Finishing up and party pics

Here are the lasties but not leasties!

1. Nikki - I am thankful that I found her through the 10 things Tuesday lists. She teaches 5th grade and I love reading her blog and thinking about my former teacherhood. She also has the gift of edification and loves to help others "keep their heads up". Super person and great new friend!




2. Polly - I see Polly all the time, but have really gotten to know the real her through her blog. I am thankful that Polly can give and give and give. She gives loads of time and love to her family, guidance to the new parents that she teaches, and comfort to those whose children have also been diagnosed with food allergies like her son Jake. I'll never forget the story of her praying with the couple in Wal-mart!




3. Rebecca - I am so thankful that Toby found Rebecca. She is warm and hysterical and the poster child for "down to earth". They let each other be who they are and get the biggest kick out of each other. It's really cute. I hope someday that God gives them a little girl, because Rebecca is the fastest bow-maker I have ever seen. :-)




4. Sandi - I am thankful for Sandi's frankness. She is living a very blessed life, with a fantastic husband and two little boys (with another any day!), and she is very aware of how great this is and thanks God for it. But, she speaks honestly about what it really means to be a wife and mother. It's not a laugh a minute. It's a huge, beautiful responsibility. Of course, I'm also thankful that I knew Sandi in college because her since of humor was just as quirky as mine! :)




5. Shaila - I am thankful that her son Samuel was in Sophie's class at Mother's Day Out. Sophie was walking one day and pointed him out saying, "that's Samuel. He's sooooooooo cute." (Yeah, she was 2 at the time. No more Disney channel for her.) Anyway, we met through that and now we can keep up through blogging. Yay!




6. Stephanie - The great thing about Steph is that you really have no idea how you met. You just know her. Everyone knows her. She is infectiously happy and I am thankful to have such a positive person to call my friend.




7. Trisha - I am so thankful that the Box girls have Trisha as an aunt. Those girls are special to us Ramseys and it sure does make me feel good to know they are loved so much by their Aunt Trisha and Uncle Jason. Trisha's blog is a hoot!




8. X-box wife - I actually think her name is Jill, but to me she will always be "x-box wife"! I am thankful that she began 10 Things Tuesday, one of the highlights of my week. It's taken on a life of it's own here in J'boro, but she will always be the original "thankful person" in my book.

Now, here are some photos from Sophie's end of the year carnival:

First, Sophie and her beloved Mrs. Kelly. (Don't ask me why she's making a face. Oh yeah, because I am taking her picture.)

A little "pretend you are dead and I will draw your chalk outline" fun.

What Sophie does, Maddie does.Sophie sliding down the big slide. This was her favorite part. And, this was the only way she would go down. Head first. Once again, what Sophie does ...My cuties.

Maddie had more fun than anyone else in our family. She thinks she is big stuff. The older kids were super patient with her. (some even played with her! Woo, Maddie!) I didn't get any pictures of the water fun, because I was feeding Eliza. She did so good. Watching all the kids play, just happy as a little clam. (are clams really happy?) No pictures of her, though, since she was on my hip most of the time.

Adios! It's off to get a tan I go!

Still thankful

Day 3, day 3 ... here are 10 more who've been a blessing to me!

