~Friday's Friend~

Today I will introduce one of my BEST friends in the world!!!!!!

(me, Jenn, and Tiff, 2008)

Jennifer Esser

First things first. It just took me 30 minutes to find a freakin picture of me and Jenn. And as you can see, I still could not find one of JUST us!!?! Mainly because I'm not on my computer, where all my pics are saved....but....I couldn't even find one of us on Facebook?!? What the crap! That's pathetic, Jenn. We must do something about this. Next time we're together, we're having a photo shoot! And then I'll make a "Ton/Jenn" album on FB!

So, anyway. Jennifer and I have been friends since 2004. But she hated me back then! hahaha!! She says she didn't hate me, but she did. I'm just kidding she really didn't, but she just never talked to me! We both worked at McRae's together (yes, it was still known as McRae's). We worked in the children's section. She was finishing up at Pearl River, and I was just starting at USM. Which is probably another reason we weren't best friends right off. We both had a different group of friends at the time. However, our friendship is all because of our husbands. (That's the only thing we'll ever give them credit for! haha!!) Michael and Jennifer's husband, Justin, started working together. They didn't know eachother either, but they actually talked to eachother! ha! Ok, I'm sorry. I'll stop. :) So, anyway. Michael came to the mall to take me to lunch one day, and while we were in the food court, Michael said..."there's a guy I work with. Let me go say hello." And then I'm like..."umm...he's with a girl that I work with?? weird!!" So....that's how it all started.

Jennifer and Justin got married in December of 2004. She quit McRae's around the same time, so we didn't have that connection anymore. But thankfully our husbands still worked together. Well, as I said before, we were running with different groups, so the only times our paths crossed was when the hubs wanted to get together. Jenn found out she was pregnant real soon after they got married. I found out I was pregnant shortly after. Being pregnant at the same time definitley made our friendship stronger! Jennifer had her son, Austin, in August of 2006. I had my daughter, Abby, in January of 2007. They are 5 months apart and best friends! After having kids around the same time, going to the same church, and living right across the street from eachother...our friendship was no longer just a basic friendship. Jennifer was my best friend. She was the type of friend that I had longed for my entire life. We are alike in some ways and totally opposite in some ways. But our personalities compliment eachother. We've never had a "fight." We've never really even been mad at eachother. When we hang out, it doesn't matter what we do. We always have fun! It's so neat because our husbands are best friends and so our the kiddos. Jenn now has another son, Caleb, that was born March 8. He is exactly six months younger than Parker. We hope they'll soon be best friends also! By the way, Jennifer's maternity leave ends on Monday. Be praying for her as she goes back to work. It's never easy to leave your babies!

The only downfall of this whole friendship is that we now live an hour and a half from eachother. And when you have 2 kids, it makes planning trips a little difficult. But we make it happen. It may only be once a month, or once every 2 months, but we make it happen!

The Essers are family to us. They're not LIKE family, they ARE family! God blessed me with a friendship that I didn't know could exist! And even though having 2 kids has made us crazy, busy, maniac mommys....we know that no matter what, we're just a phone call (or text message) away.

I love you, Jennifer Esser! I know I've told you this many times, but you are such a blessing to me....and I seriously don't know what I'd do without you.

the crazy obnoxious friend,

Tonya

~Ton's Thoughts on Thursday~

*The Lord woke me up at 4:30 this morning and literally SHOUTED at me to get up. I said, "No thanks, I'm way too tired!" Then He proceeds to make the cat start meowing (behind closed doors), so I had no choice to get up. But....as soon as I let the cat out, I went back to bed. So, what did the Lord have to tell me at 4:30 this morning? What have I done??!!? I've been begging God to rescue me from this freakin pit that I'm stuck in. And when He tries to call out to me, I say..."No thanks. Too tired. Goodnight." UGHHHH!!!!!!! Pray for me. This warfare is driving me NUTS!

