money

We went to visit my grandparents today. My grandmother's birthday is the 18th so we celebrated with her today. My grandparents have to be the worst people in the world to try to get gifts for because they have absolutely everything they need. This year, we bought Mamaw a new laundry basket (because she refuses to buy one until hers no longer carries laundry, even if she is holding it together around the laundry) and we gave her money. I know it seems thoughtless but...anyways. The Carpenter family has long been known in their small town and surrounding areas as being "tight" with their money. It comes from having big families growing up and making everything last as long as it could. It has obviously been passed down to Sweet Pea. She attempted to con my Mamaw into giving her the birthday money. She tried the whole looking sweet as she politely took the money from her and said "thank you." She tried asking nicely for the money. She tried running off with it (and was corrected for this one). My Mamaw is a sucker. She ended up giving Sweet Pea and Pumpkin Pie $5 each. Sweet Pea is saving her money for a swimming baby doll and Pumpkin Pie is saving her money for clothes (as if she does not have enough). It was a good day visiting with my family and Sweet Pea has proven once again that genetics outweigh environment.

several short funnies

I have several short funny stories to share today, along with some good news.
My Papaw was able to return home this weekend. He is still not fully recovered but please keep praying that he will do well. Matt and I have been visiting local churches for what seems like forever, trying to find one that we really felt at home in and wanted to raise our girls in. Well, it seems that we finally found one that has potential and plan to keep attending there and praying. We will see what happens.

Now for the funnies:
I have a friend that is teaching her preschooler nursery rhymes. As much as she has tried, he has fought her on one particular song and the wording. His version is: "...Jack fell down and broke his crayon." Too cute!

We made a quick run to Target yesterday to get a couple of items. While the girls were riding in the buggy, Pumpkin Pie and Sweet Pea were conversing, being sweet to each other, etc. While getting the stuff out of the buggy at the checkout, Sweet Pea stands up and starts speaking loudly: "I've gotta crap, I've gotta crap." Pumpkin Pie starts giggling and says, "Cramp, I said Cramp." I continued checking out and pretended that the children were on loan. Just joking, but I did correct Sweet Pea and went on about checking out.

Pumpkin Pie is often not the funny child. She is usually more serious about EVERYTHING. On her way home with daddy one day this week, she asks, "why do people not dress up to commit crimes anymore?" Yes, this question was out of the blue so Matt asks what she is talking about. She responds with, "the bad guys on Scooby Doo always dress up as monsters or ghosts. How come people don't do that anymore?" Matt had to explain that Scooby Doo is made up and people do things differently in real life.

I hope everyone has a great week and to all of our close friends, we miss you and hope to see or hear from you soon!

do it

Sweet Pea hurt her hand at school this week. It has required a band-aid, as all minor scrapes and bruises do with my children. Last night, Sweet Pea requested a band-aid and her daddy told her that he would get it for her in a minute, as he had his hands full when she asked. She then stated, "Hey, how about you get that band-aid you promised me." It was such a me statement so I could not necessarily laugh too much.

My BFF

K and I have been friends since I was in Kindergarten. (Not to be topped by being friends with P since we could walk, but...). We celebrated K's baby boy's fourth birthday Saturday at a place similar to Chuck E. Cheese. The girls had a great time and I enjoyed hanging out with my buddy. Baby boy seemed to enjoy all of his presents and friends. He struggled with blowing out the candle but it was a priceless moment. Matt took several pictures attempting to capture the one where the candle actually went out.

After leaving the party, we visited with my grandparents at the hospital. My Papaw is still not doing well but the doctors intend to send him home this week, instead of the 25 day treatment in Bristol that he really needs. He is still on the ventilator most of the day and his home oxygen tanks do not go up as high as the hospitals so they are working on that issue. My Mamaw has had the stomach bug, as well as my uncle, Papaw, and now my husband is showing signs of it. I went through and sanitized everything yesterday so pray that the kids do not catch it. I am very appreciative and thankful for all of the prayers that everyone has been praying for my family.

Sweet Pea pulled one on me the other day. She first started with how I didn't want her when she was born. After babying her and convincing her that I prayed, wished, and prayed some more for her and all of the things that I done to take care of myself and her, she was finally convinced. Turns out, she just wanted some special attention from me. She is getting good at this manipulation thing.

On a side note, Congratulations Izzy and Elainia on your precious new baby! You all are going to be wonderful parents and I can't wait to see the first pictures of the little cutie.

More birthday parties are coming up this month and early next month so stay tuned. I have been doing a lot of shopping for all of the little ones. First, its wedding and then the babies. Before I know it, we will be celebrating their graduations.

Update on Papaw

My Papaw had been released from the hospital on Sunday and then returned on Tuesday. He is currently still in the hospital but not doing well right now. He has now been on antibiotics for about three weeks, has been throwing up, and is currently on a ventilator. At this time, it is unclear if he will be placed in another hospital for an extensive stay or if he will be released to go home, or possibly another option. Please keep my family in your prayers.

No loving

Sweet Pea insisted today that she should get to live with a friend of mine for a year. She decided that since I was opposed to that idea, she was no longer going to allow me to give her "lovin". Her comments: "Fine, if you won't let me go live with Kari, I will not let you love on me anymore. (a pause) You can only hold me and give me on lovin every half day; that's it." I explained to her that meant she would no longer be able to snuggle with me when she goes to sleep at night and she decided that she would make an exception to that rule.

prayers

I need all of the prayers in the world going up to Heaven right now. I was just informed that hospice has been offered for my Papaw and my Mamaw refused it (of course). My Papaw is really worn down and sick. I pray that when he does pass away, it is peaceful and I pray that my family will have the strength to cope with the loss, specifically my Mamaw who has been by his side for over 50 years and cared for him through better and worse, sickness and health, richer and poorer. My Papaw has been the only consistent, positive male role model in my life and it has been hard seeing him lose everything that makes him so unique. I appreciate everyone's love, support, and prayers.