Perspective in a Paper Cup

Sunday Maggie, Abbie, and I

loaded up early in the a-yem

and headed north to IKEA.

It is about 3.5 hours north of us.

Maggie needed some things

for the new house that is being constructed.

Abbie needed goods for her new chiro practice office.

I needed stuff wanted to go.

I am more of a flea market girl

but any chance to road trip with my peeps

is a treat I don't wanna miss.

Maggie got dishes, curtains, light fixtures,

a bathroom sink, and a sweet daybed for Caroline.

Abbie got some desk chairs, carts,

and desk supplies.

I got some  dish towels, kids' dishes,

and kids' toys.

We loaded up and headed to lunch about 2:30.

We found a Mongolian Grill

just around the corner.

You pick you noodles or rice,

meat, veggies, sauce,

dump it all in a bowl

and they cook it up on a huge grill

while you watch.

I was thrilled.

I skipped the noodles/rice

got chicken and lots of veggies.

I picked black bean and another sauce 

that I thought looked

healthy and tasty. 

Then you can add in spices.

I decided to put in a bit of red chile flakes

since I like a bit of heat.

I intended to sprinkle

and ended up with more of a dump.

Holy fire in the hole.

It was hotter than 7 hells.

I ate about half

while complaining the whole time

"why didn't I just get teriyaki?

I like teriyaki."

I may have gritched about it for most of the meal.

Mag's pal texted whole we were at lunch and asked if

we could get him a couple of lights 

while we were at IKEA.

We said sure ...we would go back. 

After getting his lights

I told the girls

I was getting a $1 frozen yogurt

to extinguish the raging inferno 

going on in my cake hole.

We all got a drink

and Maggie got a cinnamon bun.

When leaving,

I wanted my picture by the sign.

I wanted to do that fancy photographer look

where it appears like you are holding something up.

Maggie balanced the cart and the refreshments

and Abbie tried to get a good picture.

It required me on tippy toes

and a few tries.

meh.

Not as epic as I had hoped.

You probably need a fancy photographer

and a fancy subject.

I can't care.

I may have looked like a dork

but lucky for me

I was not the only act.

There was a family

assembling an entire dining table,

 chairs and bed

in the parking lot.

I am not sure if they lived in their car or not 

but if so, I am pretty sure they had too big of a bed.

I jest.

I am not sure what their plan was

but they had a mess of kids

and a small trailer behind their van.

It looked like an awesome cool time.

We headed south and I sipped my soda.

I don't drink diet pop much

so I thought maybe it didn't taste good

because I am not used to it.

I said " my pop tastes bad."

Maggie said "mine tastes like 

it doesn't have enough syrup in it."

I said " yeah, you're right...mine tastes like too much carbonation

and not enough syrup"

Abbie said "mine tastes like

a comfortable American life with no real reason to complain." 

Cracked me flat up.

Amen sister.

Amen.

Maggie aka The Gig

How do you go from this...

to this in no time at all?

 Dern you 25 years 

you move too fast.

Happy Birthday Maggie.

Love you so!

HACKED!

Hello blog world.  My mother called me a "blog nazi" and said I didn't want to be a guest poster, but what she didn't say is that she never asked.  So guess what momma, you've been HACKED.  BOOM! 

I'm Maggie, the youngest and therefore the prettiest daughter. 

 I have a handsome husband, Kylie, and two beautiful daughters, Caroline and Penelope. 

 And one hateful chihuahua, Hazel Wynette(who will not be photographed).  I've owned a salon for 4 years now, and my mom helps keep the girls so I can work.  I would rather be at home with them, but luckily I have a job that I love and is flexible...especially when you're the boss.  Since my mom keeps the girls so much, I decided to interview them.  Keep in mind Caroline is 2 and Penelope is 7 weeks old.  Let the questions begin!

Hey Caroline-Can  I ask you some questions about Mama Janie? "No.  I wanna color too"

oh boy, not sure this is going to go very well, but we continued

-What color eyes does Mama Janie have? "ummmm, brown"
   I was shocked she got this right!

L.P. was giving the stink eye.  She was not interested in this, she fell asleep.

-What color hair does Mama Janie have? "ummmm, black"
   we should try this out next time mama!

-Is Mama Janie a big girl or little girl? "little girl, uh big girl"
   I think she's accurate.  She plays like little girls, but she's a big girl.

-What is your favorite movie to watch at Mama Janie's? "Strawberry Wortcake"
  She can't say her "sh" sound, it's always a "w", like whopping instead of shopping, ya dig?