*I've been assigned the new Trailblazer Advisor at Co-Lin. The Trailblazer group is our student recruitment team. They help with on campus and off campus recruitment. I was a co-advisor this year, and I LOVED it!! I love getting to work with Co-Lin students, because I don't really get to that much. I'm always out at the high schools working with their students. Which I also LOVE. Anyway, I called my first Trailblazer meeting today. It was so fun. I feel so powerful! BahahaHAhHAHAHhahaha!!!! Mainly we just had pizza, talked a little, voted on our new president, and signed up for a Braves game that I'm taking them to next weekend.

*Parker is PULLING UP! He was sitting on the floor last night and his "Bumbo" seat was sitting in front of him. He grabbed the back of it and pulled up until he was standing on his feet! I was so excited. This little man is growing up so fast!

*Abby woke up at 3:00 this morning, came and tapped me on the shoulder and said...."Mama, can I cuddle with you?" Melted my heart.

*Sophie Kinsella. If you are a reader, then she is the author you need to follow. She is the author of the "Shopaholic" series (which I have not read a single one of). However, I have read 5 of her other books, and they are freakin hilarious!! No, seriously. I laugh out loud the whole way through. Here are some titles to look for: "Remember Me?", "Can You Keep a Secret?", "Twenties Girl", "Cocktails for Three", and "Undomestic Goddess." I've never been a big reader, but I can't get enough of Sophie Kinsella's books. Try one. You'll be hooked!

*I'm so proud of my husband! He is such a hard worker and does such a good job of providing for our family! There are lots of things I like about his job. One is-his job is flexible. If he needs to take the morning off to run Parker to the doctor, done. If he needs to take an extended lunch to drive 20 minutes to bring me some food, done. Another thing is-when 5:00 rolls around, he's off. On occassion, he'll have an appointment at night...but it is VERY rare. So, he's able to hang out with us every night and every weekend. And the greatest thing about his job is-he wins trips. ALL the time! By the way, have I told yall the Austria trip was rescheduled? I can't remember. Anyway, it got rescheduled because of the volcanoes. It has now been moved to June. But Michael has just recently won another trip. It's the big family trip of the year. It's in Bonita Springs, Florida. We leave in July and stay for 4 days. The whole fam. Can't wait! Trips we won't mention are: the fishing trip this weekend (I wasn't invited), the trip to the Beau Rivage (once again, not invited), and some other trip this summer (not invited). But no need dwelling on the trips I don't get invited to go on. We'll look at the ones that I AM going on! :)


Ok, I gotta run. One more hour at work, and I still have a few more things to do.
Hope everyone has a TERRIFIC THURSDAY!


just me,
Tonya

Beach Bum~Days 3 & 4

Ok, so I didn't have time yesterday to blog about Day 3. But here it is in a nutshell:

Some of our friends, The Clines, came down to Perdido Key (same condo as us) yesterday. As soon as they got there, the guys went to play golf and Brandy and I laid out. I laid out a total of SIX hours yesterday. Totally fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!

Around 5:00, Brandy and I went up to our rooms and started to get ready for the night. The guys got back around 6:00 and off we went.

We had dinner at Mikee's. Total yumminess! And then we went to The Jellyfish afterwards. It was such a fun, laid back night. I love The Clines :)

So, here's what we did today....

We slept in, laid around for a little bit, went to grab some breakfast, hit up some souvenir shops to find Ab's some happies, and then we hit the beach! We only laid out for about an hour and a half, because we needed to get showered and head home. We ended up leaving the condo around 1:00, stopped at Chick Fil A (DUH!) to have lunch, and then got going! I started getting SOOOOOOOOOOO excited once we were 30 minutes away from our babies. I could barely handle it. As soon as we pulled up in The Bishop's driveway, I hopped out of the car.....even before it was in park. Don't worry....I wasn't driving! lol

I saw Abby across the yard, and she started screaming! We ran to eachother like something you see in a movie. Slow motion and all. It was one of my Top 10 best moments ever! Then of course we ran inside to get some Parker lovin.

So....now we're all 4 piled up in our king size bed. Watching cartoons. Loving on eachother. Ahhhhhhhh.....

