The Girard/Colgan game is less than a week away! High School football is a way of life around these parts. The Panther/Trojan rivalry has been going strong for as long as I can remember. Girard has not won this game in like 10 years. Could this be the year? We sure hope so! Go Trojans!
I am horrible about sending cards in honor of occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc. It's not that I don't remember such events, it's just that I am bad about sending out physical evidence of my "remembering" in proper time.
I have a friend, however, that is REALLY good about sending out cards. I always appreciate her thoughts and think "I have GOT to remember to send her a card this year!!!"
Well, the day is here and sorry Amy, no card. I love you! Happy Birthday! It is crazy to think that this is the last "20-something" birthday you will celebrate. Thank you for being the one to take the plunge first....we will all be looking up to you next year as we know that our journey is also drawing near.
Love you! I hope you have a great day! Here's to many many more happy years - how about we just stop counting though?
It's back to the bubble today, fellas. After just one joyous day of riding in luxury, Avery and I set out today in the ever-famous, 14 year old Ford Aspire. The new van is our "family" vehicle now, but I want to keep it NICE so I am choosing not to drive it back and forth to work everyday. I might as well save the miles AND the gas money by driving ole red.
With that said, I decided we needed a little interaction here at Smith Family Journals. Comment with your favorite story of this car...Lord knows most of us have a few.
I'll start.
My all-time favorite bubble adventure (although I did not think so at the time), was the "cowboy date" we had in high school. I drove the bubble, loaded up with my best friends A & J...we picked up some cowboys we'd met at the fair. A was paired w/ CJ, J was paired with Zach and I was paired w/ some guy that I don't even remember his name - who ended up having a stinking girlfriend anyway. Blah.
We all went to the Arma homecoming. I will never, EVER forget driving north on hwy 69, looking in the rear view mirror and seeing three cowboy hats in the backseat of the bubble...jammin to "Livin' in a Moment" by Ty Herndon.
The night really sucked for me actually, but looking back I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Your turn.
Well, I have gone and done it. For some reason the purchase of my first Mini-Van makes me feel like a mom almost more than the past 19 months that Avery has been with us. It just kind of hits me that...well, that's right...I'm OLD. (Sorry to those of you who currently or previously have been mini-van moms. I am sure you went through such a feeling so you can relate).
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new ride. How wonderful it is to have FOUR doors! And, not just that, but AUTOMATIC doors that are already OPEN when I get around to the other side to unhook Avery. SWEET!
Also, I didn't really care if the new van had a DVD player or not. I figured we could just use the portable one she already has....well, this van does have one built in and let me just say it was WORTH IT to see the smile on her face as she watched her movie on the way home yesterday. She just smiled and giggled and LOVED it. It was really sweet.
Here's my girl tonight. Aunt Missy & Grandma Smith went to Branson last weekend and gave Avery the quacker they got from Ride the Ducks. She loves it!
I read Stacy's blog so I guess I am tagged....so now YOU are!
Band Tag
The rules of the tag:
1. Choose a singer/band
2. Answer using ONLY titles of songs by THAT singer/band
I'm going to use the singer Kenny Chesney, since Stacy used Rascal Flatts:
1. Are you male or female?
She's got it all
2. Describe yourself…
Living in Fast Forward
3. What do people feel when they're around you?
Young
4. Where would you want to be right now?
On The Coast of Somewhere Beautiful
5. How would you describe your previous relationship?
Better as a Memory
6. Describe your current relationship?
Me & You
7. How do you feel about love?
Never Wanted Nothing More
8. What would you ask for if you only had one wish?
this one is a tossup between "Beer in Mexico" and "All I want for christmas is a real good tan"
9. What's your life like?
No Shoes, No Shirt, No problems
10. Say something wise…
Don't Blink
Ok this was really fun! Even if someone else wants to use Kenny there are PLENTY of good songs left. :)
So what if they are barely wearing any clothes....these girls are AWESOME. There's no way I'd be able to walk in all that sand, let alone run around and play volleyball. There's not much that will keep me up till 10 oclock these days, but I sure didn't want to miss this Gold Medal Match!
Despite the nasty rain, Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh pulled it off. They really never even seemed nervous. They were very composed as their Chinese opponents really gave them a run for their money. In fact, they seemed overly calm....until they won. Then they went CRAZY. That is when I realized just now how much I really like these two. They just seem like fun! I've watched many of these Olympic medal winners that dont really get too excited on TV. These two were jumping up and down like crazy and were downright excited and PROUD and they should be.
Good job ladies! Thanks for bringing us another Gold!
Ok so the suspense is killing me.
