At home with the Winters

Memorial Day weekend

2010-05-29T15:41:00.002-05:00

Summer is in full swing. I have baby chicks and keets in the Brooder, fresh eggs being collected daily and the sun is shining brightly. I'm not sure what this weekend entails. I want to take the kids to see the new Shrek movie tonight, and we will probably just have family time the rest of the weekend.
I'm hoping a zoo trip is in the works very soon, Trips to the zoo are extremely expensive when you have three kids, but some other things I want can wait, the kids love the zoo. And I do too.
Last night we had a fish fry with a few friends. 9 kids in total running around here, lots of chaos, but lots of fun. I'm reminded daily that no matter what happens in life, I am the luckiest person in the world, because I have a great family. There are people who have no one, people who are completely alone. I really feel for them. There is nothing like the smile on your childs face, or the sound of their voice. True happiness for me, comes from my family. I have a husband who loves me and some awesome kids, who could ask for anything more.

Free and cheap cycle Tupelo area

2010-05-27T09:54:00.002-05:00



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Simply Trendy

2010-05-11T10:26:00.002-05:00

Sometimes we just have to put a plug in for a good cause. Help a fellow stay at home mommy by checking out her simply trendy designs!

Simply Trendy

Rainy Days

2010-05-10T15:27:00.002-05:00

Another rainy day today. Only this one wasn't as good as the wonderful recent ones, b/c Larry and I had to get out in it and pay some bills and such instead of curling up inside like we have on the last few rainy days. All in all, my life is great. We have met a few roadblocks lately. But, that which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger, right? When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Summer time is approaching, Summer Camp, Birthday's, Zoo visits, and hopefully many other excursions are just around the bend.

The farm is hopping again with life. I have baby chicks in the brooder, eggs in the nests and even a broody hen. If you take a look at Cat Cat you will see that kittens will be here soon. Although I do hope we can keep her inside and away from that male cat long enough to get her fixed this time. I can say that I saw mice in my tack room the other day and these kittens will probably become barn cats.

You know who you are

2010-05-08T13:33:00.003-05:00

I could retaliate and try to make myself seem important and a big shot. But I am not a liar nor do I want to stoop to that level. But you are delusional and I hope you get help. Once again you are alone. Alone in the world, very sad.

I guess I'm not doing so well at Blogging regularly?!

2010-02-18T09:59:00.002-06:00

Oh, Well. Life goes on. It's been going pretty great around here. I really wish it would start to warm up for Spring time. I can't wait for warm weather and all the things that come with Spring. This past weekend was out anniversary. We didn't really do much, and that made it even better. We had a great weekend just being together. We have been married now for 9 years and it never ceases to amaze me. Every year we love each other more. We aren't perfect, but we are pretty darn close, LOL.

Gonna try to do better

2010-01-26T11:06:00.002-06:00

I have absolutely no idea why I have such a hard time blogging daily. I tell myself I am going to, I even think about it throughout the day. I just rarely click the bookmark, and type. Oh well, maybe one day I will get it right.

Things are slowly returning to normal after the drawn out holidays. My birthday was great. I finally got my electric fireplace in the living room. Hopefully we will be able to afford a new tv to put above it soon. And this time I will make sure the wrenches are out of Mikey's reach.

After my birthday things sort of went downhill. Monday was okay until about 11:30pm. Mikey woke up throwing up. I put him in the bed with us, cleaned up the mess and hoped it was nothing serious. He was up again around 5:30. By 7 Larry was up and said he didn't feel good either. He went on to work even though I knew they were going to send him home. And sure enough, he was home a little over an hr later, in the bed. For a few hrs things seemed to calm down. Then Larry started gettting sick again and was having horrible stomach cramps. We ended up in the ER. He was majorly dehydrated and had to have iv fluids. They double checked everything but decided it was just a virus. He was in the bed the rest of the day. The next morning he decided to get up and go with Cliff to look at some tires. Mom was sick that day so I kept Austin and Sarah Cate. Cate was home from school b/c she had been sick as well. Of course when Larry finally dragged himself home, he didn't feel well again, so he didn't go to work Thursday either. Except he got up around lunch decided he felt better and went fishing. I didn't show him any mercy when he started complaining the night. And he went to work the next day.

Needless to say the entire week drained me. And of course my job doesn't have sick time, personal time or even a break included, so I just keep going. They say you can't catch up on sleep, but man I feel like I could really use a day of sleep.

This week has been calmer, but I am still not 100%. I think it's a mixture of the exhaustion from last week, cabin fever from being stuck inside all the time, and the winter blues. It's supposed to get cold again. It's already back to the morning frost of weeks past. I was really hoping for mild weather until Spring and then an early summer.

Still cold

2010-01-09T11:56:00.002-06:00

This stuff is just determined to stay. Although I do believe it is losing the battle. The sun is doing quite a number on it today. We are once again without water. This is getting old fast. Well, they say it is supposed to be 40 on Tuesday. I don't know if i can last that long, but I'm gonna have to try. Larry is on his way to try to thaw out whichever pipe has decided to freeze today. Where is the summer? I'm ready for it.

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T08:38:00.002-06:00

Well, we are home. We got back last night. We had fun. Family time on Friday and then we drove to the beach on Saturday. It was a little chilly. 52 degrees, so not too bad. The sun was shining beautifully. We took plenty of pictures, but I haven't gotten them off mom's camera yet. Monday we headed to Jackson for a night alone and then the Husquavarna dealer meeting. We had a nice time Monday night and the meeting was of course quite boring, but not too bad. The drive home was long, I thought we would never get home.

Of course this morning it is cold. Really cold. I hate cold. I would rather be hot than cold any day. I think I need a vacation in the deep deep south. Like South America. Or maybe I will vaca in Australia. I just need some heat!!

New Years Weekend

2009-12-30T10:35:00.002-06:00

Yet another year is coming to an end. It seems like they fly by so fast. I am sad to see one go, but excited to see what the next one will bring. My birthday and anniversary are coming up. Two events that usually brighten the gloomy winter months. Also on top of that, Larry won two tickets to see Brad Paisley and Miranda Lambert!! February 4th! I am really excited! We just got the tickets in the mail today, the seats are not the best, but they were free and I have never been to a real concert.

We are not sure what we are doing for our Anniversary yet, not sure if it will coincide with the concert or not. We usually try to do a weekend, b/c of the kids being in school. The concert is on a Thursday, which I think is odd, but we will make it work one way or another.

This weekend is a busy one. We are heading out tomorrow around 2 and will be way down south MS at my grandparents house. Friday we will be having Christmas with my extended family and then Saturday we will have a free day. I hope to drive to the beach. Sunday we will go to church with my grandparents and then Monday morning Larry and I are headed to Jackson for a dealer meeting on Tuesday. Mom is bringing the kids back home. School starts back on Weds. The kids should be ready for it by then. Well, I have yet to pack a single thing and it's gonna take me a while to pack that much for 5 people. Happy New Year Everyone!

More pics,

2009-12-30T10:10:00.001-06:00

Sarah Cate

Grandma and Austin

Austin eying Sarah-Cates present

Haphazzard picture of Shae and her boys

Grandpa and Mikey

Austin loved the baby giraffe

These two never cease to amaze me, one day they hate each other, the next day, this...

Zander's turn

Mikey's turn

This was too sweet, instead of ripping it open, he asked me if it was his first

Chrissy!

Sarah-Cate wanted Bo to help her

Bo's turn

My rear end and Anna's turn to open presents

Tr is so excited about the box with a half naked man on it!

Now it's time for the big kids! Shae's up!

I always have plenty of help

This is totally Shae in her element

They literally fight over who gets to hold him

Beck

Then Larry

Of course Grandma has help too

Daniel got to go next, after a long discussion of who was older, an argument he was so sure he would win, but Dad won by two months!!!

Grandpa, being the oldest, has to wait until last to open his presents

Here we go!

2009-12-28T17:20:00.002-06:00

Waiting to open 1 present on Christmas Eve!

Surprise! It's pjs!

I don't think Bo was amused?

Mikey and Chrissy were excited though

Santa showed up!

Mikey loves his bike

Austin was SOOOO cute in his santa suit!

Beck and her two angels

Bo being silly

Mikey is silly

The crew

Too sweet

The tree and presents

I will add more tomorrow. Going to watch a movie now and then bed time.

I really stink at this

2009-12-28T17:08:00.002-06:00

I cannot for the life of me keep this thing updated. I don't know why I am surprised, I have to be one of the most scatterbrained people alive. I do not know where I left off, but Christmas was great. We still have one left, we are headed down south to my grandparents house this weekend. I am uploading pics from Christmas as we speak. I am tired, Larry should be home soon and I need to get some supper going. But I will get some pics up. Although I am starting to wonder how many people actually read my blog or look at my pics, lol.

Short lived

2009-12-16T10:35:00.002-06:00

I am feeling much better toady! Still not 100%, I am tired and still a little stuffy. But compared to the last two days, I am so much better.

The last time I really blogged was before the parade. The parade was fun, after we finished, we all went and ate at Pizza Grocery. It was actually a really nice night, although very cold.
Christina's party didn't go as expected. No one really showed up, except family. But it worked out. We ate ice cream and cake at my mom's and painted fingernails and put on makeup. She loved being the center of attention. Her mother showed up once again with her new boyfriend in tow. We told her that she could take Christina to her house for Christmas Eve, but when I got home, I talked to someone who knows more about the situation than I, and learned the her new boyfriend is an ex-con. He has been in prison twice. Once for a hit and run that I remember well. He was involved in it with egg donors sorry ex boyfriend who caused so many problems. They almost killed the man, where driving drunk and then left. This guy took the fall and the other guy got nothing. They both should have went to prison. He somehow didn't stay long, got out and got busted again for running a meth lab. So he just now got back out supposedly and has already gotten in trouble for being involved in a chop shop. I don't know how he is avoiding jail time over that one. But anyway, as far as I am concerned, Christmas Eve visit is canceled. I will stick with my gut and she will get supervised visits only.

It caught me...

2009-12-15T09:48:00.002-06:00

I am sick. The crud I have successfully dodged while everyone else suffered has finally caught up with me. I however, cannot afford the time to be sick right now, so I must press along. I am going to lie down with my book and a nice cup of HOT chocolate, then I shall start the much needed cleaning that I slacked on yesterday.
I have tons of other things to catch up on. The parade went well. Christina's birthday was nice and uneventful. I found out some eye opening news about Christina's "mother"s boyfriend that will more than likely, almost positively prevent Christina from going anywhere with her for Christmas.
That's the short version, I will go further into detail and maybe post some pics when I am feeling better. Oh, and I forgot, we had family pictures made Sunday. I think they turned out great!

