Cantini #3

This week the boys are at the PaskVan household. What's 2 more kids, huh????? They had a BLAST on their 1st day. When I came to pick them up, Aubrey asked if I could go home and come back later. He wanted to play more. Thanks a lot, son. Glad to see you too. Actually, you want it that way, right? You don't want them begging to go home, you want them to have a great time.

So, Jennifer told me that Aubrey and Julia kissed. OK....let's step back for a moment. What type of kiss here.....are they dating now, going steady or are they free to see other people? LOL I asked Aubrey about the kiss. He said, "Yep, I kissed Julia on the cheek. She was a princess and she asked me to kiss her, so I did. I didn't want to make her sad." How very thoughtful of my son. He didn't want to make her sad. This was totally cracking me up. I think he is in love. He wanted her to come home with us and bring her back with us tomorrow. How sweet....that's my boy. Takes after his Dad......

Posted by Cantini #3 at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments

One can dream, right??? Well, I was dreaming for about 10 minutes today when I got to drive a brand new 2007 Chevy Corvette Convertible , Monterey Red Metallic with tan convertible top. This guy I know just bought one. He is single with no children. He says that this is his child. I said, "no crying, no whining and no college tuition." Anyway, I LOVE cars.....all kinds of cars. Mustangs are probably my favorite, but this would do in a pinch. I couldn't believe that he asked me if I wanted to drive it, but I was sure glad. It hugged the road with it's 450 hp engine and tight steering. I was in heaven for a few minutes at least. I thought to myself....this is the coolest that I have ever been in my life!!!!! It sure felt that way.

Then I got in my Ford Windstar mini-van to leave to pick up the kiddies. Back to reality. I found myself listening to the kids CD that they got at a friend's birthday party. It was her favorite "party-mix" of songs. OK....I was listening to Avril LaVigne's Sk8er Boi song and just singing along....then I thought to myself (who was just the coolest person on the face of the earth about 20 minutes ago).....what in the world????? You are loving the same music as a 7 year old girl! What is wrong with this picture???? You are 36 years old and should be listening to.......to what????? I don't know????? I've always enjoyed all kinds of music...mostly loud I guess. I remember one of my fondest "car music" moments was a long drive to Conyers in a mini-van singing Prince's "Let's Go Crazy"........it was a beautiful day and the windows were down and for a moment.....we were the 2 coolest people in the world!!!!!! I really wish there was audio on these blogs, because I tell this much more entertaining that you might be reading it. Unless you can just close your eyes and think of me telling this pointless, yet hopefully amusing story......of the day that I was cool for 10 minutes.

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Today was not just a good day......it was a great day. I had the kiddies today and decided to make it a fun one. We slept in, Aubrey didn't wake up until 9:45 am. Good for him! I had a little bit of house work to do....some dusting, cleaned the bathroom and did the dishes. Then, off we went. First we had to get Parker's hair cut. He did great. Then fill the tank up with one million dollars worth of gas. Then to Chick-fil-A where I had coupons. See what a great day so far? I had to stop by the kids new school to drop off some forms and got to see Mrs. Kay. She is one of their teachers from last year who is at their new school. We then stopped by my Mom's work to use the restroom. They were good and did not embarrass either myself or my Mom. Great day still. Then too the Zoo. We have a membership. No, that doesn't mean that I can drop off the kids in the monkey cages. While in the car, I didn't not have to raise my voice (yell) the 500 times as usual. A great day.

While at the zoo, we had a blast. Most of the animals were out, which isn't the norm since we've been going. The panda was especially neat to see. He was all laid back and munchin' down on some bamboo leaves. The kids didn't run off or cry when it was time to go to the next thing. Or when one wanted to do one thing and the other something else....they compromised. A great day. We rode the train and merry-go-round. It even started to sprinkle a little and we still went to the playgound there. We had it all to ourselves. The sprinkles weren't too bad, it actually cooled things off a bit. But who cares if we got wet? We were having a blast!

Upon leaving the zoo, Aubrey looks up and says "Mom, I love spending time with you and Parker and Dad, even thought Dad isn't here." On the way home, Parker in his cute little high-pitched voice, would say "I love you Mom". I wish you could all hear his voice. I will be sad the day he grows out of it.

It's nice to have these days to look back on. Especially when you have those days where you have to call them down a million times and they don't get along and you feel like you shouldn't have ever left the house. I thank God for giving me and the boys a day like today. A day where we can all enjoy each other and just laugh and have fun. It makes me think that I take things to seriously sometimes and should "stop and smell the roses" with the kids more often. I get sooooo concerned about how they behave, what type of adults are they going to be in 15 years. Not that all that is not very important....because it is.....just we lose site of today and what today might mean to them. A good friend at work told me this one.... "Nothing is more important than today." That does not mean live it up today because you could die tomorrow. But focus on what God has given you today....it does say in the Bible in Matthew 6:34 " Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Guess what verse comes right before that??? Verse 33 is "Seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you......Verse 34 " therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." Cool huh????