1. Jenn - the thing I am thankful for about Jenn is when she was queened at HU. It might sound silly, but college is when I knew her well so that is what comes to mind. I'm thankful for her queen-hood because she truly loved those guys like brothers and was not "bucking" for the title in any way. I've never been so happy to see someone honored like that!
2. Jennifer - I am thankful that she is a mother. You can tell by the way she writes and the sweet love-letters she posts to her 3 girls that she puts them above all else. She is so very grateful for every moment with them. Even the bad moments have silver linings!
3. Jenny - my bff! We were friends at Harding, but it was when the Boxes moved to J'boro (actually, after we had Sophie and Lucy) that we really started becoming tight. She's wonderful at everything, a total perfectionist, yet laid-back and easy-going at the same time. She's the peas to my carrots. (I let her be the peas, because I know she hates carrots. :) )
4. Jill - Another "blogging" friend! I am thankful that Jill has accomplished something that you usually only see on t.v. She's lost 40 pounds and kept it off! That's amazing to me. She is beautiful and even though she and her husband were high school sweet-hearts, she still talks about him like they just had their first date. It's so cute. We should all act like that!
5. Kathryn - When I first started this blog, I would toot around in the blog world and find people I knew. Kathryn found me! For some reason, it felt really good to be "found". I am thankful that she has a happy life with her husband, Rob up in Virginia.
6. Kim - I am thankful that Kim is just as bubbly as ever. She has some adorable little boys (with some terrific "little boy hair") and she writes about everything with enthusiasm whether it's some blue flowers (it's a Texas thing) or a local festival. I'm thankful that she is just as I remember her.
7. Kristen - I am so thankful for her help with Sophie's polka dot party. I had absolutely no direction. We were at Harding at the same time, and I always thought she seemed sweet. However, we didn't really know each other. So, I think it says a lot about her character that she would go out of her way to help me out!
8. Lisa Beth - I am thankful that I just recently found her blog. She is the mother of an adorable little boy and she is going through all the new mom worries. I remember Lisa Beth as always having a huge smile and the prettiest rosy cheeks!
9. Liz - This is one of those weird coincidences in life. I found Liz's blog by accident, fell in love with her super-cool decorating style and blog-stalked her. Then, I find out she's a cousin of Chandra's (whom I went to HU with). Huh, how about that. Then, I find out she grew up going to church with my husband in Mountain View, which is a very small place. Okay, great, if there are so many connections, it's no longer blog-stalking - it's just plain ol' stalking. Liz is funny and talented and I am thankful that I now have this dorky story to tell.
10. Maryann - Oh, to know Maryann is to love Maryann. I am thankful that I knew her at HU and have now found her beautiful blog dedicated to her little "gifts". Maryann's personality is so very warm, she really does think of others before her self. I recommend her list of "simple truths". It will bless you!

10 more ...

Continuing the thankful theme for the rest of the week. I feel like I should throw in here that there are hundreds (possibly millions?) of others that I am thankful for that are not on my blog roll. I'm a blessed little lady, that's fo sho.

Here are 10 more people I am thankful for!

1. Chandra - I am thankful for all of her stories about H. I would love to hear a conversation between H. and Sophie. They are both so literal, it would either be super dry or hysterical. Probably both. Chandra, I wish we'd gotten to hang out more at HU, but I'm so thankful for our friendship now!
2. Dallas - I am thankful for the inspiration! Dallas writes like Jenny McCarthy (without the bad words) and has made me laugh out loud at the computer on more than one occasion. My hubby can always tell if I am reading her blog because I am either laughing or nodding my head. She is a mother of 2 girls very close together and she gets it.
3. Danielle - I am thankful that I got to sing on the praise team with Danielle. We were the red team? Can't remember, but I had the pleasure of singing with her once or twice a month. She has such a clear voice and she could even make our little alto part sound melodic. :-) I'm glad she chooses to use her talent to praise!
4. Deborah - I am thankful that Deborah has lived up to everyone's expectations. At HU, she had a reputation for grace and kindness (deservedly so). She is now a wife and mother who loves her family whole-heartedly, but still loves Christ more. Now THAT'S a compliment!
5. Elizabeth - I am thankful for Elizabeth's creativity. You should see the frames she made for each of her students at pre-school this year! She was my suite-mate Sophomore year and made me laugh all the time. I am also thankful that she was such a good sport through-out all the drama that year! heh heh
6. Eric and Rebecca - If you know them, then you know what I am thankful for! Their beautiful twins were born at 29 weeks. I am so thankful that you would never know what those girls went through to look at them now! I am also thankful that Eric found someone so terrific to marry.
7. Gina - Oh, stars, I am thankful for everything about this girl! We met at Student Impact when we were lowly freshmen and were pretty much inseparable after that. She married a wonderful person and has 2 gorgeous little ones and one on the way. I love her so much but even more than that, I just really really like her. Almost all of my fun memories from college involve her.
8. Hannah - I am thankful that she moved to Jonesboro. She is a very talented seamstress. I hope she teaches me to quilt this summer! She and Brandon made an immediate connection here and we love them. I'm also thankful that we sat together at girl's night out last night. She kept our entire table in stitches!
9. Jamie - I am thankful that Jamie is so giving. Jamie's favorite quote is, "here, take it!" or "here, just use mine!" She organizes monthly get togethers and is very enthusiastic. And, she totally wins the awesome mommy award. Her twins are precious! Oh, and I am thankful that we worked together the summer of '94. I never would have survived it without her!
10. Jen - I am thankful to be able to keep up with her through blogging. When she was growing up, I always said that I would like to have little girls that looked and acted just like her. I am so proud of the wife and mother she has become, but every now and then I will picture that adorable little girl that I loved so much.