Brrrrr

2009-12-04T08:27:00.002-06:00

It's cold, I mean really cold. Any my heat doesn't work properly in my van, well actually only the rear heat works. (But thank God for that) The front heat only blows cold, thanks to a small part called the blend accuator door. The part is rather inexpensive, but it requires taking the panels off the dash and removing the a/c controls, ect. Larry hasn't had time, so I have been trying to deal with it. If I get up early and start the van early, the rear heat will heat the entire van. I usually have the front heated to my liking by the time I get the kids to school, but in between there is pretty chilly. This morning however, I stayed in bed much too long and had to rush around to get the kids to school. So the ride there was rather cold for me. But I won't complain too much, as long as the kids are warm in the back . Plus I use it as a good excuse to stop at the gas station closet to the school and grab me a cup of hot chocolate. I am not sure what brand they put in their machine, but it is very good.
It isn't showing any signs of warming up again, so I guess we are in going to have to accept that the cold is here to stay. Once again I laugh at global warming. At least around here anyway. Last year at this very time, it was not this cold. I know this b/c, tomorrow is the Christmas Parade. Last year we walked the parade in long sleeves with no jackets and still got a little warm by the end. This year, I will be riding in the cab of the truck. We are spot number 1, so we will get to go through it, get to the end, then find a spot to watch the rest. I am thinking that spot may be inside Biggers, LOL! Lon told us other years that we could watch from the attic of Biggers. But the kids might be disappointed if they didn't get any candy. Speaking of, I need to remind Larry to buy some to throw out.
The Parade is going to be a little more difficult to handle this year, my parents are out of town and they usually help me with Mikey and Christina. I guess I will bundle Chrissy up and put her on the float with Bo, and Mikey can stay in the cab with me. I need to find him a Santa hat. The last two years he had a Santa Suit, but I can't find one in his size this year. Maybe next year I will make him one.
The house is quiet. The kids are at school. Tr and Mikey are both still sleeping. I am not sure what's on the agenda for today. I know I have to go into Corinth and get money to go into Iuka and pay the light bill. Very soon I am going to have the light bill on auto pay. I hate driving 20 mins to pay the light bill. Stupid.

Anyway....... I need to get something done around here today. I have done fairly well all week keeping the house fairly clean, I don't want to slack over the weekend. But I usually do.

Christmas Pics Take one

2009-12-03T16:29:00.001-06:00

More Rain

2009-12-03T09:12:00.002-06:00

Of course, we can't stay away from the rain for long. It is back and it is cold this time. I hate cold rain. At least we did finally get our heat fixed, well almost. Larry still needs to get some relays fixed, but for the most part, we now have working central heat. Our light bill may change, but it will be worth it. The gas heat plus electric heaters on the ends of the house weren't quite efficient in heating the house evenly.
I don't really have lots of time to blog this morning. Mom and Dad have headed to Nebraska for a funeral and I have Austin. Mikey just flooded the bathroom while taking a bath and Austin of course got wet in the process. Fun times!

26 days and counting..

2009-11-28T07:22:00.003-06:00

It's the day after "the day after Thanksgiving". Yesterday was fun, but tiring. Larry and I got up around 6 and headed into town. We thought we might make it to Tupelo, but we didn't get out of Corinth. We got almost all of our shopping finished. I have a few things left, but for the most part, I can get them wrapped next week and enjoy the rest of the holiday season.
Thanksgiving was great. Lots of food, family and fun. I will have to get the pictures off of mom's phone. I left my camera in the van, so I just used hers, we kind of passed it around, so there should be plenty of pictures to share. Mom kept my children Thursday night so that Larry and I could shop yesterday. We had a great day together. We love our Children and we do try to get out alone for a few hrs every other week of so, alone. But there is nothing like a full, uneventful fun day alone with the person you love more than anyone in the world. We shopped and talked and had fun looking for the few sales that were left by the time we got to each store.
We bought a new tree. It's not as big as we would have liked, but until we get our house built, not much more will fit. I will already have to do some rear rearranging to get it to fit in the living room. And of course Larry and I disagree on where it should go, but in the end, it will go where I put it I guess, lol. Monday I will have to get to moms and start wrapping. Today, if I can get myself woke up, I need to finish cleaning this mess of a house up.
Last night I kept Sarah-Cate and Austin to give Beck a much needed break. Austin didn't sleep worth a heck and then starting stirring around 6. I was working diligently to get him back to sleep and having some success, when Christina came in and said Sarah-Cate had thrown up in the bathroom. She proceeded to come back into the room about 10 more times after I told her to tell Sarah-Cate to take a bath. She went into her annoying mommy mode and decided she was the boss and everyone would do as she said. I had to take her down a few pegs. She is now sitting on her bed alone watching a movie.
Sometimes the only think I can do is remove her from everyone else and make her sit alone. It really doesn't teach her anything, but it helps me to keep from losing control. I am starting to see some of the same behaviors I thought we had kicked, I am sure it has to do with her mother's increasing visits. She is back on her visit and phone call schedule full time and fairly regular. Her living arrangements have changed once again (surprise!lol) She has yet another new boyfriend (surprise!) and she has a vehicle. Not that last one really is a surprise. I still have no idea if she has a real job, or what the deal is.
She had the nerve to ask for christina to stay the night with her, and then asked to get her for a few hrs on Thanksgiving. As far as I am concerned, she will never have her alone again until we go to court or my demands are met. And that's gonna take quite a lot, including a stable job, a home inspection and probably parenting classes.
Well, writing a book this morning is only delaying the inevitable, I still have not cleaned the kitchen from my Thanksgiving preparations. And the laundry has backed up over the last few days. Of course TR was home all day yesterday alone, but the thought never crossed his mind to to anything without being told. Larry started assigning him chores last night. I think that's the only thing that is going to get anything done. I think we need to start a formal chore system anyway.

give thanks

2009-11-24T09:22:00.000-06:00

The holiday season is here. Thanksgiving is a mere 2 days away. I have so much to be thankful for. I have a wonderful husband, who although can drive me crazy when he puts his mind to it, loves me unconditionally. He works and provides for our family, which seems like a rare thing more and more each day. He is a great dad and would do anything for our family. I don't think I tell him how much that means to me enough.
I am thankful for my children. They are All generally healthy and well behaved for the most part. I am thankful that God chose me to raise 3 members of the next generation. There are so many people struggling for the chance to care for one, and I have 3. For that I am thankful.
I am thankful for my family. For my parents who are still married and still love each other. For my sisters, I am truly thankful to have them close to me. I am thankful that my family can all come together and not have to put on a show or tons of effort to get along.
I am thankful that I have a roof above my head and a warm place to come in from the cold. I have food in the cabinets and all the necessary tools to cook it. We take those things for granted way to often.
I am thankful that I have a wonderful church family and they would help me anytime I needed.
I have so many things I could list, the list could go on forever, but I will just say I have a lot to be thankful for and so do you.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Insomnia

2009-11-22T23:18:00.002-06:00

I hate those nights when my mind is going in every which direction and it refuses to take a break just long enough for me to fall asleep. I did lie down long enough for Larry to get to sleep and to read quite a good bit of the new book I started, well, when I laid down tonight.

I realize that November has almost left us and I have only one blog post to show for it. I have no real reason for that, just plenty of excuses. Plenty of times I sit down and say, I shall blog. Then I say, no, I don't have time to really commit to a full blog post, which is stupid I know. I am thinking I might need to designate that wonderful time in the car rider line to blogging from my phone via email. We shall see. There is no school this week, so that project will have to be a December project. Perhaps my New Years Resolution will be to blog more often. I really do wish I could keep up with it better and maybe eventually have it published into a book for nostalgic purposes later on.

Anyway, since our last episode and entire month has flown by.

The cubscout event was fun. There were tons of activities and interesting things for the boys to do. I kind of messed us up and bit, b/c the itinerary and map plainly said that a certain location was for cubscouts and a certain location for boyscouts. Turns out the cubscouts were allowed to do the boyscout activites, it just doesn't count for any advancement purposes. We did end up getting to do most of the activities in the area after we figured that out, but the boots closed up early and we did miss a few things. All in all, it turned out to be a good day and the boys really enjoyed it.

We also had a campout at the Native American Indian Village close to our "farm". LOL! It was pretty cold, but I am spoiled when it comes to temperature comfort. But we survived. And the boys had a blast. Our nature hike was very entertaining. The boys found all sorts of "tracks". By the end of the hike, their imaginations were creating everything but elephant tracks.

Last Sunday was a sad morning for me. My baby, my Bandit, had to be put down. I knew he was living on borrowed time already, and I knew he was going further down as the days went by. I had actually talked to a neighbor farmer on Sat. about having the vet come in and put him down. I didn't get that chance, Larry looked out Sunday morning and he was down. He tried to get him up, but Bandit didn't have the energy. From the looks of it, he had probably been fighting all night. NoName was standing over him, ever so sweetly. I would give anything for a friend like that, he was faithful and watchful not only to the end, but for days after. Larry and Kenny talked about how they could try to get him up. They were trying to make it easier on me I know. But I already knew it was the end. If they got him up, he wouldn't be able to hold himself up, and if he managed to, it wouldn't last long at all and he was suffering. I gave him a kiss and told him I loved him and Goodbye. I took NoName by the halter and led him to the barn. He didn't want to leave Bandit, but it had to be done. After Larry put him down, NoName stood over him until our neighbor buried him the next day. Then he stood over the broken dirt for almost 3 days after that. I was starting to really worry, then he came up to the barn and ate. He is doing better now, still a little skid-dish, but I think he will be fine. I hope to start the breaking process this winter and maybe be able to ride him in the spring. He is a great horse. He will never be Bandit, but he is a great horse.

That brings us to this week. Yesterday, we ate Thanksgiving dinner at Larry's Parents house. I finally got to see my mother in laws new chickens, and tried to teach her a few tricks I have learned. She was excited to see that she did end up with a great many hens and only a fair amount of roosters.

Today was a tiring day. I got up to go to church, and of course we had that drizzly cold rain. I got to church and was asked to fill in and teach the teen class. I was TOTALLY unprepared and I am not sure they got anything out of the lesson, but we did the best we could. After church I fed the kids and put on some comfy clothes. The whole stump buster crew were hear trying to repair the wood chipper, I heard that after i went back to church, the repairs went way south. I hope not too south though. Maybe not. Anyway, forgive my ADD ramblings, I really have the attention span of a 3 yr old at times. After I fed the kids I am informed that Christina's mother would be there "in a min" Later I learn that Larry just "got tied up and didn't come in to tell me". So I start cleaning the kitchen up and literally a min. later she pulls in the drive. I could have screamed. I do not look forward to her visits anyway, but I like to be mentally and physically prepared, and I wasn't. She had the nerve to ask if she could keep Christina over night. Heck to the No. I didn't beat around the bush, I told her highly unlikely. And left it at that. She has moved out of the free ride zone of Larry's ex boss's house for some reason. When asked why, she answered "It's a long story" So now she is living somewhere else and is once again lovey dovey with her mother, whom she informed many times in the near past that she "was never a good mother" and multiple things such at that. When in reality, the woman is a loving mother to a fault. She enables her children, in a major way.
I still do not think that the reality of Christina being different has really hit them. I don't think they get it. Like today when she was changing clothes for some reason and she walked in to ask me a question with no shirt on. Her mother freaked. For one, she is 7, for another she doesn't realize that she shouldn't do that when a man is in the room. But maybe if her mother wouldn't have lagged along her new flavor of the month, that wouldn't have even been an issue.
I sometimes wonder what she tells people. When she tells them that she has 3 children, yet they all live in different places. She has asked me to meet her in town to have Chrissy's pictures made with her for Christmas. On the inside I want to say no so bad. But I didn't, b/c i know how much things like that will matter later on. I don't want to hinder whatever happiness Chrissy can get from her.
Speaking of Christmas pictures, I am really hoping to get some done soon. I don't know where or how, but somehow. I had hoped to have a friend from high school do some outside shots. But the weather has turned yucky and the only available day is really Sunday and Larry has been working all Sundays.
Whitney is going to come over around Thanksgiving, sometime this week, for a full Tieken family shot. I am going to try to get her to do a few of our family, just in case we can't get some studio pics done before Christmas. We haven't had a professional family pic done since way before Mikey.

