clean-up

list of things that mama has had to clean up from the living room floor this week - besides the usual pile of toys, puzzles, pillows, blankets, balls, crayons and coloring books.

1. Box of Cheerios - dumped out on the coffee table actually so I was able to salvage it.
2. Bag of Marshmallows - fortunately I was able to save about half the bag.
3. Box of Cheerios - this time it was dumped on the floor and then scattered by little hands - even the couch had to be moved - none was salvaged.
4. Box of Wipes - each pulled out, wadded up and discarded. Took me quite awhile to smooth them out, fold them and get them all fit back into the dispenser.

Despite my lectures, sad faces and explanations of "naughty" - he still (proudly) wanted me to come see what he had done each time.

Finger Painting

Fishing

Really?

So I'm pushing the "car" cart through Publix. We get to the baby aisle. A woman is in front of me about 1/3 of the way down the aisle. She is also pushing a "car" cart. All of the sudden she starts backing up. Never looks behind her to see if anyone is there. Just backs up. I back up also. All of the way out of the aisle. She backs out of the aisle, makes a turn and heads down the next aisle. Interesting. I start moving forward again. Another lady (no cart) steps in front of me and just stops . . . and looks at the aisle. Finally I guess she decided that she didn't need diapers or any other baby products because she then turns, sees me waiting for her, gives me a half smile and goes on her way. Really people? I know it's Monday. . . but you're not the only people in the grocery store.

2 Os

Joseph loves to get on the computer and send message to daddy via IM. Usually he lets daddy know he's there by typing in his name. However, he insists on typing his name like this:

"jo0seph"

why?
Because there are 2 Os right there together. Check your keyboard. See them? And this isn't a one handed/fingered operation folks. We get both little index fingers out there so we can push "o" and "more 0" at the same time.

Easter Weekend

dying our "Cars" eggs

Grandpa is helping

all dressed up for church

posing with Grandpa & Grandma

posing with Mama & Daddy

on Monday morning we went to the Aquarium. there is a temporary penguin exhibit which our friend Clint is in charge of. he graciously let us go behind the scenes to play a bit with them before they went on exhibit.

Joseph thought they were a bit wet and "yuck"

Clint feeding the penguins.

checking out the rest of the exhibits.

scuba divers were cleaning out the big tank. they took time from their scrubbing to wave at the watching kiddos.

Laurie - Up a Paddle Without a Creek

I have added a link under "Our Family" to Laurie's blog - Up a Paddle Without A Creek. Laurie is my sister Natalie's mother-in-law. Please pray for her and the Strand family as she is battling a recurrence of her cancer.

Deals of the Day

Here's $5 to spend at redtagcrazy.com

Home Again

The last several days have been pretty crazy, emotional and exhausting for the Swearingen family. It was the busiest week of my year career-wise. . . and I am so thankful to work for people who put family first. Everyone pitched in and we were able to take off for Nashville at about 1 pm on Friday. Traffic was horrendous and we got there about 11 pm EDT. Usually the trip takes us about 8 1/2 hours.

On Saturday morning we left at 8:30am for Glasgow, KY. Granddad's visitation was from 10:30 to 2 followed by the funeral. At the cemetary, he was honored by the DAV. Granddad was a member of the DAV Chapter 20 and served as the Sergeant of Arms for the Color Guard. He had participated in more than 2,000 military funerals and it was very touching to see the men he served with honoring him.

We got back to Nashville that evening and had some great family time. After brunch on Sunday morning, we hopped back in the car and headed back to Charleston.

Honor Guard standing at Attention


"Duty, Honor and Courage" as Joseph looks on

To sum up our weekend:

58 hours away from home
24 hours in the car
8 hours in Kentucky
26 hours in Nashville

and
One Pooped Boy!

Granddaddy

Yesterday morning Christopher's Granddaddy was lifted to Heaven. He has been ready and longing for that day . . . especially since his precious Bessie Jewell was there waiting for him. He told us not to cry because he would so happy. . . . but we have and will. He will be missed.