Having 4 1/2 days alone with Michael has been so refreshing. We needed it. Every couple needs time alone. It makes you a better spouse and parent. And you also get a good tan! haha!!

refreshed and tan,

Tonya

Beach Bum~Day 2

(my face got real burnt yesterday, so this was my prevention method. kinda hard to breathe!)

Ok, so it's only 5:30, but I'm going to have to blog now because we'll be "out" the remainder of the night!

Today has been so wonderful. We slept in, and I actually got up a little before Michael. I straightened up the condo (surprise surprise!), ate a bowl of cereal, and turned on some Rachael Ray. That in itself was wonderful. I can't remember the last time that I got to watch one of MY shows in the morning. Or anytime for that matter. You can find cartoons on one of our 3 TV's at any given time!



So, after Michael got up, we changed into our swimsuits and hit the beach. At 10:00. We set up our umbrella, chairs, lathered up (michael-sunscreen, me-tanning oil), and got out our books. Around 1:00 we decided it was time for some grub!



After lunch, we headed down to the pool. That only lasted about 15 minutes because the water was wayyyyyyyy toooooooo cold!!!!! Michael looks at me and says, "You wanna go play golf with me?" "HECK YES!!!" I replied.



We got to the golf course around 2:00. Michael made the mistake of telling me that there were alligators on this course, so I spent the next 2 1/2 hours looking for one. And would you know....I found one!!! I'll have to share a pic later. I was SO excited! And I think Michael was just glad that I could finally watch him play golf, and keep score! haha!!!



So....now we are back at the condo. Showered and hungry! We decided this morning that we would go out to dinner tonight and then go see "Date Night." I've heard that movie is hilarious, so I'm really excited about it!!!!!! We've also decided that we will have dinner at Bonefish. Yeah, I know.....we have one of those in Jackson. But...it's my favorite, and we don't get to Jackson very often these days. Bang Bang Shrimp, here I come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



After dinner & a movie, I think we might swing by "The Jellyfish." I'm a sucker for a good live band. Who knows? Maybe we'll stay out past midnight. That'll be pushing it, since I hit the sack around 9:00 last night! HA!!



Anywho~Day 2 with the hubs has been so refreshing. I love my man!



By the way...Mary Lou, does golf count for putt putt? lol! Maybe we can hit up some putt putt tomorrow? By the looks of Michael's putting abilities on the golf course, I think I could probably kick his butt! haha :)

Update on the kiddos: They had a great time with Mimi & Papaw and now they are heading to Bebe & Pop's for the remainder of our trip. I talked to Abby earlier and she asked if we were home yet. I said "No, baby..." and before I could finish she said "Ok, bye!" haha! It makes me feel so good to know that she is having a good time....as are we!








refreshed & in love,


Tonya

Beach Bum~Day 1

Hey friends!!! Michael and I are at the beach for the next several days. Yes...JUST me and Michael. No kids. No friends. Just us! Don't get me wrong....we love our kids and friends, but we are loving the alone time. We don't get alone time very often, so we're not real sure what to do with ourselves. Let me tell you what we've done so far.

*We slept in

*We ate breakfast at Waffle House (right across from the Florabama). Saw lots of hungover people. Hilarious.

*We went to get some groceries. Sandwich stuff. Cereal. Frozen Pizza. Drinks. Snacks. The essentials to get us through the next several days.

*We changed clothes and headed to the beach. For the next 3 hours. Reading (Sophie Kinsella is the best author ever--i'm on my 5th book of hers!). Laying out. Walking. Relaxing. Ahhhh....

*We came back to the condo. Ate lunch. Showered. Michael went to play golf. I curled up on the couch and watched "Julie & Julia." Now I'm watching Cake Boss. Not to mention that these shows have inspired me to eat NON-STOP!

Our plans for the rest of the afternoon/night include: being lazy, eating pizza, watching movies, and whatever else we wanna do!! Do I miss my kids? YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! But I know they're in good hands, and I'm just trying to enjoy my time doing NOTHING!

