Wilson

I am ALIVE........

2011-03-25T09:32:00.002-05:00

maybe more today than ever. I feel as though new chapters are beginning in my/our life. I am excited and nervous and READY!!

I have lots of things to talk about and pictures to show. Hope to play catch up over the weekend.

In the meantime check out this amazing story about a Little Boy named Thatcher. I went to school with his parents. Their love and their story is an amazing one.
After you read it sign up for the Link for Life 5k on April 23 to raise money to help support this wonderful family.

~In the next 10 years~

2010-09-15T10:31:00.005-05:00

People often ask why I felt turning 30 was such a monumental event. There are so many reasons. The first ones that come to mind are.....

(1) I'M 30 Hello! I very clearly remember being half this age. I remember thinking life moved so slow and I would never grow up. I think about these times and that Brad Paisley song "Letter to me" comes to mind. If you could conceive how fast time would fly when you "grow up" you really might learn to enjoy all those awkward teenage years.

(2.) I swore I would be someone by now! I remember when the kids were little and I would say "I will go back to school when they all start school" Well........the kids are all well into school and have I gone back to school? As a matter of fact have I done much of anything I "said" I was going to do?

(3.) My butt is still huge! 8 1/2 years later, can you still blame the baby? I do. I just feel bad when she is standing there.

(4.) I am about to be the mother of a real live teenager. eek!

When I turn 40 (in the next 10 years), all my children will be legal adults. Where do you go from there? I will have attended more ball games & ballets than I will be able to count. I pray my children will walk away from their childhood with fond memories when they look back. I hope they don't just remember the crazy, frantic packing of lunch boxes and frustration of home work. The drama that explodes every week because cheer bloomers are ALWAYS missing.

I want to find myself in this next 10 years as well. I want to develop my own sense of style. Sounds crazy I know. However, I think as mothers we lose a little bit of our style in the jogging suits of motherhood. We all wear them. That's how you know another MOM out on the street. Nice looking lady in a 2pc track suit, cute hair, enough make up to make us appear semi-rested and flip flops. That's how you tell the mommas from the athletes. flip flops! We don't intend to run, unless of course little Jr. is in danger. Otherwise we all know that none of us has the energy for all of that.

I have so many plans but we will see what actually happens. I just can't believe how fast these 30 years have flown by. There are so many things I want do & places I want go. I am just so thankful that God has given me awesome kids and my beautiful amazing hubby to do it with.

2010-09-09T12:50:00.006-05:00

The end of summer is upon us and I feel as though I missed it. It was my first summer as a full time working mom. I did spend everyday with my kids, so atleast I didn't miss anything they did. I just feel that it was a Blur.

We did make lots of great memories. Who could forget that first camping trip? How about coming home with 3 more turtles? Whew. We survived our first pet death as well. Alie Grace's turtle Bo went to turtle Heaven last week. That was rough!

This is Bo! 2nd one in from the right. The rest of the crew is living in a large rubber maid habitat on our front porch.

We enjoyed fire works with family and friends. Stella did not!

* Steven's Grandaddy. Atha Hartley.

gotta work, more to come!

new pics

2010-08-24T12:53:00.002-05:00

Some of the things we have been up to lately.

1.- Katie in her Cheer uniform. She has really taken to cheering and found a lot of confidence.

2.-The girls on the first day of school. (3rd & 7th grades)

3.- Everyone Cheesin!

4.- Alie & Wes waiting for the SCHOOL BUS! I know I am a BAD MOM!

June Camping Trip-

2010-06-28T12:24:00.003-05:00

Wednesday was awful for Steven and I from start to finish. We made a mutual decision to get outta town this weekend and re-group. That should have been our first clue that this weekens would be WILD! Camping ended up being the final vote after much deliberation.

Friday afternoon we headed towards Carthage to some property Steven's uncle owns. It is beautiful. I got really excited when my phone finally said SOS.

We made camp and prepared dinner. Hot Dogs, of course! Saturday was un-eventful and exciting all in one. Steven grilled Bacon and made eggs for breakfast, We hung out/played in the river for hours. Had a picnic on the banks, Rode 4-wheelers, had a Yummy cook out
(pepper jack burgers) & topped it off with delicious hot smores.

This is how that really played out. Steven really did make Breakfast. We did go to the River, the water was so high we had to change our plans around and play in a side creek. Finally went over to River and I feel on the bank and broke my toe & pulled my toe nail off. We had a picnic on the banks and when we returned there were 100's of Bees on all our stuff! Scary because 2 of the 5 adults are allergic. Back to camp Rode 4-wheelers, mine broke down in the road. Caught a ricochet paint ball in the forehead. Enjoyed a delicious dinner and watching the boys with their BB and Paint ball guns. Steven emptied his paint ball gun and and came over to pop me with the air from it( as usual ) and pressed it on my leg and shot. NOT EMPTY!!!!!!!
Smores were good. Tent was hot, hot, hot Saturday night. Did not sleep. It was so hot Steven slept in a chair outside.

Sunday morning Uncle Bo surprised us by renting a Party Pontoon for the day. WOW! COOL!
Eat breakfast & Pack up all stuff for lunch. Break down camp and pack truck. Whewww! Lets go! Boarded the boat and off we went, cruising Center Hill Lake. We dropped anchor in this calm cove and the kids started sliding and swimming. A while later we cruised over near the Dam & all looked well. I am a little fuzzy on the details but here it is a best as I can remember.
James (BIL) jumped off boat, Carrie (age 4) jumped to him. My girls jumped off the boat holding hands and Bradley (9) went down the slide. (all the kids were in life jackets, praise Jesus) Steven was in the water and Brayden (6). Steven yelled "Bo, start the Boat" and tossed Brayden on the boat. I looked over for the girls and they were probably 25ft from the boat. I hear James yell "Steven" and I hear Carrie screaming. Steven yelled "Start the Boat" and as Bo began to start the boat we had drifted close enough that Brad was right behind the prop. "stop, stop, stop!" and Bo killed the engine and Bradley was pulled aboard just fine. James & the girls were getting further away in different directions. I remember thinking "This can't happen, not all of them at one time GOD, please no" and thinking "I will not go home with out ALL my children"
Katie had her wits about her enough that she had linked up all the girls and they were floating together. I remember praying out loud for them not fight their life vest. The wind had kicked up and every life vest we tried to toss James blew back at us. I remember Steven and Bo swimming over to the girls and Angela (Bo's wife) diving off to take a float to James. Steven and Bo got the girls back to the boat. Alie first, then Katie, and Carrie. Steven & Bo started to swim to James and I screamed "I can't drive this boat!" so Steven jumped climbed back on idled over to James who was very embarrassed about the whole thing, i don't think he realized he was probably a good 150 yards from the boat. My girls have sworn off boats for now and are more in love with their Daddy than ever. He truly is their hero. GOD was watching us yesterday. I have never been so scared, ever or so grateful.

February Re-cap

2010-03-01T20:36:00.002-06:00

The month of February was a complete blur.
With all the snow days from school and Valentines & Birthdays. wheeeeeeeeeewww
All the kiddos decided to give something up for Lent this year. It has been interesting.
Alie decided to give up thumb-sucking. 2 weeks in- Going Great!
Wesley gave up t.v. except for 1 show a day! -Going Great!
Katie gave up (trying to let go of) attitude-ummmm work in progress. I must say, much better than I expected.
I am unsure if they realize there is still almost 5 weeks left till Easter. Errrr.
As far as the diet goes...well i only lost 7lbs in Feb. Not great, but a loss.

