Kelli's Journey

Catching Up!!!

2008-11-13T21:48:00.005-06:00

It's been a while. SO instead of writing about the past 2 months, I would rather show you:)

At the first of October, 19 of my family members stayed at this log cabin in Gatlinburg.

See, here are some of us!!

The spunky ones went to Dollywood:)

Some of us played.....

Some of us screamed......

Cary & I also chaperoned a 2nd grade field trip to the Adventure Science Museum.

We carved pumpkins...

Grant's class did a Halloween play.

We even had a mysterious guest for dinner one night;0

We went trick or treating. First stop was Pa Ray.

We were bored one night, so we(my brother and I) let the girls paint our toes.

I have also been dilly dallying with ebay, which is part of the reason I have no extra time but extra money;)

And last but not least we had Madison's 12th birthday party last weekend. We had around 16 kids and about 15 adults come to her hayride/cookout party. FYI the shirt she is wearing in this picture is mine. I'm not sure if I should be flattered that she wants to wear my clothes, or upset because she wants to wear my clothes.

Spelling Lessons

2008-08-12T13:32:00.003-05:00

Schools back in session and just like last year we(Grant & I) have weekly spelling words. As I was trying to help Grant with his words I came across one he didn't know. The word was Lettuce. He could get the L-e-t-t but then he would just stop and look at me. I formed a "U" with my thumb and pointer finger. It was a perfect shaped "U" too I might add and I asked Grant what was it. Either he can't see very well or he didn't get the point. His first answer was "an eye". What?? And then when he saw by the look on my face that was not the right answer, he said "an inch?" Madison and I just looked at each other and laughed. No Grant, we are not laughing at you we are laughing with you.

My New Hobby

2008-08-06T15:10:00.003-05:00

I love the finer things in life, but........ I am also very frugal. I have stumbled across a site called moneysavingmom.com and I love it. She has links on how to shop at CVS, Wal-Greens, etc. So Monday I tried it at Rite Aid. Here are my results:

5 items purchased
Total spent= $22.31
Rebates on all 5 items= $16.98
1 Mail in Rebate=$3.99
1 coupon used =$3.00
Total spent after rebates and coupons=$1.34

So what did I get for $1.34:

Pert Plus 13.5oz Reg $4.19
GE Longlife Light bulbs 2PK $2.00
Gillete FSN razor $9.00
Charles Worthington Conditioner $4.99
Revlon Nail Polish $2.99

There was a lot more I could have got but ran out of time or the store was out of the item. It does take alot of time figuring out how to get the best deal. Clipping coupons will help tremendously in getting the best deals. For example, the Pert Plus was $4.19 with a rebate of $2 I also had a coupon for $3 off, the bottle had a mail in rebate of $3.99 so the shampoo ended up being a -$4.80. I MADE $4.80 off a bottle of shampoo. I just have fun seeing how much I can get for nothing and the rebate process is very simple. You just have to go online and pick the items you bought and put in info from your receipt and your rebate will be mailed to you in 2-3 weeks.

Chiropractors

2008-07-30T14:53:00.003-05:00

All summer long my mother has been going to a chiropractor. She started off going 3 times a week and sometimes 2 times a day. With gas prices hovering around $4, I seriously thought she had lost her marbles. She claims to feel 100% better. I asked her to demonstrate on my back what they were doing. It was nothing but light pressure in different areas. I found it hard to believe that it could be helping.

Mom started talking to the chiropractor about Grant's migraines and the chiropractor is certain she can help. So he is going Friday. I also have encountered several other people that feels the same way about this chiropractor and has been going for years. So being the person who will try anything, I had to try this out. So far I have only been twice and I seriously do not see how the small amount of pressure they are applying can help. But I'm keeping an open mind and checkbook. Seriously this isn't cheap. With my Mom's insurance she only has to pay $6 per visit. But with my two insurances combined I am paying $25 per visit, not exactly cheap.

On Monday as I lay face down on the massage table thingy, the chiropractor kept saying things like: "Poor dear", "Oh bless your heart" etc. (I am experiencing frequent head aches that I am sure is not caused by me hunched over at my computer all day reading blogs) The look on my face had to have been priceless. I didn't once ask her what was wrong, because honestly I don't want to know if it's bad. She wants to see me again today and Friday, according to Mom that's bad. I'm going back today so hopefully I will get my nerve up to ask her how bad it is:)

On the Road Again

2008-07-21T13:25:00.005-05:00

Seems to be the theme for 2008. We left out Thursday night after work for Santa Claus, Indiana. Our destination for this trip was Holiday World. We had heard great reviews and just had to try it out. My brother's daughter, Mahaley, went along for the ride. Get it-along for the ride. OK never mind. We were literally at the last minute searching for a hotel. This is so not like me who has OCD when it comes to planning. I had tried all day at work to research hotels or as Cary would put it-find the cheapest (sometimes cheap is not always good, as we have learned from the past). Never-the-less my old, dilapidated(yeah I had to look the word up), tortoise moving computer at work took forever to search. So I gave up until I could get home to my state of the art laptop--NOT. It's not much better than my work computer. I succumbed to the pressure, tired and stressed, and paid 134.95 for a Baymont Inn (thanks to that Government discount). Is that not ridiculous? Oh well we had a place to sleep and shower for the next 2 days.

We arrived at 10:00 PM and settled in. Nothing exciting must have happened, because I don't even recall that night. We awoke the next morning and headed to the only place (really the first place) we saw to eat-Denny's. I should have known when we saw the bug zapper lights at several booths, this was not fine dining. Actually Cary at first thought they were space heaters...until we heard the first zzzzzAP. And let me just say for the record Indiana does not have the same laws that Tennessee have so people can still smoke in public. Truckers, smoke, and bug zappers early in the morning. Enough said.

After breakfast we headed for Holiday World. It was a Friday and not overly crowded. They have 3 wooden roller coasters and if you have never rode a wooden roller coaster it is rough. I am in serious need of a chiropractor right now. After each ride I couldn't help but to wonder if all the jerking was good for your brain. Never-the-less we kept on riding. The only rides I refuse to ride are the round and round, spinning type. I just can't take it. We stayed until park closing and then headed back to the hotel. The kids were dying to get in the pool and hot tub at the hotel. It truly amazes me that the kids are so enamoured by the pools at hotels when they have their very own at home-not hot tub, but pool. We went to bed sometime around 11:30.

We awoke the next day and decided we would not be eating at the Denny's next door. So we ate the "free" continental breakfast. It was not bad, especially for free. Then we were off for Splash-N-Safari. Saturday the crowd was a different story. There were lines of people trying to get into the park. At one point I am sure I heard someone say that Saturday was the biggest crowd they have had to date. It was HOT. But that was OK because we were going to be in the water park all day. It has been a while since I have been to a water park and wasn't really looking forward to it, but I think I enjoyed the water park more than Holiday World. Again the kids were more enamored with the Wave Pool, seriously kids you have a pool at home!! There were a couple of slides we didn't ride, because someone (I'm not mentioning any names-Cary) didn't want to wait that long in line. Around 5 o'clock we decided to spend the rest of the time in Holiday World letting the kids pick which rides they wanted to ride one more time. Of course they picked the rickety, rackety wooden roller coasters that jarred me to death. Again we stayed until park closing and then headed out.

We are really getting this travel thing down. We can pack and unpack in a matter of minutes. If I could just figure out how to get the clothes washed and put away quicker.

Mahaley, who is 14, will probably be a somewhat permanent fixture on our vacations. She can watch the kids and play with the kids, it will be like traveling with a nanny.

Summer Celebration

2008-07-08T09:34:00.000-05:00

For the past three years we have been attending Summer Celebration at Lipscomb. I have to say that I think each year it gets a little bit better(if that's possible). I wasn't for sure if I was going to be able to get off work this year but it worked out in the end. We stayed in the dorm along with several other families from church. Madison stayed in a room with Rachel, Claire, and Allie. I think they got very little sleep. I couldn't help but think that in the next 7 years they could be living together in a dorm. YIKES!

Sunday we took Madison to church camp where she will stay until Friday. I had told Grant he could stay at Granny & Pa's since he wasn't old enough for church camp. I spent Sunday night cleaning/organizing closets and drawers. I try very hard to keep a clean house, but for some reason the closets and drawers are never clean and organized. My closet is one of the hardest things for me to keep clean/organized. It's so bad that Cary actually took a picture one time and was going to put it on his blog. Later that night we watched Bucket List.

The movie really made us both stop and think. We kinda got "homesick" for the kids. Cary came home from work early yesterday and spent the day with Grant. They fished and played Rock Band. When I got off work we went to Pizza Hut to eat (one of the few places Grant wants to eat at), and then to the nursing home to see Cary's Grandmother. We then went to Wal-Mart to get Grant some shells for a gun at Pa's. We went back to Granny and Pa's where Cary and Grant decided to shoot the gun. It only took one shot and Grant was done with that. They then proceeded to use the remaining fireworks to blow up pears, plastic jugs and anything else they could find.

Home sweet Home..

2008-06-26T13:14:00.000-05:00

We had a very relaxing, adventurous and fun-filled vacation. The kids picked up several Spanish words. Cary and I had some nausea issues on Sunday night after eating this:

Madison had some nose bleed issues, and Grant suffered his typical migraine but we survived.

We crammed alot into our 7 days. Do the kids look a little exhausted??

Madison was beaming after riding horses on the beach. Actually she enjoyed it so much she had to do it twice. You would think she had never seen a horse. The truth is my brother is a horse trainer and she has her own horse that she never rides. But when its $35ea she can't get enough!! Go figure. Once was definitely enough for me so I sat the next one out. Actually I had a massage and facial (much better choice).

The kids also rode a wave runner in the ocean (Cary wants to do this every time we go to the ocean)

They kayaked (this was free with our hotel, but of course once was enough) If you will look closely at the picture Cary is laying down in the kayak while poor little Grant paddles (No wonder he had a migraine)

They built sandcastles and searched for crabs (this was an every night event)

We all snorkeled at the hotel and on a snorkel trip out in the middle of the ocean. The water was so clear and beautiful.

Cary and the kids swam with Dolphins. The kids loved it and their pictures with the dolphin is priceless. (I'm not going to even attempt to scan it in!)

We rented a car for 2 days. It turned out to be a convertible 5-speed. I'm not very good with 5-speeds but I loved exploring in this little car as long as I didn't have to drive in town. After trying to find a gas station in town with Cary driving and me reading the map we decided we shouldn't be on Amazing Race anytime soon. Although I am sure their ratings would go up because people would be tuning in to see us fighting each week.

Cary & I celebrated our 14th anniversary while in Cozumel.

There was a show every night and after the show they would play a game with 5 couples and give away prizes. Cary and I played one night and we won!!!!! I did all the work, Cary just stood there:) We won a bottle of Tequila and a Carlos and Charlie's shirt. Cary and Madison played name that tune at the pool a couple of times. They came close but never won. But aren't they cute??

We went to Playa del Carmen one day on the Ferry. We really like it and even plan on going back sans kids:)

We went to a park (forgot the name of it) and saw a lighthouse and climbed to the top. My legs hurt for days (actually for a week).

Grant always makes friends wherever we go and Cozumel was no different. Here he is with Brett and another little boy from Norman, OK.

We arrived back home Saturday night around 11 PM. My Mom & Dad met us at home and Madison went home with them. Grant stayed with us which I thought was strange since he never turns down goint home with Pa. As I was unpacking Grant fell asleep on the couch. As I was going back and forth putting things away I noticed Grant was moaning and fidgeting in his sleep. I woke him up and asked him what was wrong. He said his back was killing him and his legs were numb. I took him to his room and layed him down. He started crying and acting like he was in pain. I noticed he had a fever. He said he thought he was just homesick. Cary and I watched him for a while trying to decide whether or not to go to the ER. (I will not go to the ER or Dr unless you are absolutely dying) At 3:30AM we finally got him settled down and he went to sleep. Needless to say I didn't get up until 11 Sunday. Sunday I started feeling bad and actually didn't start feeling better until Weds. Grant layed around all day Sunday but didn't act sick. He stayed with my Mom & Dad Sun night. They said he again done exactly what he had done the night before. But Monday he was fine. I decided if he did it again Mon night I would take him to the Dr. So far he is back to normal.

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

2008-06-12T13:11:00.000-05:00

We will be vacating Tennessee in less than 48 hours!!! Our home for the next 7 days will be:

Lookout Mexico The Lollar's are on their way!! We plan on doing:

Horse back riding on the beach....
Snorkeling.....

Swimming with dolphins....

And LOTS .......and lots of eating!! We're staying at an all inclusive. It never fails I always come back at least (at least) 10 pounds heavier.:(

Check back in about 10 days for a daily recap of our vacation.

Dream Job

2008-06-10T09:47:00.000-05:00

At least that is what it was suppose to be. So what happened?? Where did it go?? I should have took notice a couple of months ago when I was on the verge of interviewing for this "Dream Job" and came across by horoscope. It was so true what was going on in my life it was kinda scary. The scary part should have been the last line. It said something like, You have worked hard for something and you are fixing to be rewarded. You have been patient and now it is time for your reward..blah blah blah. And then it said something like BUT ONCE YOU GET IT YOU MAY REALIZE IT WAS NOT ALL IT WAS CRACKED UP TO BE!!

Well you be the judge. Since getting this "dream job" this is just a little of what I have dealt with in the last month.

**My backup broke her hip and had to have a hip replacement. Which means I can NOT take off unless I beg someone from another office to come and work. Not just anyone, they have to be on the same "antique" system that I am on which is few and far between-- and be available.

**Since I have no backup, I have to work Saturdays. Because there is no extra people to borrow on Saturdays. I have since trained a part time carrier at my office to work the window on Saturdays.

**A program that I HAVE to access every day would take like 45 tries to log on. And of course this has to be done at the end of the day. I was spending anywhere from 15-45 mins past my going home time every day trying to log on. I have since figured out that if I delete all cookies, files and history for the day I can log on in 2-6 tries. FRUSTRATING to say the least.

**One Friday night as I was closing out on the "antique" machine, it crashed. But not only did it crash it destroyed all of my disk and backup disk. It took several days to get a new "antique" sent to me. So I had to manually do everything. FUN FUN

**Meeting an interesting customer, to say the least. If you watch Wife Swap or Trading Spouses and wonder where they find those crazy people, her family would be one of those. And since I was sooo nice (their words, not mine) they were going to bring all their business to me. And so far they have. They bring in anywhere from 3-10 gumball/candy machines every other day. They are the size of an end table and weigh 52 pounds each. My arms should be well toned, let's just hope my back doesn't break.

**My PMR(Postmaster Relief) (that broke her hip) (My replacement) Quit today!!! Sure I can hire another one. If they are willing to work for 10.50 hour/4 hours EVERY Saturday. Saturdays is all they are guaranteed, but they will get hours if I take off. And there are lots of weeks I never take off, so who wants to work for 4 hours a week and on Saturdays at that??

And get this, I told Cary last night I think I'm pregnant, not really, but I like to be dramatic at times. He assured me I'm not pregnant, but I am late. My tubes are tied, so really I am not pregnant but it has happened before, not to me, but I'm not. It's just the stress of the past month!!! Thank goodness I'm leaving Saturday for Mexico. But then again if I'm pregnant I won't be able to drown my sorrows, not that I would anyways. Well I might, but the kids are going so I won't!!! Yeah I need a vacation and a PMR that loves to work on Saturdays!!!