Since Michael and I got married with a baby in my tummy, we've never really had much time to go on trips like this alone! Especially not for 4 nights!! So, that's why I've decided to blog about our trip. I want couples to know how important it is to set aside time with your spouse. Even with a full-time job and 2 kids.....it CAN be done!

If you have any suggestions on things we should do while we're here (besides for the "obvious" lol), please let me know! I've thought about things like: Parasailing, bungee jumping, & getting matching tattoos (haha jk!)

*Shout out to my awesome boss who allowed me to make this trip! Lea Ann, you are the best!!! :)

bummin on the beach,

Tonya

~Friday's Friend~

Ok, before I get to "Friday's Friend" let me tell you why "Ton's thoughts on Thursday" didn't exist for yesterday. Yeah, sure I had time to THINK yesterday...but I absolutely had no time to sit down and share my thoughts. I have been SO busy at work lately, that some days I really don't even sit down. Which isn't a bad thing. I LOVE being busy. I LOVEEEE my job. And I LLLOOOVVVVEEEE the students that I work with. However, I just haven't had the time to devote to my blog like I used to. Hopefully that will change once this school year has ended. So anyway, here are some of my thoughts from yesterday:

"Ok, I'm at work 30 minutes early so I can get ready for this campus visit. Where do I start? Oh yes, come up with a campus tour scavenger hunt....get everything ready for the "Do what you love" career game....message my Trailblazers....oh, gosh, where is my phone?!?....reply to emails that I've been putting off....check my voicemail....oh, crap, I was supposed to call that person back 3 days ago! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

"Whew, the campus visit is over and it was a total success. Ah...I love my job!"

"Oh lordy, why in the world did I volunteer to be in the dunking booth? OH GOSH NO! Don't throw the ball yet. I'm not ready!!....Ok, I'm ready....NO WAIT! Ok now....(DUNK) (water up the nose) (come out of the water gasping for air and choking) Oh, fabulous, I'm going to drown in a dunking booth. Get me out of here!!!"

"Ah...now time to get my hair done. (yawn) This is the life. Oh gosh, did I really just fall asleep under the dryer?? Oh my, my hair is platinum! LOVE IT!!!"

"Daddy's got the kids, so I might as well just go tan while I'm out"

"Ok, finally home. Let me straighten up a little before we go eat with the in-laws. (yawn). Can't I just go to bed??"

"Dinner was fabulous. Kids are bathed. This bed is so comfy. Night Night!"
_______________________

So, those were my thoughts yesterday. Now, it's time for "Friday's Friend"


It's really hard for me to decide which friend to dedicate this post to every Friday, but I look forward to doing it! I've decided to dedicate today's post to a friend that's had a very rough week. I hope this will bring a smile to your face after all you've been through this week.

Whitney Holmes

So, when we were moving from Hattiesburg, one of my Hatti besties told me that she knew a girl that lived in Brookhaven. She had gone to school with her, and she told me..."Tonya, you really need to meet her. You would love her!!" Well, I never really thought anymore about it, until....We started visiting First Baptist Church in Brookhaven. Our first Sunday there, we walked into the Sunday School class and sat down by this couple. I started small chit-chat with the girl sitting beside me, and it turned out to be "that friend" that my Hatti bestie wanted me to meet!!!! What in the world?!?! What are the chances? Well, nothing is by chance when God is at work. So, starting that Sunday morning, 2 years ago, we developed a fantastic friendship with Ryan and Whitney Holmes!

They have been such good friends. The type of friends that you call up at the last minute to cookout with. The type of friends that you wear your sweatpants and t-shirt with. The type of friends that can stop by unexpected and you really don't care that your house is a total wreck! The type of friends that you go to the beach with, plan a girls trip with, have a tacky Christmas party with....but most importantly....Whitney is the type of friend that I can share my kidney stone pain with!!!! I finally have someone that LITERALLY feels my pain. So, that brings me to her rough week.