Well, It is almost midnight. And I have heard Larry stir quite a few times. He is probably missing me when he rolls over. It may sound sappy, but I love the fact that after 8 almost 9 years, we still love each other endlessly and can't stand to roll over without the other being there to hold.
Next month will prove to be even busier. I am supposed to get money to buy Christmas next week. I am antsy. I wanted to be finished by next week, not just starting. But I do have a very good idea about what everyone is getting, so it should be just the act of actually getting it. I need to sit down and make a detailed list. I have a few sketchy ones, but I need a detailed one.
There goes my brain again, wandering off. I will have a busy day tomorrow, with my kiddos home. So I need to get some sleep. Good night all, and have a very happy Thanksgiving. If you can't find anything else to be Thankful for, just be Thankful that you are alive, that's something we take for granted daily.

Wonderful Weather, Beautiful Fall

2009-11-05T16:02:00.002-06:00

Heater in the morning, air conditioner in the afternoon.
The bonfire went very well I believe. Next year we will definitely have a planned hayride through the bottom. We had one planned in our woods, but then with all the extra rain, even the tractor wasn't pulling a trailer full of people through the woods. So we went in the bottom and tried to "wing it" but it didn't really work. Overall, it was fun though.

I am still recuperating from that, I have been keep my nephew Austin during the day, and had Sarah-Cate as well for a few days, so getting a lot of cleaning done just wasn't in the cards. But as of now, all I lack is a sink full of dishes a whole bunch of laundry and a few touch up things. LOL, okay, so it's more than a little, but it will get done eventually.
This weekend is the BSA Centennial Event in Verona. We are heading out around 7am and will probably be back around 7pm. It should be really eventful and tons of fun.

Banner

2009-10-29T15:49:00.000-05:00

Please disregard the banner, I will mess with it again later, I can't get the size right.

The weekend approaches

2009-10-29T13:40:00.002-05:00

I am really excited for the bonfire to get here. It's going to be a blast. I just hope the rain is over.

Pumpkin carving pics

2009-10-26T10:06:00.001-05:00

Halloween

2009-10-26T09:41:00.001-05:00

Just a Reminder!

Don't forget the Party is at my house on Halloween. Bring the kids! The bonfire will be lit early and the hayride will take place after dark.

I need to get an idea of how many people we are going to have. Please send me an email with.....

Are you planning to attend? yes or no

If No, we will miss you and we hope you have a safe Halloween.

If yes,
How many children?
How many adults?
Are you participating in the Chili cook-off?
Would you like to help with the hayride?

Please let me know asap, if you need anymore info, please email me at minna_k04@yahoo.com.
Everyone bring a bag of individually wrapped candy. If you would like to bring something else, please let me know.
You might want to bring a chair or something for the bonfire.
And please dress appropriately as there will be children at the party.

Pondering of thoughts..

2009-10-22T11:31:00.001-05:00

The more I talk to other people and read things online, the more I realize that I have a wonderful marriage. It's not perfect, but who can expect perfection. There are soooo many people with more problems than we have. I am very thankful.

Picture Overload

2009-10-21T08:41:00.003-05:00

Monday night Mikey fell asleep in the living room floor while I was cooking supper. It was sooo cute. I snapped a picture. Of course Bo couldn't stand to not be in on the action, so he jumped in and got in the floor beside him. Crazy kid.
Yesterday we cleaned the boat out to get it ready for winterizing and storage.
And I helped Bo make a cake mountain for school.
Last night we had our monthly CubScout Go See It. We are really running out of ideas and the older boys are getting tired of doing the same thing every year. So last night we visited one of the oldest businesses in Corinth. None other than Biggers Hardware.
Ok, so to me, that was hilarious, but the boys enjoyed it. Larry even let them sharpen a chain saw chain in his shop. I told him he should have showed them how to make a key, as Biggers is one of the few places you can still get a key made that is not made by a computer. But he didn't think about it until it was too late.
The highlight of the trip for the boys was playing on the HUV. They loved that thing. In case you didn't know and don't get it from the picture, that's a Husqvarna Utility Vehicle. And honestly, we love that thing as well. They have two demo's and to the kids delights we will probably have one in the Christmas Parade with our cubscout float. Pack 918 has many sponsors and we have to advertise for them in the Parade. The Parade will be the first Saturday in December.
Anyway, enough explanation, here's the pics.

Girls Night!

2009-10-15T09:38:00.002-05:00

So, last night I left the children with TR and Larry and went to Tupelo with Mary. We went to Ashely Furniture looking for her a new sectional. We had a blast. I found this really cool chair, and when I become a millionaire, I will shell out the 500 buckeroos to make it my own, until then, I will just dream of it.

It swivels! I want it. Anyway......
After we sat and waiting on the people who swarmed us when we came in, but were unavailible when we wanted to talk, we were hungry. We had decided Logans until Mary learned I had never eaten Japanese food. So off to Kyoto we went. The have Hibachi Tables. It was sooo much fun. I am going to have to take the kids, they will love the "show". The family sitting at our table had 3 kids with them, they were all around the 9-13 age range, and they were so funny. The youngest boy was a total kick. Sadly the night had to end, we had a lot of fun and I can't wait to go back and take Larry and the kids.
Tonight we are heading to Iuka to look for a sectional at Town and Country.

Storming again

2009-10-09T14:24:00.002-05:00

It didn't stay away long once more, we had a few nice day and yesterday was a beautiful day, but the thunderstorms are back. They are supposed to hit pretty heavy within the next hr or so. At least it isn't cold yet, I can handle rain in the heat much better than rain in the cold.

The good, the bad and the ugly...

2009-10-01T23:03:00.002-05:00

Well, it's been a long week. It did finally quit raining on Monday. But the ground is just now drying up. The weather is typical "fall" weather for us. In the 50's in the morning, the 80's in the afternoon. Which causes wonderful sinus problems and itchy sore throats. This week has been a rollercoaster ride. Monday I started working on finishing up my catchup work to get back in my cleaning routines. One Tuesday I went one step further and started cleaning out my closet. By the time bedtime rolled around, the dustiness of my closet and bedroom had caused my dust allergies to send me into a very uncomfortable reaction. Couldn't breathe, completely miserable. So I popped a Benedryl and went to sleep. Yesterday morning I woke up so refreshed. I had more energy than I knew what to do with. I still felt a little stopped up and yucky, but I pushed passed it. The morning went great. I ran a hot bath to help with my congestion. Mikey sat on my bed watching tv until I finished, then he helped me with some laundry. I vacuumed the living room and then he wanted to watch Dora and Diego while I worked in the kids rooms. I turned on the tv and went about my cleaning. I finished up in his room and moved on to the bathroom. Mikey walked in and told me something was wrong with Diego. He was holding Larry's rather large wrench that is kept in the kitchen drawer. I walked in the living room not too worried about it, carrying my vacuum so I could put it away. I would have loved to have a picture of my face when I saw that our 42 inch flat screen Larry loves, well we all love it, had a huge spiderweb covering almost half of the screen. I am no psychic, but my instinct tells me Mikey hit the tv with the wrench.
I sent him to his room b/c I was pretty upset. I went in and explained that he was in a lot of trouble, he was not allowed to watch tv for the rest of the day and the next day. And that he needed to stay in his room and think about what he did.
He took a nap. Which was fine, he needed one. And you know, that night went so well. He felt much better after his nap. I have been saying that his whiny, clingy, monstrous attitude has been caused by his lack of naps.
Larry was amazingly calm about the entire incident. After researching what it will cost us to replace the tv, we are appalled to see what they now cost compared to what we paid. But I guess it's a good thing, Still hurts to know that it's only 10 months old and the price is half what we gave for it. Still a nice 700 bucks, but that's the way the ball bounces. For the time being the old faithful tv is back in the living room. Hopefully we will be able to replace the flat screen either with a great deal on Black Friday or with income tax returns.

Today has been a fairly good day also, the temps were nice today, Mikey and I headed to Selmer with mom for a trip to Dollar World. She was hoping to find some cute stuff for Trunk or Treat, but didn't find exactly what she was looking for. Mikey and I will be stalking the store for when they get a new shipment. Then we ate lunch with Larry, priced some TV's and headed to pick up the kids.
Not long after that I developed a splitting headache that is still partially lingering. I fell asleep from 5-7 when Larry took a shower and woke me up. Now I am wishing I would have just held out and I would be able to sleep now.
Well, it's 32 mins until Friday.. Who knows what tomorrow may bring around here. Hopefully it will be a nice uneventful day. Maybe a trip to the park. The weekend is full, so it would be nice to have a nice calm day to prepare.

And the rain came down.....

2009-09-26T10:31:00.002-05:00

It's still raining. I am sooooo tired of rain. I believe tomorrow makes 3 weeks of nonstop rain. I think we may have gotten one day without rain here during that time, but it rained all around us. I am soooo ready for some sunshine.
Daniel has started teaching Larry, Kenny and TR how to play poker, Larry has been trying to teach me, but I prefer to learn online, that way I know how when he wants to play. I kicked his and TR's tail the other night, last night when Daniel and Kenny were over, Larry and TR didn't want me to play. Scared to lose to me in front of people I guess. I hope we continue to have regular nights like last night, to an extent. I enjoy having people over, but sometimes it gets a little overwhelming in our cramped space.
Today I am supposed to go to Mallory's baby shower in Jackson with Beck. She was supposed to call me last night to finalize our plans, haven't heard from her, her phone goes straight to voice mail. My stomach is feeling bla again today, I really don't feel up to going to the baby shower, but I really want to go. If Beck doesn't call within the next 30 mins, I think I may abandon the idea and just stay home.

Sadness abounds..

2009-09-23T15:31:00.002-05:00

Bad things happen, it's inevitable. Today our black lab Chopper passed away. We are not really sure what happened, but he has been having some issues with what we thought was a pinched nerve or something similar lately, so it could have been related. We will never know. What I do know is we will miss him. And I don't think I want another dog for a while, if ever. We have Ginger inside and I think she is enough.

RIP Mischecious Chopper, we love you.

It's a new day....

2009-09-21T10:23:00.002-05:00

and it's already a better one. Dallas did lose last night, by 2 points. But it was a good game and should be their hardest. Mikey found my remote this morning, he had put it in the bottom drawer of the bathroom vanity. I don't know how I missed it. I thought for sure I looked there.
It turns out my crazy dvr recorded Army Wives anyway, so I am watching it now. The rain has broken for now, but it is supposed to be back soon.

Football

2009-09-20T21:16:00.002-05:00

Well, it's football night, and honestly I am a bit perturbed at the moment. The Dallas game was at 7:15 instead of earlier in the day as I prefer, which means it is on right now. Army wives is on right now, but somehow the dvr got messed up and I didn't catch it. So I had to do some button pushing so it didn't turn off the game. Now I can't get it to record Army Wives b/c it thinks it is, even though it is not. I don't know why, but it's screwed up. And I can't go fix it in the bedroom b/c sometime yesterday morning my remote disappeared. It was there when I was watching Desperate Housewives reruns with Mikey around 9. I went to town and to Mom's and got back around 2-3 and couldn't find it when I returned. I have looked everywhere I can think of to look, no luck. I guess I will have to wait until Tuesday or so when I can watch it online. This stinks.

Rain, Rain go away!