10 Things Tuesday

I'll admit it - I'm a sucker for a kind word. And Dallas is doing the most amazing thing this week. She's going down her blog roll and introducing each one to her readers. But, the coolest thing is how she's taking the time to be specific and complimentary to each one. What a great praise to our Lord to affirm His created in this way!


I've decided to do something similar with my thankful list this week. And yes, I am totally and completely copying. I will admit to that, too. I have never been a creative thinker. :)

10 People I am thankful for!

1. Alissa - I am thankful that we directed Student Impact at Harding together. We were very different, but in a great way. That was a fun summer! Glad we've reconnected, my friend. (Oh, and she let me drive her beloved car, Little MO. :) )


2. Amanda - I am thankful that I met her through blogging. I say "met", but we actually have never met face to face. However, the way she writes makes me feel like I know her well! She has an adorable daughter and is a really fantastic mommy.


3. Amy Baker - Someday, I'll write a post on how every time I meet an "Amy", I end up loving her. I am thankful for Amy Baker because nothing seems to faze her. She's an inspiration to all of us parents out there in the way she calmly handles anything the world gives her and turns it into blessings. Andrew chose well!


4. Amy Barrett - I am thankful that Amy and I clicked instantly as friends. From that moment on, we've decided to lead almost identical lives! There's no worrying when we go somewhere about what my girls are wearing, because the Barrett girls will be just as fancy. Especially the baby, Ella! Love you, Barrett!


5. Amy Griffin - I am thankful that Amy transferred to Harding our sophomore year. From our first meeting, I was laughing every time I was with her. She also has one of the sweetest hearts. See her post about the yard babies.


6. Amy Shumate - I am thankful that she is my friend and has found something that she is ridiculously good at. We went through a hard time together, and I'm thankful we had each other at that time. Amy is the most genuine person I know. Everything she says rings completely true.


7. Andria - I am thankful that Andria and I are friends after all this time. It takes a special connection to be able to maintain a relationship that long and I credit her. She has lived the fun and adventurous life that most of us fantasize about. Memphis may not be as exciting as New York or L.A., but I am glad she is back in the area.


8. Ashleigh - I am thankful for Ashleigh's loyalty to her friends. She's a running buddy to me, a shopping buddy to Jamie, pretty much some sort of "buddy" to everyone she comes into contact with. I am also thankful that she did my make-up and removed the axle grease from my veil on my wedding day. :)


9. Carrie - I am thankful for Carrie's devotion. She is devoted to her husband and adorable boys. It is so clear in her writing. She also has set up a blog Bible study. I admire her so much for working on that. It takes a lot of effort to type out those scriptures each week. She is very aware of how much God has blessed her.


10. Chad and Marti Jo - I am thankful that they have found each other. They were each our friends before they were married and it's fun to do things together as couples now. We don't get to as much as we would like (because of all the little princesses), but now that they are expecting their first little princess, maybe they will slow down and we will get to see them more often!

Woo-hoo! Thank you, Lord, for each of these people. They have blessed my life in so many different ways!

I'll be doing this all week!

Give this a try ...

