Iron Peaches?

There is a movie that I used to watch on a weekly basis. I actually haven't seen it in a long time (6 years?). I have a friend here (cousin Sarah) who also enjoys this movie, and we both LOVE to quote LOTS of lines from the movie. (Much to the annoyance of the rest of our friends!) Because our year as PWOC Board Members is winding down, we decided that a "Girls' PJ Movie Night" was necessary. (I would post pictures, but I want to keep the friends I have!) Guess what movie we watched?!? Yep... Steel Magnolias. It was just as funny and sad and "true-to-life" in the South as I remember.

"You know what they say... if you can't say anything nice about somebody, come sit by me!"

"I have a strict policy- no one cries alone in my presence."

"This is it... I have found it... I am in hell."

And I could go on forever. But, I won't. I'll get to the point. Watching the movie with all my sweet gal pals got me to thinking. About the real life "steel magnolias" I know. Beautiful women (inside and out) who face daily difficulties and even life-changing tragedies with amazing courage and grace. I am so blessed to know them. They are friends, acquaintances, and relatives. They live in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and right here in sunny Fort Irwin. A lot of them are true Southern girls. Some of them are from the Midwest, and some are even from (gasp!) the North! Regardless of where they were born, they are my real-life "steel magnolias." They make me grateful. They teach me. They encourage me. And, they inspire me.

Oh yeah... I almost forgot. The night I was getting ready to leave for the PJ party, Dan and Elijah were talking to me about their "boy plans" for the evening. Dan asked me, "What movie are ya'll (the girls) watching tonight?" Before I could answer him, Elijah did. "They're watchin' Iron Peaches," he said. We (Dan and I) both looked at him with a very puzzled and confused look. Then, it hit me. Elijah had said "Iron Peaches." He meant "Steel Magnolias." After we figured out what in the heck he'd said, we all got a good laugh. So... with that... I'm sending all my love and prayers to all the "Iron Peaches" out there (and you know who you are)!

Worth Repeating

The following is a conversation I had with Elijah while sitting in the car. (Warning: It is not for the "weak stomached.") We were waiting on Dan, who was inside Firestone, paying for our new tires. Yippee. Why does spending money (large amounts of it) on things like tires make me irritable? Yes, I know tires are necessary and important. But, I can just imagine what else I could do with that money... how many trips to Target, how many dinners out, how many Grande Lattes, and you see where I am going with this. Where was I? OK, so we're sitting there in the car, and I look over at my son.
Me: "You need to get a Kleenex and clean out your nose. It's gross."
Elijah: "No, it's not!"
Me: "Yes, it is. It's full of boogies."
Elijah: "I don't care, I like it like that."
Me: "What are you gonna do one day when the pretty girls want to talk to you and sit by you? Are you gonna have a nose full of boogies then?"
Elijah: "No." (pause) "But that's not happening today."
Me: "So, you don't have to clean it out today?"
Elijah: "Exactly."
Lord help the pretty girls. Here's a tip for all you future "girlfriends" out there: He's very sweet, and really handsome. He's smart and funny, too. But, if you are really interested in my son, just hand him a Kleenex and give him some time to take care of things.

The Way I Feel

Aren't there days when you just wanna tell the whole world to go jump in a lake? OK, maybe not the whole world. But perhaps a few people? Well, this is my beautiful nephew. Sharing his sentiment with the world. Actually, he's just "discovered" his tongue. Pretty darn cute, huh? Little do his mommy and daddy know... they will see this again. And again. And again. And, it won't be nearly as cute. It will be done in a little fit of temper. It will probably be accompanied by spitting. Or, if he takes after his Aunt Autumn, it will be done behind a slammed door. No, he's not telling anyone to go jump in a lake. Yet.

THE Picture

OK, if you read the blog from March 10, you know about my graceful tumble while trying to take a picture. This is the picture. Not too shabby for a girl who just busted her booty. It is a shame that there's no photo or video of me setting up the camera. Or no picture of me falling. Or no photo of the huge bruise that popped up later that morning. No... there's no evidence of what I suffer through to get a good picture. Just my word and a few million bad pictures. No. Wait a minute. Take a good look at Elijah's face. Is it just my imagination, or is he laughing? Yep. There's your evidence. My son laughing hysterically as I trip and fall in the hopes of capturing the "perfect" moment in time. Now there's a family memory!

Just Another Day at the Office

Well. Not really. If he had it his way, this would be "the office" all the time. The Chaplain is home from the field, and he obeyed his wife (for once) and took the camera. Granted, it may never work again from all the sand in it, but he did use it! I am beginning to stress (surprised?) that I don't have enough pictures from our time here. We have plenty of regular fun family photos (Christmases, birthdays, trips, etc.), but we don't have enough of the day-to-day things we see and do all the time. And, something tells me that this place is unique. How many people can say they've lived in the middle of the Mojave Desert? Well, I wouldn't put it on my "list of places to live before I die, " but I can say it has been interesting. Anyway, Dan is home from what will probably be his last trip to the "box" with his soldiers. The clock is (rapidly!) ticking down to our departure. Believe it or not, we are sad to leave this place. Sad to leave so many good friends. Apparently, the Army is a "small world." I hear that you always end up at another Post knowing people from previous places you've lived. I'll let you know if it happens, and I'll take a picture if I ever get all the sand out of my camera.

A Normal(?) Week

Is there such a thing? Well, at least the birthday bonanza is over. Don't misunderstand me. I love a birthday party. And, cake? Well, that's one of God's gifts to us. But, truthfully, I am partied out. Let me recap. We had a family party in Atlanta with grandparents and Aunt April and Noah. Oh... I almost forgot... and a cook-out with old friends. On the actual BIRTHday, I took treats to school for classmates, and we (Elijah, Dan, and myself) went out to dinner that night. There was singing from cute waitresses involved (See picture #3)! Then, on Friday afternoon, we celebrated with Fort Irwin friends. There was pizza and cupcakes and playing in the park. There was a pinata and candy and entirely too much testosterone running around my yard. Now I know why God gave me one boy and not seven. It was fun, though. They all had a blast! I think I'm recovered. That's why I am excited about the prospect of a birthday-free week. Dan is in the field for a few days, too. The house will be a little cleaner and a little quieter. A little. Thankfully, this isn't a "normal" traning Rotation. There's that word again. "Normal." A normal Rotation to the field (or "the box") is usually about a month. This is only until Wednesday. Until then, I will enjoy a somewhat "normal" week and a somewhat lower level of testosterone in my house.

Happy 9th Birthday Elijah!

We will have to post more pictures later. More pictures of all the birthday celebrations we've been having. But, for now, this will have to do. A mommy remembering how long ago her boy was a baby (9 years ago!!) and thinking about how old she's been feeling! Happy Birthday Elijah! We all love you too much!!!