Thank you God for my children and for TODAY!

Posted by Cantini #3 at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments

This is just a short morning blog while I sip my yummy coffee with hazelnut creamer...I love it that my kids love to watch cartoons with NO talking. Yes, Pink Panther and Tom and Jerry. How cool is that??? It is neat to me that they like to watch some of the same programs that me and Tommy used to watch. Tom and Jerry was his favorite growing up. He called it Tom and the Jelly...cute, huh? As you know, they love Star Wars too....just like me. We went to Target yesterday to buy a birthday present for a little girl and I let the boys both pick out a $5.00 toy also. Thought I would be nice for no reason (they did have a good week at Grandma & Poppy's) Anyway...we stand there for 20 minutes looking at Star Wars toys. I was in heaven. Aubrey picked out General Grievous. I found about 15 things I want to get him for his birthday. This is why God gave me boys....thank you , Jesus! Parker picked out a NASCAR 18-wheeler (like that Gary?) Had a hard time on the "girl" aisle. All that pink....all those Barbies....I kept looking for middle aged, 2 kids, in debt Barbie.....but I think she just go re-married to Ken's rich brother! Seriously...I love my boys!

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I love it...I just hope I can fix it.......you know how that is, right? The next morning, you get up, you wash it and BAM......nothing like it looked the day before. I told this to my hair stylist, and she said that she would have a "training clinic" if I needed one. We shall see tomorrow AM. Tommy likes it too. I'm looking at the pictures right now...and it's not looking so difficult. I can do this...no problem. But it's supposed to have the "not so fixed" look...which takes some fixing. You know what I mean??????

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Laughter was the theme tonight. Julie and I met up with our friends from "out of town." Our good friend Lynne was in town from Texas and we got together with our other good friend Renee who now lives in Gainsville. We met up at Bahama Breeze in Duluth. It was so good to just sit down and catch up with everything going on. Our lives stay so busy and now that we are all in different locations, the everyday things that happen go unsaid. We keep up with the major things...but it sometimes is the little things that make you laugh so much. So we had a great time just being together and laughing. I love my friends and miss them dearly!

Renee & Julie

Chelle & Lynne

Posted by Cantini #3 at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

The masses have spoken. I must respond. I ate the last piece of my husband's favorite cake in the entire world. I will admit that about half way through the delicious red velvet cake...I thought about it. But it was too late....my palate had already been tempted too far to turn back. I could not resist finishing it off. I promise to make you a new one... Duncan Hines style! I think instead of training for that 5K in a couple of months, I'm training for the Oscar Mayer Hot Dog eating contest. I need to get my trainig in order. I must resist.

So, to my hubby....I'm sorry. Punish me however you wish. I can take it.........OR, you could show grace and mercy to your loving, humble, extremely sorry and caught in the act wife. Hey, remember that time that I gave birth to your children???? Boy, did that hurt....but I did it for you.......because I love you so much...and because the kids can't stay in longer than 9 months! It's in your hands now.....forgiveness......it's yours to give.

Posted by Cantini #3 at 3:38 PM | Permalink | Comments

Well, Red Ranger and Parker are napping.....Aubrey is having a "Full House" marathon while playing with his Star Wars toys (I hear him doing his Chewbacca noise every now and then) and I'm watching the E! True Hollywood story of J. Lo and the Baltimore Ravens Spring Training Camp behind the scenes. I think I like the football best. I can't wait until it's football season again...I love it! Aubrey is obsessed with Full House. You all remember that show, right??? Uncle Jesse, DJ, Stephanie and Michelle (like me and my sister). I have them TiVoed but have to delete the ones where DJ is starting to date. Gets a little racy for Aubrey. He tried to kiss me like DJ and her boyfriend were kissing....that is just not right.

I'm getting my hair cut again this week. I've not really been happy with my hair. Not how it was cut, Dee did her job, I just can't do mine. I've gone back to styling it like before...why do we do that?????? So, I think I may go a little shorter, a little thinner and a little more.......unkept (if that makes sense). I want that tussled look....like..."she did her hair, right?" Wish me luck. Dee again may do what she is supposed to, but I may go right back into my hair rut........I'll let you know what happens. I hope everyone has a great week.