I have a guy at an auto auction today who is going to try and buy me a van. He called and told me about several, and I told him which one that I want, as long as its under a certain price. I haven't heard back and this may not be good news. Oh well.
If I get it, it will look something like this. 
For one day only, folks, I have had the joy of being a Stay at Home Mom.
Avery is sick today. She had a fever last night and again this morning. We got up and around and went to the doctor only to find out she has some sort of viral infection (I cant even pronounce what it is, let alone try to spell). She has blisters on the back of her throat, basically....and she is contageous for 24-48 hours which meant NO DAYCARE today.
We went to walmart to get her prescription filled only to kill 30 minutes waiting and then find out they were out of it until tomorrow. Argh. So, I had them transfer the script to Girard and we picked it up at Mathis. We then came home and had lunch then Avery went down for about a 3 hour nap...yes!!!!!!
4 loads of laundry and 2 episodes of John & Kate plus 8 later, she's back up and playing. She wont eat hardly anything, so I bribed her with cookies. I am now reminded why momma eats the chocolate ones and only gives Avery the white ones. 
Daddy is on his way home so we want to get a good start on supper. She can't go to daycare tomorrow either, but JoeDels mom has graciously offered to take off work to keep her. So, I guess its back to work for me. bummer.
Well I will admit that never before have I really cared about the summer olympics. I always enjoy the figure skating in the winter olympics, but that is about it.
This year has been a little different.
It's like I'm addicted. I love watching them. It was so fun to watch Michael Phelps take home his 8th Gold Medal last night. It was a little sad for me when I think about the next time that the Olympics are on, Avery will be going on 6 years old and will have just started kindergarten. sigh.
Go USA!
I really dont know what is with me today, but I think it has something to do w/ it being almost the WEEKEND. I think this video is hilarious, but, once again...some of you may be offended so be warned. She is trying to say "MOLE-FRECKLE"
Little Girls Funny Pronunciation - Watch more free videos
****If you are easily offended, please do not scroll down....and if you do scroll down, please do not take your anger out on me for posting this. I just thought maybe someone would be interested in entering this contest, as most of you know I am really not interested in a trip to China!*****
FREE TICKETS TO BEIJING!!
IT'S TRUE !!!!!! YOU GET 8 TICKETS TO ALL THE OLYMPIC EVENTS, 4 HOTEL ROOMS, FOOD, CAR & FREE ROUND TRIP AIR FARE. 21 DAYS IN CHINA FOR FREE!!!! GOOD LUCK!!
Answer the following questions to win tickets to the Olympic games.
1. Which student seems to appear tired / sleepy?
2. Which ones are male twins?
3. Which ones are the female twins?
4. How many women are in the group?
5. Which one is the teacher?
6. Which two just finished a joint?
Scroll Down......
Good luck! You better hurry because the Olympics are going to be over before we know it!
In case anyone knows anyone who might need a good used vehicle...the explorer is for sale! I am drooling over a mini-van so I gotta get it sold pretty quick, which is why I am asking less than book value.
1999 ford explorer 2 door
105,000 miles
rear air
power windows and doors
cd player & cassette
$3300
Lots of fun left in this puppy!!!! It really would be a great car for a college or high school kid.
I'll even through in the John Deere lisence plate for free. ha ha.
Just putting the word out that I'm putting in a bow order this week if anyone needs anything at all.
Website to view all of the bows is www.bellalinaonline.com
I'm tried and its only wednesday. Anyone else having these issues this week?
Other than that, nothing to report!
Julie
I have some exciting news, fellas. The Smiths are back to being a ONE BOAT FAMILY!
Thats right, we sold JoeDel's bass boat today. I know he is sad about the deal, but also really thankful to see it gone. The truth is that we didn't need two boats and the pontoon is so much better for us as a family.
This also means that we will be paying OFF the pontoon and will be one step closer to me getting a DIFFERENT VEHICLE! How exciting is this day! whoo hoo!
Later.
If you haven't read this article yet, I urge you to do so...but be sure you've got some kleenex handy.
Click here to read the article on Good Morning America
The interview was supposed to air today but I am at work so therefore...if it did...I didnt see it.
**Update** Its up on the web now, good piece.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5524419
I have tried SEVERAL times to update this thing with pictures of Avery from the fair but its not working. So, I really don't have anything else to update with. We went to see Gretchen Wilson in Springfield on Friday night. I rode a mechanical bull. Ok, I fell off a mechanical bull but I TRIED to ride it. It was fun.
Nothing else going on in our world.
It is HOT HOT HOT and I drove the non-airconditioned bubble today. Usually I look forward to 5 o'clock. Not tonight.
I've been reading these on blogs this week so I guess it is my turn. I'm not really sure if I can come up with 100 things about me but here I go.
