Author: Michelle

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Twelve Years and Counting: A Week in the Smokies

1069336_4541955445929_1582771139_n (1)This past week we spent our family vacation a mile from Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We had a week of family time, swimming, hiking,creek stomping, fishing, gazing at the scenery, and go-karts.

Wednesday night, my parents offered to watch the kids so that Leilan and I could celebrate our anniversary (since we’d be driving Saturday). We were faced with the question of where to go to eat. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are filled with “dinner shows” and national chains, finding a place for a quite dinner was not an easy task. Thankfully, we found the Smoky Mountain Trout House.

We arrived after the dinner rush to find the tiny restaurant with several open tables. The staff was more than friendly, the trout was delicious, and we had a great little vacation during our vacation.

On the morning of July 20th, we had breakfast with my family, took the kids to play in an arcade, and then took the photo by the sign. Then we kicked off our shoes and jumped in the creek. Happy Anniversary to us!

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Listen to Your Mother: Indianapolis VIDEO debut!

Today I’m excited (and maybe nervous?) to share with you the Listen to Your Mother: Indianapolis You Tube channel.

I can’t believe it’s been two months since Judy and I brought this show to our fair city. That its been two months since I’ve seen the ladies who made up our stunning cast. That it’s been two months since I’ve learned how to wear liquid eyeliner (true story).

Originally, I wasn’t going to read. Then a story started rolling around in my head, and I couldn’t not read. It’s never been published before, and until today, only the people at the show have ever heard it before. Here is my video, in all of its glory:

From there you can watch the rest of the show- from the tender heartfelt readings to the pee-your-pants hilarious. To catch all of the shows around the country, tune into the LTYM Show channel. It’s got it all.

A huge thank you goes to The Partnership at Drugfree.org Medicine Abuse Project for making all of our videos a reality. It’s their sponsorship that took each local video file and made it the sensation it will be on YouTube.

What is The Partnership at Drugfree.org Medicine Abuse Project? It’s a project that educates parents and teens on the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Learn more, and take the pledge (i did) here: The Medicine Abuse Project.

Read more about our video release at Listen to Your Mother: Indianapolis.

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FIVE.

Last week I mentioned to Andrew that when it was finally June 21, when he woke up he would be five. Being born at 2:29am has its privileges, right?

Every morning this week he woke up and asked, “Am I five yet?”

Friday I finally got to say, yes, yes indeed you are young man.

We spent the day with grandparents and friends at his birthday party. We swam. We ate his favorite foods and of course there was cake. There was also present or 13.

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As he was falling asleep last night he asked me, “When I wake up tomorrow, will I still be five?”

I was so happy to say yes.

Yes, we have one entire year of all the fabulous that is five.

One entire year of being old enough to reach things, but still appreciate some help.

One entire year (well, 180 days) of the magic that is kindergarten.

One entire year, I hope (and I’ll take longer) of still liking Thomas the Tank Engine and Chuck Trucks.

One entire year of being able to handle a full day of activity, but still falling asleep on the way home.

One entire year of kisses on the mouth and hugs so hard I might burst, and not being embarrassed to give them to me in front of his friends.

One full year of five.

I love it already.