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This is a big fat "You're Welcome" to all that I have sucked into the world of blogging. This time consuming "thing" that we are all addicted to, is so much fun. Actually we all have terrible speller to thank for it all. I became addicted to her blog a while ago and decided that I would like to do it too. It was like "Hello, my name is Michelle and I'm addicted to reading blogs". I'm almost finished with my 12 steps. It felt a bit voyeuristic at first. Peering into other peoples daily lives. But then to became comforting. Comforting to see others with the same struggles and victories, like kids eating certain foods and things like that......Getting the pool home in one piece. I also thought...what could I have to write about???? Doesn't matter, does it? You keep coming back for more. It's like Seinfeld...a show about nothing but everyday life. So, to all my friends who read this, I love you all so much....you each are special to me. And if this is just another way that we can stay in touch better, then that is awesome. I've got to say that the award for most UNlikely to have a blog would be a tie between Tommy and Julie. Jules....never thought you would have one......I don't know why either, you write great. You are just such a busy little girl, #2. But you do have some great things to share, I know, trust me...I know!

Well, check out Red Rangers blog to read about our great day today at very hot Stone Mountain. We had a great family day! I'm so glad that Tommy had Saturdays off now. Thank you, Jesus!

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Today after picking up the kiddies from Mom and Dad's house, we drove up to my friend, Shannon's house. She has an 18 month old son named Alex.....cute as a button (how cute are buttons, by the way). We had a great time talking about kid stuff and just hanging out at the pool. The kids had fun too. Parker was so thrilled to not be the youngest. At first he was like "I don't want to play with that baby." and "That baby is following me around." "I don't want to share my toys with that baby" He finally warmed up, but never really showed his sweet side. Aubrey really felt like a "big boy" too. Luckily they didn't embarrass me too bad, they were actually pretty good. I didn't leave her house all frazzled and uptight. We had a great time. It was good to visit with Shannon too...we don't see each other as often as we should. Parker was so tired, that when we got home he asked if could go on to bed. He didn't even finish his dinner!

I am also including before and after shots of "the playroom".....AKA "the disaster zone". Took some hard work yesterday, but we got it done!!!!! I hate cleaning.

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Tommy has a blog.....we both started one at the same time and he is just now "catching the fever." So, please go check it out and add it to your favorites and make a comment too, so that he will know that people love him......

http://redranger1.blogspot.com/

Posted by Cantini #3 at 7:30 PM | Permalink | Comments

Ok....the coolest thing to me right now is seeing my friends.....friends who don't even know each other......writing back and forth to each other words of encouragement and God's Word as well. We've always been told that we are brothers and sisters in Christ and I am seeing that first hand watching the comments on everyone's blogs. God is so awesome. We will have to have a "blog" get-together sometime. We are all not that far away from each other. God definitely binds our hearts together. It is encouraging to know that new friends are praying for each other!!!!!! Did I mention that God is SO awesome????????

I also wanted to give you a dentist update. I LOVE THE NEW DENTIST! Turns out that with his 3 remaining teeth that need work, he only needs one of those with a crown.....not all 3 like the other place said! There you go......God definitely led me to this guy. We sat and talked forever. He is like a Mayberry Children's Dentist. Thanks to Julie for giving me the "heads up" on this one. I just wish I hadn't gotten the one crown done....the new Dentist said that he couldn't really tell if he needed that one or not...but we won't have to worry about that tooth, right? So he will only have 2 bling blings in his mouth instead of 4. It wasn't about the money, but it doesn't hurt that this guy is cheaper, right??? He doesn't even charge for the laughing gas like the other place......thanks!!!!!!!

Today is Tommy's 36th birthday and we are going with his parents to Red Lobster....yummers! I plan on getting the Pan Seared Sea Scallops. The kids love the popcorn shrimp. Tommy is a great husband and daddy and I hope that his day is good. He loves me inspite of my faults, of which I have plenty. I have a little trouble listening sometimes, that is so hard to believe, isn't it???? He's still working with me. We have grown so much since.....since......what....8th grade when I first started liking him????? Or since college when he first started liking me?????? Or since when we married 11 1/2 years ago???? The stories that we have to tell.......anyway, I love him and wish him the best birthday ever!!!!!!!