2009-09-17T07:22:00.002-05:00

I typically like rain, really I do. But sometimes, enough is enough. It has been raining all week with no signs of stopping. According to the radar it will continue to rain for quite a while. I know this is normal, it does this every year, but that doesn't mean that is isn't still annoying every year. The kids are cooped up and stir crazy. If they didn't have school, they would really be suffering from cabin fever. Christina has really been pushing me lately, I am not sure of the cause, but I gave up trying to figure it out a long time ago. She is supposed to go for what will probably be her last counseling appointment today, but I am not sure if we will go in this rain.

Back to the Pack

2009-09-10T16:13:00.002-05:00

It's that time of year again, school has started back and after that comes the new year of cub scouting. This year Bo is a bear cub. Larry is his den leader and this year I am his assistant. I am hoping it will work out ok with me trying to tote Mikey and Christina along. But I think it will be good. Bo is excited, we have our first campout next weekend. It's gonna be a great year!

Storms are here!

2009-09-07T11:13:00.002-05:00

Saturday was quite a tiring day of doing nothing. Beck kept the kids Friday night, so Saturday morning I got up, got my bath and headed off to Verizon to see about adding a line for TR and getting him and Larry new phones. Larry had already called to check on our upgrade, and for some reason, even though online it said our upgrade was in November, the store said it was now. So we decided to add a line and get the Buy on Get one Blackberry's. TR wanted a storm and Larry did also. I was actually a little upset. I have been the blackberry holder in this family. I got my curve last November. I have been publically stating that as soon as we went to Verizon, and I could upgrade I wanted a storm. So I went to Verizon a little bummed, b/c not only was TR gonna get the phone I wanted, but anti-blackberry Larry was getting one as well.
I get there around 9:30, they hadn't been open very long. There wasn't a crowd. Larry had talked to Lindsey on the phone, so she knew I was coming. While we were discussing our plans and options, another rep told another customer about the promotion they we were told last month was over. If you are eligible for upgrade on one line, you can upgrade to all new phones on all lines and do the verizon switch over. I kinda got a little annoyed hearing them say that, b/c we asked about doing it last month and they said it was over. But Lindsey picked up on it and asked me if I wanted her to check and see if we qualified. I said sure. We did. So I called Larry and he said go for it. Kenny came up there and we all decided to get Storms. The computer was being a pain. Using two promo's at one time was confusing and a headache. And the promo is a little on the shady side, b/c they don't tell you that with the BOGO, you don't get the 2 yr contract price, I think you get the one year contract price. So instead of the storms being 149, they were 210. But we got 2 for free, so we just split the cost between the 4 of us. And we will get 200 dollars in rebates in the mail.
It was a long day, we still didn't have the kinks worked out by 1, so Larry met Kenny and I for lunch. Then they went to look at a job. I went back to Verizon. Finally at 3:00 I left, with my new phone. Larry and Kenny waited around after lunch and took theirs with them. Leaving me to tie up the loose ends.
So we are now all proud Blackberry storm owners.

From one year to the next..

2009-09-01T11:21:00.001-05:00

The zoo.

2009-08-31T17:20:00.002-05:00

Saturday Morning we got up early and headed to Memphis to the zoo. My parents, and our friend Daniel went with us. It was a perfect day for the zoo. The temperature was wonderful. It didn't even start to think about getting hot until we were ready to leave. There was no rain, but just enough cloud cover to keep the sun from beating down on us. I truly think that this was the best visit to the zoo yet. All three children are old enough now to fully enjoy the animals and the atmosphere. They are still working on expanding the zoo. A new exhibit is opening in October, I can't wait to see it. I somehow failed to get a picture of Daniel in front of the zoo or the big animals out front. I wish I would have, it seems like it would be fitting, considering this was his first trip to the zoo. I am always amazed when people say they have never been. It's always been at least a yearly trip for us; some of my greatest memories.
Here are some pictures. One day, I will get a DSLR camera, then I will go to the zoo and spend the entire day taking pictures of the flowers.

Fed up

2009-08-24T15:15:00.002-05:00

Who in their right mind can expect a mentally handicapped 7 yr old to do not only as much, but more homework as the rest of the class. Christina is expected to do all the homework the other kids do, plus extra sheets from her special ed class. What gives? On thursdays she brings home 4 pages of homework. Plus she has to read her story nightly. All 4 pages are due on Monday. The math sheet is front and back so technically could be considered 5 pages. Then she gets extra sheets throughout the week from her special ed class. Each sheet takes us around an hr to complete. It's bull, complete and absolute bull and if that teacher thinks that she scares me, she has got it all wrong. The work will be turned in as she gets them done, and homework is over at 4pm at my house and no homework is done on the weekends. So she can like it or lump it. That's the rules and she will have to live with them. What's she gonna do, fail her. Ha. She can't.

Red Bay Waterpark

2009-08-23T08:16:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we went to the waterpark in Red Bay, AL with the church. We all had a lot of fun. I didn't even know it existed. I have almost decided that Bo and Mikey will be having their birthday party there. Life is going fairly smoothly around her besides that. Mikey is adjusting to the kids being in school. The homework load for Christina is absolutely ridiculous. I am not sure what they do at that school all day if they feel the need to send home that much homework.
Shae and Benjamin are doing well. She is still a bit overwhelmed with having two children to split her attention with, but she will adapt, she always does. I have went over and helped her out around the house a few times, I just talked to her and I guess I will be over there tomorrow to help again. And I am planning on taking Zander with me to church tonight b/c we are having a puppet service for the kids. It is supposed to be really good, I hope the kids enjoy in. Well, I have to get up and get all these kids ready for church, 1 hr until time to leave. I will try to remember to post pics and details about the puppets tonight.

Pics of Benjamin

2009-08-20T15:31:00.001-05:00

Benjamin is home

2009-08-18T08:17:00.002-05:00

I am going to see him in a little bit. I hope to have tons of pics when I get back. So, stayed tuned!

Benjamin

2009-08-11T16:53:00.002-05:00

Benjamin had a little trouble breathing last night, so they sent him to Tupelo to the NICU. He is doing well. Breathing on room air. They do have him on a little assistance, but it is only breathing 10 breaths a min for him. They were supposed to do blood gases at 4 and reevaluate how long the tube would stay in. It may be out tonight, it may be tomorrow. They estimate his stay to be about a week. I am hoping to get some pics from my mom soon. Grandparents and parents are allowed back to see him as often as they like. EVeryone else has to visit during visiting hrs, 4-6 and 8-9 pm. How in the world am I supposed to do that?????? I guess I will figure it out or wait until he is home. Not fair, Beck has got to hold him and see him twice.

It will never happen to me.....

2009-08-11T16:34:00.003-05:00

This is something we all hear and most of us say. Oh, but it won't happen to me. I am too careful, ect ect ect. Well, I want to share a story with you, a story about a mom who loved her son, she would have given anything for him. And she lost him. Momma's hug your babies, and if you have a pool, please take all the safety precautions. A pool cover, a pool alarm, all the precautions necessary, b/c it CAN happen to you. This is the story of my friend Amanda. One morning she woke up to her beautiful son, that night, she went to bed without him.

Amanda's story (her account of the day she lost her son August 8th, 2005)
The short version is that it was nap time and I put on a movie and gave him a cupie of milk, and laied a blanket down in the living room. I went to put up some laundry and on my way back, I saw I had an IM, so I stopped and talked for a few minutes, maybe 5? And then I told the girl, "Kohl is so quiet, I bet he's asleep" so I went to check on him. I was gonna put him in the crib. And when I went into the living room, the sun was shining on the wood floor. The door was open. I remember that sunlight so clearly.

My heart sank and I ran out the door, looking by the slide and swings. Not there, I could just HEAR my mother's voice say "amanda if you ever can't find him, always check the pool first". That's when I lost it. I didnt wanna look. I walked around to the gate and it was open, just a crack. It was still locked but it was pushed up and caught on the cement at the bottom. I pushed it open and looked quickly around the pool. I didn't see him and I turned to leave and I just had to stop myself and MAKE myself look IN the pool. So when I turned, there he was. Floating face down in the water. I have NO IDEA how I didn't see him the first time. I just felt my heart and my stomach hit the concrete. I froze and I literally could not move. I was screaming one of those murder movie shrill screams. Over and over. Finally, after what seemed like forever, I thought to myself, "amanda you have to get him out". It was like I was outside my body looking at myself and trying to get myself to move. It is unexplainable how it went down.

Anyways, I jumped in the pool, and I remember the feeling of the water rushing all around me and the sound disappearing. (I am sure that you know what I mean). Just for one second, I was lost in the water. Very weird the way it happened and the way I remember it. Then, I pushed myself up and grabbed him and turned him over. He was so pale and his lips were blue. I just remember screaming for Jesus to please help me. When I say screaming, i mean the neighbors 2 blocks away heard me. It hit me that i should do CPR. I put him on the side of the pool and I was still inside, I couldn't remember what I was supposed to do, but I knew blow and push. So, blew in his mouth and water came rushing out of his nose and mouth. I turned him to his side, and then did chest compressions. While I was still screaming every breath. Cheetos that he had for lunch were all in my hair and on his clothes bc they had came up with the water. I couldn't decide what to do, I knew I had to call 911, but didn't know if I should stop CPR. So I finally rushed in to call. The most vivid part of the whole thing was the hot of the sun beating on my shoulders and back while i was running inside with him. He was so heavy. I didn't remember him being that heavy before.

When I got inside, I called 911, it was busy. Called again, still busy. Called again, no answer. (yeah seriously). Finally someone answered and I didn't know what to say. I was just screaming "my baby my baby..." When i finally told the guy he was in the pool, he asked for my addy and I couldn't remember it. I was trying to give him directions and he said that they would be there shortly. Instead of talking me through CPR, the guy hung up on me.

A kid was outside riding his bike and heard me screaming and came looking in the window. I told him to go and get help. So then a man came, who I didn't know then, but now do. He kneeled down beside me and i reach for him. He hugged me and it felt so good. I started cpr again and he was doing the chest compressions and i was doing the breathing. He stopped and I said "no don't stop" and he said "Honey, he isn't going to breathe" Once again...my heart hit the floor. That's when the neighbors came in and I remember the woman who was very very religious sitting beside me and I asked her to pray for him and she said she was but i cant remember her doing it. I picked him up and rocked him. That is when the cops showed up. Not the ambulance but the cops. The officer didn't say a word, just stood at the door observing. *idiot*

The ambulance got there and ran in. Asked me how long he was in the water and I told them i didn't know. And so they FINALLY took him out to the ambulance, but it seemed like it took them forever. I ran out and the officer asked me how to get ahold of jason and I couldn't remember the number. I ran back to the back of the ambulance and got in. The EMT drug me out screaming my head off, and physically PUT me in the front seat. By this time, all the neighbors were there. There were a million cars and people.

The ride to the hospital was so **** scary. The ambulance was going about 90 miles an hour and i felt it. I remember the driver saying "we got music" before turning on the siren, which I thought was a little insensitve. How could she be coy at this time? I kept telling them to "shock him" but they never did. I was just saying "jesus jesus jesus" over and over. I didn't know what else to do.

We got to the hospital and a nurse met us outside. She asked the driver "is he going to make it" and she said "no". Again, I lost it. I told her "don't you effin say that...yes he is"

They made me wait in a room where I can't remember much of anything of the waiting part. Except my neighbor and her daughter there with me. When the doctor came in he started to say something and i said "NOOOO...go try again. Just go and try again" and so he left. My neighbor said she checked and that they were actually trying again. A few more minutes I guess and the doc came back. He stood in front of me, crossed his hands together, looked at the floor and said "we were unsuccessful". I hit the ground. I could only hope to die myself. I banged my head as hard as i possibly could into the cement floor. Causing blood to stain my hair. The doc ordered some meds for me and I wouldn't take them. I wanted to be aware of my last minutes with him. The nurse sat on me and held me down while another injected me with haldol. 5 or so minutes later, the doc said to give me some more bc I was still screaming.