I get a call from Whit on Monday, and she says..."What does it feel like when a kidney stone is stuck?!" Oh no, I thought!! I told her..."Total DEATH!!!" I usually am the encouraging friend, but I don't play when it comes to kidney stones. She was on her way to the hospital, because she was in terrible pain! And on top of that, she's 6 months pregnant!!!!!! I just told her to be prepared for them to put a stint in. They almost had to do that with me when I was pregnant, but mine finally passed. Well, Whit has been in the hospital ALL week but the stone still has not passed. So, yesterday the doctors put a stint in and Whitney said the relief was immediate. Once the stint was put it, 15 stones came out. Bless her heart!!!!!!!!!!! So, I'm talking to Whitney now through text messaging, and she is on her way home. Yay!! :) I told her Michael and I would love to bring her dinner tonight and chat about her lovely week in a hospital bed. So....after work I will go throw on something comfy, pick up some dinner, and head to my kidney stone friend's house. Abby will bring toys and make a mess all over her living room floor, Parker will probably spit up on her couch, and Michael will just make himself at home. Because that's what you do with true friends. You share your home, you share your secrets, and you share your memories.

I love you, Whitney!!! And I'm praying that the last part of your pregnancy goes without complications. God has truly blessed Michael and I with your and Ryan's friendship. And I'm excited about baby Holmes and Parker growing up together. And let's not forget Abby...I'm sure she'll be bossing them around for years to come! :) It's so neat to think back on when Jennifer told me about you...and now to see that she was right...I do love you...and I will always treasure your friendship!

kidney stones SUCK,

Tonya

~Friday's Friend~

Today I will dedicate my post to my friends Jerry Blankenship and Victoria Vaughn.

Jerry

Jerry and I have been friends since 10th grade. He was one of my BEST friends throughout high school and college. Once I got married and moved to Brookhaven, we kinda lost contact. We still messaged and talked here and there, but our different paths weakened our friendship. Jerry was always a prankster and I love that about him! There was never a dull moment with him around. Our group of friends in high school never really struggled with drinking or doing drugs....we just liked to have fun!!! Stink bombs, dumping do-nuts in people's yards or on people's cars, potato guns, rolling houses, and riding four wheelers was what we liked to do. I look back on those times and smile :)

Victoria Vaughn

Victoria and I met at The Club on Lake Harbour. We both worked there. We worked the front desk together, the childcare, and lifeguarded together. And then we hung out AFTER work too. She was one of my best friends through those years!!! We would go out dancing, go to parties, go on trips, and eat at Cozumel about 5 nights a week!! We always had the BEST time together. Every memory I have with Victoria makes me smile :)

Jerry & Victoria

So...about a year ago I find out that Jerry and Victoria are dating. I just thought that was so neat that 2 people that grew up in different towns and went to different schools ended up together. We kept talking about having a double date but never did. Well, a couple months ago I went out with my sister and we ended up at Jerry's house. Victoria was there, so we were able to catch up for about 3 hours. It was fabulous! I realized just how much I missed my sweet friend! And then the very next weekend they came to Brookhaven for a cookout at our house. Just the 4 of us. It was so neat to have a high school friend, a college friend, my husband, and my 2 kids all under one roof. During this dinner, Jerry & Victoria revealed some very exciting news. They are expecting!! At that point, there were alot of different emotions attached to that news. They were scared, unsure, and excited. But since Michael and I had been in their shoes, we were able to encourage them and give them some advice. And then...a couple weeks later we find out they are engaged!!! YAY!!! :)

So, today I dedicate this post to them. To their marriage. To their baby. And to our friendship. Oh, and I must not forget....today is also Victoria's birthday. So, there are lots of reasons to celebrate them in this blog!

I love yall so much, and I am so excited about what God is doing! Yall both mean the world to me, and even though there are about 70 miles between us, I am here for yall--always!

so blessed to have fabulous friends,

Tonya

~Ton's Thoughts on Thursday~

Hello, world!! Here are my thoughts today...

