Crazy

Let me guess, you thought of me first. But, no, my time has just been a little crazy with everyone back in school and I'm back to my part-time job. It's good though, and we'll get a routine going...just not much time to blog. I have several I want to do. For now, my thoughts are primarily on those who are battling health issues.

• My Aunt Wanda, who is in ICU, had an aneurysm after surgery on her leg and has an upcoming surgery for another stint in her neck.
• My Dad's wife, Jackie, who has been battling a bad infection from a knee replacement. I believe all the infection is gone, and she will go back to surgery soon for the knee to be put back in.
• Mike, a friend of ours for 20+ years, will under go surgery this week to remove a tumor from his spine. 2nd go around.
• 3 Boy Mom, a dear friend, who is going through maintenance chemo to keep ovarian cancer from coming back.
• My Uncle Johnny had a heart attack and had 3 stints put in. A scare, but from what I hear, he is doing much better now.

I'm ready for Fall and cooler weather. It's my favorite time of the year! I've already had a pumpkin spice latte', bought some pumpkin to make bread and made ginger crinkles.

until next time...Momma Wolg

Family Pictures

Last weekend, we finally had some family pictures taken. It was a lot of fun. The photographer is a friend from church. She has a God given talent for photography. So nice to see others use their gifts.

The pictures were all outdoors and some include the hot rod as you see below. This is one of Daddy's favorite pictures. I've used others on my blog. Taking pictures can never go smoothly, especially with kids. Just par for the course. Something got into JT's eye when we were half way through. There was screaming, crying and he was all done. Well, almost. He agreed to do a few more when he saw the LARGE lollipops our friend had for the pictures. Unfortunately, no sword pictures for Daddy and JT, which would be very fitting. I stepped in for him. LOL. Maybe next time.

To see all the pictures, you can go to The Cotton Crop Photograph.
Thanks PandaMom. Momma Wolg

First Day of Preschool

JT started back to preschool last week. It's hard to believe that this is his LAST first day of preschool. In less than a year now, JT will be starting Kindergarten and in 'big kid school' with Sissy. My little buddy.

JT was ready for school to start. He is in the Frog Class at the Child Development Center (CDC) at our church. JT has lots of his buddies in the Frog class so he is super excited. He wakes up each day asking if it is a Frog Class day. His teachers are Ms. Michelle, Ms. Maureen and Ms. Dee, although I don't have a picture of them yet. :) I'm excited he has them; they are creative and sweet teachers. And, I forewarned them that J & his buds...should be a lively group. ;)

As tradition, I take a picture out front on the first day of school and then one with the teacher. Well, JT pretty quickly informed me that he did NOT want to take any pictures. Finally, he agreed to give me a quick picture before we left. He said "NO pictures at school." So, I don't have a picture of him with his teachers YET.

Love you my little Frog! Momma Wolg

Quick picture on the first day of preschool

"Cheese"

Big man marched right in the first day and sat down by his buddies.

No picture. No kiss. No hug. No Good-bye. Sniff. Sniff.
Okay, 2nd day of preschool. Trying to get pictures again.
Got one out front with the new Batman backpack.

Never fear Bat Boy is here.

And, still no picture with the teachers or at school.

Whateve. I'll get it...just you wait. I'll get it.

Tuesday Sisters

Recently, a friend, PandaMom, did a blog post about her bible study group of gals, NOGs. It inspired me to do a post about my bible study gals, the Tuesday Sisters.

This is the picture that sits at the top of our private Tuesday Sisters blog. It helps to explain our group..."Tuesday" because we meet every other Tuesday evening. "Sisters" because we are Sisters in Christ. Friends that pray with and for each other. Trust. Warmth. And, it occurred to us that we're kind of like *Steel Magnolias... princess warriors going through the ups and downs of life. (Although I'm still not sure I like that they think I'm Weezer. LOL.)

This bible study group started many years ago, either 2000 or 2001, those were the B.W. days -- Before Wolg. I didn't join until 2007. I'm so grateful that a good friend invited me to join the group and feel INCREDIBLY BLESSED to have this circle of friends in my life. I felt comfortable with this group of gals very quickly and now can't imagine life without them. There has been a few gals that have moved away, but there's still a core group through all these years. That should tell you what a special bond they have.

Here's one of the really awesome things about our group...even though we are all different personalities and have our own daily lives, I know that my sisters are praying with and for me, and if I need them, they will be there. Period. The bond of faith and love.

With our bible studies, we eat, visit, study, share and pray. It is always a special time together, whether we're laughing or crying, a time away from everything else. But, we also walk through the valleys and mountains of life together. Celebrating. Sharing burdens. Loving. Here's some of what this group has gone through, prayed through, together.