Finally the nurse came back and said I could see him. They put pajama's on him but the tube was still in his throat. I held him. I rocked him. The nurse took the tube out so I could kiss him. He was so cold. I just wanted to rub his hands till they were warm again. Then, I heard my neighbor say "be strong for her" and again, my heart hit the floor when I realised Jason was there. I hurt for him. He didn't know he was dead. But when he saw me holding him, he knew and he threw his hat off and said "oh god amanda". He ran over and put his arms around me and kohl and kissed his baby. We spent about 20 minutes together in there.

the nurse said that we needed to do some organ donation papers and so we went to another room. I called my mom and my dad answered. I said "dad. kohl got in the pool. He didn't make it" The longest pause wen tby and he finally said "oh amanda no". I said "i am at the hospital, I have to go". Jason called his mom and I will never forget what he said to her "momma, kohl's dead". Just like that. I was shocked to hear the words. But I guess he was just in so much shock he didn't know what to say. Anyways, after the papers were done, I wanted to see him again, but they wouldn't let me.

I couldn't beleive that I was about to drive away and leave my child at the hospital. Just didn't seem right. when we got home there were a million people at the house. Jason wanted to go home to our parents, but I didn't want to face them. How do you face your parents when you have to tell them something like this?

We ended up going. We had to take clothes for the funeral to dress kohl in, and pics, it just seemed like a million things.

Picking the casket was terrible. I just went in and saw the little ones and just about fainted. Jason had to catch me.

I was so scared to see him at the viewing. But when I went in, he was so beautiful. We read him the book "god gave us you" and I gave him the necklace that i wore, that he always pulled on when he was sleepy.

I started taking meds after that. So alot of the rest was a blur.

We played "elmo's song" row row the boat, jesus loves me, and hot potato (wiggles) at the funeral.

Pics and news

2009-08-10T11:44:00.001-05:00

News first...

Shae is at the hospital, looks like we may have a baby within a few hrs. YAY!!

Now for the pics.... back to school pics, Zander's birthday party pics and "the day before baby" belly pics.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho

2009-08-07T08:12:00.003-05:00

And off to school they go. Today is day 2 of school. Yesterday Bo cried all morning. Not sure what he thought he would accomplish, but he cried all morning. I did take first day of school pics, just haven't gotten them uploaded yet. Not only was yesterday the first day of school, but it was also Mikey cardio appt. Great news there, Mikey has been cleared for an entire year. Last year it was every 3 months, as it has been since he started seeing him when he was around 6 months old. Then at the last appt. he changed it to every 6 months. Yesterday he said he didn't see any need to see him for another year and he didn't see any need to put him through another echo until then. The murmur is still there, but is much less prominent than it was before the heart cath.

We also got Christina's test results from the test about a month ago at her psychologist. I was hoping for a different result, but as of now, we are still looking at mild MR being her permanent diagnosis. But at least we know for sure now and we can figure out how best to help her. I will get to some pics as soon as I can, today I am starting my catch up cleaning and Mikey is still adapting to not having the older kids here, so that means I have to pay him a little extra attention. Right now he is drawing a picture of Grandma, Christina and Bo. Looks like a lot of circles to me, but it's beautiful.

Going crazy

2009-07-30T08:54:00.002-05:00

I think I will just admit myself someone and save someone else the trouble. Bo has decided that the only way to talk is to whine. He is 8 which makes it even more annoying. He is really pushing the limits and they are going to push back really soon. Take last night for instance. I personally went in and turned off his tv b/c it was 11pm. I got up in the middle of the night and it was on. So I guess no tv anymore.
Christina, well she is just her normal self, and that is going to kill me..
Oh, listen, Bo is crying, how classic.
Christina's mother has decided to show her tail up for visits again, I blame Larry, well not really, but he encouraged it. I know she is her mother, but how many chances does she get and why do I have to be a part of it. One day I am gonna hit her one good time just to make myself feel better. Yeah, I probably won't do that either, but I will think about it.

Mikey is pushing limits also. Except I am having problems pushing back, b/c he doesn't care. I really think life will be easier when school starts back next week. But I think a lot of Bo's problem is TR. Bo thinks that he can act like TR, but I have breaking news, he is not a teenager and he will act his age or I will bring him down a few pegs.
Today is Thursday, which means one week from today they start school.. Of course then we start all the fun school stuff and cub scouts. And this school is highly ignorant. Take for instance, last year when school let out, they sent home supply lists for the next year. Last week the supply lists pop up in Walmart as usual, completely different. I call the school, they say go by the one at Walmart. So I have already bought a completely wrong supply list.

They don't have supervision when dropping off the kids, only the kindergarten classes are supervised at pickup. Parents aren't allowed in the classrooms. You don't meet your childs teacher until a week after school starts. WTH is up with that?

Well, I guess my vent is over, I have tons of housework to catch up on.... Fun times fun times.

And counting...

2009-07-24T14:01:00.000-05:00

Thoughts....

2009-07-22T11:51:00.002-05:00

I am thinking of getting my ears pierced. I have never had the desire to have holes in my ears. Honestly I have always said that if God wanted holes in my ears, he would have put them there. But I am starting to think about it. I have learned that sometimes it's the small things that make you feel good. Sometimes something as simple as putting on a bright colored shirt can lift your spirits. I have heard many people say that a simple pair of earrings can make them feel special. And I can totally understand that. I have not made a final decision yet, I am not the type to do things just because everyone else does, so I want to make sure this decision is my own.

Mikey's Incredible Pizza Party

2009-07-09T22:04:00.000-05:00

Independence Day

2009-07-06T18:16:00.002-05:00

This year was wonderfully laid back and really nice. A day filled with family, friends and fun. We grilled, ate, talked and played. The weather was absolutely beautiful. I amazingly didn't get any pictures until the afternoon when I tried to snap a few to use as Mikey's birthday pics. He wasn't cooperative for long. The kids all went home with Beck Saturday night, giving me an entire child free day. It was nice, I wish Larry and I could have taken the boat out and maybe even went swimming, but it didn't work out. It was a nice day anyway.

Here are some of Mikey's shots. They are still raw, I need to play with them a bit. And another photo shoot is a must.

IMG00225.jpg

2009-07-01T10:39:00.000-05:00

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

And then there were SIX.

2009-06-30T14:22:00.002-05:00

Larry's 17 yr old brother is staying with us now. He works 6 days a week and spends his day off with his girlfriend, so I guess all I have to do it feed him and give him a place to sleep. The kids are excited, they love TR, otherwise known to Mikey as LaLa, for an unknown reason.

Mikey's birthday is getting closer and closer. We are all excited about his party, it is going to be a lot of fun and hopefully stress free. I can't believe my baby will be 3, it's hard to comprehend. It's time to make a cardiologist appt. To be honest I am scared. We were told that we would schedule another echo to determine what exactly the heart cath last year accomplised long term and what happens next. It would tickle me pink if they said everything was fixed and completly normal, but I can't be unrealistic. I sit and look at Mikey, he is so active, so full of life. He loves to play he loves sports. How am I going to tell him "NO" It's not fair..... I guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it, but for right now as a mother, I will still quietly worry.

Full speed ahead

2009-06-27T21:02:00.002-05:00

Larry decided that he wanted to trade his flat bottom aluminum for a fiberglass bass boat. So yesterday the trade took place. This afternoon, we decided to take the kids out and try out the new boat. The water was so rough, and busy, people everywhere. We played with the boat, working out the kinks and getting used to it for a while, then found a cove and jumped in. The kids loved it. Mikey was swimming like a little fish. (with a lifejacket, of course) They had the times of their, and honestly I had quite a bit of fun also. It's not very often we get out and do something just as a family. Don't get me wrong, the extended family is great, but sometimes it's nice to just be with us, doing something fun. I didn't get pictures, wish I did, but I left the camera at home. I hope we can go back soon.

Mikey's 3rd Birthday

2009-06-26T07:35:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Bo's 8th Birthday Party

2009-06-09T18:45:00.001-05:00

Make a Smilebox invite

Swag bucks

2009-06-03T10:25:00.002-05:00

So I found this new thing. It's swagbucks.com. Its basically a search engine and you randomly get points for using it. Then you can redeem the points for cool stuff. I mean you use a search engine anyway, why not use this one. It's powered by google and ask.com, so the results are good.
Here is my referral link if you want to check it out.

http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=607368

Whew!

2009-05-29T14:36:00.002-05:00

May is almost over. The summer seems to slow down a bit after May, but not much. Since my last update, lets see.... Bo and Larry went to Cub Resident Camp this week and then we had to attend a funeral yesterday.
I bought 2 new dresses on account of the funeral. I know, I didn't need 2, but.......
I went all around town and no one had anything that wasn't t-shirt dresses or other casual flowy or even just plain slouchy dresses. Finally Anna convinced me to run into Factory Connection. I always forget they are there, I am not used to having one in Corinth. So we go in and I find 3 dresses I LOVE!!! One is a 16, so I know it is a no go. The other two were a 12 and an 8. I was a little discouraged. I haven't tried on a new dress since I have lost weight and have just been wearing a too big one, or my too big black pants. I was scared to try on even the 12, b/c the ones I had at home were 14's or 16 and that was what I had been buying for years now. I guess my major fear was that the 12 would be too small, then I would really be depressed. I tried the 8 on first, not on purpose, but b/c I loved it so much. It is brown with light pink polka dots. Which is my new favorite mix. Brown is my new clothing color. I have recently rediscovered pink. It's amazing how gaining weight can make you feel soooo unfeminine. Anyway, the brown dress fit great!! I love it! It was perfect. I tried the other on, which is black with pink flowers. It fiit also, amazingly I found myself wanting both. Usually I have to settle with one item and force myself to buy it, b/c I have to have it, not because I like the way it looks. I ended up buying the brown one, b/c I loved it more. Then I got back to mom's to help Anna clean her room, talked to Larry on the phone and decided that I deserved both dresses and that I had the money b/c I sold my old incubator. I called mom and she picked it up on the way home from work. I wore the black one to the funeral yesterday. I got multiple compliments on it. I didn't have time to buy new shoes to go with my new dresses, so I wore my old ones. They are pretty, but they don't fit me right and my little toe sticks out the side and hurts every few mins. So we looked around in Water Valley before the funeral and ended up at Factory Connectoin there! I didn't find any shoes, but Larry found me another dress. And it was one I would have never picked up for my self. He told me to try it on and I was amazed, it fit and I loved it. It's long long and, I guess it is considered a maxi dress. It is made of smooth stretchy material and it brown. I love it!! So I got 3 new dresses!! And I have never even liked dresses! Now, to lose a little more weight and feel even better about myself!!

Busy Beavers

2009-05-18T12:07:00.002-05:00

May is probably the busiest month of the year around here. Between all the birthdays and graduations, topped with end of the school year/beginning of summer activites it's busy busy busy. I do have some pictures to share though. TR and Judy graduated. TR from his GED program and Judy from college.

Just for the heck of it, the first pic is last summer, the second pic last week. Same outfit. Still got a ways to go, but it's improvement.

I Love You!