1. I am my mom's only child.
2. She was 42 when I was born.
3. My parents divorced when I was 2.
4. I have 2 older half brothers & 2 step brothers.
5. I have always been overweight
6. I played softball when I was younger
7. I played the trumpet in 5th and 6th grade
8. I have the best friends in the world
9. My friends are family to me since I never really had any siblings close to me
10. My dad died when I was 16. He had lung cancer.
11. I miss him very much.
12. I love Diet Coke
13. I love chicken strips & french fries
14. I really just love all food.
15. I went to Southwest Baptist University over K-State b/c I wouldn't get into as much trouble.
16. I'm really glad I made that decision, those were the best 4 years!
17. I love the roommate God put me with, Val.
18. I'm thankful we are still close and I miss her.
19. I am a Christian.
20. I mess up a lot, but I know God is always there for me when no one else seems to be. He will never give me more than I can handle (but he tests me thats for sure.)
21. I met my husband at a bar
22. We met at the "perfect time" in both or our lives.
23. We went to Las Vegas on vacation after we'd been dating four about 4 months.
24. We got engaged after 7 months.
25. Our daughter was born 9 months to the day of our wedding.
26. I lived in Nashville for two summers.
27. I worked at Sony Music and loved it.
28. I met lots of famous people.
29. I am obsessed with famous people.
30. My friend Amy & I were two of the original Rascal Flatts fans
31. We used to hang out with them on their bus.
32. I miss those guys.
33. but I am thankful for their success!
34. I met one of my best friends though Rascal Flatts!
35. It has been way too long since I saw her (Heather) and hopefully will soon!
36. She will ALWAYS eat White Castles with me.
37. I truly believe that White Castles are worth the 5 hour drive to St. Louis at least once a year.
38. I have an OCD about chin whiskers
39. It drives my husband insane
40. My first car was the bubble - a 1994 red ford aspire
41. Someone hit me in it once and tore it up pretty bad
42. Amy and Billy were with me in the accident
43. No one was hurt too seriously.
44. I still drive the bubble to work almost daily
45. It still gets almost 40 miles per gallon
46. My husband and I currently own 2 boats
47. We are trying to sell one of them
48. We also co-own a campground at the lake
49. And a hunting cabin on the Neosho River.
50. When I was in high school I said I wanted to marry someone with a boat and a 4 wheeler
51. JoeDel has 2 boats and a 4 wheeler, among other things
52. I used to have a ford ranger
53 It had a sunroof
54. I bought my house when I was 22.
55. My favorite color is pink
56. I love, love, love being online
57. I go crazy when i cant check my email (or read blogs)
58. I tried online dating many times
59. It, obviously, never worked for me.
60. I really, really, really hate tornados
61. I freak out about really petty things.
62. I lose my cell phone at least once daily.
63. Most days, I love my job
64. Sometimes, though, I really really hate it
65. I would rather work with all men over all women anyday
66. However the other women in this office right now are great.
67. At times I feel myself turning into my mother
68. That sort of freaks me out, although I'm not sure why b/c everyone loves my mom.
69. I really want to do daycare someday
70. I also want a mini van.
71. I love children
72. I miss the Carters, I dont see them very often anymore
73. I am answering the phone today and my ex just called
74. He is one of the reasons I wish I could quit my job.
75. I really want to go to New York City one day
76. I am thankful for my husband's family
77. And for his friends
78. I get along well with his friends
79. but I still really miss mine
80. I rode a greyhound bus to Minnesota by myself when I was 12 years old
81. I would never let Avery do that!
82. I have a really big mouth, it gets me in trouble often
83. I am getting better about keeping secrets
84. I have been blessed with so many wonderful people throughout my life.
85. I was really close to my college advisor and professor, Susan Debauche.
86. We still talk and I miss her.
87. My friend Alisa hooked me up with the farmboy in college
88. I still love her even though that was a really bad move
89. It is hard for me to believe that Billy Gilman is all grown up.
90. Its hard for me to belive how close I am to T-H-I-R-T-Y
91. I think Barak Obama is the AntiChrist
92. If I think too long on signs of the end times and Barack I get really freaked out and depressed
93. I am thankful for all of the wonderful blessings in my life.
94. I am thankful that God has brought me through many heartaches
95. If I won the lottery, I would buy a vacation house in Nashville - for sure!
96. I have never been to Colorado
97. I hate sharing the road with semi-trucks and/or concrete medians on the interstate
98. I think motorcycles are downright dangerous
99. I wish I could spend all of my days with my sweet little Avery
100. I try not to be jealous of others, but sometimes I just can't help it.