Pregnancy

Having babies :)

Infertility Treatments

Miscarriages

Wedding

Divorce

Marriages

Depression

New Jobs

Lay-offs

Parenting

Anxiety

Deaths of Loved Ones

Sickness

Surgeries

Cancer

Difficult Relationships

Birthdays

Friendships

Good Times

Family

Anniversaries

Doubt

Discovery

Praise

To my Tuesday Sisters, I repeat what I've said many times. I love each of you and thank our GOD for you. You are a blessing to me and others who see the light of Christ in you.

To everyone else, I encourage you to surround yourself with a circle of friends like this. If you do, continue to give thanks for them. If you don't, pray about it and seek it. Open your heart.

Tuesday Sisters: Allyson, Amilee, Bethany, Jaimie, Janice, Rachel, Shannon & Me/Momma Wolg

A Few of My Favorite Things...

"When the dog bites. When the bee stings. When I'm feeling sad. I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad." Come on, sing it!

Just a random list of a few of my favorite things:

• Coffee with Amaretto Creamer...LOVE my coffee, although it must be "doctored" with creamer and sweetener

• Cool Mint Lemonade Salt Scrub...if you've had a good spa pedicure, you have experienced salt scrub. Awesome. I had to have some for home and treat Daddy to it as well.

• Must-Have Iris Nail Polish...a fun color pink for my summer toes. I look forward to finding a fabulous red for Fall.

• My Sony Walkman...I love having my MP3 player loaded up with some favorites for the gym. With no gym partner currently, it just gets really boring without some tunes to keep me going.

• Quiet Time...I love the few minutes here and there that I get to pray and read in silence.

• Smilebox and Shutterfly...Having a blast creating things on both. I must learn how to digital scrapbook.

• House MD episodes...this summer, Daddy and I have been watching episodes of House, starting with season 1. We started watching the show after several seasons; so, with only reruns on, we've been watching House.

• XM Radio...enjoying having XM in my new car, especially Hair Nation and Boneyard for the classic rock/80's rock and The Highway for country. The old songs bring back memories...what I can remember anyway. ;)

• Our new car...while I'm at it, I'm LOVING our new car. It smells good, it drives good, it's red, it has a sun roof, I could go on

• My heating pad...It's a life savior when I have a backache or headache, which is more often than I would like.

• Spending time with Friends...my family and I have had a great summer spending time with friends. Good times...whether it's at the pool, water park, date night, fellowship night, cookout, play date, bible study, VBS. I love the laughter and making memories.

• Pandora Internet Radio...a friend of mine introduced me to pandora a couple years ago and I love it. It's almost the only way we listen to music at home...more classic rock of course.

First Day of 3rd Grade

It's hard to believe that my baby girl started third grade today. She has grown up SO MUCH. When I looked at the pictures of the first days of school, I just had to post them here too. It shows how quickly our little ones grown up.

Sissy was VERY EXCITED to go back to school. (Mom was ready too...all summered out now.) It was funny to see her act all goofy at Stop & Drop (what we used to call Meet the Teacher), because she was so excited. Sissy is at that age that you're more corny than cool, but don't know it. :) LOL. We've all been there. Daddy says it will last for about 6 years. No...surely, not that long.

Of course, we had to have a little drama this morning. No problems getting her up...she was too excited. Her new outfit, backpack and lunch box were ready; however, we failed to designate her shoes for this morning. Start drama...what shoes to wear, no, not those, no, not those...she wanted her white flip-flops -- the ones she's worn all summer, turning from white to gray and she keeps on the back patio. YES, those are the ones. Daddy and I finally gave in so I could get her to school on time. NOTE to self...must have shoes sitting out as well....GOAL- less drama this year.

I walked Sissy to her class. She said she didn't need me to this year. Sigh. But, then she knew her Mom wanted to, so she gave in and said okay last night. When we got to her class, Sissy just walked in towards her seat...no kiss, hug or good-bye. I don't think so! I called her back for a picture with her teacher and then a hug & kiss good-bye. On the way to the car, I did my annual SKIP across the cross walk and sang "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" My friend, who is the Music Teacher there, is witness to this every year. I looked for my friends, 3 Boy Mom and 3 Girl Mom, so we could lock arms and sing together. No luck...guess we'll do that this afternoon.

I pray for Sissy to have a FANTASTIC year at school...to be eager and excited to learn, safe, healthy, make new friends, work hard, behave and enjoy.
I'm proud of you, and I love you Sweet Pea!! Momma Wolg

Ready for 3rd Grade!

Looking pretty, hip and very shiny!

New outfit, new backpack, NOT so new shoes...Sigh
Sissy and her new teacher, Mrs. R

Trip down memory lane

First Day of 2nd Grade

First Day of 1st Grade

First Day of Kindergarten