Born 2 SK-8, no matter how old you are!

2010-03-01T20:27:00.002-06:00

Alie-Grace had a super fun Skate Party for her 8th Birthday.

Everyone got in on the action, even my father-n-law! WOW, not me! I wore flip-flops to assure I did NOT have to get on Skates (because I had NO socks! )

Making that cake was SO much fun. My girlfriend Raelene dipped about 300 pretzel rods for treats. The weekend was beautiful and her party went awesome!

Mrs. Jessie & Wesley do Guitar!

2010-03-01T20:17:00.003-06:00

God Bless This Wonderful Woman! Wesley has been taking guitar for a few weeks now and he seems to be doing great. Of course I have NO idea how he does in class because I use that time to catch a few deep breaths. Mrs. Jessie hasn't run from the building screaming YET. I take that as a positive.

Birth Day ( of ) Fun!

2010-03-01T20:08:00.002-06:00

Alie's birthday fell on Presidents Day this year. I took the day off work and we headed to Monkey Joes! Aunt Becca and the Boys met us there. Whewww Pizza and stinky sweaty kids! What a way to spend a Monday.

Not so Little.........Little Girl.

2010-03-01T19:59:00.003-06:00

I can remember when, you fit in the palm of my hand. You felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute. How it amazes me, your changing with every blink. Faster than a flower blooms, you grow up all to soon. So, Let them be Little, Cause their only that way for a while. Give them hope, give them praise, give them love everyday. Let 'em cry, Let 'em giggle, let 'em sleep in the middle. Oh Let them be Little.

Happy Birthday Baby !!!!!!!!
2.15.10

Valentine Creations

2010-03-01T19:47:00.003-06:00

We had a blast making homemade Valentines with the kids this year. Every one had their own idea, we cut, glued and even baked for hours! (Some of the pictures wouldn't rotate) I think they turned out so cute!

my words...

2010-02-09T17:35:00.002-06:00

I intend to print this off for a keepsake. I have been scrap booking deficient lately, so here are my facebook updates to coordinate with those amazing days being snowed in with my family.

Friday night...........

"anyone know how the ridge is?" (my hubby was trying to get home )

"my hubby is home safely, all is right with our little word, let the snow commence"

Saturday morning------------

"homemade waffles...check
hot chocolate ready to go...check
kids in their snow clothes......check
HERE WE GO!"

Saturday Mid Day-------

"sledding*snow angels*snow cream*hot chocolate*fun fun fun* now to make lunch"

Saturday Afternoon--------

"More time in the snow....new blinds hung.....organized a few things.....making a BBQ Boston Butt for dinner and it smells de-Lish. Hope your day was amazing also!"

Saturday Night--------

"brownies &a movie. perfect end to a very perfect day!"

Sunday Afternoon--------

"breakfast...Yummo
sledding and snowmen...done
huge sandwich bar for lunch...De-Lish
this weekend is going down in history as A-mazing!"

Monday morning---------

"ok, i have officially had enough snow cream for one weekend. The kids are hooked!"

2010-02-09T17:27:00.002-06:00

Our little home........Everything is so much prettier with snow.

Our weekend diet. Snow Cream and Hot Chocolate

My Prince!

My favorite 3 stooges!

2010-02-09T17:22:00.000-06:00

and more..........

2010-02-09T17:17:00.000-06:00

Snow much fun..........

2010-02-09T17:12:00.000-06:00

new foods

2010-02-09T17:04:00.002-06:00

and I am thinking about it.........

thinking he might want to taste it

looking at it, trying to decide if he liked it!

He said it wasn't bad. He has not asked for another orange since that morning.

New foods may not be this amazing at your house. However, we are the parents of an autistic

9 yr old with extreme oral defensiveness. So you see this is a HUGE deal @ our house!

Paula Deen's Carmalized Beef Tips & Onion Casserole

2010-02-09T16:51:00.003-06:00

This is the Finished product! I rarely make this for us. I am sure it has roughly 1,000g of fat and 40,000 cals but if is SO good. It is one of those recipes with a ton of steps. If you enjoy cooking you might find it to be A lot of fun.

Every time I cook these I laugh because it is full of onion and Steven HATES onions. He loves this casserole though. I think it is because they are cooked for so long they are un-recognizable.

Here are the ingredients, minus the beef tips, onion and ummm Heavy Cream.

The recipe is super long but if you want it send me a message and I will post it.

2010-01-29T16:17:00.003-06:00

Way to go Wes! He read aloud from the bible (independently) during family time on Tuesday night. He is making big leaps all the time.

2010-01-29T16:10:00.002-06:00

A/B honor roll awards, B.U.G. (bringing up grades) & A.R. pts (reading) !!

Way to go Guys! Katie also had a fabulous report card. She was so worried. We are SUPER proud considering all she has endured this school year.

Confession...

2010-01-25T16:50:00.001-06:00

I ate a corndog today. I didnt even want it, but I ate it. Thats the kinda junk that makes me.........................ummmm we will go with Fluffy!

My photo for this week..........

2010-01-18T14:54:00.004-06:00

PLEASE PRAY FOR HAITI...............

Specifically for these things

1. That aid will be able to move through the bottlenecks of the broken country side and get to the people who need it. This includes people outside Port Au Prince.

2. That the frantic, starving, thirsty survivors will feel the peace of the Lord.

3. That adoptions that have already be processed would be rapidly expedited. This will ensure safety of these children and allow room in the orphanages for the 100's of children who have been left with out families.

4. That the U.S. S. Comfort will arrive and help relieve some of the pressure from doctors who have not rested in days.

5. That they will continue to find survivors

2010-01-14T17:32:00.003-06:00

This is my new work out buddy. I am unsure of her real name but I call her DEVIL WOMAN. She is the exercise t.v. girl. She is skinny and does not have an enormous top half. This makes touching her elbow to her knee very "simple!"

This afternoon was back & abs. wooo dang! I may be paralyzed.

Sooooo..........

2010-01-13T09:35:00.003-06:00

I am on a diet! Now you know. I have not put it on here because quiet frankly I didn't want to be accountable. If you see me you might ask me about it and I didn't wanna deal. Well that won't make my butt smaller now will it? I joined weight watchers and nothing happened, guess paying the monthly fee doesn't a skinny girl make! Hmmmm funny how that works.

So now you know. I am turning 30 this year (that hurt to type) and I don't want this extra person on my backside (front side and under my arms) to go with me.

I did a 10 minute workout this morning from the ON DEMAND thing on T.V.
I ate a waffle with a tbsp of Peanut Butter on it and a banana.

My abs are on fire and I didn't even know i had abs. My luck its my appendix or something stupid like that!

Well now you know. Whoever you are. Good for me no one reads this thing.

Weekends with the Wilson's.

2010-01-10T14:50:00.002-06:00

I never understood why Steven always wanted to hang out at home on the weekends. Well now that I have rejoined the working world as a mother and not a teenager I TOTALLY GET IT. I feel as though I am never here. On Saturday & Sunday I just want to relax. This generally involves dinner with friends and getting out for church on Sunday morning. Sunday has also become our grocery shopping day

* We do own chairs, however we let the 7 children have the dining room. Besides that it is Chinese and you know that taste better if you eat it while sitting on the floor.

* Steven is wearing a shirt it just happens to be grey.

* No there is not much snow but our hill was covered in ice so there was lots of sleding!

Sledding on thin ice!

2010-01-08T17:12:00.003-06:00

So we may not have snow but we do have ICE.... and you can sled on it! The kids had a blast!