*Beth Moore

If you're not a follower of Beth Moore's blog, you need to be! http://blog.lproof.org/ Anyway, she had a post a few weeks entitled "10 Things You Might Not Know." She shared 10 random facts about her that fans probably didn't know. Check out #6.... "I love black music" O-M-G, I almost fell out of my chair!!!! A fellow Christian that shares my love for black/booty music!!!! I was SO excited. Beth Moore is kinda like modern day "WWJD?" ha!! WWBMD? So, it made me feel better to see that side of Beth Moore. She IS human. Who knew? :)




*Lady GaGa


Lady GaGa is NOT a pretty sight, but her songs crack me up! Such as, "Telephone." Really?? Who writes a song about their phone?

(this guy is an idiot!)

*Bees

I am TERRIFIED of bees. No...terrified is an understatement!!!!!!!! Seriously, I'd rather go to the tanning bed because when you layout, you chance being stung by a bee, wasp, yellow jacket, etccccc. No. thank. you.






*Pigtails & Swimsuits


Nothing says "Welcome Spring" like pigtails and swimsuits! This was taken on Lu's birthday. We spent the afternoon eating, laying out, and watching golf (thanks to Michael and the Masters-boo!!) But it was a fun day. I love you, Lu!

*I love to drive...

On a pretty day!!! By myself especially. I had to recruit in Crystal Springs today, so I was on the road quite a bit. I switched back and forth between 20's on 20, Pop 2K, 90's on 9, and The Message. Just whatever was playing a good song at the time. As I've previously stated, I love booty music. Especially when I'm driving. I'm sure my fellow drivers get a good laugh!! hahaha :)

*I'm Awesome


Yes, I am, but I'm talking about the song!! Has anyone heard this song by Spose? It is TERRIBLE, but for some reason I'm obsessed. It just makes me laugh so hard when I hear it. And I love telling other people about it. Such as fellow co-workers and students...shout out to Coach OD, Bradley, and RayRay! Yall are awesome...but not as awesome as meeeee ;)

*Reggae


So, I guess today's thoughts have all been music based. Ha! But I love Reggae music. I have NO idea why, but it puts me in the best mood. I don't own a Reggae cd, but I'm thinking about purchasing my first!! Do people still buy cd's? HAHA! Maybe I'll just download it to my iPod. Nope, nevermind....I broke my iPod touch. That stinks. Ok, so a cd it is! I like talking to myself almost as much as I like Reggae! lol



*Today's challenge


Take time today, or this weekend to find a "fun song" on your iPod or on the radio and just make a fool of yourself. Have fun! Dance! Act crazy!! It's so much fun!!!





i'm awesome,

Tonya ;)

~Friday's Friend~

(2005)

Sissie Lu

Today my post will be about my sister. She is my best friend. Even through the pull-your-hair-out fights, she has always been my best friend!!! Growing up, she was the sister that always wanted to be doing what me and my friends were doing, and 90% of the time, I didn't mind it at all!!! When I was at USM, she would bring a few of her friends and they would come stay with me about once a month. I loved having them come stay!! She's never been a big fan of any of the guys I dated, or the guy I married. I think this is because she hates sharing my attention. Secretly, her and Michael love eachother....they just like to act otherwise. I would do ANYTHING, and I mean ANYTHING, for my sister. And she knows that. She knows that she could call me at 2:00 am and ask me to come wherever she is, and I would jump in the car immediately!! I've made lots of mistakes as a "big sister role model," but it's good to know that she doesn't judge me. She's also made lots of mistakes, and as her big sister sometimes I just want to slap some sense into her, but I've never left her side. I just want the best for her, and it's hard for me to see her make mistakes and get hurt. However, she learns from her mistakes....even if it takes her 3 or 4 years to learn sometimes! haha!! So....Lauren is turning 21 on Sunday, April 11!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe she'll be 21. Sigh. So, while I'm dedicating this post to her, I decided to also list 21 fun facts/memories/funny stories in honor of her 21st birthday:

1. 
   
   Lauren hates how I say her name. I pronounce it "Loren"




2. 
   
   Lauren is short. Like real short. 4' 11 1/2" to be exact




3. 
   
   Lauren thinks she has love handles. She weighs 80 lbs.




4. 
   
