The Orchard Team Huddle

Even though I hate getting those this-is-just-a-short-survey,-we-are-not-trying-to-sell-you-anything phone calls I feel bad for the poor soul on the other end that is making a piddly little wage for a not so exciting job.  I usually take the time to answer their questions, asking somewhere in the middle of the survey how much longer it will take.  Sometime in the last few weeks I did a survey on our family's TV watching habits.  I vaguely remember them saying they would send something in the mail and would I please fill it out.  In my hurry to get them off the phone I am sure I must have agreed to whatever their requests were.  Last week I opened my survey , 4 books to be filled out for an entire week.  What?!  I could have very easily scraped the project if it wasn't for the fact that they sent 5 one dollar bills along with the books. I can keep mailing labels without guilt of sending a donation, I can refuse to give an envelope to all of my neighbors asking for a donation, bu...

This is my sweet boy, Stockton.  He has freckles that are growing together.  He has teeth that are pointing in different directions.  He is more silly than cool.  He has the most dazzling blue eyes and lashes that any girl would die for.  He loves being a big brother and is really good at it. He is athletic, kind, smart and funny.  I would like to freeze time and keep him just like this. This past month he... Decided it was time to master the Ripstick .  He's getting pretty good. Noticed I cleaned his bathroom and thanked me. Memorized his song for his piano recital and practices it daily. Made a treasure hunt for his friends to find his new secret compartment in his room. Decided he would either be on American Idol or a professional basketball player when he grows up. Explained why he likes Sunday so much:  A) you get to eat whatever you want all day B) you get to go to church C) you get to see your cousins D)you get to talk more reverently all day.  Th...

Moms are the busiest people ever. There are many things that keep us running-grocery shopping, housework, child care, meal preparation, laundry, PTA, piano lessons, scouts, homework, church callings, exercise, yard work , bill paying, just to name a few. It is a never-ending cycle of run, run, run. I sometimes fall in bed at night just grateful to be off my feet. Spring is the busiest time of year for our family and I have to say it is also my favorite time of year. Besides the already long list of to-do 's that I previously mentioned I get to be a baseball mom. I LOVE being a baseball mom. There is nothing I would rather do. I love spending all day Saturday at the field. I love cheering for my boys and their teams. I love having the family together to support our hobbies. I just can't miss a game. I even wake up with butterflies in my stomach just thinking about the games I get to watch that day. Crazy, I know! Is it any wonder that I am the mother of 3 sporty boys? Douglas ...

Spring has been hard to come by this year. I feel like we have been bombarded with snow and cold WAY longer than we deserve. Luckily it is sunny everyday at my house. I have called Mason my little sunshine ever since he was born. I sing "you are my sunshine, my only sunshine...". Stockton got a little upset at me one day. He reminded me that Mason couldn't possibly be my only sunshine, but he's my brightest sunshine right now! For 10 months he has giggled, teased, smiled, jabbered, snuggled, loved, kissed, slobbered and dazzled us all. I am filled with gratitude everyday for this precious little boy! Mace is into EVERYTHING! The house is slowly getting baby-proofed. Each day something new gets moved or put out of sight for awhile. You can often see my garbage and recycle on top of the kitchen counter. Bath time is his new favorite. He has figured out how to splash and make a gigantic mess. He constantly stands and I have to keep sitting him down so he doesn't fa...

I don't know about you but the grocery deals lately have been bumming me out. I had a really good routine going, knew what price I waited for to stock up and now it has all changed. Have you picked up a bag of chips recently? What used to be a normal sized bag is now called "Family Size". How about a nice " Superstack " of Pringles . You get 25% more for twice the price. I am aggravated daily about the economic times and the insulting way the food industry thinks I will not notice that in all of the new packaging they have also shrunk everything and slightly increased their prices. I wasn't born yesterday people! With that being said, I did manage to do a little feel good stock-up shopping today at Smith's. They are currently running a caselot sale but not everything is a good deal. These are some of the things I stocked up on. And, you have to buy by the case on most of these items to get the better price. Skippy Peanut Butter $1.25 (This used to be an...

There is nothing "magical" about being an adult and having a birthday.  I am not one of those that gets sad or depressed because I am getting so old.  I do not count the days down to the dreaded milestones.  I didn't cry when I was 30 and I doubt I will lose sleep over being 40.  But, I do miss the butterflies I used to get when I was a kid.  I miss the anticipation of a party or what surprises my parents had in store.  Then there was the hope that my friends would decorate my locker even though I threatened them if they did.  There was the much anticipated 16 th when I got my drivers license and the okay to date.  18 brought with it that no-longer-a-kid title and 21, what's not to love?  I could legally drink and gamble (not much of a perk!) but more importantly, official adulthood.  What exactly does 37 get you?  It's really just another random number. I have always loved having a spring birthday.  The clothes are cute, the weather is turning, the spring flower...

For having a nice camera, I really don't have very good shots of our trip. I must admit, I haven't spent any time reading the owners manual. I need to figure out how to get better pictures than this. Nonetheless, these are the only pics I have of our really great vacation. Highlights: *Lots and lots of sunshine and warm weather. *No schedule, no phone calls in, nowhere to be. *Endless chips and guacamole, pina coladas , limes and Pepsi Light. *Attending church in a quaint little building. The church is true and the spirit is there no matter where you are in the world! *Walking the beach instead of the treadmill. *Beautiful sunsets. *Cozy oceanside lounge chairs with grass umbrellas. Perfect reading conditions. *Watching the crabs on the rocks. *The giant jacuzzi tub in our room. *Service with a smile. The staff at the resort really wants you to feel special. They are the friendliest people and it was so nice to be pampered. Not-so-Highlights: *Too scheduled of sleeper...