Anyone need a hairstylist??

2008-06-04T13:06:00.000-05:00

There is a new and upcoming hairstylist that I have discovered. Since she is fairly new and a little underage, her prices are dirt cheap!!

Since I have a son that literally has hair like a chia pet that grows nonstop; I decided that I would try my hand at cutting it(Madison saw how much fun I was having and had to have a piece of the action too!!). The way I looked at it was I could always shave his head and start over.

Not too bad for no experience!!!

8 in 2008

2008-06-03T13:14:00.000-05:00

Grant turned 8 in May. I'm a little late with a tribute to my baby. But here goes 8 things about Grant in 2008:

**Grant absolutely dreads eating. As soon as he finds out we are going to eat, he immediately starts asking how many bites he is going to have to take.

**Grant is very laid back and is definitely a morning person. As soon as you wake him he is sooo happy(unlike his momma).

**Grant is definitely a follower and not a leader. He never even thinks about the consequences of his actions. Hopefully this will soon change.

**Grant is a Mommas boy. This boy loves his Momma. I always thought I wanted all girls, but I could never imagine not experiencing the love this boy has for me.

**Grant loves to engineer and make things. (Just like Daddy)

**Grant learned to swim when he was 2. He spends hours in our pool and can swim like a fish.

**Grant is very tenderhearted.

**Grant loves his money and loves to spend it. He loves for me to sit and count his money for him.

Jesus

2008-05-01T11:01:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a while since I've blogged and hopefully I will try to keep it up better this time. I have been waiting for just the right story to dive back into blogging with.

Of course I could have told you about my ski trip back in February with Cary and the kiddos. Skiing is something I have always wanted to try and have been told it's a lot like water skiing(That's a lie). There was 4 year old kids that were better than me!!! Madison picked it up instantly and absolutely loved it. Grant, well if you know Grant, he thought he could do just like the pros and probably still thinks he is a pro (even though I know different!) My biggest mistake is when Cary and Madison wanted me and Grant to ski with them. I made them promise to go down a fairly flat hill (if that's possible). Of course Grant took off with his own agenda, and went down what I would consider a cliff!! The rest of us had no option but to follow him. BIG MISTAKE FOR ME. Madison sailed down it effortlessly. I was behind her going only a few feet at a time praying that a snowmobile would save me. Cary and Grant were behind me and lets just say it wasn't pretty. It took me forever to get to the bottom but it took Cary and Grant FOREVER to get to the bottom. We had lots of fun and plan on going back. The next time I will be in a beginner's class and learn how to ski!!

Now for my funny story about Jesus. Sunday after Life Group we made a stop at Wal-Mart. As we were loading groceries in our car a man approached Cary and asked if he had some money to spare for gas. Cary explained that we don't carry cash and he only had a credit card. The man walked off and Cary got in the car. I noticed several other couples walking by and the man did not approach them--only us. When I said something like what if that was Jesus and you didn't help, Cary immediately said, "Why didn't I offer to meet him at the gas station and put gas in his car?" So that is what we decided to do. So we started looking for "Jesus" in the parking lot. He was just there, where could he have went?? We finally came upon him a couple of rows over. Although I do have to admit we were verifying his story by looking at his license plate (he told us he was from Nash) and also checking out what he was driving. When we saw the condition of his car we assumed he was telling the truth about needing gas. Cary rolled down the window and told him we could go get him some gas. He had a gas can. We got him some gas. He thanked Cary and told him "God Bless". So when Cary got in the car I stated. That was Jesus and we just helped him. Cary stated "If that was Jesus then he was a drunk Jesus!! I promptly reminded Cary not to judge. We kinda laughed about it and went on our merry little way.

As everyone knows, especially those in my Life Group, I have been highly anticipating a job interview. I have been waiting 2 months to find out if I had an interview or not. So Monday afternoon I found out that I do have an interview. My first thoughts were-That was Jesus that we helped!!

And then Cary, after several months of being at the end of his rope with his job, received a job offer out of the blue on Tuesday. Not only is it a job offer but with guys that he used to work with, has a great repertoire with, maybe less stress, and MORE MONEY!! So of course my first thought was--That was Jesus we helped Sunday!!! And whenever I say THAT WAS JESUS I'm starting to sound a little like Beth Moore. Maybe it's because I'm in a Beth Moore bible study at the moment!!

Seven Things....

2007-11-27T13:06:00.000-06:00

I've been tagged by Donnie.

1. I have no patience and see none in my future. I've chosen not to pray about it, because God will just give me more things to work on my patience with!!

2. I have a little OCD with cleaning. I love to vacuum and have a clean house. My closets on the other hand are never clean and orderly. SO don't look!!!!

3. I am not a morning person and I don't want to even talk before 11:00.

4. I have the best job in the world. And I love to work.

5. I can NOT decorate (on first try) it takes several $$ and looks before I can finally get something to look right.

6. I am frugal but think nothing about spending $350 for my best friend and I to get facials and massages:) :) Hey, it's x-mas and birthdays rolled together plus were worth it!!

7. I am blessed beyond measure.

Thanksgiving week

2007-11-24T18:10:00.000-06:00

I decided a week before Thanksgiving to have Cary paint the living room, hall and dining room. I don't know who had the harder job. Cary painting or me having to pick out the color. I went through several sample cans at $4.99 ea. But at least I got the colors that I absolutely LOVE!!!

Before (with paint samples on wall):

After:

We had 3 different Thanksgiving lunch/dinners at our house.

Lollar/Hailey family:

Campbell/Boles family:

Pa Ray with the grands:

Things I need to blog about.......

2007-11-17T09:16:00.000-06:00

1.) My painting fiasco. -- After painting the entire living room and deciding I didn't like it and purchasing 8 sample paints to try, I finally found a winner.

2.) Madison turning 11 and her sleepover-- if for no other reason than to remind me not to this again.

3.) My work schedule the week of Madison's sleepover.-- Getting no sleep the week of Madison's sleepover + 8 girls + working on Saturday= Not happy Mom!!

4.) The funny things Grant says. -- Last night as Cary was painting he asked me if our feet were the only feet that had been in our house. Meaning did anyone ever live in our house before us. I assured him our feet were the only ones that ever owned our house!! Then at 8:30 he announced that it was thirty eight o'clock!! Oh, and he calls the Dining room the diamond room??

5.) Preparing for job interviews.-- Total stress.

6.) Preparing to host 3 Thanksgiving dinners at my house next Thurs and Fri.

7.) Finding out at Grant's eye doctors appointment that his eyes are greatly improving and that he will eventually be out of glasses.-- His eyes have changed so much over the last year that his glasses were too strong causing him not to be able to see distance. This could explain the many papers sent home saying all he had to do was copy it from the board and he didn't. Maybe he couldn't see the board!!

It's Been a While....

2007-10-27T17:45:00.000-05:00

Since I've blogged so I will try to remember all that has
happened in the last month. During Fall break we went to
the magical place for 7 days. This was the first time the kids or I have have ever been. Cary had been one time when he was around 3. I studied up on all the ins and outs of Disney and truly feel like we definitely got to do everything we set out to do.

Our neighbors and friends(Chris, Shelia, Logan and Lucas) were also planning a trip the same time we were. They called and we met up with them on Tuesday and was able to spend the day with them. The last/only time Cary had been to DW was with Chris. Which I didn't know until Tuesday. Logan is in Grant's class and they are really good friends.

We ate and ate and ate. We were on the dining plan so we didn't go hungry or broke. This was a snack. It's a mickey mouse shaped rice crispy treat dipped in milk chocolate rolled in crushed Reece's peanut butter cups and then drizzled in white chocolate. It was huge. I took one bite and made Cary go back in and have another one made!!! YUM YUM!! I didn't eat it all at once-it took me 3 days to eat. We also tried many TS(table service) restaurants. One was Whispering Canyon. We had the all-you-can eat skillet. In the picture it looks like it was Madison's plate but we were all dipping from it. We liked this restaurant so much we went back for breakfast one day and had the same all-you-can eat skillet
with breakfast foods. One night we had dinner at
the Sci-Fi drive in. It was just like a drive in. You were seated in cars that had tables. We also enjoyed Chef Mickey's which was a buffet. Grant ended up getting sick this night so it was an adventure trying to get back to the hotel via buses with a sick child. I made Cary hold him on the bus with a Disney bag to throw up in while Madison and I stood at the front and pretended not to know them!!!

We took lots of time trying on hats that we never bought!!

We rode lots of rides. Some that scared the kids to death. I love this picture of Madison and Grant covering up in the

front row. Madison totally got scared on the Tower of Terror which is an elevator ride that drops you unexpectedly. She rode it once or twice but after that she wasn't having any part of it. So she stayed in the gift shop while we rode. All in all it was a great trip. We did lots of walking and very little sleeping. But we still got along great. Grant would have never made it without the stroller. It only rained on us once or twice for a very short period. The dining plan was the best way to go. In total we had 24 table service meals, 24 snacks, and 24 counter service meals. We used each and every credit although on the last day we were so full we really didn't want to use the last counter service meals but we did ;) The kids are definitely ready to go back. I don't know if we will make it back next year or not but we will definitely go back.

Relaxed~Renewed~Refreshed

2007-09-24T20:22:00.000-05:00

That pretty much sums up my weekend. We spent Fri-Sun camping. This was my first time camping in a tent, and much to my surprise I really enjoyed it.

We had several people comment on our $48 tent!!

It was so hot the dog even got in the water. I have never seen him do this before.

Madison & Grant had lots of fun playing in the fire pit. Cary cooked us a delicious breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Yum!!

Grant practicing his hand stand or cartwheel. I can't remember which one!!!

Back To Normal!!!

2007-09-21T09:15:00.000-05:00

At least for now, that is how I feel. The past couple of months at work has totally threw my schedule off. I need structure and daily routines to keep my self in sync. From June-Aug I was filling in at another office. It was more work but I did enjoy the change of pace from my office. The thing that threw me off was the hours. I was going in an hour later and getting off an hour and 45 mins later than my office. This was all summer long, so I became a little bummed over not getting home until after 5 each day. Needless to say by Aug I was more than ready to go back to my office and my daily routine.

But that didn't happen. Sometime in July I was asked to go to another office for another assignment. I was willing to go but really wasn't looking forward to another change in schedule. That's when I found out the office that I ultimately want to go to was going to be available. The Lady that worked there, Freddy Poindexter, had just found out she had lung cancer and since she was going to retire in Dec anyways she decided to go on sick leave until Dec. She has known for several years that I ultimately wanted her office. She asked for me to be placed in her office. I absolutely love this office. It's really not much different from my office, other than it's 3 miles from my house!!!! I have never worked so close to home before. I can even eat lunch with Madison since her school is only 5 miles from my work.

It has took several weeks and finally finishing a huge project(I began in July). But I am finally feeling like everything is back to normal. I'm back on my routine but only better. I can go home at lunch and wash clothes, vacuum, run the dishwasher, or just take a quick nap:) Even though I am in the office I ultimately want, I haven't officially gotten it yet. It could be the first of next year before I know for sure. I have experienced some moments of fear that I wouldn't get this office. I have slowly decided, although sometimes I have to remind myself, to trust God. If it happens--WOW WOW WOW--and if it doesn't I still have my office which is great too, just not as close to home. Either way I am truly blessed.

I would just like to ask that everyone reading this blog to pray for Freddie. She could have retired in Feb but decided to hang on for the rest of the year. And then in July was diagnosed with Stage 5 Lung Cancer. She is 1/2 way through her chemo and will find out next week if it has done any good. She is a really good person and doesn't deserve this, but then again who does?
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This weekend we are taking the kids camping for the first time!! We have been meaning to go all summer and one thing just led to another. I came across a tent at Target for $48 that was regular $198, that helped get the camping trip started. Since I bought the tent, we have to use it!! I've never camped in a tent before, so this is a new experience for all of us. I just hope we have lots of family time that we don't usually get when we're at home.

Family Encampment 2007

2007-09-04T17:33:00.000-05:00

This weekend we went on our 3rd Family Encampment trip to Fall Creek Falls with our church family. My kids look forward to this trip every year. We had lots of fun, ate lots of food (5 pounds worth for me!), rode bikes (15 miles), hiked up and down the falls, nursed scraped knees, entertained natures critters (Amy you know what I'm talking about!), talked & talked & talked, cooked, cleaned, laughed, relaxed and worshipped. What more could you ask for??

Aug 1-14

2007-08-14T19:35:00.000-05:00

School started Aug 3rd. Madison is in 5th grade and Grant is in 1st. Cary & I took off to take them to school to register and then to the library. Then back home for some pool time.

Of course Kaitlyn was having withdrawals from not being at our house all summer, so she came home with us after school registration. We went shopping that night at Opry Mills.

The next weekend Lexi and Kalesha were experiencing withdrawals too!! Between these 3 girls they are always wanting to spend the night at our house. So Friday night they came over we went to the drive-in and watched Underdog and Hairspray. I was so looking forward to Hairspray, but I fell asleep somewhere in the middle of it. So I guess I will have to rent it when it comes out. They also went to church with us Sunday and Lexi stayed with us until 8:30 Sunday night. She didn't even want to go home then.

This is one of Grant's best friend-Logan. I use to work with her mom and they live just a couple of houses away from us. Somehow these two have hooked up since kdg and rarely go a day without talking. Logan calls our house almost daily and also wants to come over daily. It's really cute to watch these two together. She also went to the drive-in with us.

Sunday was Life group at our house. Again I was in charge of the kids. This time I decided to get into the pool. We played several games. I was totally wiped out at the end of the day.

It was another WW (aka: Whirlwind Weekend)

2007-07-30T12:41:00.000-05:00

Friday night started out with a sleepover with Maggie Jo. I had promised Maggie Jo all summer she could sleep over and since schools starts next week I fulfilled my promise this weekend. Maggie Jo is like no other child. She is full of energy and could care less who she is with. Here she is eating her made to order breakfast from Cary. She was somewhat amazed that Cary cooked breakfast because at her house her dad never cooks!!! Maggie Jo likes to be entertained so I was somewhat concerned that Madison wouldn't be up to entertaining Maggie Jo the entire time but I knew Grant would love it. Well, Grant ended up sick with a migraine, so when Madison was played out Cary or I had to

take over. Thank goodness for the go-cart.

Maggie Jo loved it and stayed on it most of the day.

Saturday my niece Katie had her 5th b-day party at my house. As you can see in the picture she wasn't exactly happy about having a swimming party. She wanted a skating party.

Here are some group shots of the party kids. As you can see the kids didn't cooperate with me. I've decided not to quit my day job to become a children's photographer!!

Here is my sweet nephew, Riley. I could just eat his chubby cheeks up. I am always in his face trying to take his picture.

You would think we didn't have a diving board. Anytime Cary is in the water he is the human diving board. The kids love jumping off his shoulders or being threw into the air by him. It will be interesting to see how well is back is doing in another 10 years!!!

And then Sunday we hosted Life Group at our house. There was 10 kids all together and I was the lucky one left to watch. Needless to say I didn't stay dry. Some of the kids loved splashing, throwing wet balls or goggles full of water at me. It was OK because it was really kinda hot out there.

Who needs pool toys when you have an empty Baquasil bucket?? My kids play with these buckets every time they get into the pool!!

The ONLY way I could get the kids to calm down and quit trying to drown me was to bring out the ice cream. This bought me enough time until the rest of the adults could join me. By the way can you tell I got a camera for my birthday??

