Counting stars against the black

My nieces have been making me laugh lately. Tonight; Katy, the three year old, pointed a butter knife at me and said "I will cut you".

(I told my sister Erin who whispered to me over the phone "Don't sleep there tonight!")

Elly, the five year old, wants to change her name to Blossom. I've had some conversations with her about robbed sparklers, boyfriends, and Pink Floyd music that have been very existential.

No one makes me laugh more than these two. I think they are God's reward to me for having to deal with my own evil sisters all those years :)

Lori Ann

Random Thoughts: the 18 days off caffeine Edition

We are taking Jack-Jack to the midnight premiere of Harry Potter! We are so dressing him up as Harry Potter. I hope he remembers it forever.

It's weird for me to drive around here at night. In Reidsville, after 8 pm the whole town practically shuts down and the roads are clear. Here, people are up and driving around at midnight!

I've been off soda since June 20th, 2011. Crystal Light has been my salvation. I've had many, many icy cold glasses of lemonade/raspberry lemonade/fruit punch/cranberry apple to get me through breaking my 20 year addiction to soda:)

Elly and James were playing chess this morning. Danielle's kids are smart. When we were young, we played a game called "Shakies" where we ran around in circles, yelling "shakies". So, yeah..

Sorry my life isn't more exciting right now. I'm working on developing some conflict and drama, just to spice up this blog!

Lori Ann

This one is for you, Tyler!

Behold, my infamous tattoo!

Located on my lower right ankle.

For all of you who said "I'm not getting a tattoo because the prophet asked us not to and besides, it's kinda trashy"...I bet your regretting that now, eh?

It doesn't get much sexier than this, baby!

Lori Ann

Summer Summer Summertime

So..

This is my third week off all soda. It's changed my personality. Hopefully for the better long term. I am sure my family hopes so too. "Angry Lori" is only entertaining for about 2 minutes.

Fireworks with the kids was magical! Jack, James, Elly, and Katy are the funniest, most interesting people I have ever met. If I didn't already have a tattoo, I would get one of their initials. I can't go to the place of having two tattoos.

Jack- Jack is reading the Harry Potter books! He finished book 5 "The Order of the Phoenix"tonight! It's 9 days until the premiere of the last movie. If he's finished Book 7, I would love for him to get to see one of the movies on the big screen:)

I am glad that Casey Anthony got her fair hearing and the opportunity to tell her side of the story. Now, if only Caylee Anthony could get that chance...

I may or may not have actually moved here for my Dad's grilling.

Dad, Danielle, and I took the kids to see graves of Revolutionary War soldiers on the Fourth of July. We talked to them about the price of our freedom and showing appreciation for our soldiers and for the privilege it is to be American. I think they absorbed about 1% of that discussion:)

Lori Ann

Random Thoughts: the 11:51 pm edition

ADVICE TO MYSELF EDITION!!

Do not stay up and watch "Wicked Attraction" if you have to sleep by yourself downstairs.

Give yourself a round of applause for self restraint. My Bath and Body works package arrived today. I always shop their semi annual sale. This year I reined myself in and only got 20 things.

Do NOT join in with your dad when he sings "The old gray mare she aint what she used to be" to your mom. Especially if you are already slightly scared of her.

Stop watching New Moon. You don't even like it. And no amount of under your breath muttering is going to make her see reason and choose Jacob.

Good Night, people!

Lori Ann

Maybe together we can get somewhere..

THE GREAT MONROBIE CAMPOUT OF 2011

My sister's husband was at Scout camp at the beginning of this week. So my sister decided to include me in her camping extravaganza with the kids.

And people, it changed my life.

Here's an overview of what may officially be the wildest night of my life.

Number of Popovers ruined by Katherine Danielle Monroe: 12

Number of surprisingly cheerful Titanic tribute songs written by one James Ray Monroe (not the president): 1 (see below)

Version 2: The Titanic Song

(sung to the tune of a jaunty sing a long)

Why, oh why did the Titanic go down?

Because an iceberg hit it!

What, oh what are we going to do?

Said Mr. Fluffy Pants.

I guess we'll go down to our graves.

Down to our Graves.

Hours spent actually sleeping in the tent: 0

Memories of smore eating, song singing, soccer playing, sibling squabbling, papi story telling, and laughing like crazy people in the tent as the stars came out into the night sky: Countless

Best. Night. Ever.

Lori Ann

Random Thoughts: The week before the 4th of July edition

I have been off caffeine for almost 8 days.

I have been off sugar for 13 minutes.

I have been in Pennsylvania for 3 weeks.

I have been 1000 times happier.

I have only missed the peace and sweet, blessed quiet of having my own apartment a few times. Like 100 times:)

I feel like there are so many good things that are coming. It's almost July. Which makes it almost August. Which is only one month away from FALL IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Fall in Pennsylvania is my definition of heaven. Every day, every moment is magical to me. I've dreamed about it for three long years.

Lori Ann