It’s just crazy how much rain we are getting!! The neighbor’s yards already look significantly more flooded than when I took that last picture, just 20 minutes ago. I’m so glad I don’t have to be out in it, but I wish Adam didn’t either…

My sister had to take baby Pj to Vanderbilt Children’s, this morning. Pj has a hemangioma on the top of her head. They met with a doctor about that, who also did an EKG. Pj’s was abnormal. She also has higher blood pressure than she should. They did a repeat EKG today, and it’s still showing the same abnormalities. They are going back to see a pediatric cardiologist next Monday, now. I’m sure praying that it will be something that’s either curable, treatable, or best yet, going to go away without the need for any intervention at all. It’s sure been a whirlwind type of day.

“I believe kids outta stay kids as long as they can. Turn off the screen, go climb a tree, get dirt on their hands. I believe we gotta forgive and make amends, because nobody gets a second chance to make new old friends. I believe in working hard for what you’ve got. Even if it don’t add up to a hell of a lot. I believe most people are good and most mamas outta qualify for sainthood…I believe this world ain’t half as bad as it looks. I believe most people are good…”

~Luke Bryan

This is one of my favorite “Spring” songs. I love when the weather is nice, windows open, music playing. I think this song is just incredibly sweet, and it always makes me smile. I listened to it, yesterday evening, as I washed and sliced the potatoes I was making for supper. All of the neighborhood kids were playing outside. The dogs chased after balls being thrown for them. After I put the potatoes in the oven, I played basketball outside, with Mj, for awhile. It was one of the most amazing kind of evenings. The kind of memories, that even while I’m making them, I try so hard to soak up as much as I can, because it’s almost magic, the happiness and peace I felt. I think I could maybe just live in those sweet moments forever. These fleeting times, where everything in the world seems absolutely perfect.

My potatoes came out perfect. Adam’s chicken was delicious, too. 😊

It started storming, around 11:00, last night. I woke up to loud thunder, a few times. There are some tornado warnings, in counties around us. We’ve been in a tornado watch, since last night. The kids school was canceled today, as a precaution. So, I’ve got my kiddos home with me. I’ve got windows open, but it’s kind of stuffy in here, with the humidity. Our front grass has really greened up! I’ve seen lots of buds on trees, and flowers blooming. My mother in law told me there was 4-8 INCHES of snow forecasted, where she lives. Yuck.

I think the kids and I are going to play a board game. I try to entertain them, without electronics, for part of the day, at least. Since we can’t go outside, I’m coming up with fun inside ideas. I have journals for them. We usually do them during summer, when they’re out of school. I give them a new journal prompt, everyday, and they write and draw about it. I might get those out, too. I wasn’t planning on them being home for lunch, either, so I need to figure out what to make for them.

I suppose I’ll turn on some music, and get started with my day. I haven’t done much of anything, yet. Drank like 3 cups of coffee, made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher. That’s about it. Let’s hope the weather doesn’t wind up turning on us, and cutting power off or something. As long as that doesn’t happen, I’m good with a day off, hanging out with my babies.

I’ve never been one to ask for help
If I need a mountain moved, I move it myself
I ain’t the church pew regular, twice on Sunday
Quote you the scripture kind
I’m far from a preacher
But I’m a believer

‘Cause every single day, before I knew your name
I couldn’t see your face, but I prayed for you
Every heartbreak trail when all hope failed
On the highway to hell, I prayed for you
I kept my faith like that old King James
Said I’m supposed to
It’s hard to imagine, bigger than I could fathom
I didn’t know you from Adam, but I prayed for you

For someone to love me like you do
Graceful eyes to see me through
A smile that steals me, a heart that heals me
A touch that kills me too
Baby you’re perfect, I guess the good Lord heard it

Listening to music, and this song came on. It makes me think of Adam. It also makes me think of Jackie, with Justin. I truly hope that she can let him “in”, because he is the best man I’ve ever seen her with. There’s no question about that. I’ve had many conversations with her about “self sabotage”. I can see her doing it. I’ve been calling her out on it, though. I’m not saying she has to marry Justin, just because we like him. I would hate for her to throw him away, with absolutely NO good reason to do so. I swear, so many people just can’t understand how much work and dedication relationships actually take. Nobody’s perfect! It’s about finding the one who can give you all the things you need. You can’t build trust and security overnight. You can’t expect someone to always know how to do things the right way, for you, either. Learn from one another. Teach each other. Grow together. That’s what makes a relationship work.