BFF (Best Friends Forever)

2007-07-24T12:47:00.000-05:00

This weekend I had the very rare opportunity to spend it with my best friend Barbara. Barbara and I met my sophomore year of high school. Family, life and jobs has kept us from being as close as we would like to be. Barbara has just recently moved closer, as in 1 hour drive to me. So I am hoping that we will have more get-to-gethers!!

So we decided to take our daughters along with Barbara's sister, Connie and her daughter Lakin, to Gatlinburg. Our daughters are 10, 12 & 13. The girls got along great. We arrived late Friday night and went down to the strip and had a funnel cake at 12:30AM!! Nothing else was opened so we headed back to the condo. We sat out on the balcony until 2:30 talking!! The next morning we went to Dollywood. The very first ride we rode was Mystery Mine. Madison was in tears at the end of the ride. I never dreamed she would be scared. As we exited the ride there was a booth that sold pictures that were taken while we were riding. Normally I would never pay 19.95 for a picture of a ride, but this picture of the six of us with fear on our face was priceless. We had more laughs over that picture. Any time on the trip that we were needing a pick me up we just pulled out the picture and literally laugh for at least 15 minutes. By the end of the trip we just had to touch the folder that the picture was in and we would start laughing. We've decided that we are going to do an annual girls trip(SHHH don't tell the hubbys!!). Although at some points during the trip it was debatable if the kids would get to join us the next time.

Sunday we went to Wonderworks which is described as an amusement park for the mind. Madison & I rocked climbed and laid on a bed of nails(yes it hurt!). There was also a 360 degree bike that would go forward, up and over. I begged Barbara to ride. She didn't want to ride for fear of getting sick. I didn't think she would get that sick. Well she got THAT sick. She couldn't function for the rest of the day and we ended up having to leave early. She crawled into the van and slept the entire way home.

We arrived home around 6 Sunday night. Cary & Grant were at Life Group so Madison & I unpacked and washed clothes. I was up until midnight telling Cary about our trip. Needless to say Monday night I had to go to bed at 8, because I could not hold my eyes open.

July 18, 1972

2007-07-18T09:21:00.000-05:00

Today the President announced this year's national price average's, saying that he felt good about some of the changes in our economy. He pointed out that although bread has gone up to .26¢ per loaf, and a half gallon of milk is up to .53¢, average incomes are also on the rise, up to $3,769 this year!

House.....$30,500
Car.........$4,034
Gas...........$0.45
Stamp.......$0.08
Flour.........$0.11
Eggs..........$0.47
Bacon.......$0.77
Ice Cream....$0.87

You might also find it interesting that as of today July 18, 2007, I have been around for 12,783 days. That's about 306,792 hours, and I have slept about 4,261 days of that away!!!

This has been a week of camp and NO KIDS!!

2007-07-13T10:58:00.000-05:00

Friday night as we returned from Lipscomb, Madison and I had a "girls night out" while Cary took Grant to the golden arches for some boy time. Grant decided he wanted to go to Granny and Pa's so Cary took him there. And there he has stayed. He has refused to come home until tonight. Sunday we took Madison to church camp and wasn't for sure if she would stay. Much to our surprise she stayed the entire week without one phone call to us!!! Cary and I decided to go to camp last night to surprise her. And of course she decided to come home with us. Cary and I have had the week kid free. It's been kinda nice doing whatever we want to do and not having to worry about the kids but we also started missing the kids pretty bad. So tonight life as we know it should be back to normal. Both kids will be home. Madison will probably be ill from lack of sleep she has gotten this week and Grant will probably be ill from being back in the real world and having to do as we say not how Granny & Pa does it.

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I took some pictures last night at camp. Amy has my highest adoration for spending the last 5 nights with these girls. Within five minutes of being in their room I was ready to RUN!! There was clothes everywhere and girls jumping and flipping everywhere and of course 5 girls trying to talk to me at the same time. I think they all enjoyed themselves and have had lots of fun.

Camp

2007-07-09T19:14:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Cary & I took Madison to Camp. I expected a call last night since this is the first time she has stayed away from us and not with family for so long. So far no call...so she must be having fun!!!

Last week we stayed in the dorms at Lipscomb University. We enjoyed a couple of days of lectureship and the kids enjoyed day camp. Actually they enjoyed it so much they cried when we had to come home Fri night. I was more than ready to be back in my bed. I didn't get much sleep in the dorms. Saturday I slept in while Cary cleaned the house and washed clothes. Thank you honey!!!

Grant has been at my Mom & Dad's since we got home Fri night. I tried to get him to come home tonight but he insisted he was staying until Fri night. Since he is not old enough for camp he thinks he should get to stay with Pa until Madison comes home. Since Cary is out of town tonight I didn't really push him to come home. (I selfishly wanted to have the house to myself!!!)

Busy--

2007-07-02T11:05:00.001-05:00

Summer is flying by. Of course our hustle and bustle of life keeps it flying. Here is a little peek at my schedule.

Friday night 6/22-- Back to the houseboat only this time it was me and my two friends, my husband, friend's fiance, her kid, my two kids and my friends kid and friend. Lots of fun and food!!

Saturday 6/23--On houseboat all day. Cary, Nicky, and Bud take the kiddos tubing. The kids had a blast. Now Cary wants a boat. We rush home around 5 that afternoon and shower and change and attend friend's wedding shower. After picking up kids we are back home at 10:30.

Sunday 6/24--Can't recall what we did other than church and Life Group and of course lay by the pool.

Monday6/25--I attended my 1st PM Convention in Nashville.

Tuesday 6/26--PM Convention again. Shopping in Mt. Juliet. Bonita's Lingerie shower. Left home at 6:00 AM returned home at 10:00 PM. Cary left for Grand Rapids.

Weds 6/27-- PM Convention from 8-4. Rush home change clothes grab kids and back to Lebanon for church. Madison stays at friends house and drop Grant off at Pa's. Return back home to empty house around 9 PM.

Thurs 6/28 --Last day of Convention. Drove 1 hour to Nashville for 15 minute meeting. I'm not complaining because I got the rest of the day off paid!!! Since we finished the meeting within 15 mins. I went with another PM to Loveless Cafe. I have always wanted to eat there so this was the perfect opportunity plus he offered to buy!! Great food!!! Rush home to pick up Grant at Pa's and then home to change into swimsuits and off again to Lebanon where I met up with Amy & girls(including Madison), and Andrea & boys. We had a great afternoon of chit chat at Jimmy Floyd. Since we have a pool this was Grant's 1st time in a public pool. Rush home and nap a little, eat a little, and clean a little. Cary returned home from Grand Rapids.

Fri 6/29--Back to work with lots of catching up to do, since I've been playing for the last 4 days. Busy, busy day. Cary had to go to Oak Ridge so he picked up dinner on his way home. Lazy night just hanging around the house doing lots of nothing.

Sat 6/30--Lounge by the pool all day long with Cary and the kids. Cary took Grant to buy fireworks. Mom & Dad came over Sat night and we swam and shot fireworks.

Sun 7/1--We did our usual breakfast before church and then after church two of Madison's friends came home with her. They enjoyed the afternoon swimming and playing. Back to church at 4 for a seminar and then a quick trip to Wal-Mart. We dropped the kids off at Pa's for relaxing kid free night!!!

Mon 7/2--Back to work and finally getting caught up--just in time to take off Weds, Thurs, & Fri!!

Funny Things

2007-06-21T11:57:00.000-05:00

The other night Cary and I along with Madison was watching TV. As Cary flipped through the channels he came across a show about cannibalism. He looked at me and said, "Could you eat Madison if you were starving and she was dead?" My response was, "NO WAY!!" ( I can't even choke a salad or shrimp down!) So I asked him could he? His response was "NO WAY!!" At that moment Madison looked at both of us and said, " I would eat yall!!!"
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Sunday Grant was being a little trying with us. And as trying I mean getting on my LAST NERVE! I told him and Madison that I couldn't wait till I was 80 and they would have to take care of me. I told them I was going to repay them for all the times they get on my nerves. And whoever acted the worse I was going to live with them. Later in the day I noticed Madison was being extremely polite and using her manners, so I commented on how good she was being. Her response was, "Well, I don't want you living with me when your 80!!"

Catching Up!!!

2007-06-18T19:54:00.000-05:00

This is what has been going on since the last post--2 or 3 weeks ago. Six of the girls got together for a weekend on the lake. Thanks to Kim we had a super nice houseboat to stay in. We only stayed 2 days but we had enough food for an entire month! Very relaxing and LOTS of fun.

We have definitely got lots of use of our pool

this year. We have had a very dry and HOT summer so we have used the pool daily.

Today is our anniversary. We celebrated our 13 years together Friday night at the Cheesecake Factory. YUM!!YUM!! It's just coincidence that our anniversary almost always falls during Father's Day. So as Cary got his Father's day gifts I got a Louis Vuitton purse with matching billfold. It came from China from one of Cary's co-workers. Cary had him pick it up while he was over there working . Of course Cary couldn't pay him for it without me knowing so Cary has owed Ken for my pocketbook for about a month now. Now that's a co-worker!! Cary hid the pocketbook in the trunk and believe it or not I never saw it even though I put several things in the trunk. Cary has a very difficult time surprising me because I always ruin it. But not this time, I was totally surprised.

My new assignment at work is going Great!! Actually it has been alot better than I expected. I have already been asked to do another assignment as soon as this one ends. So that's a good sign I guess.

Cary has been in and out of town. But as of now he is in town. The kids have been enjoying sleep overs, VBS, fishing, and the ballpark.

The jigs up!!!

2007-06-01T14:38:00.000-05:00

Well they have found me out. Who is "they" you might ask? "They" are the people that are higher on the todem pole than I. They're sending to me work. YES I WORK thank you very much just not in a labor intensive way. So starting next week I will be "filling" in at another office for the next 8 weeks. It probably won't be very labor intensive either but a whole lot more labor than I do here. Plus I will be in charge of 7 employees. Yikes!!! And during summer too! No more flip flops or capri's. I'll have to dress like a person in charge of 7 employees. No more taking off whenever I want. Now I will have to schedule around the 7 employees, which I'm sure they've already got their dates in. "Why do it?" you might ask. To get me up that todem pole.

So I might not get around blogging much in the next 8 weeks, because I will be working for real!!!

Hayden Grant

2007-05-22T14:14:00.000-05:00

7 Years ago today Hayden Grant came into this world. He was born at 10:15 a.m after only 4 hours of labor. We didn't find out what we were having and I was just sure it was another girl. So I was kinda in shock the first couple days of Grant's life. I didn't even name him until the 2nd day. Out of my 2 babies he was definitely the best baby. Eat and sleep was literally all he did the first year of his life. And by eating I mean he would drink 64 ounces of milk a day(2 bottles at a time!) You would never know that by looking at him now or by his eating habits now. I literally have to force feed him now. At the age of 6 months he was 26 pounds!! At the age of 7 he is 50 pounds. I worried that he was too much of a momma's boy before he was 1. He soon squashed that fear and has been full throttle, all out, fearless, 100% boy. He has made me question motherhood many times and in the same way made me feel more loved than anyone. He has a sweet and tender heart and an inquisitive brain. He will always tell you he loves God first and foremost. He is my extroverted child. He never meets a stranger. Grant plays with girls and boys, he doesn't care as long as he has someone to play with. His favorite things to do these days are ride his go-cart, go fishing with daddy, swimming and taking his toys apart. Happy Birthday Grant!!!!

Antibodies

2007-05-18T12:01:00.000-05:00

Last night I decided to build a fire in the patio fire thingy. As we were sitting around it roasting marshmallows, Grant kept sticking his stick in and catching it on fire. He would pull it out and want us to sing Happy Birthday to him and he would blow it out like a candle. I started telling him that 7 years ago I was this big and that he was inside my belly. I asked him did he remember being in there. Here is our conversation:

Me: Grant do you remember being inside my belly?
Grant: Yea
Me: Well what did you do inside there?
Grant: I played with the antibodies and we killed germs.

Me: Well I didn't know what to say after that so I just shut up!!!

Busy-Busy-Busy

2007-05-17T09:45:00.000-05:00

It has been a busy week for us. With all the things we have planned it's going to be June 1st before we will slow down. Last weekend was Mother's Day so Cary and I took our Mothers and Fathers and my Grandmother to Chaffin's Dinner Theater in Nashville. Cary was out of town again Monday and Tuesday. Madison had a school program Monday that I had to rush to get to. Then Grant had his program Wednesday.

Tuesday will be Grant's birthday so we will be celebrating it this weekend with a pool party. Madison has been wanting to have a pool party for her class so since Grant's party is Saturday I figured I would just get both done on the same day. So on Saturday from 12-3 I will have a pool full of 5-7 year olds and then from 3-6 a pool full of 9-11 year olds. This is the first time Grant has had a real party. His other parties have just been with family. So I'm kinda nervous about having several 5-7 year old boys at one time. Especially if they are anything like Grant!!!!

Cary and his Mom Me, Mom, and Gran-Gran

I took this picture yesterday of Madison and her 4th grade teacher(who was also my teacher). Yesterday was their last full day and they only have to go back Friday to pick up report cards. They didn't have to go to school today and Madison has already called me to let me know she is bored!! This is only the first day of summer vacation so we might have a long summer.

The bottom pictures are of Grant and his KDG teacher Mrs. Carolyn, who was also my KDG and 1st grade teacher. Back then we were so smart she could teach 2 grades!!! Mrs. Carolyn is married to my 2nd cousin and her son, my third cousin, went to school K-12 together. In the picture on the right is Lauren who is Mrs. Carolyn's granddaughter, my 3rd cousin's daughter. Now they will more than likely go K-12 together. And the cycle continues.....

Take Me Out To The Ballgame......

2007-05-08T09:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the 2nd-5th grade at Madison's school took a field trip to watch the Nashville Sounds. Cary and I along with my Dad(Pa) went along. I was assigned 4 kids to watch over and spent most of my taking them to the bathroom, standing in line for Dippin Dots, or chasing down the $5 icee guy. I only saw in total 5 mins of the game. The rest of the time that I wasn't helping or getting the kids something was spent people watching(which I really love to do!) It was a beautiful day and it actually got quite warm. As you can see by this picture of Madison:

Of course Pa isn't going to let her suffer so he bought her a $10 fan/water mister. She instantly perked up after getting her $10 souvenir.

In the bottom photo is part of the 4th grade class and their teacher. Actually she was my teacher too, I just don't remember what grade she taught when I was in school but I'm thinking it was 4th.

Madison Independent??

2007-05-02T10:58:00.000-05:00

Could it be that Madison is finding her independence after 10 1/2 years?? Madison has always been satisfied just being at home. She rarely spends nights away from us(unless it's family). The first trip we ever took her on to Florida, she spent the entire time telling us she wanted "Her brick house in Brush Creek, TN!!!!" She was 3 and she just didn't understand why I couldn't just drive back to our house. I thought maybe she thought that the hotel was going to be where we where going to live forever. And she didn't like it.

But as she has grown older, she still prefers to be at home. So when she came home about a month ago and said she wanted to go to 4H camp I was a little concerned. Madison is super smart but I wondered if she knew what camp really was?? Did she know that she would have to go BY HERSELF to a camp miles from home with kids she didn't know? As we talked about it I told her to try church camp. Her response was "OK!". So we have the application, I filled it out, and again last night I talked to her again. I'm not trying to discourage her, I just want to make sure she knows she will be gone for a week. I asked her had she talked to Claire about it(thinking that maybe Claire had talked her into going). She said no. I told her that she would have to take a shower by herself every night(not that that's a big deal but I do still wash her hair for her). Her response was "can't I take a bath?" Nope just showers. She said she just wouldn't shower. Sorry sister that's not an option. I told her it would be fine and all the girls would have to do the same. She seems totally fine with it.

