And now we wait.

Baby shower?  Check.  Baby laundry washed, folded, and put away?  Check.  Baby bed?  Check.  Car seat?  Check.  Diapers & wipes?  Check.  We have everything we need for a baby.  Except, well....a baby.  So now we wait.  We wait for Tuesday.  Tuesday will be our sweet Ryleigh Alexandra's BIRTHDAY.  Ben and Maria are ready.  Lovie and Pop are ready.  And Uncle Wyatt is ready.  Stay tuned for her first pictures!!

Tonight I'm thankful for:  My little family all under one roof, arts and crafts, and cooler temperatures.

So much to do......so little time!

It always seems like we're always saying that, but somehow, we always manage to get everything done. If, by chance, there happens to be something that gets left undone, chances are it wasn't that important anyway. So, besides the never ending cycle of trying to get things done, y'all might be wondering what else we've been up to. Well...I had a birthday (42), Wyatt had a birthday (15), and the King had a birthday (43). We spent a few days at the beach and had a quick visit to Gaga and Pap's house. All in all, a very good trip. Since we've been back from the beach, Wyatt has had football workouts, the King and I have been working and Ben has been working. And, most importantly, Maria has been working, too....on the baby! In just 8 short weeks (or less!), we will get to meet our sweet Ryleigh. We're all adjusting to having Maria here. It hasn't been a perfect adjustment, but it's been relatively easy. We all love Maria and love having her here. Pretty soon, we will all be adjusting to a baby in the house. Probably won't be as easy to get used to as having a Maria in the house! Next on the family agenda is a baby shower on Saturday, Ben's birthday (21) next month, and then Ryleigh's BIRTHday sometime in early September. Stay tuned....school and football also starts for Wyatt....freshman year. Can you believe it?? I can't! My sweet Wyatt is taller than me finally!

Tonight I'm thankful for: Friends who listen and pups who don't!

13 more weeks....

....and there will be a baby in the house. Excited? Yes. Ready? Not so much. But we will be. We will have to be, right? So, Maria is doing great. She is absolutely, without a doubt, the most gorgeous Mom-to-Be I have seen in a long time. Some of us have that, and some of us don't. I'm not sure I had it, but Maria sure does. Ben is starting to get excited to meet his little princess, too. I'm happy to see him happy. I knew he would get there, but I wasn't sure when. He is there and it makes me one happy Momma. What about the King and Wyatt, you might be wondering. Well, The King is busy thinking of all of the cool things we will need with a baby in the house, and Wyatt is busy thinking of all the cool things he will teach her. Now, mind you, cool to you and me, and cool to Wyatt are totally different ideas. I think it would be cool for him to teach his niece to sneak up on her Daddy. Or maybe teach her how to ride a bike. Or even teach her how to float on her back. But cool to Wyatt? I'm pretty sure he wants to teach her how to spit and burp....among other things. Come to think of it, it might be cool to teach her how to spit. I can't spit without making a mess, so that could come in handy (if she ever wants to spit), I suppose. We're pretty sure Ryleigh (her name as of now) will have brown eyes like her Mommy and Daddy, and she will probably have dark hair, too. I also wonder if she will be able to blow bubbles off of her tongue like Ben and I can. Or maybe she will be able to touch her nose with her tongue like her Pop can. Whatever she can or cannot do, she will be a princess when she does it. I'm sure of that.

As for the rest of the crew, Wyatt is out of school for the summer and going to football workouts everyday. He has decided to trade the basketball court for a wrestling mat. I'm not sure how that will go, but if he is happy and busy, then I am happy. And busy. The king is keeping busy working and fishing and I keep busy, well....with everybody else while trying to log a few more miles on my running shoes. I have 9 more pounds to lose and it's taking forever....but I will get there...soon I hope. Oh, did I mention that Wyatt will be eligible to get his Learners Permit in exactly 23 days. Sorry Mt. Juliet drivers...it's true.

I promise I won't wait until the baby is born to blog again....There are lots of exciting things coming up that you won't want to miss!

Tonight I am thankful for: Old friends, Don't Bug Me! candles, and my patio,

Pink

It's a GIRL!

