Nancy inspected our garden and also found a few more pea pods.  We might have enough for a stir fry in a week or two, y'all! 

Notes from the Garden

 I planted this garden in four quadrants.  The kids and I planted basil, peas, summer and winter squash from seed.  The basil did not take as you can see from the bare spot in the raised bed. 

Look very closely and you will see two little green tomatoes.  Some of you would be upset if this is what you found in your garden, but the kids and I are jumping with joy! 

So this is our garden, folks.  It might not look like much to you, but we are so excited about it.  We actually grew something!  And it's still alive!  I really wanted to plant a garden with the kids this spring.  If you've ever been to our house, you know that the backyard is very woodsy.  In other words, super shady and not ideal for gardening.  We also have deer that like to meander through the back and you can occasionally find one sunbathing.  They also like to snack on whatever is in our yard.  This, coupled with the fact that I really don't have a clue about gardening, and you can see why I am thrilled by such a small success.  You gotta start somewhere, right?  We had fun planting the seeds, watering and seeing things sprout.  We can see the garden from our dining room table so breakfast was a great time to look out the window and announce any new sprouts or flowers. Every time something new popped up we would have a mini celebration.  I don't know who would get more excited, the kids or me! 

*I read this to Will this morning and he wants me to let you know that we also have one pea pod.  There you have it.  



Undo

The problem with blogging is that sometimes I publish something and then upon further reflection I decide I don't like something that I wrote.  In my last post I shared someone else's moment that perhaps they found embarrassing.  It would be that person's decision to share that story not mine.  So, I am sorry for that.  You can't really undo something once people have already read your blog.  The most I can do at this point is apologize for being so thoughtless in my actions. 

Things I Should NOT Have Done Last Sunday in Church

***I was backsliding at Bedside Baptist this past Sunday.  This post refers to the Sunday before, in case you were keeping track of my churchgoing practices.

***I stole the term Bedside Baptist from my friend, Joan.  I don't know if she reads this, but I just wanted to give her due credit.

1.  Should not have gone and sat by myself in one of the front pews.

2.  Should not have had such a macho attitude thinking I could go to church with three kids, alone, with a bad back.

3.  Should not have let on that I had a bag of pretzel thins in my stash.

There were so many things that I could have done differently the last Sunday I attended church.  They have a nursery.  Why didn't I drop Audrey off in there?  I was in "go" mode.  Audrey was in the pack, I was already running late so I decided just to find myself a spot and get settled in as quickly as possible.  My friends were sitting in the pew across from me, but I didn't notice until I had already sat down with the kids.  I thought a few times about retreating over there for some support, but I didn't want to cause any more disruption.  Audrey started to fuss in her carrier so I sat her in my lap.  Ha!  That didn't last long.  She kept wanting to crawl towards the organ in front and I had to hobble over to her and pick her up in a very ungraceful manner.  Then the kids started in with their usual mantra, Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee're huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuungry.  Of course you are.  I waited a while to give in to this one.  I realized I had some pretzel thins in my bag.  Eureka!  That would keep everyone satiated and quiet for a few minutes.  Breathe in, breathe out.  Ahhhhhh...until Audrey started turning purple (okay that's a total exaggeration, but great for effect, don't you think).  I kept giving her pretzel thins and became distracted by Will and Ella.  At one point I did think, wow, she's really putting those pretzel thins away.  I thought those were hard for her to chew.  Since I was so distracted and she was facing away from me I did not notice that she was simply storing away slobbery pretzel thins in her cheeks like a little chipmunk.  Next thing I know she is gagging on her snack and I am whacking her on the back in a panic.  I look over at my friends and say silently, oh my God.  Great, now I just used the Lord's name in vain, IN CHURCH!!!  Sorry God and thanks for not letting my child choke.  After slapping her back a few times Audrey urped up a huge wad of brown mush.  Now what to do with this wad of goo that is sitting warm in my hands?  I put it back into the original bag of pretzel thins, gather up my stuff as quickly as possible and leave the church with my body temperature ten degrees higher than usual and feeling completely mortified, like the worst mom in the world. I couldn't help but think about the ways that God humbles us and gets us (eventually) to laugh at ourselves.  He must have a good sense of humor. 

Photo Session

 I tried to get a cute picture of Audrey before her birthday.  Everything was nice and calm at the beginning of the session...

This is how it ended!  She was tired of having her picture taken and wanted her mama!

 Isn't this the epitome of a big brother?

My happy crew

Just trying to get back into the groove of posting.  Grandma Novie gave Audrey this dress so I wanted to make sure I snapped a picture of her in it.  I think the pics turned out great, don't you!  :)  I also wanted to include a picture of the kids playing on the deck.  This picture was BEFORE Mike and his dad finished our benches.  They have done a lot of work completing the deck and I have really appreciated it.  We have been spending a lot of time out here this summer.  

My baby's first birthday

Will and Ella helped blow out the birthday candle

She knew just what to do with her first piece of cake!

I just love this face--she looks so happy

Thought I'd hurry up and get some pictures from Audrey's first birthday posted on the blog. Thanks to everyone who helped us along the way, especially this first year. It has been a crazy ride, but fabulous nonetheless! Look at that happy, healthy baby! I'll try and write more when she's not vying for my attention. This computer is like a kid magnet! :)