Engleberts in Missouri [miz-er-ree]

One of Violet’s friends has a really cute t-shirt with the slogan “Modest is Hottest”. I love that slogan especially since I don’t want Violet to be a little ‘ho in training.

It’s difficult sometimes to find clothing that is modest but cute. Clothing that both Violet and her father and I can agree on. Difficult but not impossible.

Sure, every shopping trip includes at least one or two wails of “everybody else…” or “it’s not that skimpy!!!” but we always prevail and appropriate clothing is purchased.

This time of year it’s even harder than normal - it’s swimsuit shopping season and modest is definitely not what most swimsuit designers are going for. Violet tried on her swimsuit from last year and looked like she was about to bust out all over - definitely not the look we’re comfortable with. So, time to replace her suit.

That is no easy chore. It is really hard to find a suit that is flattering, that Violet likes and meets with our approval. And the stores? They are not helping with their limited selections of one piece suits.

Surely we are not the only family in the country who doesn’t want their prepubescent daughter prancing around in a skimpy swimsuit? *crickets chirping* Are we?

Maybe we are hopelessly old-fashioned. Still, my daughter’s tummy puddin’ isn’t going to be on display this summer so the bikinis and tankinis and every other ini is outti.

After a long and mostly fruitless search on the internet, I finally came across this site…Wholesome Wear. I think this is exactly what we’ve been searching for…what do you think about this suit? It definitely highlights her face and not her body, no?

Yesterday is the closest I have come to a perfect day in the longest time. Everything seemed to be going the Englebert way.

I spent part of the morning celebrating Jonathan’s scholastic achievements. Jonathan was accepted into the Honors College at MSSU and the formal signing ceremony was held yesterday morning. He was rewarded for his great grades and outstanding ACT score (I’m still flabergasted by his score!) with a full scholarship! Hallelujah!

(Newspaper article here. Press release here.)

I am so thankful for all of the scholarships that April and Jonathan have gotten - it really reduces the burden of 3 children in college. But a full scholarship - wow, total stress reliever.

In addition to a great morning, I had an interesting interview yesterday afternoon. The position sounds great - interesting and challenging with a future. The interview went really well (I think) so keep your fingers crossed that I am offered the job. Sure - being a SAHM is great (mostly) but not that fulfilling if you know what I mean.

Also, I was daydreaming on my way to the interview (thinking about possible questions/answers) and suddenly I was doing way more than the speed limit. I got pulled over (unfortunately) but the police officer was really nice about it and let me go with a warning. A warning! I’ve never gotten a warning, always the ticket. It was just another sign that May 2nd was the best day ever.

All of that was followed by a quiet evening at home. Vicki, Jon and Violet all had overnight plans with friends. Steve had to work late but April and I spent the evening watching Lifetime movies - you know the sappy ones that everyone else groans about.

I also had good news about my dad. He’s doing much better and got to come home this morning for a brief visit. He has to go back this evening by 7 pm but he was thrilled to come home even for a short time.

All in all, one of the best days I’ve had in a long time.

Have I got a treat for you guys - 2 posts in one week! Woo Hoo!

A couple of weeks ago, our house was turned into a movie set for a school assignment. My youngest was pressed into service as a cast member and my son Jon tried out his skills as an actor. Let’s just say that Hollywood isn’t missing out on anything and that college is a much better fit for his skills.

Not that he was that terrible. In fact, he made me laugh out loud several times. Mostly because of the role he played - a lazy gamer boy living in his mom’s basement. Hmmm. Type casting? Not quite yet but if he’s still down there in 5 years …

Another thing in the movie that made me laugh was the eerie resemblance of the movie Johnny’s attitude to my own son’s attitude. Those looks? Those smucky comments? Practiced in real life frequently.

Also? The farmer, Violet beating on Jon and of course, the trans-gendered girlfriend. Funny.

Check it out… Johnny’s Day

It’s a fairly large file - too long for YouTube - but be patient, it’s worth a few laughs.

Eighteen days from now 2 more of our little birds will be thrown from the nest out into the cold cruel world. Ok, maybe not out into the cold cruel world. In fact, on the surface nothing will change. But still, graduation day is fast approaching. April and Jon will be done with high school and technically we will be finished (ha!) raising them.

In mid-August they will move from our house to the dorms at college. When that happens, our tuition bills will increase (3 kids in college - ahhhh!), but my laundry will decrease significantly and that’s something to cheer about!

More pictures in the photo album.