Pink or blue. Blue or pink.

Tomorrow, April 19, 2011, has officially become known as "Pink or Blue Day" in the Deane house. In case you haven't been paying attention, or have been under a rock somewhere.....Ben and Maria are expecting a baby in September. Yes, it was quite a shock to all of us. But....we're past the shock. Jimmy and I will be grandparents. Wyatt will be an uncle. Gaga and Pap & Nanny and Pawpaw will be great-grandparents. Grandmomma will be a great-great grandmother. How amazing is that? This new pink or blue baby will have GREAT grandparents. He/she will have the best GREAT-GREAT grandmother, too. If you know anything about our little family, when you're at Grandmomma's house, all is right with the world. I felt that way at my Grandma's house, my kids feel that way at Gaga and Pap's house & at Nanny and PawPaw's house. I want my new love to feel that way at Lovie and Pop's house. So, tomorrow, at 4pm, we will hopefully know if we need to start planning in pink or blue. My sweet Sophie will have her boyfriend or her new best friend and my sweet Gentry Claire will have a new best friend and partner in crime either way. Stay tuned for the official pink or blue post!

Tonight I'm thankful for: Sweet, stinky baby feet (thanks to GCH), listening to songs that should make me cringe, but instead I know all of the words (thanks to SWD), and magic wands that will let me take a sneak peek at my new little love (thanks to BJD and MBK).

I know it's April Fool's Day......but....

When a child is born, so are grandmothers. ~Judith Levy

Stay tuned.....

We have been a little preoccupied around here. I will be back, though....and will have some news to share with the blog-world. Until then, stay warm and cozy!

It's like having a puppy at the beach.

I had lunch with baby Peggy and her mommy today. "It's like having a puppy at the beach" is what the new daddy at the next table told us. I think he was referring to having a baby in a public place. Everybody talks to you. Everybody wants to know how old the baby is. But most importantly, everybody tells you how sweet she is and how cute she is and how quickly the time goes. Duh. We know how sweet she is. We know how cute she is. And I know how fast the time goes and so does her mommy. While it doesn't quite feel like 'yesterday' that the boys were like puppies at the beach, it certainly doesn't feel like 20 and 14 years! 20?? Yes, 20. Ben is 20. It's a fact. And Wyatt is 14. That's a fact, too. And baby Peggy is 5 weeks old already. Her mommy has one more week before she goes back to work. I wanted to tell her all about that day, but her heart is already breaking, so I didn't. She knows it will be hard. But hard doesn't describe it. Looking back though, it was one of the many, many 'hards' of mommy hood. She survived pregnancy. That's hard. She survived childbirth. Hard. She even made it through the first shots. She will make it through her first day back to work, too. She knows she will. But it's hard. No other way to describe it. Hard. So, to baby Peggy's mommy.....she will be fine next week. And so will you. I expect that you will call me a time or two, or ten that day. It's ok. I'm pretty sure I have called you over plenty of hard things....I owe you. I also owe you lots and lots of free babysitting! I love you both......and while some things will get easier....there will always be hard things.

Today I am thankful for: The day after Friday, coupons, and temperatures out of the teens.

Allegra-D 12 hour? No, thank you.

Sure, it works. It dries up the snot like nothing else. I took 1/2 the recommended dose on Tuesday and 1/2 the recommended does on Wednesday and didn't sleep a wink Wednesday night. Not one little wink. Nada. Zip...I was wide eyed and bushy tailed...all night. No fun today! Imagine if I would have taken the whole dose!! No, thank you!!! So, I am off to bed early tonight...I am ready for some sleep. Everyone is home and no one has plans to leave. This mother hen is happy with all of her chicks under the same roof. Especially at bedtime. Sleep tight, y'all...and stay away from Allegra if you ever want to sleep again!

Tonight I am thankful for: Friday. And Friday is Todd-Day.