-What do you love the most about Mama Janie?  "Bambi and Mama's house"
  ouch. sorry mom.

-Is Mama Janie pretty or funny? "Pretty"
I agree, but I would have said pretty funny.

-What do you do with Mama Janie? "We just get down. Read cookie monster, he bites me though.  On my fingers and my toes.  I push it down.  I gonna turn this light on now, hahaha, this funny.  I want that pen though."
Yup, she never quits talking.  My favorite.. "we just get down."  Mom apparently knows how to party.

and so does Cline. She was cracking up trying to steal the camera.

I hope you enjoyed my hack job.  Mom thinks I'm a blog nazi because I never write on my own blog.  The last time I did was an update during Ollie's surgery in June!  I just can't find time to do it and internet is not easily accessible for me, so I don't blog.  My apologies.  But enjoy watching my girls grow up via my mom. 

I love you mom.

what I'm thankful for:

1. fresh sheets

2. homemade strawberry jam

3.  new socks

Ready, Set, Go.

Baby countdown has begun.

We are one week from the due date of August 22nd.
Miss Caroline is getting a baby sister. 

Maggie and Kylie have dubbed the little bundle
Penelope Jane.

Sometimes, I can't believe my baby is a mom.

And now a mom to 2 baby girls of her own.

The years went so fast.
When she was little we called her Gig. 
Or The Gig.
Or, Giggie Jo because Abbie couldn't say Maggie.
Some of us still call her that at times.

I have a note framed that Maggie
wrote at school when she was 10.

I like the teacher's comment.

I especially like the face Mag made 

on the word cook.

It still makes me smile.

She still makes me smile.
Being her mom is one of my greatest blessings.

Keep us in your prayers.

Daughters in labor isn't easy.

Moms in labor, 
well that is even harder.

Only her hairdresser knows for sure...

My last post was about

Abbie, my middle daughter.

Maggie said today 

while I was getting my hair done,

"When you doing me??"

I said "tomorrow."

HA.

I took a picture 

of Abbie at Annie's. 

Abbie cringed... Mag said

"Oh, she is going to blog about you."

I really wasn't but 

Mag gave me the idea 

and I can use all the help I can get.

Maggie is the youngest of my 3 daughters.

She is a cutie.

Stinking adorable.

She is a little shy until she knows you.

She is quick to laugh.

She has a heart of gold.

Maggie is the most laid back of the three.

She has fun and she is fun.

Maggie is my hairstylist.

She owns her own hair salon,

Hair m.d.,

and has 2 great friends

working for her.

They have fun,

and really love each other.

Maggie is creative,

 that's a plus for her career.

She loves to craft too.

Like her sister

Mag took some college courses

while in high school.

While, Maggie knew she wanted

to go to cosmetologist's school

for a long time,

I wasn't sure it was wise.

I convinced her 

to go to 

 a university.

She went a semester.  

She was miserable.

I got my head out of my rear, silly mom.

I told her you have to do what you love.

Doctors and lawyers need haircuts.

Follow your dream.

She did and she does love it.

Maggie married young, only 20.

I was never concerned 

she was too young.

She has always been mature.

She walked with God 

and never caused troubles.

She met the perfect Christian boy.

He had a band, she sold the merch.

Before long, they were smitten.

We say Kylie is

brooding, European- model pretty.

He secretly likes that.

He is sweet, kind,

a hard-worker.

He is quiet and funny.

He has a sweet rick.

That's bass guitar talk.

He loves and treats her like

any parents would wish.

They have been married 4 years next month.

They are parents to a sweet, wild

baby girl, Miss Caroline.

She has her daddy's eyes

and her mommy's smile.

She is a joy to everyone.

Come August,

they are welcoming

another little one

due just 2 days after 

 Caroline's 2nd birthday.

Maggie and Kylie

are starting 

their dream home in the spring.

It is going to be just across the timber

from Annie and Jade's.

Since the future holds

the possilbility of many doctor visits

and hospital stays for Ollie, 

they have moved into the basement

at Annie and Jade's.

They are the Nanny McFrees.

They can keep Annie and Jade's kids

in their home

and Caroline too.

 No one will be uprooted

in the times of stress.

I am proud they all worked it out.

Maggie and Annie call 

themselves sister wives.

Hmmm... not sure about that

but I do know every wife 

could use a good wife!

Be nice Annie, you're next.