2009-05-11T11:47:00.002-05:00

I know Larry doesn't read this blog, heck he hates that I have it. He is getting used to the idea though. But, I just want to say that today, I want him to know that I love him. We are not perfect by any means. We have our arguments, we are both stubborn, pigheaded and quicktempered, so sometimes they are knockdown dragouts, well not literally, but you know. We are known to snap at each other, we are known to raise our voices, but we are also known to survive. We make it, we figure it out, we talk itout and we get over it. He has stood by me when I thought I was alone. The simple things he does to make me happy are wonderful. I fuss about him a lot, he does a lot of things that bug me and he usually has to hear about it. But he loves me, and he takes care of me. I love him to. I am thankful. There are so many woman who are no where near as lucky as I. He works too much, I complain about it, but how many woman deal with a man who refuses to work, I am lucky.
He fishes and hunts and it takes away from time I would like to have, but he is healthy enough to go and he brings back food. There are so many woman who deal with men going out to party and spending money, mine brings home food for our family as a result of his recreation.
I am thankful to have him. I have always heard that true love is learning to love someone despite their faults, not trying to change them. That is what I have accomplished, I love him even when I can't stand him. I wouldn't want him to change for anything.
When we got married, we didn't have the slightest idea what we were doing. I wouldn't recommend it to very many people. But we did what we thought was best. And honestly things would be much different now I know. Like worse, not better for sure.
At the time we had no idea what love was. Not romantic true love, not forever and ever love. We have only started to learn that in the past few years. I wish everyone could experience it. I fully stand behind my thoughts that any two people can last, if both decided to give 100%. I also think arranged marriages were probably the best thing people used to do that we no longer do. Yeah, I know, it takes some of the romance out. But really, think about it. Why should the romance be before you get married. Think about it... You date, you get flowers and blablabla. You rarely actually get to know the "real" person. Then you get married and it's BAM. Totally different.. The romance is there for a while and then it burns out.
When you grow to love someone, instead of falling in love with someone, I feel that the bond is sooo much stronger. This of course only works if both people give 100%. This is just my thoughts and my way to say how much I love my husband who has loved me and stood beside all of these years. Everyone said we wouldn't make it. They said it wouldn't last. We did, we are, we will. It seems so odd to be 23 yrs old and have just celebrated an 8 yr anniversary.
This has turned into a random ramble, lol! I just wanted to say that I am blessed and I love my husband. He isn't perfect, but hey, who is?

Baby when I look at you with your hair fallin' down and your baby blues
Standing there across the room I get so lost in the way you move
It makes me reminisce back to years ago on a night like this
Teary eyed as you took my hand and I told you that I'd be your man
So many things have come so many things have gone
one thing that's stayed the same is our love is still growing strong

{Chorus}
Baby just look at us all this time and we're still in love
Something like this just don't exist
Between a backwoods boy and a fairy tale princess
People said it would never work out
Living our dreams has shattered all doubts
It feels good to prove 'em wrong
Living our love song

Oh darling would you look at me
With my heart beating fast and my shaking knees
It's pretty hard to believe after all these years I still need you this badly
You're dancing in my arms with a spotlight moon in a sea of stars
Girl we've come so far everything I want is everything that you are
I just want to lay you down
Say I love you without a sound
I think you know what I'm talking about

{Chorus}

{Chorus}

Feels good to prove 'em wrong
Just living our love song

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-10T18:34:00.001-05:00

I year ago today

2009-05-07T08:22:00.002-05:00

May 7, 2008 was the absolute worst day of my 23 years. One year ago today, I pulled into my Papaw's driveway to visit him, and was told they had just taken him the the funeral home. I remember the shock and the pain, the shock has subsided, but the pain is still present daily. Whomever says time will heal the pain, lied. Time doesn't heal it, it only helps you learn to deal with it better. The loss of someone special never heals, b/c it can't be fixed. I have learned to cope, I no longer cry every time I think of him, only half the time. I have learned to laugh thinking of him and I am working towards that being prevalent over the crying. Today I will go visit Mamaw, and I will head to the cemetery. I haven't visited the grave at all, it hurt too much, but today I will visit. I am hoping I will not have any trouble finding a single red rose. He always loved the song "Just one Rose Will Do"

When time shall come for my leaving
When I bid you adieu
Don't spend your money for flowers
Just a rose will do.
Chorus:
I'll go to a beautiful garden
[ Find more Lyrics on www.mp3lyrics.org/g6E ]
At last when life's work is through.
Don't spend your money for flowers
Just a rose will do.
I'll need no organization
To make a bid to-do,
I'll need no fine decorations,
Just a rose will do.
Just have an old-fashioned preacher
To preach a sermon or two
Don't spend your money for flowers
Just a rose will do.

Hilarious

2009-05-06T19:59:00.000-05:00

More Pics

2009-05-05T08:03:00.002-05:00

Larry and I at The Dixie Stampede

Flippin!!

From the side of the road, a little foggy

Larry saw a bear on the side of the road, so we had to turn around

Thomas kissing the ground after our mountain road fog expedition

Larry's fire in the grill

Darbie

Pictures from this weekend

2009-05-04T21:21:00.003-05:00

The back deck of the cabin

Darbie after her cold fishing trip

Thomas, FIL, soaking wet in the rain

Larry in his boat

Not the greatest picture, but it was raining!!

The cold wet fishing crew after their hour long trip, 7 fish caught! Joe, Thomas, Larry and Darbie

Larry's truck and boat, yes we know it needs to be painted, he hit a few deer this winter, lol!

The catch of the day

Blanchard Springs Caverns

Looking down from the outlook on the side of the road

The Grill Masters

Chilling in the Cabin

Another Overlook, waaaay up this time!

THE FLIPPIN CHURCH OF GOD!

It's bedtime! More tomorrow!

On the road

2009-05-04T11:17:00.001-05:00

We are headed home. All in all it was a pretty good trip. We got to the cabin around 10:30 friday night, we picked up a few extras along the way. We had stopped in Walnut Ridge to eat supper with one of Larrys brothers and his family, we had already invited Joe to come up and fish, his wife Krystal was supposed to have to work. It turned out they forgot to put her on the schedule. So we convinced them to come on with us and stay the night. Their little girl, Darbie, immediately attached herself to me. She is such a cute and well behaved little girl. By the time they went home she was attached to Larry also. They stayed friday night and saturday morning we woke up and cooked breakfast. Of course this was a fishing trip, so it was 55 degrees and raining, lol. It had been in the 80s the week before. The guys decided to try some fishing anyway, it was just barely misting. Darbie went with them, she wanted to fish. They stayed out for about an hour and called saying Darbie was cold and wet to come get her. By the time we got there, the guys decided to come in too.
They caught 7 that hour they were out. The limit is 5 per person, so they didn't do bad for an hour. After we dried them out and warmed them up, we headed out to find alternate entertainment.
We went to Blanchard Springs Caverns, I love caves, I have been to several. After the cave we went back to calico rock and went grocery shopping. We grilled steaks and had a lot of fun at supper before Joe and Krystal went home.
The next morning we woke up to more rain and even colder weather. We decided not to even try any fishing, we got ready and headed toward Branson. We made reservations for The Dixie Stampede. I have been 4 times now, but wanted everyone else to get to see it.
On the way to Branson, we went through my town, Flippin Arkansas, we didn't get to go through the actual town b/c we were trying to make sure we got there on time. Now I wish we would have b/c we got to the Dixie Stampede way to early and did a lot of waiting because no one would listen to me. We did stop at the bass pro shop in branson, it is prettier than the memphis one, but small. Larry now has it in his head to visit the mother store in springfield.
After bass pro shop, I wanted to hit a shop or two, I love the little tourist shops, but no, the woman on the phone told mil we should get there around 4, so being there at 3 was perfect! WTH? I argued for a min that being there at 4 was to see the stables and get your tickets ect. The preshow started at 4:40, the dinner show at 5:30, no one listened and since this wasn't my vacation you know, we did what they wanted to do. So of course we stood in line for 30 mins waiting to even get in, then we sat for another 30 to 45 before the preshow started, hmmmm maybe next time the ppl who have never been somewhere will listen to the person who has been there more than once. Oh well!
The show was great, as usual. I just wish they would let you take pictures. We headed straight back to the cabin from there b/c we didn't want to get back too late, it was around 7 when we left. Somehow fil missed the turn and we ended up in the middle of nowhere. I found another route using my gps. OMG the roads were horrible, you would be going along and all of the sudden the road made a 90 degree turn. This was everywhere, it was so twisty and curvy. Fil was driving and it was quite funny, although scary at the same time. And every highway up here has like 3 names, so if you are looking for hwy 5, it is also hwy 9 and 516, lol! We were so confused, then add the sudden dangerous twists and turns and some heavy fog. It was an experience that's for sure. We finally made it home around 11:30 or so.
This morning we are headed home, larry wants to get back around the time the kids get out of school. I had a few places I wanted to stop this morning and I got up and got ready so we would have time, but of course, everyone else took their time. Larry didn't even get out oif the bed until I was ready to pack up the truck. I am not to worried though, I will survive. I have already decided that we are taking the kids to Chattanooga this summer.
We just passed through Hardy, larry was prepared to stop, but I told him not to worry about it, no sense in stopping and putting him in a bad mood. We are making good time.
Overall it was a nice trip, Joe and Kyrstal are a blast, I have a feeling we could have tons of fun if they were closer. And we will def have to spend time with them when they come up in a few weeks for the weekend at fils house.
I didn't get to use my new fishing pole, but I will. The older Mikey and Christina get, the easier it will be for me to have a life. Lol! I have lots of pictures to upload when I get home. Maybe I will remember to post them tonight or tomorrow.
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

Blogging and riding

2009-05-02T16:16:00.000-05:00

Just thought I would start a random blog of thoughts on the way to arkansas and I will click post at the end of the day! I am loving having my blackberry along, its the perfect travel companion.

1:00 pm- Rain, I think we are going to see a lot of that this trip. We are trying not to let it get us down. There are tons of things to do if we can't fish. We will only be 2 hrs from Branson and Larry has never been! I love Branson!
I am already weakening, I don't have a problem leaving Bo or chrissy for the weekend, but I hate leaving mikey. He is my baby and I miss him when he is not attached to me. I will enjoy some me time and some me an Larry time, but I will miss that goof like crazy. Luckily I should be able to talk to him on the web cam if need be.

1:36- It amazes me the number of people who listen to and sing songs without ever actually "listening" to them. I just explained to Larry that "Johnny and June" was about Johnny Cash. Even had to prove it. MEN!

2:30- ok, it is officially decided... Memphis TN is horrible, half the people can't drive and those who can are trying to maneuver around those who can't. Its a mess. Thankgoodness we are headed out of there. We stopped at bass pro shop to exchange a dead boat battery and I bought a pink rod and reel. I want to learn to use an openfaced reel, they were cuter, but my pink closed face is still great!

4:00- my hubby is hilariously dense! A cinco de mayo commercial came on the radio. It said something about it being cinco de mayo. I commented that it wasn't cinco de mayo until tues. He said "How do you know?" I told him that it was the only holiday I knew of other than the 4th of july that told you what day it was in the name. I got a confused look. "How do you get that?" So I explained cinco=5 mayo=may. He's my little genius!
Oops forgot to post it last night!
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

HOTT!!

