Brookey Babe!

My niece is graduating! Here she comes BYU! I don't think she'll last a year before a nice RM snatches her! She's a great catch! Congrats, Brooke!

Fire! Fire!

 

Jill's husband is a firefighter and he bought her a t-shirt that says "Firemen make the best lovers". Bryn went over to play with her daughter yesterday and Jill still had her pj's on which included this shirt . Well, Bryn kept looking at it with an inquisitive look (she thinks it means boyfriends). She said, "I know why firemen make the best boyfriends. It's because they're so hot! Get it? Hot--like fire? Ha! Ha!

Phil Pill

 

Dr. Phil was on t.v. the other day and Scotty told me, "Dr. Pill's on". Love that girl!

That Age

I used to think that when my kids got older I wouldn't have as much fun because I loved the baby and toddler stages so much. But, not to worry because I have my Bryn Siobhan. She is so much fun to hang out with. Not only is she a major help with the little ones, she keeps me laughing. Right now, she's really into making up her own jokes. I enjoy her more everyday! Love you, Brynnles!

Comedy of Errors

Friday we went to Atlanta because Jared had a business meeting with CNN and while he would be there a while I took the girls across the street from CNN to Centennial Olympic Park (where the bomb went off during the 1996 Olympics). The plan was to play while Jared was in his meeting, eat at The Varsity (a famous burger joint in Atlanta) for dinner and return to Nashville the same day. As the girls played in the fountain of rings and were having a ball, I noticed the sky change color. (Did I mention this is the same area that a tornado ripped through a couple of months ago?) It looked like it would sprinkle on us so I started getting the girls under an nearby metal awning. Well, what I thought would be a sprinkle or two turned out to be a torrential downpour! I was completely drenched by the time Jared saw us and “rescued” us (Jared’s interjection there). I was holding onto a wet Coco, dealing with a crying Scotlyn and Bryn and trying to make sure we didn’t get electrocuted under the awning as the lightning bolts got closer when our daddy-husband-hero reached us (he was also soaked).

Off to the The Varsity we went. Everyone else had dry clothes to change into (Jared brought a change from his business attire) except me. I was so cold I could barely eat. Jared bought me a Varsity t-shirt so I could be somewhat warmer. The day was looking up. . .

At about 8 p.m. EST as we were headed back to Nash on I-75 (right outside of Dalton, GA) we heard a really bad noise and our van started murmuring. Uh-oh! We pulled over as fast as we could even with a semi in the next lane and came to a stop safely. Jared found that we had a tire that sort-of exploded. He got about 3 lugnuts off but the rest were too tight so we called 911 for help. They sent a sherrif’s deputy who had better tools to save the day. Jared put the spare on and noticed it was a bit flat. He tried using “fix-a-flat” on it but it exploded and the straw he put in the tire let out the little air that was in the tire. Next!

We had to get a towing service to come and tow us to a nearby motel since no tire centers were open at that time. The towing guys lifted us (while we were in our van) and put us on their truck. Even though I was laughing the whole time, the girls were freaking out. Since our hazards had been on for about an hour and a half apparently our battery died and we had issues with that once we were lowered from the wrecker.

The place we were forced to stay at was in a word. . .icky. It was a roach motel. And even thought Jared would disagree and say, “it wasn’t that bad”, I have pictures to prove it (read the captions for explanations). In fact, I kept falling to sleep and waking up itching all over. I swear there were bed bugs in that blood-stained bed of mine.

You know the saying, “Tomorrow is another day”? It’s true. When we woke up in the morning, Jared super-hero-ishly got us breakfast from a nearby Wendy’s and took care of our car problems by 9 a.m. Since we were already there, we decided to check out Chattanooga’s Tennessee Aquarium which was incredible! We had a beautiful drive home and Jared even made it in time to see his hero, “Indiana Jones”, with his buddies.