Most days I walk at the park on my lunch break and usually pray during that time. One of the things I have been praying for is for God to guide Madison (& Grant) and to help me to raise them to love God. I think he's listening. I'm so excited for her and I know she will have so much fun. And even if she doesn't stay the entire week(of course I'm not even mentioning that I could come and get her if she didn't like it) I'm just happy that she would even consider going.

Weekend Highlights....

2007-04-30T10:50:00.000-05:00

The weekends seem to fly by for us. It could be from all the hustle and bustle we try to cram into 2 days. Cary started out Saturday morning and most of the day Sunday cleaning/reorganizing our garage. He is still not finished but it already looks 1000 times better. I am a clean freak but the garage is just one area I don't get into cleaning. We also attended the wedding of one of Cary's cousins. It's been a while since we have seen most of this side of the family so it was good to get to reconnect with them.

Sunday one of Madison's friends came home with us after church. They spent most of the afternoon riding the go-cart and catching butterflies. I feel so blessed that Claire is a part of Madison's life. They are so different yet so alike.

Grant of course spent the day trying to keep up with them. He's kinda getting tired of being the 3rd wheel so he informed us that the next time Madison has someone over he is too!!!

We finished up the day with ice cream at Maggie Moo's and Life Group. Life is so good!!!

Happy Belated Birthday to My Best Friend....

2007-04-27T10:11:00.000-05:00

Even though you didn't get your "own" birthday party; you did get to celebrate with our nephew for the 2nd year!!! And to be fair I made them sing to you too!!!

You also got to play with the little ones even though you are not little anymore.

You are still king of the castle especially when I'm not home!!!!

Even though you can't seem to match your shoes when you are going out of town on a very important meeting!!!

You still get more handsome each and every year!!! Happy Belated Birthday Cary!!! To the Best Husband and Daddy in the world!!!

Los Cabos, Mexico

2007-04-25T08:09:00.000-05:00

Finally I got my pictures to download(with the help of Cary). This was probably the best vacation we've been on. The only thing we would change would be the # of days. There was so much to do and not enough time. We went on 2 excursions. We don't usually do excursions but we decided we would this time. I was so glad we did. We had a blast. One day we took a glass bottom boat to the arch. I had seen the arch on the website and couldn't wait to see it in person and get pictures. We hadn't been on the boat 5 minutes when a wave covered us and my camera! I couldn't get my camera to come on(and probably the reason I can't download pictures from it now!). I panicked, but luckily 1 minute before we got to the arch it came back on!! Next time we are going to go back to the arch and snorkel.The next day we did an ATV tour. We rode a shuttle forever back into the desert. Once we got our ATV's we were off exploring the desert and a secluded beach. It was absolutely gorgeous. I was sore for 3 days after riding the ATV's. In some places it was so rocky I would literally bounce all over the place.

We ate and ate or I should say I ate and ate. This was an all inclusive resort so there was food everywhere all the time. I have the pounds to prove it too. 9 of them to be exact. Yes I put on 9 pounds on this short vacation. I would hate to see what would happen if I had stayed a week.

OH NO!!!

2007-04-16T14:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was doing my final preparations for our trip this week to Los Cabos. Cary signed onto the Delta website to see our seat assignments. We picked our seats for the first part of the trip from Nashville to Atlanta but when we got to the Atlanta to Los Cabos it was showing NO seats available. Cary panicked. I tried to rationalize with him that hopefully that wasn't correct and to get on the phone to Delta. All kinds of what ifs ran through my head but I tried not to get overly concerned. So after being on hold for 30 minutes....... but what seemed like forever we finally got our seat assignments. In one more day we will be in Los Cabos.
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We went to the movies this weekend and saw Meet the Robinson's. The little boy reminded me of Grant(always taking things apart and figuring out how it works; can we say engineer???) and there was also a girl that reminded me of Madison (bossy with eyebrows scrunched just like Madison does when she is mad!). It was a pretty good little movie with a great lesson. And of course the 3 large buckets of buttered popcorn were exceptionally good!! Grant loves to go to the movies but I think it's just for the popcorn. Honestly he can eat a whole bucket by himself and so can I. Madison and Cary can usually finish one. Thankfully they have free refills and we don't go to the movies that often!!!
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After the movies we headed to the store to buy a scale. Cary has been dieting so I wanted him to see his progress daily. I have to admit I have an obsession about the scales. I love to weigh. So as soon as we got home I hopped on and 30 minutes later hopped on again. Each time the # went down (could be from taking off an article of clothing each time) and that was after a lg tub of buttered popcorn (good genes I guess!!!) I again done this all day long Sunday until Cary told me he thought I was too obsessed about my weight. It's not the weight it's the #. I told him I don't think an obsessed person would be eating a LG tub of extra-buttered popcorn!!!
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I made our reservations for Walt Disney World yesterday too. 7 days and 6 nights with theme park tickets for 6 days and Disney Dining Plan (1 Table service meal, 1 Counter service meal, and 1 snack per person). I am almost as excited about this trip as I am about Los Cabos.

Easter '07

2007-04-09T13:02:00.000-05:00

If you cook they will come............Our yard looked like a mini parking lot(actually this isn't all the cars!)

If you hide eggs they will hunt...............(usually there is 5 more kids in this picture!)

Wait a minute that's not a kid, that's Gran-Gran sneaking in on the hunt!!

It was funny watching Gran-Gran helping Grant try to find the Golden egg!! And here they are checking out the goodies!!!

Madison & Grant attended 4 different Easter egg hunts this weekend. Madison found the Golden egg 3 out of 4 times. Grant found it once (with Gran-Gran's help!). Grant ended up giving his prize to his cousin. It was so cold I didn't even get their pictures in their Easter outfits. We are going to wait for warmer weather. I should have done it a couple of weeks ago when it was 80.

Horoscope....

2007-04-04T10:08:00.000-05:00

Here is my latest horoscope with my perspective in parenthesis:

You are in good shape.(I don't know how that could be. I haven't worked out in 2 weeks!) You are making fine progress. (OK I did play dodge ball with around 20 4th & 5th graders Fri. night from 12-3AM!!!!) That's why you feel so exhausted. (DUH) It is appropriate. (DUH)

You have been running yourself ragged. (That could be from taking care of 2 kids with Hubby out of town AGAIN) How can you expect to be full of energy after all the effort you have been expending lately? (My sentiments exactly.) Soon, though, there will be a reward for your struggle, vindication of your faith and a satisfying result for the sacrifice that you have made. (Soon as in 2 weeks from today!!)

This will imbue you with renewed enthusiasm. (You better believe it will, whatever imbue means.) It will help you regain your strength and composure. (At least to the outside world!) Tense, emotional pressures may be upsetting you temporarily

(This could be from spending 3 1/2 hours in ER with Grant yesterday--broken collarbone)-but, despite a current difficulty, the future is now looking splendid.(Cary is currently in route from China to Tennessee!!!! And how could it not look splendid with a child like this.....)

Springtime Fun.....

2007-03-26T10:20:00.000-05:00

When the kids are bored and the pool isn't yet open, what do we do??? Put a ziploc bag on our head (or at least Madison does), turn on the water hose, get Daddy's plastic out (and hope he didn't have any plans for it!), squirt Dawn dish washing liquid all over plastic and S-L-I-D-E!!!!

When I asked Madison why she was wearing a ziploc bag on her head she said she didn't want to have to wash her hair. You would think washing her hair was some big ordeal but I'm the one that has to do the washing and drying.

Today would be a good day to.......

2007-03-23T08:19:00.000-05:00

To fly a kite? Eat pizza on the front porch? Swing? Jump on the trampoline? Play in the sand? Ride the Go-cart? Blow Bubbles? We couldn't decide, so we did all the above!!!

Derrick (my 'lil brother) and Ivan decided to come play with us yesterday afternoon. Flying a kite is actually kind of relaxing. My mind just focuses on keeping the kite up. Our next door neighbor got quite a kick out of watching me run from one end of the yard to the other (in flip flops none the less!).

That's why I need a baby brother....

2007-03-21T12:47:00.000-05:00

Monday the kids spent the night with my Mom & Dad. My niece and her friend also spent the night. So last night Grant & I was talking about what they did. He said there were 4 girls and only 2 boys so that's the reason he needs a baby brother. Nice try. I don't think so!!!

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3 1/2 weeks from today and Cary & I will be in Los Cabos. I can hardly wait.

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The kids are having a great time exploring the woods behind my parent's house. I've told them of places that I use to go to when I was little and they are having so much fun trying to find those places. Madison was so tired last night that she went to bed before 7:00. Cary said she was bright eyed this morning. Grant also fell asleep next to me on the couch last night. Spring Break must be wearing them out!!!

I'm a....

2007-03-09T09:24:00.000-06:00

Bloggaholic (is that a word?). I admit due to ALOT of downtime at my job I spend alot of time reading blogs. I just love reading about people's lives. People I don't even know. Probably will never meet but yet I read about their everyday lives. I recently linked to a blog through another person's blog to read about her recently discovering she is having QUADRUPLETS. I have to admit my first reaction was I WOULD ABSOLUTELY DIE. That poor girl. BUT she then linked to another family that have quads that are 9 months old now. So of course I read their entire blog. I know a blog in no way compares to everyday life, but that family makes having quads look like so much fun. So in a brief moment last night I told Cary I think I would like to have quads (yeah, he's checking into mental hospitals today that will take me). Of course he didn't agree with me.

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When I picked Grant up yesterday from my Dad's he was covered from the waist down in mud. My Dad said, "I can't turn my back for a minute before he gets into something!!!" My response was, "Just think how smart he is going to be someday because of ALL of his exploring!!!" So when I get ready to go I can't find Grant anywhere. He was hiding in a Nasty dog crate that my brother keeps his coon dogs in. It was probably full of fleas and no telling what else. My dad said "yeah, he's really smart isn't he??"

On the way home I get a play by play on Madison's day. It goes something like this (and this is the abbreviated version). She was playing with her friends and she was Kalesha's horse but Lexi didn't want her to be Kalesha's horse so she called her a weird horse and she called Lexi a stupid horse Lexi kicked her she kicked Lexi back Lexi went and told the other girls that Madison kicked her and chocked her so the other Lexi came running really really fast and knocked Madison into the fire engine on the playground so now she is not talking to anybody but Kalesha. DRAMA DRAMA is what these girls do best!!

Yeah I really don't want Quads. But it would be kinda fun for a day!!!

6 Weeks--

2007-03-07T14:31:00.000-06:00

From today and I will be in LOS CABOS, Mexico. I have been so excited that I can hardly contain myself. Cary has even asked me several times "why are you so happy?" I really didn't know how to answer him. Why not be happy?? Life is good. We're going to Los Cabos with NO kids. On Cary's defense, he does have a very-very stressful-time consuming job and I'm sure he's just trying to survive the day instead of dreaming of the future.

This will be our first trip to Los Cabos so I've really got my hopes up. I don't really know how I even chose Los Cabos. I think I just hit locations in the search section and this one caught my eye. After reading Trip Advisor almost daily, I am very excited. The place we are going is all inclusive, so that means everything is paid for, unless we decide to do extra. Now I only wish that I had booked more than 4 days. Oh well, if it is 1/2 has much fun as I think it will be we will just have to go back.

I am also planning our "family" vacation. We have decided that this year we will venture to Walt Disney World. We have put this off until the kids were older and could pretty much walk the entire day. I still don't know if that will be possible but we're going. So this too has got me excited.

Weekend Happenings...

2007-03-05T14:26:00.000-06:00

We spent a fun-family-filled weekend at the Adventure Science Museum. We had told the kids that we were taking them "somewhere" Saturday but we would not tell them where. The only hint I would give them was it was going to be an Adventure. Two of Madison's friends spent the weekend with us, so they got to go too!!!

Almost every weekend someone from Madison's class wants to spend the weekend with us. I think Lexi would spend every weekend with us if I would let her. This weekend Lexi & Kaitlyn were the "lucky ones". I've always said that I wanted our house to be the house the kids wanted to hang out at. Not because I love kids that much but because I want to know what my kids are doing and what kind of influence their friends are. So far my plan is working.

When I asked Madison the reason everyone in her class (5-6 girls) always wanted to come home with her she said, " I don't know. They just love my house for some reason." I truly don't believe that Madison knows how blessed she is. I'm not talking about her "material" blessings, but her family blessings. She goes to school with several girls have who lost their mothers to accidents, divorced parents , and some being raised by grandparents. Madison not only is blessed with parents that love her dearly but she is also blessed with Grandparents and Great Grandparents along with aunts and uncles that are very much a part of her daily life.

Working Out.

2007-02-22T11:28:00.000-06:00

For all of those "lookers" that had a blast watching Bonita and I belly dance, you need to come on Weds and watch me do step class. It's absolutely hilarious. Although the belly dance thing didn't catch on with us, I think the step class just might. I thought the step class would just be stepping up and down on a step. I didn't know it was choreographed moves that turn this way and that way. And more times than not I was turning the wrong way or tripping over the step. Bonita assures me next week will be easier and the moves will just come to me. Yeah right. But we are ambitious. Not only did we do a 45 min step class we also stayed for the next class which was butts-n-guts. Thank goodness it was only 20 mins. I liked that class a whole lot better although it hurt. I found myself plenty of times saying "plastic surgery would be so much easier!!"

Bonita warned me that I would be sore. I was already feeling some pain before we even left the gym. She just laughed and told me to wait until Friday!! Last night as I was laying in bed my ankles were hurting. Of all things to hurt, why my ankles?? I can tell that I'm getting more sore by the minute. But hopefully that's good--it's working hopefully!! Of course after all the working out what do we do?? We headed to church and had a good dinner of pork loin w/h gravy, mac & cheese, pinto beans, cornbread and DESSERT!!! I've never said I wanted to loose weight--just tone up!!!

Who needs sleep anyways???

2007-02-21T12:03:00.000-06:00

Last week Grant had what I thought was another one of his migraines. It turned out he was sick with some kind of virus and had a migraine. For 2 nights I had to comfort him--which means for two nights my sleep was interrupted and I didn't get very much of it. Fast forward to last night and I couldn't go to sleep. Cary was having the same problem so we talked, tossed and turned until midnight. I couldn't have been asleep more than an hour when I was awoken by a storm. It sounded like a tornado, although Cary didn't hear a thing. I got up and checked the TV to see if we should move downstairs. But there was nothing about a storm even on. So upon finally falling back asleep both kids enter the room. The storm woke them. So I make them a makeshift bed in the floor. Again settling back down to go back to sleep and the dog starts pacing the floor. It make me nervous when he moves around at night because I fear he is going to potty all over the house. So I get up to let him out. He disappears and I can't get him back in. Forget it I'm going back to bed. When I go to get back in bed my foot steps in something wet. It took a minute before I realized I stepped in dog pee. No wonder he ran--I'm going to kill him and he knows it. So I jump up again to grab the mop. By this time everyone is awake. Madison is asking where puddles is(wonder where he got that name?) I told her he was outside and he could stay outside for all I cared. She wasn't having it. She went looking for him. Cary get's up and helps me clean the mess. Finally we are all back in bed--only to be awoken an hour or so later by the dog wandering our bedroom again. Finally he settled down and I fell back asleep only to have the alarm go off.

I just knew this was going to be a bad day. But no, I'm not ill, and I'm not really tired, much to Cary's amazement. He was watching a commercial the other day and it was about a woman having PMDD--the symptoms are irritable, fatigued, moody, bloated and lots of other wonderful adjectives. He seems to think this is what I have. I informed him I did not have PMDD I had G-R-A-N-T.

TGIF

2007-01-26T10:23:00.000-06:00

Dinner at Outback + Taxes filed--refund coming + Donuts + Hubby on way home from China = 1 very happy PMSing Mom(if that's possible)!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Every now and then my truck driver brings me donuts in the morning. This thoughtful gesture makes me very happy and it's just what I need after a week without hubby. He actually brought me 3 donuts and when I picked up the bag they felt heavy. So, I weighed them. 3 donuts= 1lb. WOW!! It didn't stop me from eating though!! Actually I only ate 2--I gave one to a sweet older lady that comes into the Office every day. I've kinda adopted her or she has kinda adopted me. She is in her 70's and has no family close. No kids, only an ex-husband that she is still in touch with and he comes to town about 3 times a year. She does all of his business for him and as far as I can tell they get along great. I feel sorry for her especially during the holidays. I've brought her dinner on occasions after our Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. I always get her a x-mas gift and make her promise to wait until x-mas morning to open (it's the only one she gets). She loves to give me advice (even though she has never had kids) and for New Years she even decided what my New Years Resolution should be!! She thinks I should drink more water and add 2 vegetables to my no vegetable diet. So far I have appeased her on the water drinking but I still have 11 months to go on the vegetable thing.

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Grant had appointment with ENT yesterday, and just like we thought he wants to take out his adenoids. From what I was told it is a pretty easy surgery with no down time. Thank goodness he didn't want to take out his tonsils. He still doesn't think this is what is causing his Migraines but hopefully it will help.

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The following is an e-mail I just got from my boss:

When you get home tonight take time to hug your significant other, pet your dog (or even the cat...Argh!!) and have a GREAT weekend! I sincerely appreciate all you do!!

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a
glass of water and asked,

"How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter.

It depends on how long you try to hold it.

If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.

If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

He continued,

"And that's the way it is with stress management.
If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,
as the burden becomes increasingly heavy,
we won't be able to carry on.

When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.
So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down.
Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow.
Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

* Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their
maker.

* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

* The second mouse gets the cheese.

* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

* We could learn a lot from crayons...
Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the
same box.

*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

What does.......

2007-01-25T08:54:00.000-06:00

Husband on business trip + Disobeying Kids + No alone Time = A very PMSing Mom!!!!

Yesterday after getting my 3rd piece (yes, 3rd piece) of cake, Grant looks at me and says, "How many pieces of cake are you going to eat??" I will be back to normal next week, but this week I'm eating everything in sight. It's OK because I'm working out so it all balances out!!!

Can I speak to Grant?

2007-01-24T08:45:00.000-06:00

For the past two nights our phone rings what seems like every 5 mins and this sweet little girl says, "Can I speak to Grant?" The KDG's must be exchanging phone numbers at school. Yesterday Grant came home with Joey's. Within 10 mins he had called Joey twice and Joey called him twice. And of course that little girl (Logan) called. It is sweet until the phone rings at 9:15 and I leap out of bed to answer and it's Logan and she hangs up on me!!!

How Can......

2007-01-23T11:05:00.000-06:00

These two precious God loving kids test my patience?? I think that is why God has blessed me with these two kids. So that my patience will develop. Yesterday was one of those days that I was yet again tested. The kids are at the age where they are either playing peacefully together or trying to kill each other. There is usually no inbetween. Cary left Sunday for another business trip and before leaving talked with both kids about their behavior. And that worked for about 1/2 the day Sunday. Madison is trying extra hard because both kids were promised a surprise when Daddy returns if they have been good. Grant doesn't seem to remember or he's not mature enough to control his emotions. So yesterday when picking them up, Madison told me to call Shane when I got home. Shane, my brother, picks them up from school and drops them off at my Dad's. Somehow on this 10 min. drive Grant lost control and hit Madison. I asked Shane if Madison was provoking him by teasing him about a girl in his class. He said No. So Grant got punished when we got home. No TV and no Cokes for the night. This may not sound like punishment but to Grant it was everything. He literally cried for 2 hours and packed his clothes to leave. He also brought me the phone to call Pa so he could come and get him. OK .....like I'm going to call Pa to get him out of punishment. I took him with me to workout and made him sit in a chair for the entire hour. Of course he cried the whole hour but he sat there.

I didn't lose my patience with him once and he eventually got over being mad at me. I asked both of them this morning if they needed to be reminded on how to act and both assured me they didn't. We'll see how it goes this afternoon:)

I'm Back!!

2007-01-08T12:00:00.000-06:00

It's been so long since I've blogged I almost forgot how to sign on. The last part of 2006 became such a whirlwind I just didn't find time to blog. 2006 was a very busy time for our family. We spent lots of time traveling. Some of the places I ventured to this year were Gatlinburg, TN, Chicago, Texas, South Carolina, Jackson, TN. I can't even remember all the places Cary has been to. Although his most recent trip was to China. My job seemed to get a little more demanding at the last of the year. For the past month my job has been less demanding but I feel that will be changing soon.

As you can see from the picture I also got the bright idea to remodel our house in October. This was the biggest remodel project that we have ever done. Before this I thought I would love to flip houses for a living. Now I'm not so sure. We tore up existing hardwood floors and put down new hardwood throughout the whole house. Then we had stone installed in the kitchen and sunroom. I also got new countertops, backsplash, stove, and sink. And all this remodel started over our Master Bath. Guess what?? We didn't even do the Master Bath. That project will happen hopefully sometime this year. But I totally love everything we did to the house. I will have to find the before pictures and post them, so stay tuned.

Grant lost 2 teeth in December. And I caught him last night wiggling another one. I told him to stop, the Tooth Fairy is broke. Madison was in the 3rd grade before she lost her 1st tooth so he is definitely ahead of her on that. School is still going great for both of them. Madison continues to be on the honor roll and Grant has + on everything except patience. He gets that from me I'm afraid. I have zero patience and the kids are somehow picking up that trait also.

Madison has somehow got hooked on Paula Dean, and I have to admit I enjoy watching her shows too. Madison loves to cook, so I let her make a B-day cake for Barbara. Barbara and I have been friends since our sophomore year in High School. Barbara and her family spent the weekend after x-mas with us and we had a great time catching up. Grant's favorite thing to do is to get into the hall closet with his DVD player and watch movies. I have no idea why he loves this small space but it keeps him entertained.

We finished up 2006 with a great party with lots of friends.

I want to go on a road trip.....

2006-09-21T12:52:00.000-05:00

One of Oprah's latest shows was about a road trip she took with her best friend Gayle. I think it was for 11 days and across the US. It was hilarious watching them and the things they learned about each other. For instance Oprah doesn't like the radio on and Gayle does. I believe this is something I would "love" to do. I don't have any one friend in mind(anybody willing to go would be fine with me). I just don't know how/when I would fit it in. My life seems to just get busier and busier as the days go by. One detail has led to another detail to yet another detail. The details are just not stopping. It seems like every little "detail" that becomes available, I'm being asked to do it. I hate to turn them down, because I am trying for another office. So I'm kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place. I know that my boss knows how I feel about family and would understand if I had to turn something down. But I feel guilty.......and then if I take the detail and it takes me away from home....I feel guilty. I probably just need to take a couple of days off to relax but because of the "details" I can't even do that. Hopefully things will turn around soon.

I am currently in sticker shock from remodeling quotes on our Master Bath. For about a year & a half we have been contemplating redoing our Master Bath. It's part necessity and part just wants. We are currently not getting any use out of our tub or shower. Our shower is leaking and our tub is just "too BIG". Seriously it takes way too much water and time to clean it afterwards to be usable. So I just wanted to enlarge our shower by a wee bit with a glass enclosure with lots of jets spraying water at you in every direction, get a smaller jacuzzi type tub that would be more feasible to use, tile the floor, and probably replace vanities, lighting, faucets. Well today I received my 3rd quote and it's not any better than the last 2 quotes. I'm ready for my Master Bath. I've waited well over a year. I just hate to put that kind of money into a bath.

I had a totally blond moment last night. After church I pulled up to a gas station to get gas. There was a guy also pumping gas. Well for some reason when I walked around to put the hose in I didn't see my gas tank opening, so I just thought I pulled up to the wrong side. So I get in and pull around to the other side (the whole time this guy is watching me). Again I get out and the gas tank is on the other side. No way was I going to pull back around. I just get in and pull out. Grant asked me what I was doing. I told him I couldn't get pulled in right. So at the next gas station he tries to guide me on how to pull up to the gas pump. I couldn't help but laugh at myself and tell Cary what I had done. Note to AMY: ( I consider going to Sonic for a drink and never pushing the button and then wondering why they aren't bringing your drink a blonde moment too!!!!)

This week was report card week. Both kids are doing great, Madison is again on the honor roll and Grant had all + except for 2 things. One was self control, which I know he needs to work on and the other was his b-day. I am so proud of both of them. Madison has never struggled with school and Grant has totally surprised me with his enthusiasm and progress.

Grant is still struggling with Migraines. Since medicating him daily(at least I try to remember daily), he has had fewer and far between but he is still experiencing them. After having his 3rd one since school started I decided that I want to seek another opinion. So far he has only been seen by his Pediatrician and no test have been run. But I talked with his Pediatrician and requested a referral to a neurologist. I will feel better after he sees someone that specializes in Migraines. He will be seeing a neurologist in Nov. So please pray for him that if we can't eliminate them completely we will be able to make them more bearable.

A potato in a cup......

2006-09-15T08:52:00.000-05:00

Grant has been wearing glasses for a little over 2 years now. I have always wondered what he saw when he isn't wearing his glasses because he seems to see fine without them. So last night I was helping him with his homework. He was suppose to look through magazines and find things that started with "h". So I went through magazines and tore out pages that had pictures of things that started with "h" to speed the process along. I let him look at the pages I tore out and let him pick out the picture that needed to be cut. On one page there was a picture of the back of a girls head. It was an ad for hair growth. So it just showed the back of her head from the shoulders up. So I point at the picture and I say "Grant what is that?" He looks at it and his eyes cross slightly because he doesn't have his glasses on (they were still at the trampoline) and he says "A potato in a cup". It cracked me up. Because when you do look at it with slightly crossed eyes it does look like a potato in a cup. He is hilarious but doesn't try to be. It is so funny the things that comes out of his mouth.

Sunday at church the kids were given jars to save money for kids to buy vitamins & medicine with in foreign countries. Which was great since Cary & I had decided that the kids were going to have to start putting a quarter in a jar everytime they talked back or didn't do as they were told. Now their quarter would go for a good cause and hopefully teach a lesson. So last night Grant brings his jar to me and he has money in it. He was so proud of the money in his jar. I told him I was so proud of him for putting money in his jar that would buy vitamins and medicine for sick kids. He immediately said "no, this is my money." I said but "Grant there are sick kids that don't have any money to buy the medicine and vitamins that they need" he quickly replied "send them my medicine but I'm not giving them my money!"

I'M BACK......

2006-09-14T10:30:00.000-05:00

It's been almost a month since I blogged, so I don't know if I can remember everything that has happened. I've been on a "Detail" assignment in Nashville for the past 3 weeks. I kinda dreaded going but knew it was something I needed to do. In my line of work it's all about the 991(job application to regular people). For some reason the Government has to have a # for EVERYTHING and they expect us to know them too!!! The more "details/job experience" you can put on your 991 (plus knowing the right people) the better off you are. So that's what I've been doing--getting some good 991 material. Actually, I really loved it there. Since being in my office where I am alone 6 hours of the day, I never thought I would enjoy working with alot of people. But I did. The only down side was the hours. I am usually home by 3:45 and when working in Nashville I wouldn't get home until 5. Loosing that hour and driving an extra 40 miles a day kinda wore me out. The good side was when Cary worked in Mt. Juliet we could go to lunch together.

I got another "detail" assignment today. Only this one will only take an hour a day and I will be in my office the rest of the time.

Cary is still traveling off and on. Texas, Michigan and maybe even CHINA. He hasn't been on a "long" trip yet so everything is good.

KDG is going GREAT for Grant. He loves homework and seems so proud of himself. He's doing so good. I'm so glad I held him out an extra year. He's learning sounds and I love watching him sound out words. This week we are doing "Hh" so for hat he goes Hu Hu Hat and for car he will go Hu Hu Car. I'm trying to explain to him you don't say Hu Hu in front of every word.

Madison is not as crazy about 4th grade as I would like her to be. I don't think she likes the homework. But she is really smart. When checking her homework there are times that I have to ask Cary for the answer and she always has it right. She is really into reading right now. I have never really pushed her to read and she has seemed to pick up the habit on her own. After putting her to bed I would notice that she would take a little lamp that only has a nightlight bulb in it and read at night. So I bought her a light that we could clamp on the side of her bed and she could turn it off w/out getting out of bed. She usually is in bed by 8:30 but I know she reads till probably 9:30 every night.

That's all I can think of right now....

A Glimpse Into Our World.....

2006-08-16T10:28:00.000-05:00

**Thursday night as I was cleaning Madison's closet, the power went out. Apparently there was a bad storm going on and neither me or the kids even noticed. We went to Mom & Dad's to sit on the porch until it came back on. Then it was a mad rush to get everything done since it was already the kids bath time.

**Friday Cary returned from Wisconsin, but not before having to throw away all of his deodorant, hair gel, cologne and toothpaste. He was in a rush to catch the plane and with the new restrictions he just threw everything away and carried his bag on instead of checking it. He was in such a rush that he paid $80 to the rental car place just for gas, because he wasn't going to have time to fill it up before returning it. AND then he misses his plane. He was put on standby for the next plane. Which delayed him getting home by about 2 hours.

**Saturday was our usual lazy day. Breakfast at Waffle House with both kids. Then off to the store for some groceries. We went by his Mom's & visited with them for a while. Then back home to swim w/h his Mom & our S-I-L and nephews.

**Sunday was Life Group and then we came home for naps. The kids decided they wanted us to play softball with them. So we ended the night with a game.

**Monday--the kids loved softball so much they wanted to play again tonight. So they invited the neighbors over & we had a little game. All was going well until Grant threw the ball and hit Cary right in the eye. Cary never saw it coming. Cary fell to his knees and scared the kids half to death. Madison thought I done it since Grant & I was standing together. She was soooo MAD at me. I hated to throw Grant under the bus but I made sure her & Cary knew that I didn't do it. After we made sure he was alright--Madison & I had a little chuckle. Just replaying it in my head makes me giggle.

**Tuesday Cary finally got around to making the rabbit cage. Never ask an Engineer to make a simple rabbit cage. Something that I thought would take maybe 1 hour at the most took like 6. This rabbit has a top of the line cage that is two stories with a little hutch to get in when it's cold. It's so big I have no idea how Cary is going to get it moved to where it needs to be.

KDG has been going GREAT for Grant. He seems to really love school and I'm so glad!! Last night he had homework and he was so excited that he finally gets to do homework. We'll see how long that last. They are already learning to read some words. And I never realized it until last night that he can't say "the" or "th" he puts a "f" or a "v".

For the 1st time I had to enforce the cleaning rule

2006-08-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

Yesterday when I picked up the kids, Dad was on the porch and proceeded to tell me Grant had been smart with him. So when Grant got in the car, I calmly told him that when he got home he needed to get a rag and start cleaning baseboards. Madison asked why he had to clean and I told her because he was in trouble for his smart mouth. I asked her had she been smart mouthing too?? She said "No", but Grant said she done it too. I said well Pa didn't tell on her so I am going to assume she didn't.

So we go into the house and I give Grant his wet rag and tell him to start wiping. Madison comes up and says "Can I do that too?". Now usually she loves it when he gets into trouble & she doesn't but not this time. I just wonder if maybe she was a little guilty of the smart mouth too. So I had both kids wiping walls & baseboards.

Then my Dad calls & I told him Grant was cleaning for the way he talked to him. I could tell my Dad didn't want Grant to be in trouble. He said, "Kelli, don't be mean to him." I said, "I'm not being mean, I'm just making him wipe baseboards." You would have thought I was torturing him from my Dad's voice. So then he ask, "Is he mad at me?" I said, "I don't know, do you want to talk to him?" Grant got on the phone and told him politely that yes he was mad because he got him into trouble and then Grant started crying (he is very soft hearted). Well this tore my Daddy all to pieces and again he begged me not to be mean to him. I said I'm not being mean he's just wiping baseboards. So I'm sure my Dad will NEVER tell me again if my kids are being unruly.

When Cary Is Away (Again)

2006-08-09T12:23:00.000-05:00

Kelli will play....NOT!! Actually I cleaned. Not the usual everyday cleaning but the hardly ever gets done cleaning. I love a clean house. And I love to clean my house. BUT for some reason I don't keep closets or drawers very clean. I'm sure this is some kind of syndrome. So last night I decided to clean places that very rarely get cleaned. I started in the living room. There is only a couple of places in the living room where things can be stored but in those 2 places I collected half a garbage bag full. This inspired me to the end table in the dining room, again a drawer full of needless things. So then I head off to Madison's closet. Since she was outside entertaining the neighbors in the pool I felt like this would be the perfect time to clear out "clutter". I collected another half bag full of "stuff".

Next stop was Grant's closet. I went through his toy box and collected a whole bag full of unused toys. Anyone need boy toy's?? He came in while I was pulling the toys out and asked what I was doing. I told him I was making his "keeping his closet clean job" a whole lot easier. He didn't fall for it. He knew what I was doing. But even after pulling out all these toys his toy box still runneth over and I dare to say most of these toys don't ever get touched.

Next stop was downstairs play room. My main objective down there was to clear out the coloring books that had been on the shelves forever and never get used. I figured I could donate them to church. Well to my surprise I came up with a whole garbage bag full of nothing but coloring books. I found a couple of other books and threw them in the bag. Other things that I "discovered" while cleaning: at least 10 boxes of crayons(new & old), 50+ pencils & ink pens, notebooks, folders, glue, markers, film for a 35mm (which I haven't had in forever), pictures that I had forgotten about that I was wanting to get framed, 2 old phones, sunglasses, the key thingy to my truck(still in the plastic bag), lots of playing cards all mixed together, and lots of other things not worth mentioning.

When Madison saw what I was doing in Grant's closet she knew what was next. I told her one night this week I would be doing the same with her toy box(she has no idea I already got half a bag of other things out). She said she had already went through all of her toys and there was nothing else to get rid of. I told her I beg to differ. Half of her toys are coming out also and hopefully donated to some needy child. Anyone need girl toys??

It's kind of embarrassing to see all that they have and have to give away good stuff because they never play with it. But to mine & Cary's defense we DON'T buy 98% of this stuff. It comes from grandparents, aunts & uncles, or especially a very generous great grandmother(Gran-Gran) or given to us for the exact same reason we are giving it away.

And to be fair I worked on my closet also. I still have more work to do in there. Thurs I will finish my closet, finish Madison's closet, clean under Madison's bed, work on kitchen drawers and if I'm still in the mood head down stairs to the toy closet. Hopefully when Cary comes home Friday there will be a clean house with no clutter hiding in drawers or closets. And all he will have to do, besides cleaning out his night stand drawer, is haul the many bags to the dump.

Grant's bunny is gone..

2006-08-08T14:15:00.000-05:00

First let me explain how we got the bunny. A couple of weeks ago my niece called & wanted to know if we wanted a bunny. A friend of a friend had one to give away. I immediately said "NO". She kept calling & begging me to take this bunny. It had it's own cage & everything. After thinking about how much joy it would bring Madison, and the fact that it was free, I agreed to take it. So the bunny was suppose to be delivered Sunday. Sunday came & went & no bunny. So then they were going to bring it Monday. Monday same thing. Finally the friend of a friend let my niece know that she couldn't part with the bunny. It could have been because I made it perfectly clear that no way no how the bunny wasn't coming inside the house. I didn't care if it was 10 below outside the bunny would just have to take care of itself.

So end of story, right?? No--Madison had her heart set on a bunny. So she spends every waking hour on the internet searching & reading about bunnies. Before I could even get to work she was calling me to tell me about a bunny she found. Only the bunnies she found were like $175. I told her I almost didn't take the free bunny, no way was I going to pay $175 for one. This lasted a couple of days, and by this time I was so sick of hearing about bunnies. I told her if she had to talk about bunnies to save it until she was with my Dad and tell him about them. She said he told her he was tired of hearing about it too!!

Well of course my Dad can't stand for her to want for anything(that is within reason), so he gets my Mom to find her a bunny. Someone my Mom works with has bunnies and they are $5 so my Dad gets 2 of them and brings them to my house a little over a week ago. Since Cary is out of town and can't build a cage all we have to keep the bunnies in is a large pet carrier inside a dog pen. At first we only let the rabbits out when Madison was with them. Then little by little we left them out longer. Well Sunday night Madison forgot to put them up. I told her it should be OK since they have been fine. Plus I hate to know they are in that pet carrier all day long.

So yesterday when Madison comes home, she comes running to the house and says that Grant's bunny is gone. Our first thought was it got out of the pen & the dogs(that have sat by the pen non-stop just waiting) got it. But we didn't see any fur or remains. My Mom thought a hawk got it. Last night as the kids were swimming & playing outside Madison went up to the pen and what did she see?? The rabbit. She tried to catch it but it just ran from her. It ran into some heavy grown up weeds and brush. Cary tried to find it but couldn't. We left the gate open to the pen hoping it would go back in there at night time. At 10:00 Cary & I went back out with the flashlight looking for it, but didn't find it. When I told my Mom this story she said just go into the brush & get it. I told her I wasn't getting snake bit for a $5 rabbit.

This morning still no rabbit. But when Cary was leaving for work he saw it. He said he took off running after it, I hope the neighbors didn't see him!!! But again it ran into the brush(that looks like snake heaven). So tonight I guess we'll have to keep watch for the hiding rabbit and hopefully my dogs haven't got a hold of it today.

Why does the weekend fly by??

2006-08-07T11:56:00.000-05:00

Friday afternoon after work I headed to my parent's house to pick up the kids. We went home fed the animals(3 dogs & 2 rabbits) and headed to Mt. Juliet to go shopping. This weekend was tax free shopping on most things, so I was definitely going to take advantage of it. I was trying to keep that we were going shopping as quite as I could because my kids & especially Madison HATES to shop. I needed Madison to go with me because she desperately needed new shoes. When she found out where we were going she never did complain. I think she really wanted new shoes & was willing to endure shopping with me to get them. Plus we were meeting Daddy in Mt. Juliet. He was coming home from Texas where he has been for the past 10 days.

It came a downpour on us on the way there, which was terrible to drive in. But it did lessen the crowds. We had no trouble finding parking & getting in & out of stores. Cary even got some much needed things he needed. Once we got home my brother came & got the kids to let them spend the night with him. And then we literally both crashed.

We didn't wake up until 10:00 the next morning & probably wouldn't have gotten up then if my Mom hadn't called. We checked on the kids to see if they wanted to go with us to the Waffle House ( this has become our Sat tradition). No takers they didn't want to go. So Cary & I went. Once we got home our kids were already there and my S-I-L left my nephew with us so she could go shopping. I took a nap while Cary watched the kids. When I got up they were in the pool so I joined them. We stayed in the pool the rest of the afternoon.

Yesterday it was so hot we stayed in the pool all day. Cary's family came over to swim with us. Then after everyone left we took the kids to my parents and Cary & I headed out on the motorcycle. This was the first time I've rode this year. So I was saying lots of prayers. Motorcycles really scare me, I mean REALLY scare me. But I try to ride with Cary some because he enjoys it and I do trust Cary. I would probably NEVER ride with anyone else. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at a restaurant we rarely eat at and then picked up a couple of things at Target I had forgotten to get Fri night. This would be a great way to shop for someone on a budget because there is only so much you can fit into those saddle bags. Then we headed home and since we were going 80mph(hence the praying) we made it home in no time. We sat out on the porch and watched the clouds. It is amazing to see objects in clouds. We spotted a sea horse(although I thought it looked like a unicorn with wings), goofy, rooster, top hat and a dog. And then little by little poof they would disappear. We sat and watched the clouds slowly go away.

We bathed the kids and tucked them in and tried to watch Anchorman. I got through the first the 30 minutes and couldn't hold my eyes open. Cary said he would turn it off & we would watch it again tonight. He seemed a little upset that we were going to sleep at 9:30. But I needed it. After 10 days of being the sole parent I was worn out.

I'm addicted to blogs.

2006-08-03T14:01:00.000-05:00

There I said it. Isn't that the first step to recovery?? I spend hours, I'm ashamed to admit how many, reading blogs. And if that's not bad enough, most of the bloggers I don't even know. I will probably never know them but I am entertained by reading about their life. So the other day I am reading some unknown blog and there is a "Tour of homes" blog. This lady started on her blog a tour of homes and invited everyone to participate. There is like 249 homes on there. So all week long I have been "looking" into strangers homes. And you know what I love it. I love looking at houses anyhow and this is perfect. Since I'm on dial up I can only view about 20 houses a day. And that takes almost my entire working day!! My husband thinks I'm crazy.

These last couple of days I am beginning to feel the effect of Cary being out of town. Ten days is a LONG time. I miss him, the kids miss him and I know he misses us. I have spent lots of late nights talking to him because I think he is a combination of bored/homesick. His plane can't land fast enough for me tomorrow. And of course there is stuff we need to do. I plan on taking advantage of the no sales tax and going shopping. So I will be meeting him in Nashville and dragging him along. Cary is the best shopping buddy I have ever had. He just follows me around in and out of stores around and around stores and never complains.

The kids started school this week and so far 4th grade seems to be a lot better than 3rd. I know your thinking it's only the first week but so far there has been NO homework and that wasn't the case last year. We had homework every night and even weekends. When I got Madison's TCAP results back she had tested advanced. And no wonder between school all day and homework that took anywhere from 1-3 hours every night she should have been advanced. Grant's 1st day will be tomorrow. I would have posted a picture of their registration day but I can't download pictures on the computer so I'm waiting for Cary to come home to do that.

Today is election day and my brother is running for the School Board. I told him if he wanted my vote he was going to have to give me a free ride to the polls. So he will be picking me up at 4:00. Other than him I have no idea who to vote for. I'm not really into politics because I never know who is trustworthy. I don't even know for sure if I'm Republican or Democrat. I claim to be a Republican but my Dad insist that I'm not that I'm a Democrat. He says Republican's are just rich people and I said yeah that's what I want to be so I'm Republican.

45 minutes until time to go home....I can probably get a couple more houses looked at.

I'm loosing my mind!!

2006-08-01T12:31:00.000-05:00

Let me explain. Yesterday I had a "little" swimming party with some friends from church. It was a last minute kind of thing. But there was 19 people at my house, 15 kids & 4 adults. I had taken the day off work to register the kids for school. And since I haven't taken off all summer to just be at home & invite friends over to swim, I decided yesterday would be perfect. It did rain on our party so we all ended up inside for about 45 mins. But other than that we had a great time ( or at least I did).

Now here comes the part about me loosing my mind. When every body was leaving and gathering their stuff I noticed 4 "very nice" looking towels laying in the middle of the floor. I tried my best to find who they belonged to because I KNEW they weren't mine. My towels are not that nice. They looked familiar even though I KNEW they weren't mine. They would even match my decor I thought. Nobody claimed them so we just assumed they were Amy's since she had already left. So Andrea graciously said she would take them to her.

So....Last night when I'm trying to go to sleep at 11:00P.M. What pops into my head??? Those are my towels. I went downstairs where I knew there were some towels on a bakers rack thingy and sure enough my towels were gone. Well now I couldn't go to sleep. I thought Andrea is going to think I'm crazy because I assured her they were not my towels.

Well long story short Andrea & I had a great laugh about it this morning. She said she called Amy on the way home to let her know she had her towels & Amy said they weren't hers. So they thought they were the neighbors. I should have let them think that and never told them any different. If I ever get robbed it would take me days to figure out what was missing and chances are I might not even miss it!!!!!

I'm going to have the cleanest house

2006-07-26T09:19:00.000-05:00

And I'm not going to have to do anything. Let me explain. I have had it up to here with the kids arguing. They argue for the fun of it. I really think they enjoy it. I don't. I have had it. After picking up the kids yesterday at my Dad's and listening to them argue over some kind of trophy that they both wanted, there was no way the trophy was coming to my house. I don't even know what kind of trophy it was. But it's not just a trophy or even just yesterday it is everyday over something. SO I called a family meeting last night. We all sat down and I calmly explained that I was tired of the CONSTANT arguing. So this is my plan the next time they are caught arguing they have to clean. I'm going to start them off on the walls and baseboards and if it continues who knows what will be next. So far there has been no arguing at my house. But this is Day 2, so we will see.

Cary left this morning for Texas....again. This is a long trip-10 days- so I'm not looking forward to it. I never look forward to it but I can handle the shorter trips a lot better than the 10 day ones. School starts Monday so I will have to try to start getting the kids back on a schedule later this week. Grant will be starting KDG Monday. I keep telling him Monday you will be going to school. He doesn't seem to mind. I really think he is ready. He is already 6. I held him back just to make sure he would be ready. I am so glad that I did. The only thing is he looks so much bigger than the other kids. Usually other kids think he is in like 2nd grade. It is so funny when he tells them he is not in school. They usually don't believe him.

We had a great night last night. When Cary is going out of town we try to spend extra quality time with the kids. So last night Cary cooked dinner for us. Then after dinner we went to the back of our lot where Cary mowed a track for the go-cart. Madison rode the go-cart and Grant rode his dirt bike. Cary & I walked along the track trying to stay out of their way. They even took turns riding. NO arguments...maybe my new rule will work!!

100 Things About Me...

2006-07-21T11:03:00.000-05:00

I've seen this done on other blogs and I am going to attempt it. Surely I can come up with 100 things but if I can't I will just make it up. You be the judge!!!

1. My birthday is July 18, 1972.
2. My middle name is Leann
3. I have 2 brothers
4. I am the middle child
5. Both my brothers go by their middle name; I go by my first
6. My first job was at Sonic
7. I have had 8 jobs including my current one
8. I have been at my current job 10yrs this Sept
9. I have 2 kids
10. I have been married for 12 years
11. I have the best husband in the world
12. I live within 5 miles of my parents, brothers, grandparents, and aunt & uncle, cousins
13. Both sets of my grandparents are living
14. I have a phobia regarding cats
15. I don't like to get dirty
16. I love to clean
17. Vacuuming is my favorite past time
18. I love to nap
19. I love to be pampered
20. I'm spoiled
21. I love my job
22. I will be debt free June of 2007
23. I have been to Smoky Mtns, Chicago, Texas, & South Carolina so far this year
24. I love to fly
25. I hate to drive long distance w/h kids
26. The girl that highlights my hair went to school with me from KDG-High School
27. I still keep in touch with 2 friends from High School
28. I drive a SUV
29. I have a pool but hardly ever swim in it
30. I love to watch Reality TV
31. I have 4 sister-n-laws
32. I have 1 brother-n-law
33. I have 4 nephews and 2 nieces
34. My inlaws live within 15 minutes from me
35. I love junk food
36. I have never eaten a salad
37. I prefer chicken over steak
38. I love to shop
39. I try to be frugal
40. I don't have a gall bladder
41. I don't like to exercise but wish I did
42. I love to walk
43. 2 things I hate to clean: refrigerator and toilets
44. I have lived in my house for 9 years
45. I was 21 when I got married (I turned 22 exactly 1 month later)
46. My kids go to the same school I went to
47. They have some of the same teachers
48. I think I was a good kid
49. I don't like being told what to do
50. Sometimes I rebel
51. I love to talk
52. I can water ski
53. I played basketball in elementary school
54. I'm not very athletic
55. I can't run to save my life
56. I think my lungs are deformed
57. I like to be silly
58. I love to laugh
59. I like being with a group of people
60. I don't like being the center of attention
61. I have passed these traits on to Madison
62. I am not an animal lover
63. My job is not stressful at all
64. I plan on working for at least 25 more years
65. I very rarely cry
66. I am not an emotional person
67. I am very independent
68. I have great friends
69. I love having people over
70. I want to build another house
71. I drive 20 minutes to work
72. I love to take pictures
73. I am not really blonde
74. I love to go out to eat
75. I am not a morning person
76. I love sleeping in
77. I could stay up all night
78. Snoring gets on my nerves
79. Lots of things get on my nerves
80. I don't always think about other people first
81. I am impatient
82. I don't give my kids everything just because I can
83. I want my kids to have a great childhood
84. I want my kids to be able to confide in me
85. I use Crest white strips
86. I don't take vitamins but should
87. I usually forget to match my pocketbook to my outfit
88. My closet is a mess
89. I want to redo the floors in my house
90. I want to redo the master bath
91. I need patio furniture
92. I sleep on my side
93. I have to have a sleep machine
94. I make the kids clean up after themselves
95. I usually only eat 2 meals a day
96. I love babies
97. I love weekends
98. Up until 2 yrs ago I worked every Sat since I was 17
99. I'm craving Mexican
100. I miss my hubby, he's on his way home right now from Chicago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That wasn't too bad and I didn't even have to make anything up.

Your candles are melting the cake...

2006-07-19T20:15:00.000-05:00

Is not something you say to a girl on her birthday. You couldn't even see the cake for the candles. I think he had way too many candles but I failed to count them. Maybe the cake was just really really small. The kids acted like it was their birthday. Grant helped blow out the candles and they both helped open the gifts. I got a new study bible. I really needed one since I haven't had a new bible since I was like 13. I have gotten out of the habit of carrying my bible to church. I use to never go to church w/out my bible, but since having kids and having to carry a diaper bag and now their bibles, I am sorry to say I got out of the habit of carrying mine. I just found it easier to share with Cary. But now I have my very own. And I also got a case too!!!

The kids had a blast at Chuck E Cheese's. I promised to try to do this more often. We took 3 extra kids with us, so we had 5 kids total. We gave each kid 40 tokens apiece and everything just takes 1 token so they got plenty of play time. Although I am sure they would have loved 40 more tokens.

I still haven't had a piece of cake so I think I will go have a piece!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.........TO ME!!!!!

2006-07-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

Today's my birthday!!!!!!! And guess what I will be doing tonight?? For my birthday I plan on taking the kids to ChuckECheese's. Actually I have been planning on taking them for a while and why not on my b-day!!

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I had another day of training in Nashville yesterday and all went well. I didn't sleep very well last night because of all the information going through my head. I worked until 9P.M. so I didn't have a lot of downtime before going to bed. I also was offered a job in Nashville yesterday. I was kind flattered since this was just my 2nd day there, but it definitely was not a job I am interested in full-time. Today I will be in Murfreesboro for yet another training session. Thankfully this one will only last 2 hours and then I will be on my way home.

Right now it seems like both of our careers (Cary & mine) are in full steam. So hopefully we will be able to keep things in perspective and not over burden ourselves. I try to support Cary 100% in his job and I feel like he supports me 100%. I came home last night to a clean house, clean dishes, clean clothes and clean kids and a warm bath. What more could I ask for?? I know I take Cary for granted MANY times, but he really is the best husband!!!

Note to self...

2006-07-12T14:19:00.000-05:00

Those cute little braids that have been in Madison's hair since vacation were torture to get out. I don't know if I will do that again. I helped my niece take hers out right after we came back. I had to wash & rewash & condition her hair and it still was tangled. I have been putting off taking Madison's out for that exact reason. I didn't think Madison's would be as bad as Haley's because Haley's hair is really dry and Madison's isn't. I'm working on a detail assignment so I had to work 12-9 last night. So I told Cary to get the braids out. When I walked in around 9:30 he was washing & conditioning & conditioning & conditioning Madison's hair. Her hair was coming out in chunks. She wasn't whining & took it pretty good. So now I have to go back to fixing her hair again!!!

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Grant has been going to VBS with the neighbors all week. He really seems to enjoy it and even got to see one of his favorite friends from pre-school there. Madison was invited too, but decided she would rather be home with us. She really enjoys getting all the attention!!

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Like I said before I'm working a detail assignment. I'm going to be a backup so hopefully I won't have to put in much time because the hours are 12-9. I'm working out of the district office so this gives me lots of recognition. The cons are the hours. The pros is who knows where this will lead me. I am extremely happy with where I'm at but there is another office I have my eyes on that will be opening at the first of next year so hopefully this will help me and my family with what's best for us.

Our Neighbors

2006-07-10T14:26:00.000-05:00

A little over a year and a half ago, we had the most wonderful neighbors. They had 2 kids boy age 13 & girl age 11. They got along perfect with my kids. They would come down every afternoon as soon as we got home and play/entertain my kids until bed time. I absolutely enjoyed every minute of having them as neighbors. Not only did my kids have someone to play with but they got along. But they would also play. They hardly ever would come inside so they would do everything imaginable outside. Then their parents decided this wasn't their dream house and decided to sell. I secretly prayed their house wouldn't sale. (I'm joking!!)

Then when they couldn't find land in our area they decided to track off part of their 10 acres and build on it after selling the house. Well finally after over a year of building they are back. They moved in the week we were on vacation. We came home on Sunday night and on Monday night they spent the night at our house along with my niece. Needless to say my house was destroyed. But there was not one single argument. They came back July 4th to swim and this Saturday the kids spent all afternoon and evening together.

The kids usually are at my house because my kids are younger & I want to make sure my kids are behaving. A couple of hours after they had played Madison wanted to go home with Chasity. I told her it would be OK but Grant couldn't go. Grant is the type if he sees them outside he just goes over. Grant was devestated when he couldn't go. Nevermind that Josh stayed at our house to play with him, he wanted to go to their house. So he sat on the porch steps & cried & cried & cried.

Then Chasity walked back over to tell Josh it was dinner time and invited Grant to dinner. He wanted to go so bad and since I didn't want to cook I let him go. He still had on his shirt & shorts that he had been swimming in and they were still wet and he was going to go like that. I told him he had to change his clothes first. While I was helping him change I reminded him of his manners and how to act. One of the things he loves to do is pass gas and yell safety, I don't know where this comes from but both my kids have started doing that. So I specifically told him not to do the safety thing in their house. He said "Can I do it outside?" I said if you must just don't do it in their house. Then he said "What if Madison does it?" I said she knows better.

The rest of the evening they went back and forth between the houses playing and making home movies. They just don't realize they have it made.

A day on the farm....

2006-07-07T10:47:00.000-05:00

Sunday on our way home, my brother called to let us know one of the cows had twins. The cow didn't have enough milk for both so this one stays in the barn and gets bottle fed twice a day. Guess who is loving every minute of this??? Yesterday Godilocks had her baby colt. And there is also some "wild" baby kittens. Madison makes it her mission to try and catch the kittens everyday. She puts on that big black glove and chases them down. Last night she actually got scratched and bitten. She is braver than me, I'm not going no where near those wild evil things!!!

We're Back!!!

2006-07-06T13:16:00.000-05:00

We enjoyed a great 8 day vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with lots of family. It was approximately a 9 hour drive for us, but other than that it was great. The kids were fairly good with occasional melt downs. Madison was ready to come home after about 3 days. She missed her dog. It was HOT all week with occasional showers. Cary & the kids parasailed. We went on a dolphin sight seeing cruise, putt putt golfing, amusement parks, crab hunting, shopping and of course eating. We went to the beach every morning and then to the pool for the afternoon. We would go out around 12 every night and hunt for crabs on the beach. Some nights they would stay out until 4 looking for them. Grant & I would never last that long. We usually went back to the condo around 2, after I had carried him for an hour. Of course we missed the excitement of finding the big one. It actually clamped down on my brother's finger and wouldn't let go. I would have given anything to seen that!! He still has a cut on his finger from that and he said it was pretty sore. I tried to take lots of family pictures and of course that was a nightmare. It never failed one kid would be happy and the other ill. And as you can see they love to make faces in pictures.(Madison is crossing her eyes) I told her these pictures were going to be our x-mas cards this year and everyone was going to see her "funny" picture. We came home with 2 new family members (2 Hermit Crabs). They've already been dropped twice so we'll see how long they last. Now we're trying to adjust back to the real world. Going to bed at a decent time and getting up early!!

Why can't I do that?

2006-06-23T19:14:00.000-05:00

They make it look so easy!! But nope Momma couldn't do it. I tried & tried.

I caught a rabbit!!!!

2006-06-23T09:10:00.000-05:00

Madison busted through the door last night and with pure joy shouted, "I caught a rabbit!!!" This was not her first attempt. A couple of weeks ago Cary & I were sitting outside and all of a sudden we saw Madison running in the front yard. I mean she went by like the Tazmanian Devil. I looked at Cary & said "What is she doing?" Come to find out she was chasing a rabbit. Last year Cary caught 2 baby rabbits. Madison was tickled to death. Even though I didn't want her to keep them I couldn't bear to make her get rid of them. I think they lasted about a week. I was told "wild" rabbits just won't survive. And I learned a valuable lesson. They stink, so no rabbits in my house!!

Madison is an animal lover. It doesn't matter what it is she loves it. She has asked for every animal you could think of. I am not an animal lover. Actually dogs & horses are about all I care for. I kinda dread the day she gets her own house. I'm afraid she might be known as the "dog lady", "cat lady", "hamster lady" etc... She even tells me she will have every animal she can think of in her house. Hopefully she will marry someone who doesn't like cats & hamsters so I can at least visit her!!

Back to the rabbit last night. She didn't actually catch it she saved it from the dogs. The dogs had it in their mouth and she rescued it. When I went outside it was just laying there. It would move a little but not anything like it should have been. I told her the dogs have hurt it way too bad and it probably wouldn't make it. She checked it over and said she couldn't feel any broken bones and it wasn't bleeding it was just lifeless. After a couple of minutes I told her I thought it had died. She said it just needed some air. I told her to give it mouth to mouth (I wouldn't have let her, I was just going to see if she would do it). She did pick it up and blow in its face thinking that would help, but it didn't.

She wanted to bury it so I told Cary to get his shovel. His response was let the dogs have it. Madison & Grant were mortified. So he got his shovel. Madison picked out a spot under a tree and we buried it and Madison made a cross to put on the grave. Grant just sat beside the grave and cried (He's the sensitive one).

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Look out Beach here we come!!!!!!

The Year of The Rat

2006-06-21T10:09:00.000-05:00

According to a Zodiac web site that Cary found anyone born in the years 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 are people born in the Year of the Rat. It goes on to say that People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox. (Cary was born in the year of the Dog)

That describes me to a tee. But what is even scarier is that Madison was born in 1996. So we are both Rat's.

If Momma Ain't Happy........

2006-06-20T14:04:00.000-05:00

Then nobody will be happy. This happened in our house last night. I came home last night with an extra kid(Haley) and I should have known it would be chaos. When it's just my kids it's pretty peaceful around our house. But if you add just one more child regardless of who it is; it turns to chaos. I had kids running, screaming, slamming doors, kicking, crying, you name it & they were doing it. I decided not to cook and grab a pizza since we were suppose to go to Cary's Mom & Dad's. Cary was busy working on moving a pile of dirt that he has been working on since Saturday.

Cary came in about 6:30 and decides we would just go to his Mom & Dad's tomorrow night. I really didn't care one way or the other but now I had to find something to cook. I don't really enjoy cooking and look for every opportunity to get out of it. I decided to grill hamburgers & make homemade french fries(since I didn't have any frozen ones). Well guess what my kids wouldn't touch the homemade fries because they still had the peeling on them.

Grant started whining when he found out we were having hamburgers. When he says he wants a hamburger he really means he wants a bun with cheese & ketchup (and yes we have ordered that at McDonalds before!). Well I told him he was eating the hamburger with meat. So while I was grilling I flipped one of the hamburgers off the grill onto the concrete. I really thought about putting it back on the grill and marking it so I wouldn't get it, but I saw dog hair on it and decided to let the dogs have it. Grant got his wish. No meat on his bun.

Haley went home around 8:00 and soon after I heard Madison & Grant arguing again. SO....off to bed they go. Grant was crying that it was still morning and too early to go to bed. He cried for at least 30 minutes. My nerves were about shot.

So Cary finally comes in and I unloaded on him. I told him not to take it personally because I'm sure it's just PMS. But I needed some more help around the house. He felt awful and then I felt awful. He promised to do better & I know he will. I know I expect things to be perfect and when it's not I come unglued. I'm going to try harder to work on letting the small stuff go.

Today I feel much better and in control again...

Dead bird & heart shaped shrimp

2006-06-16T13:27:00.000-05:00

Last night when I came home Madison had found a dead bird on our back porch. She had it in a plastic shovel carrying it around. I told her to throw it away & I thought she did. While I was cooking dinner she was making Cary's fathers day card. She always makes us a card and she is very creative. I love seeing what she comes up with. I hope Cary is not reading this because I'm fixing to tell about her card. She wanted a newspaper that I was reading so she could cut out the letters. She cut out all the letters to spell out her message and then taped them on. It looked really good. Then I put her dinner in front of her. She found a heart shaped shrimp and was going to tape it onto her card. I wouldn't let her do that. She said "Man daddy is missing everything first the dead bird & now this shrimp that is shaped like a heart."

Later when we went outside to swim I saw the bird still in the shovel next to the house. This time I made sure she got rid of it. She was saving it to show to Cary when he got home.

Sold!!

