Weekend in Numbers

Ten - the number of pictures that GT took with my camera when I wasn't looking - little did I know, he was leaving fingerprints on the lens that would haze up all of the pictures I took over the weekend...

Nine -  the number of naps Vadyn took over the weekend.  The girl was tired.

  Pretty sure it's that new molar that she has popping through...

that makes nine teeth and one molar.  She isn't even one year old yet...

Eight -  what we did at the Mexican restaurant Saturday night

Get it???  We ate...(eight)...I know, it's a stretch!!  : )

Seven -  the number of lessons I learned about forgiveness at church yesterday...

Six -  the number of us that got together at Quail Ridge Park on Saturday.  Robyn and I met up with the kids and enjoyed some playtime on the playground and fun near the pond.  The boys were even lucky enough to get to fish for a little bit with another little boy who was there at the lake. 

So many good times have been had by our family at Quail Ridge Park! 

My favorite shots from the day:

Five -  the number of current Draw Something games I have going...

Tell me you don't want a piece of this action...

Four -  the number of times I ate Pizza Rolls over the weekend - yeah

 - pretty much think I killed that craving for a while. 

Three - the number of movies Gordon & I watched this weekend.  Two terrifically scary ones & one out of this world funny one...

 

Can you guess which one was the funny one?!?

Two - the number of birthdays that were celebrated this weekend!!

Happy Birthday's were had by my little sister, Leslie, and Gordon's mom, Wanda...

One - the number of kids we had Sunday night - GT spent the night at his Mimi & Papa's house after spending Sunday afternoon and evening celebrating...

It Would Mean the World to Me

It would mean a whole heck of a lot to me if you'd take a minute out of your busy lives and let me tknow what you think of the new look of When 1 + 1 = 4...

I've been wanting to change it up for a while and I finally figured out how to do just that yesterday.

So, pretty please, let me know what you think.  After all, it's a work in progress...just like me.

What Really Happens When You Swallow Your Gum

Dude.

You HAVE to read this article...

Source

Knowing...

Knowing that you are on the path that God intended for you doesn't mean that everything is all sunshine and roses all of the time. It means that you have to take the bad with the good. It means trusting in God and knowing that He's got you covered.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

I'm not going to lie, yesterday was a tough day for me - really tough.  If it wasn't one thing, it was another - including but not limited to, the toilet overflowing and causing a major flood in the basement.

But then, there were the moments like these...that were pure perfection and that brought a smile to my face and my heart.

 

I think the key for me is keeping the smile on my face even during the bad - because my good is oh so good and it has God's blessing all over it.

...AND even though I overslept this morning...I decided I wasn't going to let it get me down - and the Big Man started speaking to me right away.

"Wave away my yesterday, 'cause I'm leaving it behind me"

Yep. It Happens About That Fast...

I saw this and had to share it.  It's something You Gotta See!!

Watch this filmmaker's daughter grow from birth to 12 years old in a matter of minutes...

Yep.  It seems like it happens about that fast...

A Little Different...

So...are you dying for an update of what I did this weekend??  Prepare to be jealous.  NOT.

Anyone else out there have a catchall space?  A place where everything gets piled when you don't have the time to put it in it's rightful place?  Well...we do.  Over the weekend - I tackled it.

Saturday, I sent GT to his Mimi's.  The boy was super rambunctious and had major cabin fever - he's been sick since the 10th...  It turns out that his cousins, Mason & Morgan were at Mimi's too, so GT got to spend some much needed time with them, also.

GT's Papa bought him a new ride...Vadyn took it for a test spin since GT was sleeping when he got home.  She already knows how to work the bell!!

So yeah, nothing too exciting this weekend...except for when we broke out the glow sticks for bath time last night. NOW THAT WAS EXCITING!!  I highly recommend this activity for your youngsters...Cassie, Stella would LOVE this!

Killing Two Birds With One Stone

Does that sound harsh?

It wasn't meant to be...

I've just got some blog-keeping to do 'round these parts.  Yep. I just said 'round these parts. : )

Ok - so... (there's that ... again...)

I've won a couple of awards:

A couple of weeks ago, Jena over at Jena's Journal nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award...and then the other day, Brandy over at A Little Bit of Brandy nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award.  I have really been feeling the blogger LOVE!!!

 
I've decided to combine the two awards, since they kind of have the same "rules" - hence my blog post title - Killing Two Birds With One Stone.  Do you get it now?

The Versatile Blogger Award asks for 7 Random Facts about Yourself and the Liebster Blog Award asks for 5...so...I'm gonna go with 6.  Hope y'all are happy.

1.  I cannot make it through dinner with shoes on.  If we are home and eating dinner, once I sit down and start eating, without even realizing it, I will be slipping my shoes off under the table.

2.  We homeschool our children.  I was going to say 'plan to homeschool' our children, but...we already do!!  Everyday we are teaching them something.  Next year we will start with a written curriculum for GT.

3.  I delivered pizzas for Domino's until I was 8 months pregnant with my daughter, Vadyn.  You gotta do, what you gotta do.

4.  I am the person with 1,000 nicknames - some of which have included - Mel, Melly, Tinkerbell, Sunshine, Lizard. Hillbillie and Egon...the list goes on and on...

5.  I was on the Drama Team in my High School.  I had a lead in the play every four years.  My freshman year of high school, I beat out a junior for the part!!  Go ME!!!

6.  I do not believe in coincidence.  (If you've been reading my blog - you may already know this about me...)  I believe in Godincidence.  If come up against one of these 'incidences' - know that you are on the path that God intended for you.

Thank you Jena & Brandy, for nominating me for these awards!!  You two are toooo sweet!!  : )

A lot of the blogs that I read have already received these awards and posted about them...so I won't specifically do so myself, but if you would like to leave a few random things about yourself in the comments, that would be fun...don't you think?  Good.  Do it.

Pretty please?



High Five For Friday!!!!

A BIG HIGH FIVE to Merle and Patricia Butler.  They are the big winners of the Mega Millions Lotto a few weeks ago.  I was born and raised in Red Bud, Illinois - he was one of my Khoury League coaches, I practically grew up with their daughter - heck, I have even spent the night in the house that they show in this video...It could not have happened to nicer, more responsible people.  Congratulations to them!!

High Five for pictures like these from my cousin who lives out in Colorado...especially on rainy days like today.  These mountains are calling my name...



There's just something about the mountains...

High Five for the Draw Something app...It's my current favorite...let me know if you want to start a game!!

High Five for a boy so well behaved that I am complimented on his behavior!!

High Five for Vadyn while we are at it...she loves her  Momma's pancakes!!

I look forward to sharing the recipe with you all soon!!

What are you all High Fivin' this week???

Have a great weekend Everyone!

  After all, if I'm going to have one, you might as well, too!

Getting To Know Me

I’m participating in the send something good project.  It was put together by Gentri, Kaitlyn, and Kristy  and today I'm putting a post together dedicated to that  - to let my secret sister (and anyone else out there) know a little bit more about me and the kinda stuff that makes me 'giggle and warm and fuzzy inside'  (I’m super excited about who I am matched up with and already have been stalking her blog and making a list of thingsto go out and collect for her, and of course taking pictures along the way!)


A little more about me -


I love Jesus.
I love to reading, crafting, crocheting & photography - and not necessarily in that order...
I like to use my laminating machine.
I drink warm lemon water every morning - and I can't stop.
I like simple.
My favorite color is purple.
My favorite flowers are daisies.
My favorite punctuation is ...
I love making lists.I strive to be organized. I am a work in progress...
I never wanted to be married - until I laid eyes on my husband.
I'm always doing laundry.  I make my own laundry detergent and fabric softener.
I love steady rain.
I like silent movies and talk radio.
I like Snickers & Skittles - but not together...(pretzels and skittles together are a nice combo though)
I love to bowl.
I read to my kids every night before they go to bed.
My children are my life.
I am an old soul.
I am emotional and sensitive.
I wish I was as rich as I feel.

...if I can think of anything else, I'll let you know...I'm sure I'll think of something just as soon as I hit publish on this post...

The Hick Family Easter

As promised...I am sharing the rest of the pictures and details from our Easter day celebrations...



Easter baskets from Gma Carol

 

Hugs for Aunt Stephanie

Discovering what's in the Easter Basket

Craig & Alex (brothers)



Uncle George & Stacie



Look!  Craig is eating the Glass Block Jello!

 

Aunt Donna w/ Bruiser



My sister, Stephanie

Again, Craig & Alex

My momma

Litney & Erin (both are preggars!!!!)

Litney is due in July
Erin is due in November!!



Me & My Honey

Roger attempting to get the badminton birdie off of the roof

Aunt Susie & GT
(I love the countryside in this picture)

My husband, the hero!!!

Great job Honey!

Vadyn discovers the stairs...

<3 <3 <3

SURPRISE!!  Grandpa Steve dropped by!

GT w/ my Daddy-O

Erin & Vadyn
(She is going to be such a good Momma!)

Brandon & Ashley
*Young Love*

Wait a second...Grandpa was there??

*Only in SpIrIt*

Fun with Silly String

GT found a helmet

Mom & Vadyn

Zack, GT & Gordon

Grandma Alice

What is wrong with this picture?

Aunt Susie & Vadyn



Uncle Johnny & Uncle Jeff



Easter was an absolutely beautiful day.  I loved that we were able to spend it in Illinois with my family for the first time in several years.  I think 4, to be exact.  I'm pretty sure the last Easter I celebrated with them was when I was pregnant with GT.  A great big THANK YOU to my Aunt Susie for hosting!!

On our way home from Illinois, we stopped at Gordon's mom's house to see her & Jer.  We wanted to be sure that they got to see the kids on Easter, too...Here are a couple of photos from that part of our day.  They were taken on the iPad, so they are not the best quality, but I think the pictures are great...if that makes any sense...I know it does to me!!

My cool dude

Easter 2012