Resolutions

Ok...I haven't really made any New Years Resolutions for myself. I have, in fact, made a resolution for each of the boys. They (really I) resolve to (make them) get up all by themselves everyday and go to work/school without me having to scream at the top of my lungs at them and sing crazy, annoying wake up songs. How's that workin' out for me, you might ask? Well, Ben is doing great. He is 20...he should be getting up to an alarm all by himself. He still makes me nervous though, so I get up just to be sure he is up. I suppose that's my problem and maybe I should resolve to fix it. Later. Wyatt, on the other hand, hasn't been to school very many days, but he has done better, too. I'll be sure to keep y'all posted on the morning wake up routine around here cause it really stresses me out when the day starts out all crappy and stuff.
So, no school again tomorrow. After tomorrow, we'll have 3 snow days left before they have to be made up. Crazy, right? Yeah, I know.
In case you missed it, we have a new baby in the family. Actually 2...one in town and one out of town. The in town baby (I'll call her Peggy) had to get her first "Mommy witnessed immunization" today. If you have kiddos, you remember that day. You cried right along with your sweet baby. It got easier each time and before you knew it, you were holding that sweet baby down so that he/she could get their kindergarten shots. Then it seemed like you could never get the doctor to give them a shot....even it they needed it. It was a "first" and I'm pleased to report that Mommy and Peggy are recovering nicely. *Note: Please don't ask why I'm calling her Peggy. Maybe to protect the innocent. She is innocent, after all. She's only 4 weeks old. Peggy. That's what I'm calling her here at Make Me Some Supper. The end.*
That's all I have for tonight. Tune in again next time for more Deane family resolutions and adventures.

Tonight I'm thankful for: A big black dog to keep my feet warm and a sweet baby girl to have lunch with on Friday.

A butt shot and no school tomorrow.....again.

So, first of all, I wonder who is going to google "butt shot" and wind up here? If that's how you got here....hahaha! Sorry...really, it's great to see you, stick around! You won't see any "butt shots" here though, so if that's what you're looking for, good luck and enjoy the view when you find it! Anyway, the flu has been making it's way through my house. Ben had it and then I got it. He is better and I have a sinus infection now....that's why I got a shot today....yep, you guessed it...in the butt. It's all good...I will be back to my old self in no time, I'm sure. I also got some of the biggest antibiotic pills ever. They're HUGE, Nanny!
Last time I was here, we were waiting for snow in Mt. Juliet. Well, it snowed....about 3 inches early Monday morning. Tomorrow will be day 3 with no school. Lots of country roads in our county still covered with snow and ice, I suppose. It's snowing big, fat snowflakes now and Wyatt says the road outside is almost covered again. Maybe they'll get the whole week off! Yippee!!
Y'all stay warm, wherever you are!

Tonight I'm thankful for: McDonald's Fruit & Maple Oatmeal (totally worth 7 Points+) and shots in the butt from the doctor.

Does this thing still work?

Hello? Anybody home? Anyone still check in on me? I hope so.....I know it's been forever. So, Happy New Year...and Happy all the holidays that I missed since August. There's really no excuse for me not blogging. Just...well...life. That's my excuse. Life happens. Sometimes it gets in the way while it's happening.
Anyway, we're waiting for snow in Mt. Juliet tonight. It's supposed to be "the big one". Gonna start snowing at midnight and snow all the way through until Wednesday, I think. No snow yet anywhere around us, but we still have a few hours. We'll see, right? It's certainly cold enough to snow....brrr!!
I hope to get in here more often this year....we'll see about that, too.
So, stay tuned for our 2011 adventures...no telling what we might do!

Tonight I'm thankful for: A small, supportive community to live in and a warm house to sleep in!

While I have not been blogging.....

....I have been running. Yes. Running. Again...I can't believe it myself. I have been running. Kay and I started running in May. We are still running. I'm not sure I can say that I actually like to run yet....but I like the way I feel when I am finished running. So maybe someday I will be able to say that I like to run? Maybe someday I will call myself a runner, too? Maybe. No run today though....it's raining. And I ran last night. And Monday morning. Thanks to the rain, I am forced to rest. Hmm...I just kinda sounded like a runner, huh? Sorry. I'll try to be more careful! It's getting harder and harder to find a 'good' time to run. We had been running at 5:30 in the morning. It's still dark at 5:30 in the morning now. I will run in the rain...(and have)....and I will even rain in a thunderstorm...(have done that too)...but I don't want to run in the dark. I will figure it out.
So, my friend, Molly, asked me to start blogging again. She's a good friend and I like her alot....so I'm back. Thank you, Molly! I have missed y'all! I might not be here tomorrow night, though. Wyatt has a football game....so until next time....y'all behave yourselves!