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This weekend we went to Rick and Rosemary Stone's daughter's wedding (Rachel & Lance). Tim & Jan and Carla rode with us and Katye, Jordan and Cory watched the kiddies. Fun was had by all. I think that Kayte is more ready to be a parent than we are...she handled the kids awesome. I think we might need lessons from her! The wedding was worshipful & musical, as you might imagine with the Stone family. Rick sang, The Stone Brothers sang and Rick's other two children sang a duet. The wedding began with congregational singing....Holy Ground, How Great Thou Art. It was fantastic. Rick performed the ceremony and teared up a few times and Rosemary had on the prettiest "mother of the bride" dress that I have ever seen. She looked beautiful!!! There probably were about 50 FBCJ choir/church members there. We also had a lot of fun riding to and from in the van....laughing mostly. I even tried not to tell Tommy how to drive since there were others present in the car! I'm REALLY bad about telling him about a car that might be stopped up ahead, or a car that might pull out, or that our turn is coming up in a quarter of a mile and he might want to get over before we miss our turn or exit....you know, stuff like that. He just needs my help! (I have pictures, but they WILL NOT upload. I have never had this problem before!!!!)

Dentist Update.....Aubrey has an appointment with the dentist that I found online. He is in Fayetteville and has been in practice for a long time. I am so anxious to see what he has to say. I'm not going to tell him about what "Dentistry for Children" recommended until after he tells me what he thinks. I'll let you all know what happens.

As I sit here eating just one cookie.....I have to tell you that I have been challenged to do a 5K run in 2 months. My good buddy Jan ran the Peachtree Road Race in just 77 minutes! WOW...and you thought all she could do was sing and be a nurse. mom and wife.....nope...she's a runner now too! So...there is a 3 mile race in September and we are going to run it together. I would like to try and do the Peachtree next year too. But, we have to start somewhere. (Side note: Parker just ran in here with nothing on.....naked....bare bottom....that's my boy). Anyway, I started last night on the treadmill. I ran 1 mile and walked about half a mile. I really would like to make this goal. If I don't, yall will know it...now that I am posting my life on the world wide web. That's accountability, right?????? God is going to have to help me do this one. I hate to run, unless someone is chasing me. I've never really enjoyed running....but it seems like a good challenge and I need one right now. I am very competitive and need something like this to get me going.....we shall see. Pray for me if you think about it.....I need those prayers. I really want to get a t-shirt that says something other than Old Navy 2006. Ya know?

Well, I think I have caught you up on my life. I'm glad that some of my friends have blogs now. Who would have thought that we would ever do something like this???? Not me.....until next time....

Posted by Cantini #3 at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

Well, it's July 4th....Happy Birthday to my friend Shannon whom I have known (and idolized) since 7th grade. She was the BEST athlete in our school and I wanted to be just like her. Yes, I followed her around until we became real friends. Ok....so she didn't really have a choice but to be my friend because I would not leave her alone. But how lucky for her, huh???? Seriously, we did become great friends and have remained so. We don't see or talk as often as we would like, but she is still so special to me. She and her husband have a son named Alex, what a lucky little guy. God made him for them. We have had more fun times in high school and when she got into Ga Tech (yes, she's smart too). Oh, the stories we could tell. This has been my little mini-tribute to my friend....Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

Also, I think I have found my real 2nd opinion dentist. I really prayed before doing my Google Search for pediatric dentist in the ATL area. There is one in Fayetteville who has been in practice for 44 years. If he doesn't know what Aubrey really needs, then I don't know who will. Jodi, you said to get someone who's been in practice for a while...I think this may be him. I did another Google Search on him and found out that he is a Republican too....can't be too bad, right???? HA!!!!

I have to brag on my husband too. We had our annual Celebrate America program at church on Sunday. Tommy had a great solo, "This is How it Feels to be Free". He rocked.....rocked for Jesus. I have never seen him so into a song before and so relaxed. God really used him and the song too. The program was so God centered....not just about our country, but our country's need for God. Rick Stone sang "Jesus is the Answer"....awesome too. I am so thankful to God that he allowed Tommy to find a new job at the beginning of the year so he could be back at Sunday morning church and get back in the choir. You should have seen Aubrey watching his dad sing. He sang every word with Tommy. It was cute and it was neat that Aubrey and Parker are learning songs about Jesus. They may not understand everything now, but God is etching truths on their heart...truths that will stay with them the rest of their lives. God said to "Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." I claim that for my kids. We just have to make sure that we train them up right. Hard thing do to. How do people without God even get through one day? If it wasn't for His forgiveness and grace every single day.......anyway, enough of the sermon.....I love my husband and kids.

Posted by Cantini #3 at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

Some of you have asked about an update on Aubrey's teeth. Well...my 2nd opinion agreed with the pediatric dentist.....because he is the one that referred me....ok, so that was a little dumb of me. So, I am currently seeking a "real" 2nd opinion. I am trying to find another pediatric dentist to take his x-rays to and see what they think. I am not looking forward to all this...but, you gotta do what you gotta do.......just pray for us, that we will have wisdom in making decisions. I'll blog some more later....

Posted by Cantini #3 at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments