It stormed today, but after a while stopped and the kids played in the puddles. Before you think I'm a wonderfully relaxed mom, this is a very hard thing for me to do. It causes much anxiety for me, knowing shoes, socks, and clothes will all be wet. And that means more laundry. Ugh. But today I decided to take a deep breath and pretend like it didn't matter. And it was pretty cute to see them enjoying themselves. Lissy had on a princess dress and boy rubber boots. (Camie calls them "rubberband boots".) And as a bonus, nobody got very muddy past their socks. :)


Matt has taken the youth to a Christian concert in Hattiesburg. The group is called Skillet. I told him I could save him the trouble of going and perform for him in the kitchen on some of our own skillets. I suggested banging on them, yelling a good bit, and even flicking lights on and off to get the feel of the stage lights they'll use in their show. He didn't take me up on it. I don't know that he would have even considered the concert except that some of the teens wanted to go. All I have to say is he's a good man, and I 'm glad I have the excuse of a newborn and three preschoolers to prevent me from joining them. :)

Lissy parading on the driveway and waving her "sword". All three of them were in a line doing this."

Cassie smiling in her sleep. (2 1/2 weeks old)

I sat outside while the kids set up a camp with a toy tent, chairs, a box for a table and other random "camp gear" (very creatively used). Here Lissy and Micah are getting water for cooking. Camie even had a crockpot (old metal bowl) on a hole over some sticks with various greens simmering away. Sara and I used to play like that a lot. We cooked gallons of camellia bud stew, seasoned with sand and dirt.

The snake I mutilated with a shovel in an attempt to chop off its head. It was in the edge of the yard and I nearly stepped on it. The kids loved watching its muscles move, even after it was dead. I guess this was our science lesson.

Lissy was picking flowers and kept this one at her nose for several minutes. She told me, "Dis smells wike M&Ms."

Micah watching the rain start again.