Of Course I Remembered...

Okay, this week has been a little unnerving. I have forgotten everything! Monday, I was going to a friends house. I thought I would bring some blueberries. I pulled them out of the fridge and went out to the car. Cole had unbuckled himself and I had to put him back in. I left and got halfway there. Where are the blueberries? I remembered bringing them out..Oh No!!! I left them on top of the car...or so I thought. I never did bring them out of the house. They were on my kitchen table at home.
Tues. I was headed over to another friends house for a play date. I got there and wouldn't you know it, I forgot my phone. Not a big deal but I just wanted to ask Will something but couldn't call him.
Wed. we were headed to the zoo. We were meeting some people there and had decided that we would have a picknick afterwards. I packed everthing, had my backpack on, lunch in my hand, extra water bottles, and picked up McKelle to take her to that car. What was that smell? Oh, lets make a quick diaper change. Gather everything back up and head out to the car. Get to the zoo, where is our picknick bag? It was on the floor in McKelle's room. Of course. So as I am confiding my forgetfulness to my friend, she tells me that studies have proved that women who have kids remember better than people who don't. Obviously I didn't make that study. I did, however, remember to bring Will's MP3 player to drop off at his work.
Today I was running errands and paying bills. I did remember to take the remote to the cable because it does not work and exchange it. I did remember to make bread today. Then, I realized that I needed to change Sage. I got everything ready and she wouldn't come to me. So I told her that she could sit in it. Didn't think about it again. Then, at nap time, I remembered! I went to change her and viola, she was already changed. I totally don't remember changing her but my diaper and wipes I had set out were gone and she was clean. Hmm, auto mom might come in handy but it is kind of scary.
I guess as long as I don't forget my kids or husband, I am okay. Let's hope so anyway.

Note Worthy Charities

I like to give to charities. I don't ever give much but I do try to give some. However, I am very picky about which charities I give to. I have never been to the Fort O Walmart without being hounded by some kind of a charity. Mostly some little league team or church. That really annoys me. I hate being begged for money by people who don't NEED it. I like to contribute where I feel it is needed, however meager the donation, I like to think every dollar counts. I don't study charities either but here are a few that I really approve of their work and gladly add a dollar or my change to. If possible, more.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: I KNOW that their fast offerings truly go where it is best needed. It is a completely non-profit organization. They send out their funding in many different ways, all the way from natural disasters to a needy family.


Boy Scouts of America: The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
I love them. I love the program and I always wanted to be one so I am happy to contribute to them.

March of Dimes: Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.
I was one of those annoying kids who knocked on every one's door and got as many donations as possible for them. I guess that is why I like them. I didn't get a dime from my work and it all went to the children. I don't know how many times I did their fund raisers.

The Salvation Army:The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.
Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Another great one that donates 100% of it's donations. I kind of get excited at Christmas time when they are at the doors ringing their bells. I especially like when the volunteer is extra cheerful and sings Christmas songs.

St. Jude's Hospital: St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made here have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly.
St. Jude researchers are published and cited more often in high impact publications than any other private pediatric oncology research institution in America. St. Jude is a place where many doctors send some of their sickest patients and toughest cases. A place where cutting-edge research and revolutionary discoveries happen every day. We've built America's second-largest health-care charity so the science never stops.
This place is AMAZING. None of the patients who go there EVER get a bill. I don't know exactly how it works but I think they bill the families insurance for their part and then rely on donations for the uncovered bill.

The Candle Lighters: This is to help cancer patients with the other expenses other than hospital bills. House payments, utilities, gas to hospital, etc. It is really cool though because they never give cash. They will ask for your electric bill or whatever and then pay it for you. It is a pretty small organization still so they have some kind of cap per person, $1,000.00 I think. For example, there were like 6 kids in the tristate area of N. GA, TN and Alabama that were diagnosed with really rare cancers. The Candle Lighters contacted the families of each of the diagnosed to try to help with the expenses.

The Shriners: Shriners International supports Shriners Hospitals for Children. They help children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palates. There is no financial obligation to families.

I guess my donations only go to 100% profit donations. I get miffed at the thought of paying a middle man. If there are any great ones that you know of, please share.

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

Lauren, Nick, Michelle, Ashley, and Katie came to visit us for the week. We have had so much fun! We went to the aquarium, to play in a man made river park, the historic Battlefield Park (we saw a civil war gun presentation), played in the pool and just had a great time with family. It is so much fun to get pictures where everyone is there. Unfortunately, Ryan couldn't make it so it was not everyone but we did get pictures will ALL the grandchildren. That is fun. Sadly, I don't think the Winsor side of the family will ever get to experience something like that.






The aquarium was a lot of fun. It had two buildings one for ocean and one for fresh water. 3 hours was not enough time to really enjoy. Everyone loved it but Cole could have spent another 2 hours there. He was fascinated by the whole place. It was really fun to watch the kids expressions and fascination. There is a place where you could pet the sting rays. Cole would put his hand in to pet them and as soon as one would come around, he would hurry and pull it back. Sage was happy to just watch. McKelle, although very tired, was such a trooper. When we were finished, we started out to the cars, parked 2 blocks away, and it down poured on us! We were drenched. That too was fun though.





We had a camp out. We had smores, caught lightening bugs, had fireworks, and told ghost stories. Will let cole hold the "flower" firework while he lit it. Cole sat there watching it and we are all yelling, "throw it Cole!" It took him a few seconds but he finally did, not a second too soon either. Soon it burst into the brilliant colors it is supose too. That was a little too close for comfort. Although he was able to do some more, Will was a little closer and ready to intervene if needed. Nick and I told a ghost story and then Cole and Katie took off with them. It was so funny. Their little imaginations are wild and vey interesting. That was the best part. After all the kids got into the tent, Sage decided she would rather sleep inside with her Daddy. Not long after that (when Lauren and I refused to get Katie some water) she decided to sleep inside with her Mom). Nick, Lauren and I were settled on the tramp when Ashely and Cole decided they would rather sleep on the tramp with us. So I whisper to Lauren that we are going to take the tent down on them. Just as we get to the tent, Cole knocks it over from inside and starts laughing. My plan was foiled but it was pretty funny. It was a long night (as to be expected) but we had a great time.







The water park place we went was back at the aquarium. It is just a little stream that they have made that runs though cement rock things. It was really fun and perfect for all the kids. The ones who don't like the deep water like it and the ones who do like the deep water like it too. It is free so the parents like it. I found a meter to park but I wasn't supose to pull in, only back in. Which I didn't know. A waitress told me. I am not good at backing in and this was a very busy road. I was just going to leave and find somewhere else to park but an older man was listening and offered to repark my car for me. I was thrilled because I didn't want to look for a new space because this one had taken me 15 min. to find without having to pay $5.00. A big shout out to people who help strangers!








Last but not least is the time in the family pool! I love when everyone gets in and swims. There were people sliding down the little slide, people squirting eachother, people getting tossed into the air, floating on floats, getting dunked, everthing you would expect in a pool. Ashley was squirting Will. She is scared of the pool. She kept on and finally he got out, grabbed her, and jumped in. She screamed like a banshee! He of course never let go but it was still terrifying for her. A day or two later Lauren, Nick and I were sitting on the deck watching the kids squirt at things (no one was swimming) and Ashley leaned out to far and fell in. Nick jumped in and rescued her. Yes, his camera was in his pocket. He had already broken his phone in the rainstorm from the aquarium. Man, this was an extra expensive trip for him. He never complained though and we are all very glad he was here. Hopefully the rice will help his camera even though it failed his phone. It did save my phone though.