Today I am thankful for: willpower that is keeping me from making strawberry cupcakes. I really want a strawberry cupcake.....

Special request by Molly....

Well, here I am. Yes, it's been 3 months since I was here last. Maybe 3 months since YOU have been here, too. But....I'm back. For now, at least. Anyway, summer has come and gone. Busy as usual....that's nothing new. So, to recap the summer....Wyatt had basketball camp at Tennessee Tech, football camp at the high school, and football practice at his own school. Ben and Maria took a quick trip to The Aquarium in Chattanooga, and worked the rest of the summer. The King and I went on our first vacation without the kids.....yes, you read that correctly....our FIRST kidless vacation! We had a great time at the beach. I missed my boys, but still managed to enjoy the beach! So, now school has started for Wyatt. 8th grade. Already. It seems like he just started 2nd grade last year...and next year he will be a Freshman in High School. No way. Really?? Yes way. Ready for another shocker?? Ben will be 20 next week. I know. I can't believe it either. After all, I'm not old enough to be the mom of a 20 year old. Well, I am....but it sure doesn't seem right! Well, I'm pretty sure that catches y'all up a little. I'm sorry I have neglected y'all. Really. I am. I will do better. Until next time....stay cool and stay dry!

Tonight I am thankful for: Friends to remind me that they like to read my blog, homegrown tomatoes, and a hot bath.

Heavy hearts and worried minds.

I woke up in Florida Wednesday morning to a text message that makes my heart hurt. It was from one of my best friends from high school. Thankfully, through Facebook, we have been able to reconnect. Her son was killed Tuesday night in a car accident. It's a nightmare that we, as parents, face every, single day. His funeral is this morning, and I can't make it back in time. My heart and mind are right there with her, though, and I'm pretty sure that she feels it. As soon as she is ready, I will go to see her. She is being incredible strong through it all....I never doubted for a minute that she would be. If you're reading this today, please say a quick prayer for my friend and her family.

Today I'm thankful for: one more sunny beach mornings, text messaging, and lifelong friends.

Wow.

So, it rained. And rained. And rained even more. Two full days of rain in Middle Tennessee. Record rainfall totals....we're hearing reports of 18 inches of rain in two days. Many parts of Nashville are flooded. Riverfront Park up to 2nd Avenue downtown...underwater. Opryland Hotel...underwater. Opry Mills....underwater. The Opryhouse is underwater, too. Interstates are shut down and many roads are still closed. My little family and I are fine...others have not been so lucky. The local TV channels have been reporting non-stop since Saturday morning. No regular programming has been on....just news and weather. According to the TVA website, all MidState dams will be releasing water until midnight tonight...so guess what? More water. Anyway, the sun is out, the schools are closed and the weather is expected to be warm and sunny....until the weekend when more rain is expected. We've been asked to conserve water....don't use it unless it is necessary....don't flush, don't shower unless you have too. I'm pretty sure I need a shower everyday....but we'll see. Y'all stay safe and dry!

Today I am thankful for: a driveway that goes uphill and Lysol & ginger ale for Wyatt.

Over or under?

