Surprising Jake

We had a little surprise family shindig for Jake at the park yesterday afternoon to celebrate him finishing his coursework. He had no idea, much like the last time he had a surprise party...

Sandy (Ken was out of town), my mom, the Gillies family, and my Grandaddy and Granny Joan braved the 90 degree heat for a fun morning and picnic at the park!

When Jake was halfway done with his coursework a year and a half ago, he got half a cake.

So this time around, he got the whole thing (don't laugh at the off-centered writing, I was on a phone date with my sweet friend Michelle and was not giving my full attention!)

Congrats again, Babe!

Five Girls

You know those people who are just refreshing to be around? They leave, and you can't wait to get together again because you really enjoy the mom and your kids play beautifully? The Kellys are one of those families. Shelley brought her girls over to play yesterday, and everyone had a sweet time.

Here are Abby Jane and Anna Beth having some private big-girl time in Abby Jane's room.

Abby Jane with all the little ones...
Lots of pink on that sofa...
Blythe snuggling with Katie, who's just a few months younger.

Thanks, Kelly ladies!

Granna's Not Really Fried Okra

Sandy made this recipe for us a couple of weeks ago, and I've made it multiple times since. Very little hands-on time, the taste of fried okra without the deep frying fat. I also like that it is a family recipe.

Ingredients:

- desired amount of okra, I'm guessing around a 1 or 1 1/2 is average amount, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

-1/3 cup white cornmeal

-1 T flour

-salt and pepper

-1 egg, whipped* (see note below)

-"just enough bacon grease to shine your cast iron skillet" is the official recipe, but I just add a couple T of canola oil

Directions:

Heat oven to 320 (I've jacked it up to 400 for a little while when I've been in a hurry a few times, though). Put whatever you're using as a cooking oil, be it bacon grease, shortening, or oil, in the skillet and put in oven to heat and "shine the bottom of the skillet." Remove skillet and combine all other ingredients in the skillet and bake in oven at least 4o minutes, up to one hour, depending on how crispy you want it.

*The first time I made it, I forgot the egg. I liked it eggless and a little drier, more just salty and crumbly topping on the okra. With the egg, it's even more of a fried taste, but still without the deep frying and heavy breading.

** WARNING: IT'S ADDICTING!

He's Home!

Jake landed at 7:30 this morning and had a beautiful sign welcoming him home!

And just look what that sweet man brought home with him from two of my favorite places!

If he couldn't put any people in his luggage, these were the next best things to bring home! Glad to have my man on this side of the country again! Did I mention that he got home from his red-eye and went with us to storytime at the library an hour later before going into work. I know, I know, he's good.

Less than 48 hours

Until Jake gets home! The girls and I "got away" to my mom's house for the last few days, and here are the high points (again, this falls under the category of superfluous blogging for Jake's sake!)

-Blythe's aforementioned bloody nose

-going to a wonderful park and all the girls getting to swing

-Greg, Sus, and their kids coming over for an evening swim (during which Abby Jane jumped off from standing on my shoulders AND jumped into the deep end with me!)

-the opportunity for me to get in some early morning runs, which I can't do while Jake's gone, and for me to do some child-free errands

-great time at Mom's church

-an extra set of hands to love on and help my little girls!

Every time Jake has to go out of town, I have a new respect for single mamas!

Chapters

A huge one closed in our lives today as Jake had his very last day of classes for his Ph.D! I am so extremely proud of him and beyond thrilled that this day is here. He has loved his classes, his cohort, his faculty- the entire experience has been such a blessing.

But what on earth will we do now that he's only in the dissertation phase? I know, the phrase, "only" there is a joke- that's still so much, but it will be new sweet chapter where Jake can really dive into and enjoy his research without the responsibilities of coursework in addition.

Then there's that whole extra time for family thing that we'll have. I'm excited about about that one. There's a lot that Jake plans to do with his newfound time after spending four of our six years of marriage in class for either his masters or doctorate (he was halfway through that masters when we got married!)

Another chapter we appear to be opening is Blythe's camicaze stage. Today, she fell flat on her face from standing by the sofa and literally got a bloody nose. It was absolutely the saddest thing I have ever seen! Not to be gross, but the juxtaposition of blood on a little pink seersucker smocked top was so Blythe in that she's a sweet, petite little girly, but she's also seem to have some tomboy in her!

Pruning...

Today I pruned back my lantana in my front step flower pots.

I took a few items that had been waiting in my garage and in the twins' room to the Hope Center.

I got a haircut, thanks to a babysitting Mimi.

I finally had the opportunity to get into Blythe and Joy's closet to remove items they have outgrown and hang up items they now fit into.

Trash bags have been taken out, outgrown clothes have been tucked away, and I even found the carseat toys we bought for Blythe and Joy before they were born for them to have as new and fresh. They have been MIA since the day they were born, but today's "pruning back" of my home revealed them!

Pruning feels great!