Queenies Little Kingdom

I just found out the senior trip information has been posted. I was asked to chaperone this year (back in the first semester of school) and now I’m all like, huh? What? Senior trip, already? Oh snap! I better get ready!

The trip is a little different this year. Usually they go to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio and take on several activities while there. This time it’s Chicago! I love Chicago! My son, however….not so much! He was disappointed! His last trip there was a bit crazy (the rest of us loved it…but he was miserable).

We took a whirlwind trip during spring break to Chicago by bus….the Megabus. I love telling about it. I call it our “white trash trip to Chicago”. Everything we did was at a fraction of the normal cost and it was so much fun! Megabus is a charter company that gives huge price discounts that vary from day to day. In other words, if I want to go to Chicago from Indy…I would get on and scan the dates and prices and then CLICK! Buy my tickets. My family went roundtrip for a total of $32. Yes, that’s to Chicago and back for a total of $32 for all five of us.

Then hubby got online and bid on a hotel in the area where we knew were VERY NICE hotels. He took a stab at $65 bucks for a night. It came right back accepted. We stayed in a $240 a night hotel for $65. We loved it! We were across the street from The Drake Hotel. Just to park at our hotel would’ve cost more than our stay price. We arrived around 11:30am and they let us go ahead and check in. They provided an afternoon snack bar (nachos, baked pot. w/fixings, etc.). Oh yea, my kids liked that! Are you picking up on a theme yet? Yea, we’re a bit rednecky! Maybe!

We toured the city by all the different choices of travel. Subway, trolley car, and foot! We didn’t take a taxi because we didn’t really have a need to. We had no fixed schedule, we just went where we wanted and did whatever came up. We especially loved going to Navy Pier. The kids really loved walking down in China town. We had a great meal there and brought home the most amazing pastries. And it was SO CHEAP!!! Loved it!

We caught our bus back home that night (a three hour tour) and have the funniest memories of it all. We have laughed about that trip so many times. This go around will be a little different. He will have his friends along and get to see a Chicago Cubs game. That’ll make him happy. May 15th will be here in no time so I better get myself psyched up. The bus ride is my least favorite part. Mix that with a hundred teenagers that I’m partly responsible for and you have a possibility of stress. I’m not too worried though. These kids are a blast! And….so is Chicago! Woohoo!

Here’s the list! Wanna go? 🙂

Ally & Me (with some Curious George fellas playing in the river behind us)

We have had the greatest weather this weekend. Indiana is one of the craziest places to live when it comes to shaky weather. I’m from Florida and while we do experience quite a bit of rain and an occasional hurricane…..we mostly can rely on it being hot or hotter! I never knew such wonderful season’s existed outside of my little Florida girl world. Since we’ve lived in Indiana (almost 10 years now) my husband and kids refuse to leave. They love the cold winter with all of it’s snowy beauty and the fall…..oh ya’ll. You just have to see it. I really love it myself. It’s my favorite time of year, hands down!

This weekend….was warm and sunny with the most delicious breeze! We’ve had rain and yuck mixed with coooooold misery for so long. It was just time for some “get ready for summer” weather. We had to turn on our air-conditioning because it was a little bit too summery. Still, I loved it! I wore shorts and the girls were in tank tops (well, we had on other items too). But, you get the idea.

We took a trip to the Sassafrass Festival yesterday afternoon in downtown Vernon. It’s usually a busy happening thing each year. We were a little late on arriving and most of the booths were closing down. We had a goal in mind…..get the Sassafrass stuff for Nana! She has told us stories about having sassafrass tea (which they offered me some of yesterday….I declined) and we knew this would make her day. So, Nana….we have a present for you and the directions with what to do with it.

Once we left the festival…we stopped off at a fun little hiking spot and ventured down to the river. It was great to get out and play. We ran into other people doing the very same thing. We enjoyed climbing the rocks and even took time to do a little photo memory making! You can never have too many pictures of your family and friends! Memories last forever.

Ally & Tyler

Ally & Gates (oh yea…..Gates has bangs now! Isn’t she cute?) Hey, there’s those boys again!

I can’t say that I’ve been blogging quite a full year, yet. Even though I posted for the very first time in April of 2008. Those first few whatever you want to call em’s (I call them devo’s that I had written way before April) don’t really count. I was a little sad then because I wanted a “real” blog. I had a basic set-up at the time and wanted a fancy-pants designer blog like all the one’s I adored out there in blogland. Some of my favorites? Boomama, duh! Bigmama, of course! And, Vicki Courtney’s Virtue Alert……love her, ya’ll!

So, it hasn’t really been a whole year….but on my sidebar it appears to be about that time. I plan to “officially” celebrate my blogging anniversary in July. In the meantime, I think I’ll share a few things I love about blogging.

1–It gives me a place to talk about my life. My very blessed life. I like that. I love sharing what God is doing in and through me and my family.
2–It has opened the door to many unique and interesting friendships. Who doesn’t want more friends? Duh! No one that’s who!
3–My family can read my thoughts and give me feedback. Even when it’s painful to hear, I like knowing they care about me enough to read what I have to say.
4–Sharing my faith. What a great way to share the Lord with other’s. I don’t have to censor my content….It’s my blog and I’ll share if I want to. 🙂
5–Keeping in touch with reality. I try to be current and that is brain work people. Something I am finding very important in my old age. I like doing a little homework to back up what I write about. I’m always learning!
6–It’s so gratifying! It’s just what I’ve been looking for. I really want to write a good book or two. This has surely whet my appetite.

I heart you BLOGGING!! XXX OOO !!! Forever & Always!!

Help! I can’t find it! I’ve searched all over. I’ve cleaned out everyone’s dresser drawers and even sorted numerous stacks of laundry (yea..the ones that haven’t been put away!). It’s still missing!

What? You ask?

THIS!!

Saturday is the big game! Ally has been waiting weeks for April 25th to get here. Some really sweet guy (Tyler Mote) bought tickets to the Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves game just for her (birthday present). She has to represent! No way can she conform to a Reds fan!! Sorry T! She’s a GRITS! Go Hotlanta Braves!

I WILL FIND THAT SHIRT!!!! OH YES, I WILL!!!

Tonight was a hot night! Not temperature-wise…it’s crazy cold again here in Indiana. It was one of those two kids having different event nights. Gavin’s last Band Spring Concert was at 7:00 and Gates was selected to compete in her school’s academic bowl at 6:30. Oh what to do? We did what any family could do….we split up! Dad went with Gates and Ally and I went to Gavin’s concert. Everything worked out great though, Dad and Gates came into the concert about 20 minutes into the first part. The results of Academic Bowl? Gates team came in last earning 11 points with the champs winning with 18. She had fun and it was a great experience for her. We are proud! Very proud of both of them! Gavin–we’ve enjoyed watching you perform in all your band concerts! You’ve got talent, dude!

The cutest Baritone player ever!

They may have lost…but they sure looked cute!

Sunday night…I caught the last few minutes of the Miss USA pageant. I sat down right when Miss California was asked that very controversial question. You know the one….the one about gay marriage being legalized! What an inappropriate question! I was so mad then and I’m even madder now.

I knew the second I heard it …. it was meant to discredit anyone who disagreed with the “judge” asking the question. Well, if you haven’t heard by now….Perez Hilton has trashed Miss California to the media and even called her a dumb B—H! Nice, huh? Classy too! What a doof! God bless Miss CA! She has since spoken out about her faith! Yay, for her! What a sweet girl and obviously one with some Christ-like morals and values! I’m so glad she stood strong and answered in an honest way. She may catch some flack (and by the looks of the mean stuff…she is) but God is going to reward her for her faith. Woohoo, to you Miss Runner Up! You blessed me, girl!

Note to self: Do NOT be afraid to speak out for Christ! Even if you’re on tv competing for MISS USA !!!!! 🙂

Miss California Carrie Prejean

If you’re the slightest bit interested in seeing Perez Hilton show his shocking response to Miss California’s answer. Go to YouTube!