This is my newest obsession: Gifts That Give More. It has bunches of different charitable gifts that you can give that range in price from $1 (for various things) to $130 (pay for a year of education for females in rural Africa). We chose to "feed a family for 5 weeks" in honor of each of our mothers this year for Mother's Day. There are so many cool things to do and I want to do all of them!
What's really fantastic with most (maybe all) of the gifts is that 100% of the money goes to the charity instead of a percentage taken out by the web-site host. There were no taxes or shipping charges, either!
It just feels better than buying more stuff, you know?
And I know that Jeff and I were trying to do home-made/hand-made this year, but maybe it was just a tad over-ambitious to think we could do that for each gift occasion this year! Still trying,though!

skirtini - the minivan of bathing suits

Quick, what's your least favorite thing to do? I'm talking about your most hated activity. Raise your hand if you said "try on bathing suits"! You must be female.

I haven't tried on bathing suits since right before leaving on my honeymoon. It was a *shhh* bikini. (sorry if that scandalizes you, mother!) A teeny tiny bikini. Let's just say the suits I tried on today were the opposite.

It's not like I've been wearing that bikini for the last 6 years. The last 4 summers I've worn the same ugly pink maternity bathing suit. (that I ordered online and it never really fit no matter what trimester I was in.) I was going to wear it again this summer, but the bottoms don't fit.

My plan was - get something solid colored and then have one of my talented friends embroider one of these phrases on it: mother of 3 or recently gave birth or see all these kids? cut me some slack. Ooohh, maybe I could do all three, graffiti style, with 3 kids in 3 years (my excuse for every flaw) scrawled across the booty!

So, I tried on something new for me. A skirtini. Sounds very cute and flirty,no? Well ....... alright, I thought it was! It covered a lot of sag without making me feel ridiculous. I know you are thinking "oh, cool, Danna's wearing cu-lottes at the beach" but it's really more like a running skirt or short tennis skirt. I'm sold on the things. Since it covers so much, the skirtini method gives you lots more options which means getting to choose based on cuteness factor and not on least fatty factor.

It is possible, I just realized, that I may be the last to board the skirtini train. It has been 6 years, after all.

a quote:
talking about her cousin's upcoming birthday and how she will be turning 4 ...
"Sophie, how does it feel to be four?"
"cold."

Sophie Ramsey, T.M.I - my normally soft-spoken daughter found her volume just in time to announce this little gem while we were in line to eat at a restaurant Sat. night, "DADDY! MY PANTIES WERE STUCK TO MY BOTTOM AND I GOT THEM OUT ALL BY MYSELF!!!!!"

Thirteen Thursday - Toy Edition

I was working on the playroom today, trying to fit all the toys (junk) in there and still have room to play. Ironic, isn't it, that there is no room to play in a playroom? I'd like to just gut the thing and have it be a big dance space :) but, they need their play kitchen. They would just die without their easel. They cannot play without their big castle tent and don't get them started on their princess table and chairs. For real, you can't even sit down in there. Their toys are HUGE. Fortunately, we are one gender, so at least there is a sort of theme. But, let's be honest, I don't really care about themes. The toy clutter is stressing this momma out! The silver lining here is that I started feeling nostalgic for the toys of yesteryear. The old "eighties greaties", if you will.

13 toys I loved as a kid

1. colorforms


2. Barbies. I'd put baby oil in their hair and then give them a really bad haircut.


3. Raggy Ann. I pulled all of her hair out.


4. Lite Brite


5. Paper dolls. Sometimes I got store bought ones, but mostly Billie and I would just cut them out of the Sear's catalog and give them names. (such as ... Danna... and Billie)


6. Glamour Girls. Remember those? They looked like miniature barbies.


7. Pogo ball


8. Long stitch. It was like embroidery on canvas with really big yarn.


9. My stuffed Raspberry Tart (Strawberry Shortcake's friend) and Simon (Alvin the chipmunk's friend). I always liked the friends better than the "star".


10. Puzzles. When I got rich and famous, I was going to have a Puzzle Room.


11. A little record player and those books that the records would chime when you were supposed to turn the page.


12. Lots and lots of books. Mostly Pippi and Ramona and Anastasia


13. A dollhouse that someone made (maybe my Dad?). It had some major 70's decor and wasn't sanded or anything so I always got splinters and it had some nails sticking out. Know what, though? I played with that thing everyday. I thought it was awesome. Or rad. Can't remember what I would have called it back then.

There you go. 13 wicked cool toys. Any I missed?