I didn’t even get to have Valentine’s Day sex, last night… These antibiotics are messing with my “self cleaning oven” (vagina). I had to get some other medicine to fix that, now. Adam and I still talked, laughed, and snuggled together. He left me the sweetest note, on Valentine’s Day. I found it on the kitchen counter. I would certainly not call Adam a “romantic” type of guy. He doesn’t typically do big, over the top, gestures of love. What he does do, is consistently be here for me. He always comes home. He always works hard for us. He never leaves me alone to figure out a problem or challenge. He knows that I buy the things I need and want, and he’s fine with it. If I mention something I’d like, he doesn’t care to make me wait for a birthday or holiday. He tells me to go get it. I’d rather have this guy, every single day, than a big bouquet of roses, or a diamond necklace, because it’s Valentine’s Day. He has randomly brought home flowers, for no particular reason. He brings me home my favorite candy bar, sometimes. Just because. Just because he thought of me. I love getting a thoughtful candy bar, on some random Tuesday, simply because he was thinking of me. His note, yesterday morning, meant more to me than any gift money could buy.

This morning, I watched the sunrise from my kitchen window. I enjoyed my coffee, and soaked in a moment of quiet, before I woke up the kids for school. It was mid 60s out, by 6:00am. The birds were singing. I opened the deck door and some windows. It’s mid 70s out now. There’s a cold front coming in late tonight, and bringing rain and thunderstorms along with it. I’m just making the most of this beautiful day. I pulled some weeds and dead flowers from my front flower beds, and around the mailbox. I played fetch with our dogs. I had swept and mopped the kitchen, yesterday, but Jackie’s one year old niece was here. I gave her one of the cookies I’d baked. Naturally, crumbs were everywhere. So, I’m going to sweep and mop again. I need to make the pasta salad that we’re going to have with supper. I was going to make it this weekend, but ended up making mac and cheese, instead. Adam’s grilling us chicken, with Sweet Baby Rays wing sauce. That’s my very favorite! I’m going to also make my chili potatoes. I just slice some potatoes and spread them in a casserole dish. Mix with a lot of butter, chopped onion, and chili powder. Everybody here really likes them.

I guess that’s about all I have, for today! I’m going to get back to enjoying this perfect Spring-like day. 😊

This morning, I went to the grocery store, and got some things we needed. While I was there, my phone rang. It was Mj. I can’t describe the panic I feel, when one of my babies calls me on their mobile phone, from school. My mind immediately goes to the worst case scenario…there’s someone in the school hurting the kids. I’m a big supporter of our 2A rights, here in America, but that doesn’t mean I don’t fear for my children’s safety. I do not support or condone using weapons to harm innocent victims. Having said all that, she wanted socks. I just got her some new tennis shoes. The ones I bought her, in August, were completely worn out. The socks she wore were too low, so the back of her shoes were cutting into the backs of her ankles. I brought her some socks.

I vacuumed, swept, and mopped all the main floor. I baked some Valentine cookies, too.

It looks like we’re going to get some rain, later this afternoon. We decided to have Adam grill our chicken tomorrow, instead of today. I’m going to make spaghetti and meatballs for supper, tonight. I like to make “homemade garlic bread”. I just take some hamburger or hotdog buns and pull them apart. I melt some butter and garlic powder, and then brush that onto the buns. I’ll add some Italian cheese to the top sometimes, too. I bake them in the oven for about 10 minutes, and they come out perfectly delicious!

Jackie’s sister should be here soon. I’m going to help her curl her hair. She has a date, tonight. Adam and I are going out to eat, with Jackie and Justin, this weekend. Mj went with Justin to get Jackie’s Valentine’s gift, last weekend. He’s so good with my kids. He had a baby Yoda, in his truck. Mj loves baby Yoda. He gave it to her, and she sleeps with it every night now.

I have music playing. My iTunes account has an insane variety of genres. I just heard a “Hollywood Undead” song. Now, “Speak Life”, by Toby Mac is playing. That’s a Christian song. Yep, that’s me. All over the place.

I left this next to the coffee pot, for Adam to find, from our kids.

Also, the sunrise was beautiful, this morning. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Well, the stupid Chiefs won the Super Bowl…

We had a lot of fun with baby Pj last night, though. Today, I had to bring my daughter to a doctor’s appointment, in Nashville. I was busy getting my chores at home done, before we left, this morning. I washed our bedding and hung it out to dry. I got the kitchen all cleaned up, and straightened up the living room. Watered all my plants. Fed the dogs and cat. Scarfed down a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and threw on some jeans and a t-shirt. We just got back from her appointment. Now I’m thawing out ground beef, for supper tonight. I’m making my homemade version of “hamburger helper”. I just fry some ground beef. I season it with garlic and onion powder. Once that’s done, add water and elbow macaroni noodles. I use 2 1/2 cups of water for every 2 cups of noodles. Once they’re done, I add in some Velveeta cheese. I know, I use the hell out of this stuff… after cheese is melted and stirred in, add some sour cream and mix together. That’s it!

I got some chicken for Adam to grill, either tomorrow, or Wednesday. The weather is sunny and 70ish today. It’s going to stay warm until Thursday, when storms roll in.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. I’ve got heart shaped boxes of chocolates, for the kids. I got a Twix candy bar, for Adam. That’s his favorite. I’ll sneak it into his lunch with the little note I’ve written for him.

I suppose I should bring in the laundry, make our bed, and return a phone call I missed, earlier. That’s about all the excitement here today, anyway!

My husband is the most patient, gentle, sweet, loving man. He adores babies and children. I absolutely love watching him with baby Pj. I remember the first time I met his old college roommate. Adam was on the wild side, to say the least, in college. We had just had Mj (our youngest baby), when his buddy had come by. It was the first time they’d seen each other in years. I asked his buddy if he ever imagined Adam with a wife and kids, all “settled” like this? His buddy’s exact words were, “That’s what he always wanted, though! He always wanted to find a good woman to love, and have a family.” I’ll never forget those words. It touched me, hearing that.

I couldn’t have possibly found a better man to call my husband. To be the Daddy to my children. To be an Uncle, to my niece. Like that old song goes,

[Adam’s] hands weren’t always gentle, but I’ve come to understand, there was always love in [Adam’s] hands…

I texted Adam’s mama, and I told her thank you for making this amazing man. Along with one of the pictures of him and Pj. ❤️

6-8 red potatoes (diced)

Baby carrots

Green beans

Corn

Beef stew meat

Tomato juice (Jackie likes the spicy V8)

Beef broth

Throw all of it in a slow cooker, and smell the deliciousness as it cooks all day! 😊

Jackie is making supper for us, tonight. She has beef stew slow cooking. My sister is bringing Pj over, this evening. They’re going to watch the Super Bowl at a friend’s house. Jackie and Justin are just hanging out here to watch it. The sun is shining bright again, today! We had a great Saturday, with friends, and it’s going to be a beautiful Sunday. I have avoided saying or doing anything at all to “grind Adam’s gears”. I even got laid, last night! I’m feeling much much better. It’s going to be hard to make myself keep taking the antibiotics, because they mess with my belly. I have to eat something, when I take them, but I’m not always hungry, and it’s even harder when my stomach is tied in knots because of them. I hate taking medicine…

Jackie and I are looking at doing this class, where you’re served a glass of wine, and they teach you how to paint a beautiful picture. It looks like a lot of fun, and I want to try it! Justin, Jackie, Adam, and I are going out for supper, next weekend. We’ve been talking about taking the guys to that place we did the “rage room” at. They have ax throwing, cornhole, pool, darts…It would be a cool place we could all go. Whether we’re being silly at home, or finding other adventures, it’s always a good time. I really love how easily Justin has become “one of our people”. ❤️

Adam is watching some farming show, with one of the guys from that show, “Top Gear”. Our son and him are binge watching it, lately. We had another friend, we call him “Jake from State Farm”, called to see what we’re up to. He wants to come hang out with us, tonight. Adam was worried I might not be up for it, since I’m still fighting off an infection. I told him I am FINE, and I’d love to play some cornhole with our friends! I’m in the kitchen, telling Adam just how great I feel, while he’s in the other room watching their silly TV show. I text him a smiling picture of myself. He said, “I know you’re beautiful”. I just thought that was very sweet. Although, the point was to show him how “fine” I’m feeling.

I’m excited to have some fun with our friends, tonight! I really hope Adam don’t end up being all “protective”, and making me take it easier than I want to.

Justin and Jackie ran to the store, for a few things. They should be back any minute. I’m ready to have some weekend fun! I’m going to have to tear my husband away from this TV show…