Do y'all have any pet peeves? Things that just bug the heck outta you? I'm pretty sure my biggest pet peeve.....is the toilet paper. Petty, yes....but makes me nuts when they put it on the holder to roll under. Everyone knows it goes over, right? Yeah...it's petty. OCD....maybe. Sometimes, I think they put it on the wrong way just to see how long it takes me to change it. One trip is all it takes. I will change it every time. I tell myself not to and that it's not of a big deal....but I always end up changing it. In fact, the roll in the boys bathroom is on wrong right now. I haven't had any sit-down time in there since I noticed it, but you can get that I will fix it as soon as I do.
I have no idea why this is my post for today. It's been a gorgeous day....super busy...but the weather was awesome.
Anyway, less than a week till the Marathon. I did 10 miles today...I'm ready. Mom and Dad will be here Friday...everyone is looking forward to their visit. Not much else going on lately.....EXCEPT.....there is one major announcement.....
I am going to be an AUNT! Sis is gonna have a baby!! She will be the best mommy ever....I just hope I can be half as good as she is in the Aunt department. We love you, Sis....and can't wait do this with you!!!

Tonight I'm thankful for: clean sheets, clean bathrooms, and a husband that can cook.

Walking the snake.

Yep...you read it right....walking the snake. Not MY snake....or a snake that belongs to anyone in my house. We don't have a snake. But, I saw a guy walking his snake this afternoon. He was walking toward me and looked like he had a ball glove on his right hand. Well...the closer I got to him....it was NOT a ball glove! It was a SNAKE...all curled up on his arm. he was carrying the thing like it was normal. NORMAL...is walking a dog. I might even go as far as thinking it's normal to walk a cat and I have seen people walk their pet ferrets...but a SNAKE??? Holy cow! Where the heck was he going with the snake? (Note to my friends: don't even think about dropping by with your snake, please.) Ben had a friend when he was little that walked around with his pet bird on his shoulder. We thought that was a little strange then....but compared to SnakeBoy? BirdBoy was totally normal. Anyway, that's my story today.

Today I'm thankful for: Pants that are too big and cozy pajamas.

Every other week loser.

Apparently, that's me. It seems that since I have been a Weight Watcher, I have lost pounds every other week. Luckily, I have only been a gainer once. Weigh day is Saturday....last week I lose zero pounds. Ugghhhh!! Frustrating. Of course, it's marathon time....it's in about 3 weeks...logging lots of miles. I'm pretty sure that if I mixed it up a little, it would help....but I need to walk the miles...walk, walk, walk....until the 24th. Know what else is frustrating? (I can't believe I'm about to complain about this...) I'm not hungry. I end most every day with 2-3 points left. It just doesn't make sense to me to when I'm not hungry anymore. I think that's a bad thing to have points left. I eat breakfast and lunch with a snack or two in between...and still leave points on the table. I still can't believe that I just complained about not being hungry. Crazy I know. I promise to never complain about that again.
So, the 1/2 marathon is April 24th. Lots of miles to walk between now and then. A few people have asked me who I'm walking for this year...and ya know what? This one is for ME. Of course, all of the sweet kiddos that I walked for last year will be on my mind as I walk...like always....but this one...it's for ME.
Anyway, bear with me while I go eat a few points. Enjoy the sunshine this week!

Tonight I'm thankful for: Spring, chocolate covered Ritz crackers worth 1 point each, and drinking straws.

I proofread. I can't help it.

In fact, Lindsay makes me proofread things for her. She calls me her "red pen specialist". Not sure that's a compliment or not. Especially since I just found an error in my last blog entry. Oh well, it's there...I'm human....it'll be alright. Most of the time, that's the case. Not a big deal. WELL. Let me just tell y'all what I saw tonight. The king and I went to Trader Joe's this evening. On the way home, we stopped at Subway for a sandwich. As we were coming out, a man in a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off was ordering his sandwich. He had a tattoo on his arm. It said "I'm not mean your just a sissy". Now, there are whole groups on Facebook dedicated to this sort of grammatical error....and like I said earlier, usually it's no biggie. But, Oh my gosh! This was a TATTOO....on his body. FOREVER. Wonder if he even knows that it should be YOU'RE A SISSY....or better yet...YOU'RE AN IDIOT! We walked past him and out the door.....I told the king..."I SOOO have a blog post!" Lesson to be learned...if you're going to put it on your body...make sure it is spelled correctly before the ink goes in!!

Hope y'all are gearing up for spring....it's right around the corner!

Tonight I'm thankful for: learning something in English class, hills on the greenway, and purple.