2010-01-08T17:08:00.001-06:00

Here is our Big Artic Storm! the biggest flakes of the day landed on the dog when she went out for her morning potty!

2010-01-08T16:47:00.003-06:00

Why when the weather man say SNOW does every one in the whole free world suddenly need milk & bread! It makes all of us real slackers, the ones who are truly out of milk & bread look like we are panicking too.

When I left work at 6pm on Wednesday night and stopped by our hometown store it was swamped! I got the last gallon of milk in the place & it was whole milk! YUCK and Purity @ a little store $4.oo for a gallon! I also snatched the next to last loaf of bread! I felt like I needed a trophy. I did it! I beat pitiful little old ladies to the last of the last. I felt kinda guilty really. But I was truly out of those things not stock piling them. I have heard all this snow Yap before.

2010-01-08T16:39:00.002-06:00

Tuesday was a day I was truly greatful for the pizza man, or in this case woman. It was SO cold and we had no groceries. I had worked 11 hours and Steven said "just order pizza." One of the many reasons I LOVE THAT MAN!

2010-01-04T21:16:00.002-06:00

NOTE: THAT ADORABLE CUTE FUZZY FLUFFY PRECIOUS DOG RAN OUT THE FRONT DOOR AND I HAD TO CHASE HER WITH BEGGIN' STRIPS & A CAR TO GET HER BACK IN THE HOUSE ABOUT 2 MINUTES AFTER I POSTED THIS!!! THAT COW!!

Stella

2010-01-04T08:07:00.002-06:00

This is Stella. She is our 6 year old German Sheppard. She is the worlds best baby sitter. One time Wesley fell & hit his head outside. Steven was mopping in the kitchen with the back door open. She ran back and forth barking and then dragging Wes. Finally she got Steven to come outside & she had drug Wesley all the way to the bottom of the deck steps. If they are in the front yard she runs back and forth so she can see them & if one toe reaches the road or another yard she comes up on the deck going CRAZY to let me know.

She is amazing.

Pray for my sister........

2010-01-03T17:21:00.001-06:00

her hubby deployed last week. My oldest nephew (5) just ask "Hey, can you call dad and tell him to come home in about 10 minutes?"

Ouch

When she explained it would be a while he simply told her he would just go with dad then.

Long 9 months.

Operation: FIND THE WASHER!

2010-01-03T16:39:00.005-06:00

my ammo..........

my mission.......

to rescue my laundary room from the mounds and mounds of what we will call Christmas Laundary. Sounds festive, huh? Can I do it? How much ammo will it take to fill that hole where motivation is absent?

The answer. 20 oz of Gloria Jeans Irish Cream with one sugar & no milk. I have never tried coffee with out milk but it was clearly the right mixture for the job.

2010-01-02T15:51:00.002-06:00

My goal for this year is to take a picture everyday. Not always of my kids but of something. I want to be able to print this blog off and know what happened this year & that it didnt just fly with out me noticing. Thats what happened last year. A lot of wonderful things happened and a lot of life changing things happened but I have no good records of it. So this is my plan. One photo & a little blurb everyday. Sometimes I may put 7 up at one time but that's ok. I just want to remember!

"Almin" & the Chipmunks............

2010-01-02T15:31:00.003-06:00

......at least that's how my 4 year old nephew Nash says it. Noah, his 2 year old brother calls it Helmnut & the Chipnunks. At any rate that was our outing for today. Becca's husband Chad deployed again last week so we have been hanging out more than we usually get too.

She had the kids over for New Years Eve and then I joined her for a Birthday dinner for our Dad.

Nash decided he was coming home with us and we stayed up late watching movies.

At some point this morning we decided to venture out in the 20 degree weather to go to the Movie with 5 kids one husband, 2 moms & one grand mommy. One super big popcorn some ziploc baggies, 5 "movie size" boxes of candy from dollar tree and 4 water bottles full of grapes crystal lite!

The movie was very cute and the kids were very good.

Here is a few of the kids giving their movie rating after we returned home.

2010-01-02T10:22:00.002-06:00

STEVEN & ME BEFORE THE ALL WHITE NEW YEARS EVE PARTY WE ATTENDED.

NO OFFENSE TO THE HOST BUT EVERYONE DOES NOT LOOK GOOD IN WHITE (ME).

WE HAD A GOOD TIME & ENJOYED OUR NIGHT OUT WITH FRIENDS.

THE KIDDO'S ENJOYED A NIGHT WITH AUNT BECCA.

2010-01-02T10:13:00.002-06:00

The girls & I before the ballet on December 19th. Not a very good picture, but we did snap one!

2009-12-30T11:37:00.003-06:00

So nothing got better yesterday!

I got up @ 7 am and attempted to update my blog. Home computer wouldn't read my memory card. Scratch that.

Facebook refused my password about 812 times and then sent me an e-mail I waited forever for only to realize it was the home e-mail account not my work one! DING! By then I didn't even care about checking on any folks because I was so behind for the day.

I went ahead and cleaned up some & took down some of the Christmas decorations (not many) and moved on to cooking dinner. As i am browning the chicken I keep thinking "I smell bacon" hmm weird we haven't had bacon since Christmas morning. But "I smell bacon" then all the sudden "I SMELL FIRE!" Well evide-durn-dently we got some ( a lot) of bacon grease in the front eye Friday. So now I have a giant grease fire, I tell Wes to run & tell the sleeping girls the fire alarm is about to go off. So they don't jump from their windows as planned in our fire escape route.

Blow, pat, suffocate the fire and leave for work.

Never burned the chicken!

Seriously.........................??????????????

2009-12-29T07:56:00.001-06:00

If anything could go right today that would be OUTSTANDING!

SERIOUSLY!

2009-12-14T15:05:00.002-06:00

What we have been up to. In pictures......................

Holidays are coming!

2009-10-27T20:30:00.002-05:00

I am getting super excited about starting to prepare for the Holidays. I hope to have all my Christmas shopping done (with the exception of the red man) done by Thanksgiving.

I am very big on home made gifts. I like to give gifts that mean something to the person. Most of the people we give gifts to do not Need anything. So i like to spend time preparing things for them that are sentimental. For example: My brother in law is a single father. He never has his kids picture made, well because he doesn't think about it. So I am going to have their pics done & have a large one made for him for his home.

My sister on the other hand is tricky, she never wants anything, needs anything or mentions anything. Hmmmm.

What are some of your favorite gifts to make? or give?

Happy to report

2009-10-27T20:28:00.001-05:00

that my Mom has been home for 9 days now and seems to be making progress. Alie-Grace seems to be feeling a little better since last weeks raging kidney infection.

Fall Break

2009-10-12T11:14:00.002-05:00

Original Plan: 3 day scrapbook retreat with some of my consignment besties.

*mom's bloodclot changes plans*

2nd Plan: Spend two nights camping in Chattanooga with hubby & kids.

*mom's blood clot in limbo*

THE PLAN: Mom back in Vandy on Wednesday night. Dad driving her crazy. He is such a worrier. Mom insists we go to Chattanooga & take DAD WITH US!

On Saturday morning around 7am we rolled out for Chattanooga. We arrived around 9 and made camp and got set up.

Steven & I leave Dad there on the lake watching speed boat races and head into downtown. We had lunch @ the kids favorite pizza place The Mellow Mushroom & went over to the aquarium. Super nice to walk in for free (we joined last time we went)! After seeing the sights there we walked around in the Art district for a while & headed back to camp to prepare dinner.