2006-06-16T13:01:00.000-05:00

I think we might have one of the puppies sold. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Molly has had 2 or 3 litters since we have had her and each time we say we are going to sale the pups but never do. It takes alot of time & effort to sale puppies. We finally posted the pictures Monday & received an e-mail yesterday. They are coming at 7:00 tonight to look at them. Yesterday I was ready to give up and give them away like we always do. But now I have hope that we will be able to sale both of them. I made a deal with Madison that she could have the money from one of the pups & I would get the money for the other one. Last night when I told her that someone was coming to look at the puppy, I told her I had sold mine now she needed to try & sale hers. She didn't agree. She said hers was the one getting sold. I'm going to try & do a guilt trip on the guy & get him to take both!!!

Cary comes home today after another week in Texas!! Since the end of April he has spent 4 1/2 weeks in Texas. This was a short trip so it wasn't so bad. Tuesday night my mom came up to swim and ended up taking both kids home with her. So I had the whole house to myself!!! It's funny when Cary is home I never think about people breaking into the house and stuff like that but as soon as he leaves that's all I think about. So Tues night I was a little afraid. I kept thinking I was hearing things. Of course I wasn't going to get up & see. It didn't help that on Monday night right before Cary left he told me he couldn't sleep because he thought he heard someone in the house. That's just not something you should say before your leaving to go out of town.

This weekend is going to be great. Not only is the 18th Father's Day but it's Our Anniversary. 12 years together. We've had our ups & downs, but mostly ups I think!! I've grown up with Cary and hope to grow old with him. If he hasn't killed me by now chances are he won't!! I've made reservations for us to go to Chaffin's Barn & Dinner theater on Saturday night. I hope that it is good. We have wanted to go for some time. I will let you know Monday how it goes.

OH NO!!

2006-06-15T11:08:00.000-05:00

>>I've done it now!! I was trying to be helpful and get the yard mowed before Cary comes home. I got it mowed.....except for one little strip by the driveway. That's when it happened. The motor revved up and then I heard a clicking noise. I quickly cut it off. I called Cary immediately. This was the 2nd time I had called him. The 1st time I noticed the temp. gauge was lit up. I have no idea how long it was on. Actually the only reason I noticed was because it was starting to smoke. He talked me through what to do and said I could continue to mow. So I did. And now we have a lawn mower sitting at the bottom of our yard blown up. He said I probably blew the motor up. I asked him if he was mad at me & he said "No, I'm fine with it as long as your fine with it." See I handle the finances, so now I will have to spend $ on something I wasn't counting on. And right before vacation too!!! Oh well, I'm just thankful I have the money to repair it & go on vacation!!!!

>>While I was mowing I told the kids they had to play outside. I didn't want them in the house watching TV when it was so nice outside. Grant came to the front yard where I was at & kept saying something. I couldn't hear him over the lawnmower so I motioned for him to come to me. He wanted me to catch a lizard that they had found. I told him NO WAY! He later showed me the lizard. It was at the top of the house right under the gutter. Him & Madison were taping(with scotch tape) sticks together to try and reach it. They never did catch it..Thankgoodness!!

Today is Beautiful!!

2006-06-13T12:10:00.000-05:00

I've got the front door & back door open in my little office. There is a gentle breeze blowing and the sun is shining. I just finished my daily walk at the park next door. I am so blessed. This is the best job in the world. I know those that know me get so tired of hearing me praise my job, but you just don't understand how wonderful it is!!!

This weekend was another fun filled one. Saturday started off with Cary & I sleeping until 9:00. That is very unusual. But since we had slept so late we decided to go out for breakfast. Madison refused to go with us, she is in a "stage" where she doesn't want to go ANYWHERE. So we left her home. Grant chose Waffle House. He loves going to the Waffle House and sitting at the counter & watching them cook. Then we were off to the Pool store. I hate going there because we always spend $$ on chemicals. Then off to the greenhouse to pick up some flowers. I got the bright idea to plant flowers beside the driveway. Of course it was my idea but Cary has to do ALL the work. While he planted Grant & I sat in the shade & eventually laid in the shade. At one point Grant actually fell asleep.

After much sweat & work Cary got everything planted. Then back to the house we go. I remembered there was a ceiling fan I had purchased for Grant's room that needed to be put up. Somehow the blades got broke on his last one?? So no rest for Cary he went right to work putting up the ceiling fan. Cary's Mom & nephew came over for some afternoon swim time.

Doo Dah

2006-06-09T12:14:00.000-05:00

This word came to me last night and I decided to call Cary "Doo Dah". He didn't like it so that made me want to do it more! I know I've got a mean streak that lives in me. I try to be good but sometimes it comes out!! I even told him I was going to call his work today and have them page him over the intercom saying "Doo Dah Lollar you have a phone call!!"

And before you start feeling sorry for him, he calls me "Mommy Dearest". Every time I ask him to do something I get "Yes, Mommy Dearest".

Well I can no longer call him "Doo Dah". He had a nightmare last night that I was mean to him and kept doing all these bad things to him and I wouldn't stop. He seemed bothered by it so for now I won't taunt him!!!!

The Lord knows he has earned his star for putting up with me!!!

What a way to wake up....

2006-06-07T10:18:00.000-05:00

This morning at 5:45 AM I hear the dog bark and then I hear MY DAD say "Kelli". He was standing outside our bedroom door. I said "What?". He said "Come here". I am NOT a morning person and it takes me a while to get up, but when your Dad is standing outside your bedroom door at 5:45 and he doesn't live at my house, I get up. My first thoughts were Oh No someone has died and it's so bad he's come to my house to tell me about it.

So I open the door and there stands my Dad holding the new puppy that Madison gave him. It had a fish hook hung in its lip and he couldn't get it out. He didn't know what to do so he brought it to Cary. By this time the kids are awake and they all head downstairs so Cary could remove the fish hook. I went back to bed. I don't know who depends on Cary more; me or my family!!!

Daddy Day Care

2006-06-06T10:08:00.000-05:00

Well the kids or should I say my Dad survived the 1st day of babysitting both kids. My Dad(Pa) retired in January of 2005. He took on the roll of taking Madison to school & keeping her after school & during the summer. He get's along really good with Madison. She's a Daddy's girl & a Pa's girl. She has him wrapped around her finger & pretty much gets anything she wants. Anyhow Pa wasn't quite brave enough to keep both Madison & Grant. When you have one it's not that bad, but when you put them together it can be trying.

This year Pa has kept Grant a little more and decided he would keep him this summer too. I'm glad that Grant get's to experience the summer like Madison. They ride 4wheelers, ride tractors, swim, & spend time with Haley & alot of time just being a kid on the farm. The only part that has me worried is the eating part. See growing up I've never seen my Dad cook. The only thing I think I have seen him cook was fried bologna. My kids won't eat that. I think he pretty much lets them eat whatever and drink Coke all day long.

So last night at supper I was questioning what they had eat that day. Madison said she had a peanut butter & jelly sandwich for breakfast & that was pretty much all she ate all day. She said there was no food at their house except for pinto beans in a can and that Pa said he didn't know how to fix those. So I told her I would get some ham and stuff like that so she could fix a sandwich. She said "Oh, they have that kind of stuff!!"

All I heard Grant mention was a Hershey's candy bar. We asked Grant if he had any Coke, he said no, but with that look that Cary & I both knew he had. So Cary said "You didn't drink ANY Coke today?" Again "NO!!" Then Madison says "Yes he did, He had a Pepsi at Gran-Gran's" so Cary looks at Grant and says "Did you have a Pepsi?" Grant replies " Yes, but I didn't have Coke!!!"

Later that night Grant tells me that he fell off the 4 wheeler & Madison ran over him. I looked at Madison and she said "I didn't know he fell off". After talking to both of them I find out he was riding on the front which is a big NO-NO. I told them not to be riding on the front & Where was Pa??

Weekend Highlights

2006-06-05T10:48:00.001-05:00

**I had to work Saturday, so that was a bummer. Over the past 2 years I have come to enjoy my Saturday's. Ever since I started working at age 17 I have had to work Saturday's. I thought I would always have to work Saturday's, until an opportunity 2 years ago, that put me in my current position. I was not use to being off on Saturday's so at first it took a while to enjoy. Now I can't imagine it any other way. I really enjoy spending time with my family.

**Saturday we celebrated Haley's 12th birthday with a cookout-swimming-hayride party. The kids had lots of fun & were totally worn out by the end of the night. Madison wasn't too happy with me when I made her come home with us at 9:30. She had been going all day long & needed a bath and some sleep. I knew if she didn't get in bed we would PAY for it Sunday. After waking up yesterday morning she "tried" to still be upset with me but I told her that I prayed that God would make her happy and she couldn't help but smile.

**We had a great night last night with friends & ice cream. What a great way to start off the week. On the way home Madison was telling us about her class at church. She said they had a test & that the teacher said they would have lots of them. I asked her what was on the test and she said; On what day did God finish working? I said on the 6th because he rested on the 7th, Cary said the 7th. So of course the interior light comes on & Madison & I both pull out a bible and start looking. But then Cary brings the point out, that I have never thought about and that being God rested. Why did God have to rest?? Does God get tired?? And of course it came back to me & my naps. I said, "See if God needs rest so do I!"

I tried!!

2006-06-02T10:36:00.000-05:00

**We had some time last night to sit down & let hubby show me how to post pictures. To make a long story short I thought he erased ALL my pictures on my camera. I didn't want to be ugly, because he was trying to help, so I just walked upstairs. I had pictures from Easter & Mother's Day and Grant's B-day on there. I wanted to cry. Thank goodness he knew what to do and for the most part recovered most of them. The ones that didn't get recovered I have already downloaded them so that was no big deal. Our computer at home is not the best in the world & he was having trouble getting it to post my pictures. He spent several hours working on it. He's the type that HAS to figure out everything. So when he came to bed at 11:00 PM, he laid there for a minute and then said I have to go figure out why that's not working. I bet I will be able to post pictures tonight!! I have no idea what time he came to bed. He can function on no sleep, I can't!!!

**Today is Grant's last day at Pre School/Day Care!!! He is so excited. Grant is 6 and since WE decided not to send him to KDG last year he has been in Day Care a LONG time. He's ready for school I just hope they are ready for him!!! His KDG teacher was actually my KDG teacher. Yes we live in a small community and my kids go to the same school I attended. Madison had my KDG teacher & Cary's 1st grade teacher. The 1st grade teacher has since retired, so Grant won't have her.

Mahaley Paige

2006-06-01T12:07:00.000-05:00

**On this day 12 years ago my niece was born. Haley (what we call her) is an only child that has a life that most kids dream about. But she is a good kid. She was born about 2 1/2 weeks before Cary & I married, so she has been our "practice" baby. She was so much fun we could hardly wait to have our own kids. Now she's growing up, and spending more & more time with her friends. Madison looks up to her and loves spending time with her. So on this day Haley, I hope you have a great 12th birthday and I will be with you Sat night to help you celebrate!!!!

**I've hooked another blogger. I'm trying to get my friends to blog so that I can keep up with their lives since it is so hard to stay in touch on a regular basis. Barbara are you reading this??? Four kids is no excuse for not having time to blog!!!

He's Blogging

2006-05-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

After hearing numerous comments about things I have read on blogs--it's official--my hubby is a blogger too!!! He even copied & pasted someone's blog to me this morning because of something it said that he thought was hilarious!!

I was hoping to have some pictures posted, but I still haven't had time to sit down w/h hubby to let him teach me how. We had a great Memorial Day weekend. Saturday was spent lounging by the pool with the kids. Sunday we celebrated Grant's 6th birthday with lots of family and a great cookout. Monday was more lounging by the pool with family & friends.

Grant got a float that is motorized and looks like a jet ski, but it also squirts water. WHAT WAS I THINKING??? Between him & Madison fighting over it & me getting squirted I have already threatened to put it in the next yard sale!!! It also has a motorized fan on the bottom of it. It will only be a matter of time before Madison's hair winds up being tangled in it.

Cary & I are trying to cut out drinking cokes, not all the way just dramatically decrease our intake. Saturday Cary had 0 cokes and by 5:00 he was suffering a massive headache. Yesterday I only had about 8 ounces and last night I had a headache that just wouldn't go away. Today I feel much better.

Today Madison had to take one of her babies(puppy) to its new home. It just going to my Mom's but it still bothers Madison that it's leaving. She wanted to keep it 5 more weeks, but they are starting to eat puppy food and they are getting quite expensive. Madison's stays with my Dad during the day so she will see the puppy everyday but it still didn't make it easy for her. When I went into her room to wake her she was already outside getting the puppy and I'm sure letting Molly say goodbye to her baby. We'll see how things went this afternoon.

Naps

2006-05-26T13:16:00.000-05:00

As a child I was always "made" to take a nap on Sundays. I don't really remember putting up much of a fight though. So naturally as I have gotten older I LOVE my naps. Sometimes I have even napped for 3+ hours at a time. I work full-time so I usually don't get a nap during the day, but I have been guilty of going home after work and crashing on the couch and napping. It helps me, it reenergizes me, it refreshes me. My husband is the greatest and he loves for me to get my naps. He will often take the kids to the farm or somewhere just so I can nap in peace. Everybody wins. The kids are happy, he's happy and I'm happy. Until.........I was looking over Madison's 3rd grade papers of things she has wrote over the past year. One particular one caught my attention. At the top it is titled "My Family" and then she has drawn pictures of us. The 1st picture is of ME in bed asleep. The 2nd one is of her, Grant & dad playing ball in the yard. So is this how she sees our life? I am always asleep and she is having fun with her brother & dad. I guess I am going to have to forgo my naps and spend more fun time with them. I don't want to be remembered as always napping. I can always go back to napping once their grown!!!!

Introduction to My Life

2006-05-25T12:48:00.000-05:00

I am 33 years old and happily married to a wonderful guy named Cary. We have two amazing kids that keep us from being bored. They are Madison (9) and Grant (6). My hubby is currently in Texas for his job. I flew down with him on Mon the 15th but I had to come back Sun the 21st. We got to spend lots of quality time together. I got plenty of alone time. I even had 3 hours at the spa. That was wonderful. He couldn't believe that I wasn't bored being alone all day. I'm pretty much alone all day at work anyhow so I'm use to it. It was so hard to leave him but my kids needed me. Madison is going through a "stage" of wanting to be with us at all times and at home. So this trip was stressful for her. She has slept with me everynight since I came home except Tues. Grant heard her up Monday night when he was in bed so he decided that he was sleeping with me Tues night so that he could stay up. Madison being the older sister and pretty coniving she made him sign a slip of paper last night saying she could sleep with me the rest of the week. Madison is alot like me, very headstrong and independent she wants it her way or else. Grant is alot like Cary. He's easygoing and laid back and gives in to Madison when he really shouldn't.

Cary will be home tomorrow night and I can't wait to have him here. It's not fun being a single parent and it's really not fun during the summer. I don't know if the pool will ever be ready to swim in. I just can't take care of it like Cary can. Maybe it's because I really don't try.

Tuesday & Wednesday I had a procedure on my leg (EVLT) for vericose veins. Tuesday it wasn't so bad but last night I was starting to get sore & for some reason it is itching something awful. I don't know if it is the support hose or what but I am about to pull my hair out. I'm suppose to wear the support hose for 5 days which means I will be wearing them over the weekend. I was joking with the nurse and told her that I was going to look like I worked at Hooters with my stockings and shorts on. Can't you just picture that!!!

Finally!!

2006-05-25T12:44:00.000-05:00

OK, after several months of lurking, I have decided to blog. One of the main reasons being I will have "diary" of things that have happened. I'm generally not very good at recording special events in my life, so maybe this will help me remember things later on.