School of Rock

Scotlyn graduated from Kindergarten! She had a special part in the program where she and 3 other girls performed a song about numbers. Seriously, she was the only girl up there that you could hear--and she stayed on rhythm. It was really cute. When I asked her later how she found the courage to get up in front of hundreds of people and sing LOUD and strong she said, "It was because of the sunglasses, Mommy." She couldn't see us so maybe she thought we couldn't see her. But, WOW, we could hear her and she was a rock star!

Cinderella

Country Music star and Nashville resident, Steven Curtis Chapman's, 5 year-old daughter died yesterday in a tragic accident. Her older brother backed out of the family's driveway while she was behind the vehicle. This is the song her daddy recently wrote. They've been playing it all day and it struck home with me since I have 3 little Cinderella's myself. I don't want one moment to go by without appreciating these special spirits that were given to us. None of us know how long we will be given the privilege.

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of her dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I danced with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I danced with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Say What?

Kindergarten Graduation for Scotlyn will be at Victory Baptist Church. Today there was a practice and I went to check it out (I was bringing her lunch that she forgot). As I was leaving the parking lot of the church I saw this sign as I was about to turn on a major road. I just thought it was interesting that they used the same terminology about a mission field as we do in our faith but just in a slightly different context. I couldn't resist taking a picture. . .

Totally. . .80's

Like tonight a young woman in my ward, K, was like going to an 80's ward dance. She like totally asked me for help and, well, since I am like a product of the 80's (gag me with a spoon) I thought I like might just know what to do. So I like did the totally tripindicular big hair, gnarly blue eyeshadow, bright lipstick and clothing, the belts to the side, and we musn't forget legwarmers to the max! Grody! It was like totally a bogus moment for me! She looked like TOTALLY AWESOME!!

Malling

Joanna and I went to Opry Mills Mall today for her birthday. We went shopping and had lunch. In the middle of the food court area there is a huge carousel and Coco and Nate wanted to go on it. But, once it started moving Coco had a panic attack and clutched onto Joanna. The picture above is when the carousel had already stopped and Coco still wouldn't pose for me she just freaked out. Joanna was very patient and sweet to her! Thanks, Joanna!

On Her Honor

Last night, Bryn got her Bronze Award for her Junior Girl Scouts project. The troop planted trees and shrubbery along the school grounds and the National Girl Scouts awarded the Bronze. We had a nice southern dinner of barbeque pork. Bryn was individually awarded badges and acted very professional. We all went to support her and are so proud of her!

Happy Things

As I was cleaning the kitchen the other night, I started to push the chairs in and noticed Scotlyn's cowboy boots under the table. I thought they looked so cute the way they landed (I'm sure she kicked them off as she sat down to eat). I remembered earlier that day when she came home from school she put them on so she could hurry outside. She just put on whatever was available which is just her style. She had her school shirt and shorts on and then these cowboy boots that didn't go together. It was so Scotty.

Then one morning she brought Jared and I these cards (the kind you find in magazines) already filled out and wanted a stamp to mail them because she wanted whatever they were selling. We told her she couldn't put it in the mail because they are just trying to get us to buy something. Jared found the card a couple of hours later and she had crossed out the "yes send me this thing" box and wrote under it, "No, I can not get this." She asked us to put it in the mailbox to let them know she won't be able to buy it. That's my Scotty-kins!

Birthday Buddies

Today was Jared and Coco's birthday (Jared's Grandma Turner, too). They are exactly 30 years apart. Here are 30 ways they are alike and, therefore, reasons to love these two. They:

1. Have an infectious laugh.
2. Have a love for life.
3. Are the only people in our little family with blue eyes.
4. Say funny things.
5. Ramble on and on.
6. Love Bryn.
7. Love Scotlyn.
8. Love me.
9. Love each other.
10. Love Jesus.
11. LOVE BYU.
12. LOVE the Jazz.
13. Watch BYU football and Jazz games together.
14. Love to see mountains.
15. Love Turk despite his weaknessess (which are many).
16. Like to snuggle.
17. Like princesses (Jared likes Princess Leia).
18. Like to sing at the top of their lungs.
19. Like to watch superhero movies.
20. Love Sam's Club.
21. Love pizza and cookies.
22. Like to hog the bed.
23. Like to play practical jokes.
24. Like to use a lot of toilet paper.
25. Are great actors (especially when they don't get their way).
26. Are happy people.
27. Like to go on road trips.
28. Like to pick tomatoes off of stuff.
29. Win staring contests (yes, Coco can beat any of us--she's gooood).
30. Love to be home with their family.

Little Miss. . .

Dependable. That's the award my little duckling (I have no idea why she's wearing that) got today for her Kindergarten recognition. Go Scotty!

Sister-Rella

To make Coco happy on her birthday Bryn had the bright idea of dressing up like Coco's favorite princess, Cinderella. Even though Bryn doesn't exactly have the same coloring as Cinderella, Coco played along all night. It was really cute! Bryn even spoke super-sweet like a princess would and all the girls shared and interacted so lovingly tonight. I guess I got my belated mother's day gift afterall.

Pink Princess

Even though they share the same birthday, we all know whose birthday is really is. . .the shorty with the pigtails. She's a pink diva. She turned 3 today and yet she told us this morning, "I wanna be fo-teen (fourteen)". Why? We don't know. She also was adamant about a pink cake. She had a great birthday and was spoiled by many! Thanks everybody!

Random Stuff

Whenever we are waiting in a long line or waiting for something to start as a family, we play "Rock, Paper, Scissors" along with staring contests. It's a playful bonding moment that we can all participate in--even Cokie. So, I decided to make a stitchery of it. I'm still working out the details, but this is its start.

Everyday we bring a little girl home from school and Coco always says, "Dat the Fross (Frost) house." Then we round the corner and she says, "Dat Tooner (Turner) house. We home. Dat our home." (The items in the second picture are on top of my kitchen cupboard).

Official Twilight "Teaser"

Click here to see an official Twilight Teaser. When I say "Teaser" I mean it. It's not very long, but it's good. . .I am sure that there will be more and more teasers and trailers for this movie as December draws near, and I will post links as soon as I know about them.

Table

After almost 11 years of marriage we finally got a new kitchen table. I don't know why it took us so long but it sure makes a difference now that we have it. We have more room to place our dishes AND the actual food that can be passed around. The first picture is of the table the way we have it most of the time with six chairs. Tonight we had the missionaries over for dinner and pulled out the butterfly leaf and got the extra two chairs and voila! It was nice to be able to sit at the table with all the kids and the missionaries. Thanks, Jared, for the wonderful birthday surprise!

Teacher Gifts

So, this (click on the picture to get a closer look) is what I made for Bryn & Scotlyn's Teacher Appreciation gifts (both teachers have "M" last names). I found this great retro-school paper tied on some ruler ribbon, "m" ribbon and used rick-rack ribbon and polka-dots. I painted the paper-mache letter black and pasted the paper on the letter. Just an idea for any of you out there that suffer like me from the what-gift-to-get disease!

Coco Creations

Bryn had a silver chain necklace laying around and Coco found it, put a tiny Barbie shoe on it and brought it to me. I absentmindedly put it on her and when she turned around I saw what it was. I thought it was so cute that she thought to do that. She is quite the fashionista these days!

Speaking of fashionistas, I thought she seemed pretty quiet one day and when I found her she had gotten into the toilet paper and made a skirt and headpiece and neckpiece with it. By the time I ran to get the camera she had started taking it all off and trying to roll up the paper. She looked a little embarrassed because I was laughing.

Another story about Coco that I'll throw in here is that the other night Bryn and Coco were having a cookie and Bryn said, "I'm the Cookie Monster, I'm going to eat your cookie." Coco squealed and laughed and played along. She said, "No! Cookie Monster, don't eat my tootie (cookie)! Then, Bryn growled, "I'm the Tickle Monster, and I'm going to tickle you." Coco thought about it and said, "Tickle Monster? Hmmm. . .no danks (thanks)."