   Lauren is in dental assistant school at Hinds.




5. 
   
   Lauren is single. But in the end, I will have to approve her boyfriend/husband.




6. 
   
   One time I kicked Lauren in the stomach while wearing my tap shoes. Mom wasn't home. It knocked the breath out of her. I was a little scared.




7. 
   
   Lauren has the prettiest curly hair. She straightens it every day.




8. 
   
   Lauren has a shirt that says "Can't poop without peeing." That is her personality.




9. 
   
   She was a cheerleader from 7th grade-10th grade. And now cheers at Hinds.




10. 
    
    She makes life long friendships with the people she babysits for.




11. 
    
    She used to be a live-in-nannny for a family in Madison. The same family I babysat for from 2002-2006.




12. 
    
    She gets pissed when things don't go her way.




13. 
    
    One time Lauren and I were driving from my parent's house to my grandparent's house (a 5 minute drive), and Lauren decides to show me a "short cut"...so I follow her directions and we end up in Richland (we started in Crystal Springs). No, it gets better. Once we figure out we're 30 minutes away from my grandparent's house, we turn around to backtrack, and we have a blowout. So....we're in the middle of nowhere, 30 minutes away from family, with a blowout, on a road that scary people were driving on, with my 2 year old in the backseat. I call my grandmother, aunt, uncle, step dad, and step brother, and tell them to come find us. Good luck with that, since we have no idea where we are? Sooo...about an hour later, everyone shows up to change my tire and we finally get to my grandmother's house. A 5 minute trip turned into a 2 hour trip. No more short cuts.




14. 
    
    I steal my sister's clothes. Sometimes I give them back.




15. 
    
    Lauren and I are so different in a lot of ways. Brown hair/Blonde hair. Curly hair/Straight hair. Dark skin/Fair skin. 80 lbs/NOT 80 lbs. High maintanence/Not quite as much.




16. 
    
    We're very alike in a lot of ways. Easily entertained. Laughs about everything. Blue eyes. Short. Spontaneous.




17. 
    
    We can't stay mad at eachother.




18. 
    
    Lauren loves her niece and nephew. And they adore her.




19. 
    
    Lauren's car always has a bunch of crap in it. She lives in her car.




20. 
    
    Lauren is allergic to kittens. Not cats.




21. 
    
    Lauren is gorgeous, and I secretly envy alot of things about her.

So, there ya go...that's my sister. And when I think about what I would do without her, it literally brings me to tears. I can't imagine my life without Lauren. I can't. And I won't.

I love you, Lauren. You are my heart.

one blessed sissie,

Tonya

~Ton's Thoughts on Thursday~

Ok, so I'm changing things up a little bit. I AM allowed to do that, ya know...this IS my blog!!!! haha!!! From now on (or until I change my mind again)...I'm going to have "Thoughts on Thursday" and "Friday's Friend." I decided to do this, because friends are such an important part of my life, and I want to devote a post to them every once in a while :) So, here are my thoughts today:


*My Parker man is 7 months old!!!!
And how does he celebrate his 7 month-old-day??? In the doctor's office :( This poor child has been congested since December! I'm really thinking he has bad allergies, but they can't test that for a couple more years. So, right now the doctor is just treating his wheezing with Albuterol and his "crud" with Amoxocillin (sp??). Poor baby! But other than that, he's such a joy! Right now he is: eating his weight in formula, juice, baby food, and biter cookies...sleeping from 9:00 pm-7:00 am (8:00 am on Saturdays)...loving his sister!! He looks at Abby and talks to her like he does nobody else. It is so sweet!...He's not crawling yet, but he rolls to get him where he wants to go...his hair is somewhat curly/wavy...he sits up, and then face plants as he reaches for something...he dances...he laughs nonstop...he has a little separation anxiety, only at church...he loves watching cartoons with sissie...he still cuddles with mommy and daddy throughout the night (I just can't give it up!)...he loves his teacher, Mrs. Maragaret...he waves bye-bye...he says da-da, and only screams ma-ma when he's crying...he lovesssssss taking a bath with sissie (if Abby's not in the tub with him, he cries til she gets in)...he's wearing 9 month clothes and size 3 diapers...etc...etc...etc!!!!! In a nutshell...he's getting so big!


*ACT Supervisor
Co-Lin is a testing site for the ACT, and I volunteered to be a supervisor for this Saturday!! What does a ACT supervisor do? GOOD QUESTION!! haha!! From what I understand, I'll have a room with 28 students and I'll be the one that sits up front and reads the directions, hands out books, monitors their breaks, and basically sits in there until everyone's done. Michael has also volunteered to be a "proctor," which means he will sit in the room with me and help! It should be very interesting. #1-because I love to talk, so 4 hours of silence will probably kill me, and #2-because Michael HATES to sit still, so 4 hours being stuck in a room will defly kill him!!


*Easter
We did not celebrate Easter like usual this year. Normally, Easter is at least a week long celebration...with lots of egg hunts, egg dying, and pictures with bunnies. But not this year. For some reason I let Easter sneak up on me. We didn't have Easter pictures made, I was buying basket goodies on Good Friday, we dyed only a dozen eggs, and didn't attend 1 egg hunt (besides for the one they did at school)!!!!!!! And not only did we not celebrate the secular aspect of Easter, but I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't take a lot of time to celebrate the religious aspect either. Don't get me wrong...I know the real meaning of Easter, and I have a personal relationship with the Jesus that died for me...but people, I am having a hard time fighting through this spiritual warfare that's raging inside of me! I've been thinking ALOT about doing a blog-post-series of my testimony, and it's something I'm still praying about...but I want to share with people what I've been through and how it's made me the person I am today. I can honestly tell you that I've had dry spells before, but they've never lasted this long. But the most awesome part is...when I actually take the time to sit down and let God speak...HE SPEAKS! And he speaks LOUD!!!!! It's such an encouraging reminder that He is still there. He is there on the mountain top with you, and He is there in the valley with you. So, I'm fighting my way through it and I'm not fighting on my own. My God is mighty to save!


*Tanning bed update
I've been going a lot more than I said I would. However, I used my last session the other day. Will I buy more? Don't know yet. Maybe if we had tanning beds like the one pictured!!!! haha!


*Austria update
The picture above is the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna, Austria. This is where Farm Bureau is taking us one night for a "Gala," where we will have cocktails, hors d'oeuvres (yes, I had to look up the spelling), a dinner, entertainment by a Viennese orchestra, and ended with professional dancers teaching us the Waltz.
We have a dinner tonight with everyone going to Austria. I'm hoping and praying that after tonight I'll feel alot better about this trip. Everytime I tell someone that I'm going to Austria they're like, "OH MY GOSH, I'm so jealous!!!" So, what is wrong with me???? Is this normal? I mean, are there other moms out there that would be having anxiety about leaving their kids for 8 days? It would be different if we were going to Alabama for 8 days...but we will be a zillion miles away!!!!!!!! Ok, breathe....and let's talk more about this later.


*Pollen
Pollen + black Suburban = embarassing!!!

*No news is GOOD news...right??
I've never been a big news watcher. Actually, I hate watching the news. There's no need to tell me how many people were murdered, what child has been neglected, how many people are homeless, or how our country is going to hell in a handbasket!!! I am way too tender-hearted to hear about people dying, and way to scared to hear about how our country is falling to pieces. So....I just don't watch the news at all. It works for me. Always has. Until...I put on a sleeveless dress and flip flops and walk outside to find that it's 51 degrees!!! Not to mention that I've already put up all my winter clothes and am stuck wearing a jacket that does not match my dress AT ALL! Neat.

*Challenge~
Here's your challenge for this weekend...watch the news at some point this weekend and look for something positive. (I am also challenging myself to do this). It may be hard to do, and it may take you a couple days of watching...but I'm determined to find some positive news in the midst of all the crap going on around us. Pardon my non-child-friendly language...but that's all it is. There is so much sin around us, and sin=crap.


tired of the filth,
Tonya