2009-04-24T09:01:00.002-05:00

It is hotter than hot this week. I guess there is no in between it's either cold and yucky or hot and yucky. A guy Larry hired to do somethings around the house was supposed to stain my barn this week, twice he has said Tomorrow, tomorrow isn't here yet. I may just do it myself tomorrow while Larry is gone to the Space Center with his cubscout pack. Oh yeah, forgot to mention that, Larry is now Bo's den leader. The former den leader decided to start another pack, more power to them.
The same guy is supposed to fix my back porch, and a few other odd and end things. People are looking for work everywhere and you offer a guy a job and he can't even get it started.
My garden is plowed under, I need to start shoveling "fertilizer" on it. I will more than likely wait until after our trip to start planting, I can't wait. It is going to be hard work, but I am excited about the outcome. I want my freezer full of vegetables. And I want to try to can some also. That reminds me I need to start buying jars and bags.

9 days and counting

2009-04-21T17:49:00.002-05:00

Our fishing trip is approaching. I am so ready for a break. I hope the trip is smooth sailing and everything falls perfectly into place. I need a break, I need some time to just be. I can't wait to be on the water with the sun on my face and wind in my hair. Take me away.....

Looking back on progress

2009-04-16T10:38:00.002-05:00

This is the list I made at the beginning of the year to have completed by summer. I don't see it all happening, but I am working on it.

1) on the prowl for some end tables (still no end tables, I really haven't looked, but hope to hit a good yard sale this summer)
2) making a memory wall of Papaw, I have the center picture, need to pick the rest, print, frame and put on the wall ( this got put on hold when Larry's new gun cabinet went in front of my spot, until he gets locks on it and moves the old one out)
3) I really need to buy some sort of shelving or something for Christina's room. She also needs some coat hooks. I put Mikey's hooks he got for Christmas from Jessica up, they are cute. when I take pics of the couch I will snap those too. ( I bought the hooks, but have not put them up yet)
4) The chair rail needs finishing in the boys room. (um, no)
5) The boys room needs border or crown molding, I will leave that choice up to Larry. (no again)
6) The border in Chrissy's room needs to be finished I lack one wall.( no again)
7) I need to update the kids pictures in the living room. ( I really need to have some pro pics done) ( I took the pics, just have to print them and put them up, doing that this week)
8) The kids bathroom needs new flooring and the new sink and vanity installed. It has been sitting in the hallway since we moved in. Larry will have to do this.( No)
9) I need to buy a blackout shade for the boys room.( No)
10) I need to buy some coat hooks for our hallway, for mine and Larry's coats.(No)

So, I am not doing so great and I have added multiple things to my list. But seeing as though I am doing much better at housework and organizing, I can see myself finishing the things I don't require Larry for by the end of the summer and maybe even figuring the bathroom out myself.

But my other goal was 50 lbs lost this year, and I have lost 20 already! So that's a start.

Easter Pictures

2009-04-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

Whew.................

2009-04-09T21:20:00.002-05:00

It's been crazy around here. A really good friend is getting out of an unhealthy marriage and her and her two children crashed with us for a while. They are now nicely settling into their new place and hopefully the road to recovery is ahead. We have been dealing with the technicalities of separation for about 3 weeks now. The last few days it has gotten ugly and we have been running like wild Indians trying to get everything in order and all of her and her children's things to safety. Add to that a few drs appts. Easter coming up and my normal daily activities and you have one busy beaver. Hopefully things will settle down for everyone now, there are still things to do, but everything and everyone is safe now and that is the most important thing. We are hoping to go to the zoo next week. I wanted to go tomorrow, but Larry can't take off work, this is their busiest time and he is already off Saturday for a boyscout commitment.
Our fishing trip is coming up, I can't wait. I need a break from reality. I still have to figure out where my children are going to stay, I have some ideas, but nothing is set into stone yet.
Hopefully I will have Easter pictures soon.

Yard Sale

2009-04-02T06:46:00.002-05:00

Busy Busy Beaver! I've been swamped this week. We are having a yard sale this weekend at mom's house. I am finally finishing up burning the dvd's for my fil's birthday. Deb is staying with us for a little while so there are now five kids in the house, so never a dull moment. Amazingly I have not gone crazy. I think the extra adult makes more of a difference than the extra kids do, so it balances out.I have lots of pictures I could post, but not a lot of time, I am hoping next week I can get back on schedule. Maybe so. As I posted earlier in the week, I am now down 20lbs, only 30 to go. It feels great. I really need to buckle down this month, the fishing trip is soon. Hopefully a trip to the tanning bed is in the plan today or tomorrow. I don't have a lot of time, just popping in while the dvd's are burning. I need to print the labels and then my mother in law can mail them out. If any of the recipients are reading this, they are on the way, I am sorry they took so long.

Today's Weigh in!

2009-03-30T15:50:00.001-05:00

166lbs

That's 20 lbs lost since the beginning of the year! I personally don't think that is bad progress. YAY!! Now just to keep it up!

My computer nut!

2009-03-22T10:30:00.000-05:00

The end of Spring Break

2009-03-22T09:43:00.002-05:00

Well, tomorrow starts yet another school week. This past week has been fun, my house is a wreck, but we had lots of fun and it was not as stressful as I thought it would be. Friday we went to Iuka to Mineral Springs Park, it's one of our favorites. Yesterday we just hung out at home. Hope stayed the night Friday night and Matt and TR stayed last night. My kids each got to stay overnight someone at least once, Bo and Chrissy got to stay two nights each. So all in all I think Spring Break was a nice break for them. I have some more pictures, and if you like cute, pop over to my WintersFarm blog and check out my new babies!

More Pictures!

2009-03-19T10:16:00.002-05:00

Tishomingo Today!

2009-03-18T21:13:00.000-05:00

Spring Break!

2009-03-17T21:56:00.002-05:00

We went to the park today with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Shae, Zander and Aunt Anna. It was fun, we have a few sunburns, but nothing major. We are going to Tishomingo State Park tomorrow. Of course I have pictures.

More party pictures

2009-03-16T15:11:00.000-05:00

Guess who?

2009-03-16T08:55:00.001-05:00

I've been incredibly busy, so not much time to blog. Bo did win his first pine wood derby race. He had another race yesterday. He did not win, but he did get in the top 18, out of 50 cars, I don't think that is quite so bad. Yesterday was my father in laws surprise party. I don't think I have mentioned it, b/c although he is not internet friendly, my mother in law does read the blog occasionally and I didn't want him to be reading over her shoulder. He turned 66 yesterday, we successfully surprised him with 11 of his 12 children, all in one place. One son he had not had contact with in 30 years I believe. Divorce is a horrible thing. The party took months of planning and was soooo worth it. He was completely surprised. He started getting suspicious on Friday.We had a last minute surprise birthday supper that night. It worked and he didn't suspect a thing on Saturday. It was a great day, but very tiring. And to top it off, this week is spring break, so the kids are home all week.
We are going to be lazy and recuperate today, then maybe I will have the energy to take them to do something fun this week. It is supposed to be pretty all week, I hope so.
I have plenty of pictures, uploading them will take time, and I will probably be adding them all week.

FIL when he first saw his kids walk into the room.

1st time in 30 years, what a moment, Father and son

11 of 12 children and their dad

Grandchildren in attendance

Thomas and Jan (my mother and father inlaw) with the first 3 children

Thomas with the two boys from the next set (their sister was the one not there)

Thomas with the last six

And Mikey

I will have race pictures next.

Lot's going on

2009-03-05T22:12:00.002-06:00

But not lots of time to write about it. Bo's big pine car derby race is Sat. I hope he places again this year. It's fun, but I think some of the parents take it way too seriously. It's fun. I will try to take some pictures. His car is a replica of a '67 Mustang Fastback.

Tomorrow I am heading out with MIL and my two SIL's to Tupelo. We are having a girls day out and are going shopping.

Right now I am watching The Challenging. It's actually quite deep, I like it. It's a really good movie. Very well made.

SNOW

2009-03-02T14:08:00.002-06:00

We had snow yesterday. Funny, it snowed last year on the first day of March also. We didn't stay out long, b/c Mikey is already sick and I didn't want to aggravate it. I did take pictures though. They are a little blurry b/c I used my camcorder.

Birthday Party

2009-03-01T16:26:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, we celebrated my SIL's son, Brady's, birthday. He is 3. It was a circus party and the kids had a blast. I got a few pics uploaded, I will have to work on more later.
Here you go......

Calli- Brady's little sister

Birthday Boy

Jayda-Bug

Internet Bliss!

2009-02-26T11:08:00.002-06:00

I got a new card!!!!!!!!!!! And they said there is not compatible router, but I found on online, just have to get the $$ up to order it. Then life will be much better, Larry and I will not have to share a computer.

Mikey is still sick, the smoke must have aggravated his lungs more than I thought. It seems as though he has bronchitis. Nothing new, we deal with bronchitis constantly. I guess we really are looking at tonsil and adenoid removal in the spring. I hope it does for Mikey what it did for Bo.

If you check my farm blog, you will see that I have babies hatching this weekend. I'm hoping for a good hatch. I have to get my tail out to the barn and sanitize the brooder asap. I really really hope this warm weather sticks around.

I need to start blogging from my phone more often, b/c sometimes by time I sit down at the computer, I have forgotten what I wanted to blog about.

Random nothings

2009-02-24T11:20:00.000-06:00

My internet is crap, my card is messed up and I have to go in and file warranty. Then I need to throw a fit about my router.

I lost 7lbs this month. I am very proud. I really hope I can make my goal and lose 50 this year.

Mikey gave me a majar scare the other night. We ate supper at mom's chili, it was good. Larry was cold, he went fishing and had gotten his feet wet, so he couldn't get warm. He decided to start a fire, but he didn't check the damper, well he did, but he didn't get it open all the way. The whole room smoked up of course, dad told him the damper opened up more than he had it and he opened it. We opened doors and window, turned on fans. We laughed and joked at Larry, we went on about our supper. I never thought another thought about it. We got home, put the kids to bed and everything was fine. A little while later I heard Mikey whining and coughing, I went in and soothed him, covered him up, he was fine. Larry and i went to bed and the kids were all sleeping like rocks. Then I heard Mikey coming towards out room, he couldn't breathe, he was wheezing and trying to cough, but he couldn't. He was having a problem even crying. I took him into the living room and got his nebulizer out, I had to hold him down to give him a breathing treatment, the poor baby was half asleep. He cried for his daddy and he had to help me finish the treatment. After I calmed him down, I put him in the bed with us and he went to sleep, the wheezing stopped, but I was still scared. I was up and down all night making sure he was breathing. Yesterday and today, he has been a little coughy and his nose has been running. It's all breaking loose in there, but it still scares me. I told Larry that the next wheeze, we were going to the ER. It scared me.

I have also decided as of lately that ppl who take really really hot baths are not as stupid as I used to think they were. I used to make fun of Larry for getting in a bathtub full of water so hot his skin turned white. Now I have started to understand it. It takes all the aches and pains away. I guess my new exercise program has given me a need for hot water. LOL! My new nightly routine includes a hot bath and a good book.

Thankful

2009-02-14T00:51:00.003-06:00

You know how sometimes you just have to step back and take a look at what is going on around you. I think too many times, we don't. We focus on today and what we want. When we pray, we not only expect an answer, we expect the answer we want. We don't stop often enough and think, maybe I don't know what is best, maybe No is the best answer right now. Sometimes I think, what would life be if I had made different choices. Would I be taking my Nurse Practitioners exam soon? Getting ready to open my own practice? Would I have fought my fears and went to med school? Or just be a nurse working on the floor like thousands of other men and women in the world. There are days when my mind wanders to the what ifs. What if this, what if that.

