Fare Thee Well, Summer

Fare Thee Well, Summer.

As I'm sitting here smelling my delicious new Pumpkin Spice candle and cooking Taco Soup in the crock pot, I feel like I'm walking steadfastly toward Fall.

While ignoring the fact that it's 90 degrees outside and I soaked up one last sunny Saturday at the Farm and Pool yesterday.  

You were good to us, Summer!

Beach vacations, Mr. Smith's mission trip to Africa, Baby Elizabeth's arrival, wedding anniversaries, trips to the Zoo with pals, and weekends at the Farm.

Sigh.  

But I love Fall. 

I love the crispy mornings, 

boots and scarves, 

soups and chili, 

the brilliant colors of the leaves.

Picking out pumpkins, Halloween, then Thanksgiving.

Not to mention Alabama Football!

Thank you for the memories, Summer!

Stranded in Kenya

Well, there's a title you never think you'd type.

Not sure if you were keeping up with the news last week or not, but the airport in Nairobi, Kenya suffered greatly from a fire, causing massive destruction on their International section.

This was devastating to us because....

that's where Mr. Smith was trying to fly out of to come home after his 10-day Mission Trip.

His group was actually en route to the airport when the news broke.  

So, a return on Thursday afternoon turned into a return on Sunday afternoon, with lots of stress, prayer, tears, prayer, frustrations at Delta, prayer, rearranging with various airports, and a little bit more prayer.

I'm not going to go into the various events that the group witnessed and struggled with during their extended stay, I'll let Mr. Smith do a guest post on that and his trip to Kenya sometime soon, as well as share his amazing pictures.

But, they are home.  

Safe and sound. 

Checking In...

So, it's the end of July.

Where did the Summer go?

We've been enjoying our weekends visiting grandparents and such, and especially enjoying the new water slide!

We've spent time catching up with old pals, like Miss Horn.

Who is an avid reader!  Hello Miss Horn!

I think you all know Mrs. Carroll.  She's only been on here 765 times.

And, as of yesterday, we've let Mr. Smith do some of his own jet-jetting, as he left Bama for Kenya. 

Yes, KENYA.

In AFRICA.

Across the OCEAN.

He'll be there for the next 2 weeks, doing mission work, safari trips, and just being part of a truly awesome experience.

If you remember, can you add him to your daily prayers?  

I'd really appreciate it.

1 Knight, 2 Days

This past week at work, I had the opportunity to drive up to Knoxville to help coordinate a luncheon.

Specifically, host our incoming speaker, who was flying in from Washington, DC.

Sometimes, this position gives the opportunity to meet some really, really awesome people.

Like my new friend, Mr. Knight Kiplinger.

If you're a complete financial nerd like me, this just got you really excited.

If not a self-confessed nerd, then Google him and then come back to this post.

Mr. Kiplinger was amazing - down to earth, personable, witty, and conversational.  

We had a great two days together, driving around in the rental car, showing him the sights of Knoxville, and then it was back off to DC he went.

And maybe I tried to convince him that the University of Alabama was far superior than the University of Tennessee every chance I got a couple of times.

What a cool guy.

Balsamic Roast Beef

Tried out a new roast recipe I got wind of on Pinterest.

Guess what?  There was a crock pot involved.  

We gave it two thumbs up!

In our house, any roast is a good roast. 

Here we have... 

Balsamic Roast Beef 

You'll need the following:

Roast (ground breaking information, here)

Honey - 1 tablespoon

Worcestershire Sauce - 1 tablespoon

Soy Sauce - 1 tablespoon

Balsamic Vinegar - 3/4 cup

Beef Broth - 1 can

Garlic Salt

Put roast in crock pot.

Mix together other ingredients and pour over roast.

Cook on Low for 7-8 hours.

It can't get any easier than this, peeps.

Deliciousness.

Motherhood is Explosive

I like to think I speak quite openly and honestly about Motherhood.

It ain't all butterflies and bubbles.

It is a grueling, unrelenting job.

It is worth it?  Absolutely, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Might I mention that I'm convinced my child tries to mortify me in public any chance he gets?

Any.  Chance.

There's the tantrum.  The temper.  

The "NO MOMMA!"  to everything.

The fierce "I DO IT!" independent streak.

And... I'd like to add another story to the Motherhood Mortification File.

Because I love you so much, and I like to prep those who haven't yet/just about to enter this Club as much as possible.

All working mothers know that when your cell phone rings and your kid's school name pops up on the Caller ID - it isn't going to be good news.

I mean, they aren't calling to tell you your 2-year-old just recited "The Raven" or anything.

The reaction to seeing the school name pop up - or seeing it on the Missed Calls section because you've been in a meeting - is pure dread.  

For starters, it means your little Pork Chop is sick.  

Which garners automatic fear and panic immediately.

And then, the fast and furious "Who can pick up H?" ensues between you and Daddy.  

Mommy usually "wins."  

A couple of weeks ago, I saw I had a missed call from School.  

With a sort-of-panicky voicemail that I needed to call them back immediately.

My stomach dropped. This wasn't going to be good.

I raced through our morning together - no fever, no rash, no cough, no anything.

What could have happened in the past 4 hours?

West Nile Virus?  Broken arm on playground? Malaria?  

Sometimes as a mother you assume the worst.

It's part of the job.

I called back, silently praying, that whatever it was could be cured with an antibiotic.

"Christina, the director said. "You must come get Harrison immediately.  He has been having bowel troubles all morning long, and we are on a third change of clothes."

Insert eye roll from me.  

And annoyed sigh.

"What?  Do you just mean his stomach's upset? Does that really warrant me having to come get him?" Me.
(I am very caring working mother, I swear.)

"Christina - this is bad.  It is literally explosive.  In fact, there has been a bit of panic about it - we've had to evacuate the other children from the classroom because of the smell and it was running out of his shorts."

Silence from me.  

Face turning crimson.

Armpits in pure embarrassment sweat.  

"I'll be there in 20 minutes." Me

Explosive.  Evacuation.

Yep, that's my kid - and I literally wanted to crawl under my desk with mortification.

Not to mention crawl past the front desk at school to hide my red face.

In closing, H had ended up having something he was allergic to all weekend, and his little body chose to expel said allergic soy milk at school.

He was perfectly fine, especially after I filled him with oatmeal and peanut butter. 

And NO MORE SOY MILK.

You're welcome.  

Hooray for America!

We started off our Patriotic Holiday with a parade at H's school.

H was marching proudly with his class, until he spotted us.  

Specifically - his "T."

Then, the confusion ensued.  

Why was T here at school?

His reactions were priceless.

Then, out came the Ham.

On the Fourth, we headed over to Sister's house for some low-key grub: true American favorites like smoked/grilled BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad, and banana pudding.

And plenty of baby snuggling with Miss Elizabeth!

One guess who LOVED his Mimi's Banana Pudding...

We headed home to keep Little Guy and Miss E on their schedule, but not before snapping some patriotic pics!