Pork tenderloin, potatoes & fried corn ! YUMMO

The kids played & had a blast @ the camp site.

Then had a ton of fun making smores with their daddy.

Breakfast: Grilled Bacon, Scrambled eggs, Fried Potatoes & toast! See why I love Camping!

We headed out to Ruby Falls. WOW It was so beautiful. The kids loved it.

We headed back to camp, ate lunch watched boat races & packed up.

The kids watched 2 new movies on the way home and went strait to bed.

*Mom enjoyed her "relaxing weekend in the hospital"

Blog O' Blog I have not forsaken you...

2009-09-28T08:14:00.003-05:00

....I actually think about you often when I am needing to vent or feel connected to the world but there is NO time anymore. Eventually I will find time but for now we are still in the adjustment perid.

So here is the run down of my life in the last 7 weeks or so...........

August 5th- In a whorl wind mtg I accept a new FULL TIME JOB! @ the little kids school
August 8th- Consignment Mania (my Fav time of the year begins)
August 9th- Visit Nursing Home (Grammie sitting in bed talking very lucidly, tells me to "hurry on to work we will catch up this week")
August 10th-Kids first day of School (Kate's first day of MIDDLE SCHOOL)
August 11th- Grammie Dies (WOW)
August 16th- Car messes up!
Aug 17th- the vomiting Kate developed the night before still has not gone away.
August 19th- Kate goes to Vandy ER from peds office with possible appencitis.
August 22nd -Kate still in Vandy! No appendicitis, complications from a virus causing Mesenteric Andenitis (inflamed Lymph Nods in belly)
August 23rd- Grammies Memorial Service (Kate did not get to go)
August 24th- Start New job
August 8th-22nd -Still Working Sale every day but 1! Thanks Brea for all your patience.
August 30th-Wes turns 9! Backyard water party, water slide , pool & grill out.
August 30th pm -Kate back to Vandy with severe pain
September 1st- My Mom has major surgery (also @ Vandy)
September 1st - 9pm Katie released
*So far total school days missed 12 of 19!
September 10th- Back in ER with Katie due to unequal pupils (possible complication from all meds)
September 11th-My moms 5yr Cancer anniversary and she is still in hospital dealing with this crap even though she has been "cancer free" 4 years!
September 16th- Mom comes home (much weaker than expected & not recovering well but home)
September 21st - Mom rushed back to Vandy @ re-admitted. ( complcations from the drains & a contagious infection from surgery)
September 25th - Kate back @ Vandy ! Bladder Infection! WOW we never thought to look there!
Now has missed 17 of 34 days of school!

Today September 28th, Katie is better than she has been in weeks, my Mom is still at Vanderbilt & is not doing very well. I am exhausted from re-joining the working world and juggling my life lately. I am grateful for ALL the prayers for my family over the past few weeks.

Vanderbilt.....give my kid back

2009-08-24T22:14:00.002-05:00

Sweet (& sassy) Katie has been in Vandy since August 19th. She started throwing up on the 16th & was no better by Tuesday night. Begged out of going to the ER and by Wednesday morning we were NOT GOOD. We rushed to our peds office, were rushed over for some STAT test and then I was sent rushing to Vandy with her because she managed to beg her doc out of the Ambulance ride. They ruled out Appendicitis quickly and diagnosed inflamed lymph nods in the belly as the cause of the pain. Problem is she still can't digest food with out writhing in pain so 6 days later we are still here.

Grammies Memorial Service was yesterday & she had to miss it. That was torture. She was right there holding her hand when it counted though. I hope she doesn't end up with issues from missing it.

Tonsils are OUT!!!!

2009-07-26T13:50:00.004-05:00

thank goodness, maybe we will not have to deal with so much sickness and days out of school this year NOW.

The pic in Hospital gown is her right after we arrived and before the Loopy Tylenol.

Top rt is her right before we went home. She had just finished a Banana pop and Apple juice. She came back sitting up on the gurney asking for a snack. If you know her at all you know she is ALWAYS hungry.

top left. I really thought that her throat would b so sore we could knock this thumb sucking out easy. NO GO. Evidently your throat is NEVER to sore to suck your thumb.

Summer days with Daddy......

2009-07-26T13:43:00.003-05:00

CONSIGNMENT TIME AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-26T13:33:00.003-05:00

it is that time of year again!
my girl friend Raelene came over two different days and helped me sort through and make
Good Will, give back, trash & Sell piles. She came back 2 days later and helped me get my gigantic Sell pile ALL on Hangers.

For some reason the kids wanted to play right under our feet but we managed to get it to that stage so now I have to re install my printer & make my tags.

Or maybe I should get a number first!

Swiss Cereal

2009-07-17T07:07:00.002-05:00

When i was little my grandmother lived in Miami. Every time she came to town she would do a lot of cooking for us and one of the things was this cold cereal she called Swiss Cereal. It was so sweet and full of fruit (& fat). So lately everytime I go to the nursing home to visit I am over whelmed by a craving for this creamy creation. She was having a pretty lucid day last week to I began to probe her on the Recipe. I had to figure some of it out myself.

SWISS CEREAL

1 cup Raw Oats
1.5 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
.5 cup of granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla

raisins if desired

chill over night (covered)

mix first 2 ingrediants together until smooth, then add sugar and vanilla. The raisins are added before chilling overnight because they plump a little. In the morning stir and u may need to add a little more cream.....Now add any fruit you like. I love it with apples and bananas.

Summer Days

2009-06-29T15:25:00.007-05:00

Picking Blue Berries and making Pies with Daddy.

Riding the Fire Truck in the July 4th Parade

Farming and fixing fences

Ballet and Guitar

Family time & Kissy Faces with the hubs!

These are just a few things we have been up to this Summer so far.

Every thing looks so good from the outside.....

2009-06-08T20:15:00.007-05:00

Most days most people including us wouldn't even know that Wesley has Aspergers Syndrome . Most Days. That day has not been any of the last few days. I have become even more painfully aware of the differences between my son and other children his age. Example: the 5 days my son sat alone (with me) in snack time during VBS, How he never participated in recreation during VBS and he loves water games, How if he had his way he would never leave the house, How he feels alone even in a crowded room, How he looks terrified in the same crowded room, How he runs and hides from me when he gets over stimulated or upset and it scares me to death.
I feel so helpless some days and all I want to do is make life easier for him and I don't know how.
Don't get me wrong I knew....that's why i taught his class. I knew it would be the only way he would go and I was right. I am just so sad and overwhelmed right now. I don't know what the next move should be.

I just needed to say that out loud so there.........

update

2009-06-05T14:04:00.001-05:00

i will blog again after this crazy week.

Wilderness @ the Smokies!

2009-05-21T14:01:00.002-05:00

We went to Gatlinburg this past weekend and stayed at the new Wilderness @ the Smokies indoor/outdoor park. It was wonderful. I was very nervous because of the mixed (mostly negative) reviews I had read. Most people were dissappointed because a lot of the things were stil under construction when they went. We had a fabulous time and so did our friends

Ms. Holly, Sloan & Shayla (12 yr old twins). Sloan, has CP and is in a wheelchair. We had a handicapped accessible room with roll in shower, wide walkways and doorways and even handicapped accessible cooking. SWEET. We went down to the pool not knowing fully what to expect she could do. Inner Tube here we come, her sister and I scooped her up and put her in the tube and she enjoyed the Wave pool for hours. The Lazy river ride @ the out door pool and the out door wave pool too! She could do it all. Yes, the price of the rooms were high but we never left the place so really it turned out to be a very in expensive trip. We cooked in the room, played in the arcade and swam! We spent ALL day Saturday outside. I fried!

Lots of pics and things to tell..............

2009-05-21T13:45:00.008-05:00

First off...........Kate's Birthday was Monday and we gave her (don't freak out) a little bit of real make-up. Main reason being, I don't want her going to school putting it on WRONG and looking like who knows what or Sharing it & contracting the Super Funk! So here is a pic of her with only eye shadow and brown mascara!

Secondly it was awards day today and I of course have to show off my super smart kiddos!

All 3 kids received Awards for making A honor roll all 4 nine weeks. Way to go guys, we are so proud!

Kate, Thank You for making me a Mother! Happy Birthday!

2009-05-18T08:28:00.005-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!

Prayers for Brea

2009-05-06T22:36:00.003-05:00

Pray for my dear friend Brea (updates here) and her husband Johnathan. Brea just arrived in Houston in anticipation of the birth of their 5th child. The Birth mother will deliver tomorrow at 3pm via c-section. Please pray for all involved. For those of you who live in cave Brea is the owner of one of my fav. things in the WHOLE world. Encores & More North.

To Chattanooga and back................

2009-04-27T14:53:00.007-05:00

We went on the first of what I hope to be several camping trips this season this past weekend. We spent very little money and had a GREAT time.

This Lake picture is the view from our campsite.

The mountain was just one of the gorgeous views from our River Gorge Tour.

We spent the middle of the day Saturday inside the Creative Discovery Museum.

Of course if you walk by a Cold Stone you have to stop!

Not Me Monday..... Easter Edition

2009-04-13T11:36:00.002-05:00

i would never spend $100.00 on Easter basket stuff after giving numerous speeches that they are ridiculous and bunnies don't have anything to do with

OUR RISEN SAVIOR

my kids were not forced to hide under a "tent" in the hallway for 45 minutes on Friday and play cards while i scared them to pieces by standing on the porch & deck and watched the funnel clouds that were everywhere!

i did not feed my kids chicken nuggets for dinner 2X's last week because if Steven isn't home for dinner then I don't really feel the need to go all out.

I did not hide my favorite cake cookies that we had a ton of and share them only with my hubby and not my children.

it was not me out shopping for Easter Shoes on Saturday night at 8pm

it is not my Son who had NO pants to wear for Easter because his mother would never just Assume that because Easter was in April we could pull shorts off.

it is not my ten year old daughter who went to church in a beautiful brown and white HALTER dress yesterday with NO sweater because we couldn't find one of those on Saturday night.

Easter Definitely did NOT sneak up on me and leave me ill prepared.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

2009-04-10T19:49:00.002-05:00

I have been married to my BEST friend for 11 years today! Sometimes I get frustrated with him and ( very rarely) even angry. I am happy to report that 99.9 percent of the time it is blissful.

I wonder if he knows.......

how wonderful i think he is,

how i still get butterflies when he walks in a room,

how i light up from the inside when he tells me I am beautiful,

that my favorite place to be is on the couch with him,

my second favorite place to be is anywhere with him,

how much i love watching him,

how much i love watching him be a dad,

that i do like it when he picks on me (just not to much),

how proud i am that he chose ME,

how grateful I am that he chose to stick it out through all my craziness,

how glad i was to have him through my Moms cancer,

that i love to do things for him & that they aren't a chore to me,

that i appreciate that he cares about my friends,

that i am honored he supports me through new endeavors and over commitments,

that it melts my heart when he reads the bible to our children,

and when he does anything with them,

i actually like playing that dumb PS3 with him,

I wonder if he knows that even though we have had our valleys that the climb back up

to the top has always been easier with him beside me,

and that i would do it all again just to be with him.

I love you honey.

Not Me Monday.....

2009-03-30T20:15:00.002-05:00

i did not try to beg out of taking my own child to the ER last night ( in my defense I knew it wouldn't help)

I did not take my kids to McDonald tonight instead of feeding them the Well Balanced dinner i had planned.

i did not spend way more money on beauti-control this week than i should have just to indulge myself a little.

I did not sit on the couch and watch the kids do the chores i ordered from my spot.

i did not spend all my free time on the computer instead of being productive today!

I did not make an appointment at the Gym with a trainer tomorrow night that I know good and well i will flake out on.

I did not let my kids slack and wait on their home work and late work until the last possible second so then they (WE) were frustrated and ill.

I did NOT pretend to be asleep really soundly this morning so that my hubby would get up and take the kids to school.

I did not go to church yesterday in crop dress pants with out ever checking to see if my legs were shaved.

I did NOT forget to shave my legs in the midst of all the stomach viruses and strep throat 4 doctors visits and a trip to the ER in 7 days.

NOT ME!

Hamburger BBQ

2009-03-30T13:18:00.002-05:00

I made this last night for my small group at church & several people asked for the recipe. It is a lot like Sloppy Joe mix except there is not all the (junk, as Steven would say) onions and peppers.

1 lb Hamburger
1/2 c. brown sugar
3/4 c Ketchup
dash or 2 of Tabasco

1 pack of Buns (8)

Brown Hamburger meat (with onion salt if desired) and drain. Place back in skillet and add brown sugar and ketchup & Tabasco if desired. Heat through and serve on buns or alone.

*this can easily be made in triple or even more batches. We use it a lot for Super Bowl parties and just having friends over for munchies.

BE STILL..............

2009-03-27T08:47:00.002-05:00

and Know that I am GOD!

I have always had a hard time with this concept. it seems to bring the most peace to me in crazy times and I have always joked that i should have it painted on the ceiling above my bed. So maybe if I had to read that every morning along with the prayer "God grant me patience to deal with my blessings" and digested them every morning I could start the day off better. Instead I find my self praying for God to bless the 100 things i volunteered to do away from my family. ( I am open to advice on this )

Alie-Grace is 7

2009-02-20T23:51:00.002-06:00

how did i get to be the girl with no babies? for a long time iwas the only girl with babies and now NOTHIN'.

On Sunday February 15th @6:58pm MY BABY turned 7!

She had a dance party with all of her friends. We were able to get the studio on Sunday afternoon so there was plenty of room to run. They girls played freeze dance and twister moves. Alie-Grace much like me prefers chocolate over anything so Brownies (mint, peanut butter & double chocolate) and Ice cream were on the menu. Since that meant no cake we stacked them into a pretty tower with lots of streaming ribbon. Alie was super proud of her
tu-tu dress mommy whipped up the night before (by the skin of my teeth along with those 72 brownie cupcakes) and of course was a vision in pink!

Pictures? on my sisters camera of course. I plan to get them in the morning.

Between birthdays, subbing, cleaning houses, hauling girls to dance, keeping 3 extra kids and a stomach virus x's 4 family members i have been MIA sorry!

hello!

2009-02-04T15:50:00.004-06:00

i am not dead. i have been working everyday! i know weird, huh? cold and flu season is good for substitutes.

a few things going on around here........

* Alie-Grace is on crutches with a sprained ankle. (yes it is how old Katie was when all the drama started with her foot and its Alie's left foot too! I know, weird!)

*Wesley is officially on the waiting list for MTSU center for dyslexia. They are a non-profit group who provide diagnosis and treatment for dyslexia.

*Kate completed the 5th grade writing assessment yesterday. She has been so nervous and doing practice prompts every night for two weeks. On Monday night right at bedtime she wanted to do one more. Well you are allowed 35 minutes to complete them and I wanted her in bed on time. She disappeared into the kitchen and comes back out with a note for me. It read....

PROMPT: what happens when your mom doesn't let you practice for the writing assessment?

YOU FAIL!

PRACTICE WILL ONLY HELP ME,

YOUR ONLY HURTING ME!

love-kate

she still went to bed on time! She got up in a good mood. Had her favorite breakfast (cream of wheat) and then 10 minutes before they started I took a big basket of hot muffins to her class (brain food she says) and she feels like she did really well.

and another family fav...

2009-01-27T11:08:00.002-06:00

Chicken BBQ

6 Cups chicken shredded (cooked)

4 tbsp vinegar ( i use Apple Cider Vinegar)

4 tbsp Brown Sugar ( i usually double)

1/2 c. lemon juice

6 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 C. ketchup

2 tbsp mustard

*cooked onion and celery optional, recommends about 1cup*

Combine all ingredients and heat to 350' for 45 minutes.

or place in Freezer bag (all together) thaw and bake when needed.

* We serve with Hot rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese (Wes does have to eat) and Peas!

* This will feed 6 adults and 3 kids so you will probably want to freeze some.

Recipes...as promised.

2009-01-27T10:44:00.002-06:00

Carmelized Chicken with Cranberry Conserve

3 tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 garlic clove minced

4 skinned and boned chicken breast (i used boneless)

3 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp dark sesame oil

1 small onion chopped

1/2 c. dried cranberries

2 tbsp sesame seeds (toasted)

Combine first 4 ingredients in zip lock bag; add chicken. Seal chicken and and chill at least

1 hour. Remove chicken from marinade, reserving marinade.

Cook sugar and sesame oil in a large non stick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly 4 minutes. Add chicken and cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Add reserved marinade & Cranberries cook stirring and turning chicken often ( 10 minutes or until done). Slice and serve with Cranberry mixture. Garnish with toasted Sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired.

I served it with rice pilaf and and a veggie!

* i doubled the OJ, balsamic, Brown sugar, garlic and sesame oil. I used 7 chicken breast (since I cook enough for Steven to take to work)

*Alie-Grace ate 2 servings of it!

Cinnamon Rolls & Sickness......the perfect sunday morning combo

2009-01-18T09:58:00.002-06:00

Alie was feeling really sick this morning, so we stayed home from church. We did get to have breakfast together though and that never happens anymore. I made Mini Cinnamon Rolls from a really wonderful cookbook I got for Christmas. The kids scarfed them up & they were Super simple so I thought I would share this recipe.

Southern Living Christmas Cookbook

Tiny Cinnamon Rolls

1 (8 oz) pack refrigerated crescent rolls
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
2/3 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp Milk
2 drops of Vanilla

unroll cresent rol dough and separate into 4 rectangles pinch perforations within rectangles to seal. Stir together brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over rectangles.

Roll up jelly roll style (long side) pinch sides together and cut into 5 pieces. Place cut ends up in 8 or 9 inch round pan. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.

Combine powdered sugar, milk and vanila.

Pour over warm cinnamon rolls.

Yields 20

now these are pretty small so for our family of 5 I made two pans but if you were feeding toddlers and grown -ups one can would be plenty.

2009-01-14T13:24:00.003-06:00

Hello..............sorry in my delinquency. We have had SO much going on as of late. Steven's great Aunt passed away last week and his Grandmother passed away on Monday. The funeral will be Thursday.

I do have grand plans to post some pictures from our visit with my brother over Christmas. We will see how that comes about. I just wanted to post and say hello to all.

Please let me know if any of you guys have things you need me to pray about with you.

By the way...........The LOVE DARE book is wonderful!

2008-12-31T22:12:00.002-06:00

We are still alive. Our Internet has been down AGHHHHHHHHHHHH i have been checking up on people on their blogs but haven't been able to stay on long enough to post.

We had a WONDERFUL, PEACEFUL & BLESSED Holiday.

We are wishing you all a very WONDERFUL New Year.

with love,

Steven, Rachel, Katie-Rae, Wesley, Alie-Grace

Results!

2008-12-18T19:13:00.002-06:00

Whewwwwww.

He has an eratic heartbeat. It can drive him crazy but is totally NON life threatening. He also has been having some muscular skeletal pain (it can be induced with growth spurts) and causes severe pain and that would naturally raise his heart rate and BP.

Thanks so much for all your prayers and support. It was so appreciated!

Oh and BREYANNAH is offically eligible for adoption. All birth rights have terminated.

Update on Wes.......... part 3

2008-12-16T15:05:00.002-06:00

He has had some pain the last few days, but is his usual crazy self. I have called his pediatrician to have them make notations of the pain and time etc... . Last night a nurse called me to ask me how he was feeling and told me she would call me this morning with the results (they cardio/pulmonary people sent them to the ER doc) . This morning the phone rang and I was relieved to see it was the doctors office. The referral specialist on the other end of the line had this to say .........
" Mrs. Wilson, It seems that Dr. Crawford would like your son to see the cardiologist at Vanderbilt. Evidently her notes made them believe it to be urgent because they are getting him in tomorrow morning at 9. Can you make that?"

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? She is really careful? There is something they are not telling me? Lets shut this mom up? AGHHHHHHHH

Wesley doesn't do doctors very well so please pray for him.

Update on Wes part 2

2008-12-13T18:52:00.002-06:00

So I still have no official report due to some major miscommunication between docs. I have been informed that if he experiences any pain this weekend to take him to Vandy and tell them that our pediatrician wants the to do an Echo. So far so good. We are anticipating being put on the Holter for a month or more in the near future. With the Cardiac history in our families on both sides being very bad they are not taking any chances. I am grateful but just ready to know whats up! I know this is a lot of run on sentences but just wanted to update.

Update on Wes

2008-12-05T16:01:00.001-06:00

is that there is still no news. It is very aggravating but he is feeling well so that makes it a little easier.

GAPS

2008-12-05T15:46:00.001-06:00

Alie has lost 3 teeth in about two weeks. She is really cute trying to drink and say things that start with S and F.

ADORABLE...................

2008-12-05T08:21:00.005-06:00

............................... it is wearable art. Perfect from waist to hem!
Thanks Alie aka Maggie Moos Mom. She is super talented and super sweet. Thanks for the great gift!

OK so here is my Beautiful baby girl.............wearing her Maggie Moo original. Alie she loves it. It is like her personality on Fabric. She wore it to school today with some bright pink tights and uggs and a brown shirt and BIG brown Bow!

post # 101

2008-12-05T08:18:00.001-06:00

yeah stuck with it! I am proud of myself because I don't attach and stick to stuff easy. I love this crazy thing. I get to journal and post pics of my kids and it is therapeutic.

update.........

2008-12-03T16:37:00.002-06:00

This is who slept in our bed last night. He kept calling himself Frankenstein. The monitor came off at 1:30pm today and was taken to be interpreted. We will see how long that takes. He is nursing a few tape burns but seems to be feeling ok for the past couple days. Thank you for all your prayers.

Prayer Request...............

2008-12-01T20:56:00.002-06:00

I have several things to bring before you for prayer.......

Wesley has been having some pain & tightness in his chest and shortness of breath. This has happened a few times in the last several months. This morning the school nurse called and said that he was in her office very obviously in pain and his pulse was racing. I called his pediatrician and they had no openings. She said the ER was the best option. We headed over there and had a chest x-ray and EKG. The EKG came back with a few weird spots so tomorrow we go to the pediatrician and cardiologist to get a 24 hour Holter Monitor. I am a little nervous and trying not to let it show.

Tomorrow is Breyannah's court date. This is the little girl who was literally dropped on Steven's parents door step in August of 2004. Suddenly 4 years later her birth parents want her back. My in laws have custody and the birth mothers rights are terminated already. So just pray that the judge has a clear mind and truly has Breyannah's best interest at heart.

The family of Jenny Faenza. This is a girl I used to babysit and our moms worked together several places. She was my girls dance teacher for a couple terms also. She was diagnosed with PPH(Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) in May 2007 and then Sclaraderma (hardening of the lung tissue) She pushed through and accepted her scholarship to Georgetown and was in her sophmore year. She was home for Thanksgiving and came down with Pneumonia(easy for her to get). She was taken to Vandy where she soon passed away after several attempts to save her. She leaves behind a sister she is very close to and a grieving parents.

Money Saving Menu Planning............

2008-11-29T16:47:00.002-06:00

I am having a proud moment, I just helped my sister plan her meals for weeks. I then went with her to the grocery store and helped show her some of the ways I have learned to save money. She ended up saving around $100.00 with out coupons (imagine what they would have done). She works from 8-6 most days so when she gets home she cant prepare elaborate dinners but hates to do frozen stuff all the time. I think we came up with 14 meals that she can get ready in around 30 or so minutes. I divided up all the meat and seasoned what I could and vacuumed sealed it into meal sized portions. We browned 3 lbs of ground beef for a couple meals and bagged it up and mixed up a meatloaf. I really hope meal planning will help her out in the next few weeks. I think it is helping a few of the other people I have shown.

Thankful............

2008-11-28T21:06:00.002-06:00

I am Thankful for............

My God, Relgious freedom, My amazing hubby Steven,
My children Kathrine, Wesley & Alexandria,
amazing friends, family that is like a force of nature,
a millitary that is made up of people willing to die for me and my kids who they have never met,

which brings me to part two of this post..........

Our families are both very millitary (Steven had always planned to be career Air Force however he has a major birth defect in his feet and could not join.) I have some names of our family members I would like to list and if you could just lift one of them in prayer a day I would appreciate it so much. I would love to do the same for you just send me names.

Jesse Stites* -NAVY- my brother
Jeffrey Stites* -NAVY-first cousin
Justin Adams*^^-ARMY-first cousin
Derek Adams*#^-ARMY-first cousin
Chad Clinard^^-ARMY NG -brother in law
Ronald Hartley^^^- AIR FORCE- Stevens first cousin
Heath Young- ARMY- Stevens first Cousins-husband
Joseph Ellis ^-Marines- Honorably discharged injured while enlisted-my first cousin
Anthony Centonze*-NAVY-Stevens cousins son

*Missing from our dinner table on Thanksgiving becuase they are serving their country.
#is about to be deployed again, his wife is battling cancer.
^amount of times they have been deployed since September 11th.

This is not so any one thinks WOW it is just so you get a real glimpse at how this affects families. I am so proud to share blood with these men and covet your prayers on their behalf.

You Can't Make this Stuff Up...............-JBF

2008-11-21T22:30:00.003-06:00

Brea take note that I gave you credit for your motto!

*Grandmother(see blog below) ended up in E.R. and admitted with Congestive Heart Failure on Wednesday morning. Yeah I just went by to say HI and ended up running

Ambulance Mode to E.R.

*Vandy Orthodontics called and could see Katie @ 3pm on Wednesday.

OOPS where was I? ER!

*New glasses we picked got Tuesday are BENT!

*Spent Day with Grandmother in Hospital on Thursday (all the while forgetting I invited in-laws for dinner.)

*My mom went to do a new patient visit Thursday and fell through a rotted deck!

*Finished Dinner and Dessert and invited my parents also.......

can't effect stress level any more eh?

Can I go to bed for a week?

Whewwwwwwww...............

2008-11-17T18:52:00.002-06:00

I am tired and it is only Monday. It has been a weird out of whack weekend. I asked my grandmother to spend the night on Friday to give my parents a break. I forget that she is way more needy than my kids. I am not complaining I just forget. I got a first hand view at how advanced her Alzheimer's really is. Steven and I were catching up on some shows we had recorded and she had already seen. She asked me 80x's if this was an old one. Whewww. And it went on and on like that all day Saturday too.

I had to take Katie in to the E.R. Saturday night. Her jaw was hurting so bad and she was maxed out on OTC pain meds. We get to the E.R. and the doc comes in and does his thing and pronounces TMJ. Well that explains the headaches and intermittent fevers and stiff neck too.

After waiting an hour and a half for some decent pain meds at CVS (the only 24 hour pharmacy in our area) we finally get in bed around 3 on Sunday morning.

Did I make it to Christmas Village on Sunday? NO!

We followed up with the pediatrician and ENT today. She is on a soft food diet for a month. She is SO MAD about that. She is an ice cruncher. We are waiting on a call from
Vanderbilt Orthodontics.

Wesley broke his glasses and that will be tomorrows project! Yeah ME!

I hope everyone else had a calmer weekend than US.

2008-11-10T16:40:00.002-06:00

I LOVE THESE TURKEYS!

Just had to share..... Thanksgiving as I have said 100 x's before is

my favorite Holiday. It is just about being with your family and enjoying your friends, spending time remembering all those silly Childhood moments. I just love that there is NO Pressure or gift swapping. Just genuine family time! LOVE IT!

Thank you MaggieMoosMom

2008-11-10T15:14:00.002-06:00

Oh wow I am so excited! My friend Alie picked my name out of the bowl for the free MaggieMoo design skirt. I am so excited to have one of these original creations for Alie-Grace!

Thank You Alie

REMINDER!!!!!!!!

2008-11-06T18:53:00.000-06:00

YOUR INVITED
TO AN ENCHANTED EVENING
@ ENCHANTED THREADS!
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7TH
6:30 PM
COME AND SHOP THE VAST SELECTION OF
BEAUTIFUL ITEMS. MOST ITEMS CAN BE PERSONALIZED

AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE.
There are gifts for every budget items start around $3.00 and up.
Even if you can not buy ANYTHING please come by and say hello and enjoy some home made goodies amd cider (from me). I really mean it becuse I get credit for warm bodies not purchases. Visit the website @ www.enchantedthreadsembroidery.com

Totally Fun Give Away!

2008-11-04T19:15:00.002-06:00

Check out my friend Alie's blog. She is an amazing seamstress and is doing a give away of a
cutie patootie skirt.

Election results are coming in...........

2008-11-04T18:50:00.002-06:00

....................................what are your kids doing?

Mine are all eyes on the election results. Alie is chanting for her guy and Katie is screaming updates from our room! Wesley is happily playing play-doh in the other room saying over and over "mom, who do you think will win?"

Enchanted Threads Show

2008-10-22T16:26:00.003-05:00

YOUR INVITED
TO AN ENCHANTED EVENING
@ ENCHANTED THREADS!
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7TH
6:30 PM
COME AND SHOP THE VAST SELECTION OF
BEAUTIFUL ITEMS. MOST ITEMS CAN BE PERSONALIZED AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE.
There are gifts for every budget items start around $3.00 and up.
Even if you can not buy ANYTHING please come by and say hello and enjoy some home made goodies amd cider (from me). I really mean it becuse I get credit for warm bodies not purchases. Visit the website @ www.enchantedthreadsembroidery.com

A little shopping down and some to go.......

2008-10-22T15:58:00.003-05:00

I got 13 gifts bought today for Christmas! So glad. That is part of the organized holiday also, dividing and buying in small quantities. Now let me explain that when I say gift I don't mean expensive or elaborate. Target had Transformer toys on sale this week so I grabbed 4 of those for the nephews (and one for Wes) and etch a sketch as a Stuffer. I also bought the ingredients for the gifts we are doing for all the little kid cousins. They get enough toys so we are doing a personalized coffee mug with Snowman Soup(hot cocoa with kisses and mini marshmallows and candy cane) and a bag of Winter Warmer(popcorn). Thought these would be perfect for an evening in with the family.
These ideas and the poems are on the organized Christmas website.

All in All it takes 13 people off my list now & with a couple things for Wes!

I also stopped by Enchanted Threads and picked out two gifts for our name draw (of course I am not cheating). I will be hosting a show there in two weeks and am already spending my in store credit (in my head).

Alie has dance in just a bit so I am off to make dinner.

Tomato Basil Garlic Chicken with Four Cheese Rice, Green Beans and Rolls ( I made a double batch last night)

Horse Show

2008-10-20T19:27:00.004-05:00

Wesley rode like a champ in the show yesterday. He ended up competing on a horse he had never even ridden. He took 2nd place in all three events. Equitation, Barrels & Obstacle.

Things I Love

2008-10-17T14:03:00.002-05:00

I have a friend who challenged us to list things we love, so here goes!

I love the LORD. I am amazed that he can love us the way he does.

I LOVE my best friend (oops my hubby!) I am so grateful the he really is my Best Friend.

I Love that every time Wes walks by me he has to kiss me.

I love that Alie-Grace is so content to be the baby(snuggles & rocking the whole nine yards)

I love that everytime Kate smarts off Steven just snickers and whispers "she is just like you"

I love fall weather.

I Love the sound of my kids outside playing and the wind chimes blowing with the windows open.

I love Coffee

I love Mashed potatoes ( i eat them everywhere I go)

I love crock pots

I Love making molasses with my grandparents.

I love working on my grandparents farm (which is funny b/c I used to HATE it)

I love Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday, there is NO pressure just relaxing and enjoying family)

I love when my mom just pops by after work to say hi!

I love it when my sister has a day off.

I Love the smell of tobacco barns.

I love watching my girls do ballet.

I love friends ( coffee dates and shared secrets)

I love my Bible study group.

I love that we can go to church and worship with friends.

I love that we have been trying new churches that fit us and not just what fits our parents.

I love that my nephew Noah is destroying my living room.

I love working on my house.

I love sewing.

I love our silly crazy annoying dog Stella.

There are tons more things I love but I have to go check on those main ones right now.

Yard Sale

2008-10-16T18:17:00.003-05:00

I have a baby sitter sleeping over tonight so that I can be at this amazing Yard sale first thing in the morning.

my girlfriend Brea (and her hubby Jonathon) are fundraising to adopt their 5th child. This is the same friend who owns and operates Encores and More North children's consignment sale. There will be new Gymboree and Boutique clothing for $4 a piece and leggings for $2. There will also be tons more stuff.

YOU HAVE TO COME! Call me and I will give you directions!

pictures as requested.....

2008-10-16T18:10:00.003-05:00

these are a couple of pics of the living room furniture after I made new pillows and covered the cushion of the chair. I am hoping we are hanging hardware in the kids bath tonight so I will add those soon.

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-16T18:07:00.003-05:00

When did this happen. One day she needs me to give her a bath and then a couple years later she is like trying to give a cat a bath and now........................ she is blowing out her own hair. WOW! where does time go?

Maybe this will work.

2008-10-16T11:41:00.003-05:00

I have been trying to post for over a week. I don't know why but so far blogger hasn't been able to save or publish me. HMMMMMMM

Well there has been a lot going on.

This is the kids bathroom overhaul week
We have painted and added a new curtain, towels, bath m at and trash can. (the kids were excited about the trash can. )

Hartley's 5th Birthday was on Monday. He would have been 5. we celebrated with the kids at the cemetery on Saturday. We released balloons and had cupcakes.

Ava turned 3 yesterday ( My BF's oldest daughter) we went to the pumpkin patch and Chuck E. Cheese.

Steven has now been medically released to full duty at work( he had a bad crush injury on his foot).

Just stuff stuff stuff!

Shop-urtunities galore!

2008-10-04T21:47:00.002-05:00

I had no idea that the first Saturday of the month was 50% of everything at Goodwill day!

I racked up for my hubby! I found 7 shirts (Hollister, Gap, Eddie Bauer, IZOD etc.) and 4 pair of pants (St. Johns Bay, Banana Republic, Gap & Hagar ) all for $40.00. This total included 3 items for myself!

I also went by J.C. Penny and picked up their door buster towels 2 for $7.00. I bought 6 of these and a new bath mat. The kids bath room is being over hauled the week of October 12th. Each kiddo now has a color towel all their own. I am proud to announce I will no longer be washing 9 kid towels a day. (don't ask b/c i don't know how they do it)

I cleaned out our (mine and Steven's) entire closet today and made a trip back to goodwill. I took out WAY more than I brought in!

I am making steady progress.

I am determined to finish this thing just to prove to my Hubby I can finish something!

week 5

2008-10-01T19:45:00.002-05:00

Haven't had a lot of time to use the computer lately but I have gotten several things done.

Last week was Master Bedroom. Steven was in Galveston all week doing Hurricane relief. I stayed up late every night cleaning off bookshelves and the entertainment center. I didn't make anything spectacular but I did hang some patina iron art over the bed. But hey it's clean!

This is master bathroom week. I changed out the shower liner and bought a new bronze shower caddy. I have added a new lamp and picture. I bleached and scrubbed that puppy like crazy.

I am hoping to still get a few things done in our bedroom before the end of the week but we will see.

so i can sew (kinda)

2008-09-16T15:13:00.003-05:00

I made seven pillows yesterday and a couch cushion cover for our leather chair. Some of the leather was very worn on the front. I quoted having it repaired. $100.00 or $12.00 for two yards of fabric ummmmmmmmmmm let me think. Cover it is! My mom is coming to see the pillows today so we will see if they are any good after inspection.

guess what?

2008-09-15T09:53:00.002-05:00

I PAINTED THE DOOR. It is entry/foyer week and since my front door plants you right in my living room I am using it as a bonus week.

I did some really great yard saling this weekend. I found two beautiful prints (one for living and one for kitchen) at a house where the lady was literally selling the art off her walls. She is redoing her house in beachy stuff. It was traditional/eclectic! Yeah me!

I bought

4 lamps
3 prints (one is very little for kitchen)
1 antique mirror
3 Christmas trees (the set of pencil fir trees)
1 pair 10slim khaki pants (levi's)
4 place mats and 6 napkins (sonoma)
1 tablecloth

$55.00

So Proud of myself!

I am going to spend this week trying to finish living room. We have not re-hung any art since we painted in March. So this is the week. I will be making pillows and slipcovers an hanging art like a mad woman.

week 2

2008-09-08T12:22:00.002-05:00

ok so this week is question week/living room.

questions meaning - what does Christmas mean to your family? what would your ideal holiday season be? I am also using this as the "What do you want for Christmas?"

Living Room- I have spent the last 6 hours scrubbing and dusting and vacuuming everything in here with in an inch of my life. I was sweating and I DON'T DO THAT!

I finished the furniture on the front porch this morning. I am not saying it might not need another lick with the spray can in a couple places. All in all it looks pretty darn good.

I have not painted the front door yet.

I seriously need to find a place to HAUL off some stuff! I mean old shutters and junky entertainment center. Know anywhere?