Tonight, I was reading a book that was no where near what I thought it would be. It is written my Debbie Macomber. I expected it to be a nice easy read full of stories of small town gossip and friendship. Instead it is complied in the form of correspondence of all sorts. Between two friends, from two different backgrounds, and the ppl close to them. I'm sure it is fictional, but wow does it seem so real. Life is sooo real.

I was nearing the end of the book, when of course I was interrupted. Tiny footsteps and whimpers. I got out of bed and was met by my baby boy with outstretched arms. I took him in my arms and just held him for a min. Then I walked to the couch and held him, like I did many nights what seems like such a short time ago. It didn't take long before his eyes were heavy and I could feel him relax in my arms. I carried him to his bed, and laid his sweet head on his pillow. He immediately reached for his bottle, (yes I know he's two, so what, he's MY BABY) I covered him up in the blanket my mother crocheted for Bo, and tucked Elmo in beside him. I sat on the edge of the bed and just looked at him. Then I thought, I am the luckiest woman in the world. There are so many people who don't have the love in their lives that I have. I have three wonderful children.

Bo is growing so fast I can hardly comprehend it. It seems like it was last week it was just Larry, Bo and me. That is a subject Larry and I touched on over dinner tonight. TR has a beat up Firebird sitting in our yard, he is spending the summer bringing it back to life. Just 6 or so years ago, it was me with a beat up Firebird sitting in the yard, waiting for Larry to piece it back together. (Which he did beautifully.)

Christina. There are many times when I feel that I just can't go on with Christina. There are times when I feel so much anger at her mother for putting her in this situation. And yes, for putting me in this situation. But, there are mothers sitting in Memphis right now, at St. Jude and LeBohner, watching the life slowly seep out of their children's tiny bodies. Christina may be a handful at times, but she is a sweet loving little girl, who just got a bad hand in life, and ended up with a mother who had no idea how to be a real mother. And I am the one God picked to protect her and help her. So I will do my best to remember that.

Mikey, oh Mikey. I remember finding out I was pregnant. I won't lie, I was in denial for a while. I made excuses, stress from school, the hoildays, ect. When I finally broke and told Larry, he said he already knew. He went and bought the test. I didn't even need it, I already knew. It was not the greatest timing, a lot of things changed b/c of my pregnancy. But now, looking back, he was a gift. A precious gift that can never be appraised in monetary value. I had accepted that we would live, just the 3 of us. Then Chrissy came on the weekends, and I didn't have any choice in the matter, so I accepted that. But I wasn't complete until Mikey was here. He is a very active child. His heart defect has been a major trial in my life, but I will not have him defined by it. So he can't play football, he will find his niche.
Sitting there watching him sleep, I realized just how lucky I am. He looked so peaceful, so calm. There is nothing as rewarding as a child's love and trust. He woke up and came to his protector, his nurturer, his mother. All it took was being in my arms to soothe him. That power is overwhelming.

I have 3 children whose love surrounds me daily. I have a husband who loves me, provides for our family and loves our children. I have wonderful parents and 3 sisters who mean the world to me. For 22 years I was blessed with the greatest grandfather ever known. The next time I start to complain, I shall refer my self to this post. I am lucky, so many ppl have nothing and no one. There are ppl who go years without talking to their families, and sadly, they usually don't feel like they are missing anything. I wish I could make everyone replace hate with love, but I can't. What I can do is teach my children the importance of family, just like my parents taught me. My heart is full early this Saturday morning. Full of love and full of thankfulness.

I'm loving it!!

2009-02-09T09:02:00.002-06:00

No, Not McDonalds, the WEATHER. I wish it would stay this way. In the high 60's, low 70's. It's great. It does remind me how hard it is to get housework done though. Mikey can't stand to stay in. It's still cool in the mornings, but he knows after nap time he can play outside and he wants to be out there until dark. I know it will not last, we had snow in March last year, so another cold front will probably come through soon, and the rain is supposed to start tonight and last the whole week. But man, these last few days have been super nice.

Slacker!

2009-02-04T09:47:00.002-06:00

A week, man, what a slacker I am. I guess it's just been busy, and I usually blog at night after the kids are in bed and Larry is now addicted to craigslist and will be on for hours, mainly looking for boats, motors and trailers. I can't complain, at least he does make some money on his new hobby. Monday I was sooo sick I did basically nothing but sit on the couch or lay on the couch. I'm feeling better now, I think it was an allergic reaction to something and some benedryl and lots of sleep took care of the most of it. Bo got his wolf badge last night at boyscouts, my little boy is growing up. I can remember when he was a baby, I thought he would be my baby forever. As for my baby, Mikey is his usual self, bouncing off walls, running around, terrorizing his cat. He is so ready for Spring. He wants to swing every day. But at 30 degrees, it's just not happening. So I hope it is only 6 more weeks until spring. It was warm last weekend and is supposed to be warm this weekend. I hope so, b/c I have some work to do in the barn.

Picture update

2009-01-28T09:48:00.002-06:00

I got so batteries and a min so I took some pics of my couch and Mikey's new wall decor. Oh, and my cedar chest I got for my birthday.

And here are my outside doggies enjoying the little bit of snow that somehow managed to keep my kids at home today.

Missing In Action............

2009-01-24T23:26:00.002-06:00

I've been MIA online lately. I've managed to pop in here or there, but I've not really been on much. But the good news is, Spring Cleaning has come early. I have finished the living room, bought a new sectional, pics will follow maybe tomorrow. I finished the kids rooms up today and their bathroom was finished yesterday. They still have some stuff in the hall to clean up that I literally threw out of their rooms, but that will be ready to mop tomorrow. The kitchen lacks, the fridge, the cabinets and mopping. Not sure when that will happen. My bathroom is almost done and my bedroom, well with the abundance of building materials sitting in my bedroom waiting to finish the unfinished bathroom that has been unfinished since we moved in 27 months ago, it's kinda hard to do anything but "straighten" the room. I am now on a mission to finish several home improvement projects that need done.
1) on the prowl for some end tables
2) making a memory wall of Papaw, I have the center picture, need to pick the rest, print, frame and put on the wall
3) I really need to buy some sort of shelving or something for Christina's room. She also needs some coat hooks. I put Mikey's hooks he got for Christmas from Jessica up, they are cute. when I take pics of the couch I will snap those too.
4) The chair rail needs finishing in the boys room.
5) The boys room needs border or crown molding, I will leave that choice up to Larry.
6) The border in Chrissy's room needs to be finished I lack one wall.
7) I need to update the kids pictures in the living room. ( I really need to have some pro pics done)
8) The kids bathroom needs new flooring and the new sink and vanity installed. It has been sitting in the hallway since we moved in. Larry will have to do this.
9) I need to buy a blackout shade for the boys room.
10) I need to buy some coat hooks for our hallway, for mine and Larry's coats.

I think that is the main things I want done before Summer!

Oh, I am also on a mission, I have 50lbs that I do not need and I am getting rid of them. I am down 4lbs so far. I need to make a ticker.

Pink Inmates

2009-01-21T20:31:00.003-06:00

I love this!!
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/10/11/jails-official-color.html

Look who's Talking

2009-01-20T19:25:00.001-06:00

I promise if my children have said 1 word today, they have said 1 million per child. I don't know what has gotten in to them. It's actually quite funny. Chrissy is dancing and singing and jabbering something about cheerleaders, I hope she gets tierd and sleeps. She really wants to be a cheerleader. I think I'm gonna start putting the money back for next year. Larry says it's a waste of money, b/c she will not do it, but IDK. I think it's worth a shot.

Good Morning!

2009-01-19T09:04:00.002-06:00

My birthday Saturday was great! We had lots of fun and just relaxed. The kids stayed with Mom and Shae. I didn't get Wii Fit, but as soon as I find one, I should.
Today is wild. The kids are home and I really am not in the mood to do anything, but I have things that need to be done. I need to take my other external hard drive back, b/c it isn't working now either. I need to finish the laundry. Mikey threw cat litter all over the bathroom, so that needs to be cleaned up. Ginger stinks and needs a bath. IDK why she smells all the time, She just had a bath Friday night I believe and she hasn't been outside more than 1 min, and now she stinks again. Oh, well.
Mikey is ill, I think he has an ear infection, so tomorrow we will probably be in the drs office. YAY! Not.. I thought I was getting a new couch this week, but it seems like I may not. I'm a little bitter about it at the moment. Life is not fair, not for me anyway. I am findig myself planning more and more for the future. I will get a job when Mikey goes to school if I don't go back to school myself. I have to do something to get in the position to make myself some money. Since obviously Larry is never gonna let anything be 50/50.

Guess who

2009-01-16T09:42:00.002-06:00

Ok, its a game... Let's see who will play. Someone please play. Guess wrong! There are some you can't get wrong.

Guess who?

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

K.

Laid off

2009-01-16T09:27:00.002-06:00

I wonder what that phrase is exactly supposed to mean....

Layoff is the temporary suspension or permanent termination of employment of an employee or (more commonly) a group of employees for business reasons, such as the decision that certain positions are no longer necessary or a business slow-down or interruption in work. Originally the term "layoff" referred exclusively to a temporary interruption in work, as when factory work cyclically falls off. However, the term has also applied to the permanent elimination of positions as a cost-cutting measure (or for other reasons).

Further euphemisms are often used to "soften the blow" in the process of firing and being fired, including downsize, rightsize, smartsize,redeployment, workforce reduction or workforce optimization, simplification and reduction in force (also called a "RIF", especially in the government employment sector). Mass layoff implies laying off a large number of workers. Attrition implies that positions will be eliminated as workers quit or retire. Early retirement means workers may quit now yet still remain eligible for their retirement benefits later. While redundancy is a specific legal term in UK employment law, it may be perceived as obfuscation. Firings imply misconduct or failure while lay-offs imply economic forces beyond one's control.

What kind of crap is that?
My dad was laid off yesterday. I totally do not understand it. Are they slow? No, he has been working major mandatory overtime for months.
Are they downsizing? No, they plan to expand soon.
Are they broke? I sure as heck don't think so, if anything the world is installing more elevators, not less. Have you ever rode in a Dover elevator, I'm sure no matter where in the world you are, that you have.

He has been there for 10 yrs. Yeah, maybe that doesn't sound like a long time for a 54 year old man. But before he started at Dover, he went back to college to finish his schooling he started after high school and get his degree in CADD. (even though I wish he would become a math teacher)
Why did he go back to school you ask? Yes, what exactly would cause a grown man to go back to school.
Before school he was working at a recliner company called SuperSagless. He ran a press. One day the press malfunctioned and his hand was in it. The safety switches didn't work, the override button didn't work. Before he knew it, he was standing there looking at his hand, barely hanging onto his arm. The reattached it sure, but his wrist was non existent after the 3 inch pressed smashed it. So no wrist and his hand is only a placeholder. Did he give up? No. Did he sit around and mope and file for permanent disability. Nope. He went to school.
Now we go back even further, why was he working at a recliner factory? B/c Plumrose, the meat packing plant he worked for years, burnt.
Can a hard working man not catch a break? He has never asked anyone for anything, never backed down from working. He has worked his tail off his entire life, for what? A kick in the rear once more.
I'm hoping this turns into a positive, that job was not very great anyway. Although starting over means losing seniority, except we are sure the seniority was the reason for the layoff.

Mom and I have a new toy

2009-01-14T17:32:00.000-06:00

Blackberry blogging

2009-01-13T20:38:00.001-06:00

Just checking to see how this email to my blog from my blackberry works.
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel