Oh goodness...i started out with 2 pets and now have 8

I think on some smaller scale I am feeling Jon and Kate-ish. My extremely tiny half shi-zu and half taco bell do got pregnant by our full blood wienie dog. To say I was not so pleased is an understatement. But I figured the dog is not so big so we might have one maybe two puppies.
So we plugged along watching my tiny doggie blow up to unfathionable portions for such a small dog knowing that any one of these days will be THE day. Today Kaileigh comes shrieking into my room while I was trying to take a nap. On any other normal day that happens often so I was not alarmed. But today I was a little concerned when I was able to make out the words, "there is a puppy in my bed". Turns out Bell had burrowed herself under the covers and had a puppy and did so making no noise or movement. The only way Kaileigh became aware of it was when she pulled back the covers to get up and go get a drink of water. Bell really is an amazing dog so sweet and well behaved. It is too bad she is so ugly (but than again, noone has a dog like her)
With that exciting proclamation Kaileigh, Emory and I ran to Kaileigh's room in time to see a sight I will not describe for you (because I am trying to get the picture out of my head still). It was foul looking and smelling and thus 2 of my 3 children got to see the miracle of birth (okay, so it was the family pet but she is still a member of the family and in lots of ways we think of her as human)
I kept thinking she was done and then I would come back into the room and find yet another dog the size of a mouse. She never yelped or acted like she was in pain instead spitting them out like "hmmm...no big deal" The end total is 6!!!! 6 puppies are whimpering and whining away in my house and I am so clueless. How am I going to find homes for them? And how will I seperate the girls from them. And what about Bell, will she be sad and go into depression (that does run in our family) What am I going to do with 8 dogs?
pictures will follow soon as soon as I pick up my jaw off the floor.

Since I left off a kid in two of these I guess my decision has been made

Okay, so I was browsing and I stumbled across McMommy's blog and I realized I need to get a jump on my holiday cards BEFORE two weeks until Christmas. I needed a pick me up since I am climbing the walls with the kids being out of school the past 4 days. So here are some of my final maybes.

I like this one and the fact that I could use 3 pictures was cool, but it seemed to busy so I just used the same pick 3 times and I kinda like it. I usually go with red or green so the blue is new to me. Kinda feel hip and trendy with this one.

 

I just like this picture. I constantly get asked if my husband is mad but he is like this is EVERY picture he takes. And I only get a few family pictures a year so I just have to make do with what I get. I did not think this one was too shabby.

 

So I don't think I am going to go with this one. I do like it but it is a little too dark and somber for me.

 

What do you think? If you get a chance, send me your cards so I can post them. I just love this time of year!!!!!

emory wanted to tell everyone happy thanksgiving

Like me, the kid can talk and often gets herself sidetracked. She swears she is a reality tv star and we are all merely her audience (you can thank Disney Chanel Nickolodeon for that) what can I say? I don't have the heart to tell her she doesn't indeed have a website at wwwmo and her dutiful camerawoman (me) can not keep the camera still, I am shaking with laughter as she talks about her website and feasteses....See what I mean, I got myself sidetracked. She comes by this honestly.

no turkey for us folks

I started out with the Christmas decorating in the dining room. I just go area to area and eventually every surface, nook and crany gets covered. I am a Christmas geek taking such childlike pleasure in every santa face, friendly snowman's wave, and reindeer with a red nose. I just walk through the house (when I finally get done finding every treasure it's own place) with just plain giddiness. Usually we are in Mississippi visiting my in-laws so this is the first year we have been home for Thanksgiving and it was uncharacteristically (for me) calm, lazy, laid back and fabulous!! I am stuffed both in my stomach and in my heart.

 

We don't do anything traditionally. While my husband can fry a juicy bird this year we opted for ham. You could just taste the apple cidar and apple juice. yummy yummy yummy

 

Kaileigh was at Nana's visiting her dad so it was just the little kids and I have never seen them eat that much.

 

Emory pulled a me and ate all the black olives before anyone else had a chance to get to them. Black olives are a rare commodity in our house. Not that we don't buy them they just don't last....Some things do get passed down from generation to generation. My mom used to get so frustrated at how fast we ate them that she started putting a can in each of our stockings at Christmas time. I have decided to adopt the practice and this year Santa will deposit one can of black gold in each of my kids stockings. Can't wait to see their faces. :)

 

Hope you all had a great turkey day and took a second to stop and simply say....thank you (for whatever it is you are thankful for) I know I did.

Chicks N Chili

Kaileigh and her Aunt Kari warming up for the 5K (yeah, my kid actually did the 5K even if it was only because she had no idea what she was getting into)

 

Still all smiles, rarin to go!! I think the excitement of all the people was contagious, I even wished I was out there giving it a try (and then I remembered how far they were going and I was glad I had to be working instead) We had almost 500 participants and their families so you can imagine the huge turnout. For the most part I was really pleased

 

ANd so was Kaileigh until she decided halfway through (and a few more times after that) that she could not finish. But her aunt would not let her quit and ended up dragging her across the finish line. I guess the fact that Kari is a cross country runner and has been for years was a good thing and a bad thing. But Kaileigh kept up, running most of it and finishing in 33 minutes. This picture looks worse than it is, and yes, the tears were real. I was so proud of her as I handed her the flowers I bought her.At the time she just handed the flowers back and cried into my shirt. But later on (and even now) she talks about how she can't believe she did it and is glad she tried. That's my girl.

 

Myself and my awesome Boys and Girls Clubbers (staff that is) I can't tell you how awesome these folks are and how my opinion of them was changed by the end of this day. I am truly blessed to be a part of something growing into my dream job. You never know coming into something new, but I could not be happier (well, maybe after getting caught up on my house that I have neglected for the past week working on this race) job wise though, I am blessed.

 

thank you, it's monday

I started off my day wonderfully. My supervisor bought me flowers and told me she appreciates me. (I know, right) But the roses only smelled sweet for so long.

 

Then I got to my office and this is what greeted me. A bunch of HUGE boxes. But it was okay, seeing as they were all going to be packed with food to be distributed to families for Thanksgiving meals. It's hard to complain about something like that.

 

On to the first of two mommy duties. First up was dinner with Isaiah at his school. The kids dressed up as indians and this little chief was not too thrilled with his hat. Which I don't really blame him. Have you tried to put paper on your head for any length of time? Not too comfy. But it was hilarious.

 

Emory was in her element all dressed up and ready to show off for the parents.

 

I wish I could say this was my day but really it was just the beginning.....

i heart

1. my new blog design but I wonder how long I can go before I get sick of those pictures? (thank you Shauna)

2. That I got to sleep in my own bed last night without 2 extra bodies (a 2 and a 5yr old) invading my space.Thank the lord for small miracles.

3..That Daniel unblocked the filter on my yahoo email account at work. (I was terrified I missing something, I have bid on several things on ebay you know)

4. That today is friday and tommorrow is Chicks N Chili. (Last night I finished up registration and we have 423 participants so far that is alot of email address to type)

5. My flowers on my desk from Sabrina. It is soooo nice to be appreciated!

6. The Mother Letter blog. It's on my blog roll. Go check it out, write a letter and then tell your friends about it.

oh cow, look at the time. I would love to go on and on with more things I love but I have to go pick up 600 bottles of water from Nestle.I will return next week with lots of downtime and things to complain about. Have a GREAT weekend!

more birthday party pics

Kaileigh is 11 and too cool to get her picture taken with her baby sister, that and the fact that she brought a friend to the party made it hard to get a picture. Here she is on the rock wall though.

 

Emory was fearless climbing that thing. She went back up and down and eventually I had to remind her that other people wanted a turn too (I know your not supposed to be mean to the birthday girl but enough already)

 

Even my two year old thought he could take on the wall. Of course he was too young, but I was proud that all 3 of my kids wanted to get up there and try it because half of the kids there were just too scared. I love that about my kids.

 

Emory's 6th Birthday party

Just love this kid...not that I don't love all my kids equally...but this one I can't kiss enough. My husband is worried because he says he is too pretty. Can a kid be too pretty???

 

I just love trick candles. You'd think by now they would figure it out and just proceed with the candle blowing out knowing that they will have to repeat the process two or three times. But no, they are none the wiser.
So they (at least act) suprised when the candles re-light themselves. (tee hee hee)

 

Don't know any other kids that wants their NOVEMBER birthday party to be at a place that has a pool but what can I say, my kids is an original. She had outgrown her bathing suit this summer and since NO ONE sells swimming suits in the winter, we had to last minute- scrounge around for one.

 

Good times, Good times

Survey Stealer (who got it from Beth who stole it from someone else)

1. What is your funniest childhood story?
I would have to say that as a child my little brother Adam used to let us dress him up all the time (which is funny now to me especially as I watch the girls dress up Isaiah). Anyway, this one time he was about 4 and I was about 6 or 7 and I had him put my mom's bright red HUGE bra on top of his head and the cups looked like horns. Then I had him cluck up and down the drive way like he was a chicken. I still crack up thinking about it to this day.

2. What would your dream dress look like if you could design it?
It would be creme-ish in color (or maybe tan but definately brown) with a empire waist that hides the back fat and the tire complements of 2 C-sections. It would have be sleeveless but have capped sleeves to hide the hangy arm stuff that came out of nowhere. It would be to the floor with beads and crystals....oh wait, I just described my wedding dress (which I adore by the way)

3. What weird habit does your hubby have?
He makes this squishy noise while he is chewing up his food. He scraps the plate with his utensil far more than is recquired and than makes that noise. It drives me absolutely nuts!!!

4. How many cookbooks are in your kitchen?
I have to steal Beth's answer on this one cause it is so right on the mark for me.
Tons. I love cookbooks. I love cookbooks more than I love cooking.


5. Granny panties or loyal Victoria Secret girl?
Okay, so this is TMI but oh well, I don't like either. leave it at that


6. My favorite memory from 2008 so far is...
My with out a doubt number one memory for this year is seeing my kids at Disney World


7. I secretly...
Sort my m&m's and skittles by twos and eat them by same colors. I throw away the ones that don't have mates.


8. I could really go for...
Sunday, when Chicks N Chili is over and we get to go see the lights on the square


9. We are going to have a big snow storm and you will find me...
In my bed with all the kids watching an old movie like "singing in the rain" or "bedknobs and broomsticks


10. I knew he was the one...
The first time I heard him say OUR kids instead of YOUR kids. Never once has he said that to me.



now back to work for me.

The Mother Letter

http://motherletter.blogspot.com/

This is the link to a blog that you should go and check out. A very old and dear friend that I grew up with is creating a gift for his wife AND IT IS AMAZING! We have to get involved!!! He is creating a book of letters for his wife for Christmas. Letters from moms to moms about moms and so on. How awesome is that! So go to the site, write a letter, and then pass the link along.

....on a side note, thanks name has been withheld so his wife won't find out, for restoring my faith in the love from a husband to his wife (sniff,sniff)

"Creek" not "creed" mom, said with an eye roll

I know every parent thinks their child is a hoot and I am no exception. I laugh hyseterically everytime she tells me her "Thomas Jefferson Creek" I try to correct her and tell her it is the "Creed" not "Creek" but it's a lost cause. Almost like when she asks for Cretzels (you know, those brown things that the rest of us substitute the P for the C) but like I said she's a pure hoot.

My Rockin Friday Night

5 reasons why my Friday night with LaDonna and Jeremy Camp rocked….

1. Laughing my tail off about stalker antics, random pictures of a woman holding a horse, not so attractive boobies and tag your it emails ten times in a row. There has to be laws about that type of thing…

2. Talking my head off but not really talking about anything at all. It was nice to not have an agenda or goal to meet. To just be me and ….talk (and even better. To get to listen to this really groovy chick. I forgot how funny she is)

3. No kids…..no screaming “he took my little pet shop toys”, “she changed the channel again”. Or, “I know we just ate and it is bed time but I am hungry” or the all too famous “I poop”...

4. Getting to eat a whole Tiny Tim’s mini sausage and black olive pizza and not having to share one bite of it.

5. Listening to that sexy mans voice. I closed my eyes and it was so much better. Is there anything hotter than a man that can sing? Although I do feel a little sacrilegious for talking about a Christian recording artist like that, but have you heard the man sing!!!!

another song for the list

"Stand Back Up"

Go ahead and take your best shot,
Let 'er rip, give it all you've got,
I'm laid out on the floor, but I've been here before,
I may stumble, yeah I might fall,
Only human aren't we all?
I might lose my way, but hear me when I say,

I will stand back up,
You'll know just the moment when I've had enough,
Sometimes I'm afraid, and I don't feel that tough,
But I'll stand back up,

I've been beaten up and bruised,
I've been kicked right off my shoes,
Been down on my knees more times than you'd believe,
When the darkness tries to get me,
There's a light that just won't let me,
It might take my pride, and my tears may fill my eyes,
But I'll stand back up,

I've weathered all these storms,
But I just turn them into wind, so I can fly,
What don't kill you makes you stronger,
When I take my last breath,
That's when I'll just give up,

So, go ahead and take your best shot,
Let 'er rip, give it all you've got,
You might win this round but you can't keep me down,

'Cause I'll stand back up,
And you'll know just the moment when I've had enough,
Sometimes I'm afraid and I don't feel that tough,
But I'll stand back up,

You'll know just the moment when I've had enough,
Sometimes I'm afraid and I don't feel that tough,
But I'll stand back up

my life in a song

Last night I got to thinkin about how every major event in my life can be marked by a song. It never fails, I hear a song and it takes me back to whatever happened in my life while that song was playing in my head. All the laughter and tears and triumphs and inspiration for doing better next time. I can usually find a song to fit every occasion...here are some of those songs

SONG THAT I THINKS DESCRIBES ME BEST: Bitch by Meredith Brooks
SONG I WANT PLAYED AT MY FUNERAL: I was here by Lady Antebellum
FIRST SONG I REMEMBER MY MOM SINGING TO ME: Wendy by The Association
FIRST SONG I LEARNED TO SING: Jesus loves me
SONG I REMEMBER MOST FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS: Your the one that I want duet by myself and Leah Edwards
FIRST CHRISTMAS CAROL: Away in a manger
SONG MY MOM SINGS TO MY KIDS: Jesus loves the little children
FIRST KISS: Faithfully by Journey on my 12th birthday
FIRST SONG SHARED WITH A BOY THAT WAS "OUR" SONG: Baby Baby by Amy Grant
FIRST SONG AFTER A BOY BROKE MY HEART: Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow
SONG THAT GOT ME OVER MY FIRST BROKEN HEART: I can see clearly now by Johnny Nash
SONG THAT REMINDS ME OF JACK: More than one but the top 3 are Baby Mine, Oh Love, and Held
FIRST SONG DAN AND I EVER DANCED TO: Sunday Morning by Lionel Richie
SONG THAT REMINDS ME OF KENNY: Confessions by Usher
SONG I PLAYED AT MY WEDDING THAT I LOVED MOST: Kissing You from Romeo & Juliet
SONG WE DANCED TO AT OUR WEDDING: If this world were mine by Luther Vandross
SONG THAT MAKES ME THINK OF MY SISTER: Stay by Madonna circa 1980
SONG THAT MAKES ME THINK OF MY BROTHER: Enter Sandman by Metallica
SONG THAT REMINDS ME OF MY PARENTS: If you get there before I do by Colin Raye
SONG THAT REMINDS ME OF KAILEIGH: Winnie the Pooh (old school version)
SONG THAT EMORY MAKES ME SING EVERY NIGHT AT BEDTIME: I love you lord
ISAIAH'S SONG: Baby mine
SONG I AM OBSESSED WITH RIGHT NOW: Halo by Beyonce or You don't have to call by Taylor Swift

lost in my head somewhere, or maybe lost in my heart???

Thank you to my friend for this.

"I'm not that naive, men weren't meant to ride with clouds between their knees
I'm only a man in a silly red sheet; digging for kryptonite on this one way street.
Only a man in a funny red sheet, looking for special things inside of me."
And just like that, I stopped believing in Superman. After all, he's just a man in a silly red sheet.

I had to put this simple but smart quote as a note to myself...maybe if I say it enough I will start to believe it. <

my kids are a hoot

even my two year old gets in on the act..look for the stage show coming soon.



okay, so ignore the messiness of my 11yr olds room (you never think of those things till you see the video do you?) and I know all my husband would notice is that bright yellow Southern Miss shirt. oy! my crazy life.....gotta love it!

excuse our mess...we are under construction

so for all those that see my blog and think egad....what is wrong with this blog, I am in the process of finding someone to design one for me. Everyone that I email about doing it has a waiting list so that is what I am doing...waiting. so excuse the mess we are currently under construction.

back where i come from

wordless wednesday needs a few words to explain but i won't elaborate....


my very first apartment in greenwood, arkansas (government housing at it's finest)

 

my high school which they remodeled so that it does not even look the same (this door is all that looks familiar to me)

 

the parking lot where i hatched alot of schemes (enough said)

 

meet the sibs

my sister JaLana and her husband Clay

 

My brother Adam and his wife Miranda

 

Survey Says

I AM: mommy, wife, special event director and proud member of the board of directors with The Jack Ryan Gillham Foundation
I THINK: that the importance of family is under-rated
I KNOW: that I have a deep and profound faith (thanks, Jack)
I HAVE: 15 pounds to lose
I DISLIKE: mean spirited people
I MISS: the carefree feeling of being a child
I FEAR: that I might be addicted to blogging.
I HEAR: Bruce Springsteen in my headphones
I SMELL: my newly purchased happy holidays yankee candle
I USUALLY: forget at least one thing I was supposed to do a day
I SEARCH: for my birth mother
I TALK: too much
I WONDER: why people are picking on Jon & Kate
I REGRET: nothing enough to complain about
I LOVE: my life and all that comes with it.
I CARE: about sick babies
I ALWAYS: tell people that I care about, that I care
I WORRY: if I will be remembered for being a good mommy
I AM NOT: ashamed of the fact that I am not perfect.
I REMEMBER: Jack everyday.
I BELIEVE: that God’s will is perfect.
I DANCE: with my kids...constantly
I SING: to Emory every night.
I DON'T ALWAYS: stay positive
I DON'T LIKE: stinky smells
I ENJOY: a great book, white choc. mochas from Starbuks, Yankee candles
I WIN: at the casino...never
I LOSE: my cool when there are lots of different loud noises going on.
I WISH: that babies did'nt get sick
I LIKE: for my house to be clean.
I CRAVE: Orange sunkist and cheese
I NEVER HAVE: bungee jumped, skydived or gone on a scuba trip. I hate thrill seeking.
I LISTEN: to kids complain all afternoon at work
I DON'T UNDERSTAND: why people are so negative.
I CAN USUALLY BE FOUND: running in a million directions at once
I AM SCARED: of the economy
I NEED: a vacation
I FORGET: things easily.
I AM HAPPY: 89.3% of the time.

top ten pet peeves

So as I was reading Beth's top ten pet peeves my mind would not let me concentrate and started rattling off my own list of "oh no you did'nts" here they are in no particular order.

1. When someone redoes a wonderfully great song. For example, I am listening to a very painful rendition of the Beyonce song "Crazy in Love" redone by Snow Patrol.Yes folks, I said Snow Patrol. The very same group that mellowly and calmly sings "If I lay here. If I just lay here. Would lie with me and just forget the world" is now screaming in my ears "uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh oh na na" (truly painful, I tell ya!)

2. Filling out Birthday Party invitations. I used to take such care in carefully crafting a beautiful invite to send out to all our family and friends. Now I cringe as I have waited till the last minute and it is too late to order them to be printed so I have to hand write them all at.And I am seeing visions of the inevitable melt down and hissy fit, the "Is everyone having fun" and why won't Dan stop talking to his friends and help me. Good times huh.

3. Not changing the toilet roll after it has been all used up instead setting it on the holder for me to change out. Seriously, you can't change it yourself. You are so focused on doing your buisness that you can't multitask and CHANGE THE ROLL. ugh!

4. When Emory walks into my office and just throws her backpack and jacket in the floor right outside the door instead of putting it in the corner where her sister puts hers. It goes back to the "Were you born in a barn question?"

5. Forgetting how badly I am at the upkeep required of having your natural nails painted. I chip off and pick at them until there is only the round circle of polish in the middle of my nails ususally on my thumbs and pinkie finger.So classy going in to meetings would'nt you say

6. How slow kaileigh is getting ready for something. I tell her to go get her backpack and she stops to inspect a bracelet she has found in the bathroom or it is suddenly urgent that she add a pair of fingerless gloves to her ensamble. REALLY, I mean, what part of "we are running late" makes you think all of that is necessary.

7. When someone asks if one of my kids are adopted. No, for the record, they are not. I try to jokingly say I am pulling an Angelina, (although for the record that is a cover up to how ticked off I am)

8. Rude drivers... Is is really going to hurt you to wait 30 seconds for me to cross in front of you (especially since you can't go anywhere anyway but for me it is all clear) I have griped so much that my kids say "I know already don't say it, if we are rude drivers when we grow up, you will make it so we can't drive at all" I smile happy in the knowledge that my children are trainable (except when it comes to changing the toilet paper roll or flushing the toilet)

9. When my husband tries to parent me. I acknowledge that in a lot of ways he compliments me and balances out my faults. but in a lot of other ways he just plain gets on my nerves..... I have taken to say when I am upset at him "I love you honey but right now I don't like you"

10. Men who don't pay child support....enough said

Thanks Beth, that was fun. Maybe I will do some more of these

where did my weekend go?

 

This weekend was much needed. Only 2 weeks till my next event ("Chicks N Chili" 5K Run/ Walk and 1/2 marathon) and I am so ready for it to be over. As much as I love my job as an event director, sometimes at the end you run out of steam. Weekly meetings and revisions on things like posters and t-shirts and yard signs....ugh enough already.

On Saturday my family and I spent the morning at Fastlane. Playing video games and laser tag..pizza and redeeming tickets for prizes so cheap they don't make it out of the parking life. good times (at least I hope the kids thought so)The whole rest of the day I layed around and did nothing. It was great. That night after the kids were in bed Dan and I watched a movie..... together. I almost did'nt know what to feel about the whole thing since it is such a rariety these days.

Sunday was more "Chicks N Chili" stuff and then off to catch the very last of The Board of Directors meeting for The Jack Ryan Gillham Foundation. I did not think I would be that late, but what can you do. I need to clone myself sometimes. Needless to say I did not contribute a whole lot to the meeting.

Sunday night we ate deer stew, cornbread and broc. and cheese that Dan had cooked. I wasn't able to eat deer meat until just recently, now I can't really tell a difference.(as long as I don't think about it) It was really sweet of him to cook. That is his new Sunday tradition. Every Sunday he makes a big meal from scratch and we all have to stop doing whatever we are doing and eat as a family. I kinda like that idea so I go along with it. Sometimes my husband is a pretty good guy (shhh..don't tell him I said that)it was off to bed and ready for Monday. We are down to one car right now so he drops me off at work. I am actually kinda not happy about it because my ride to work is MY time. I turn up the radio way too loud, drive a little faster and enjoy not having to listen to Jonas Brothers or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.And I hate being stuck here with no way to leave until he decides to come and get me. I had to BRING MY LUNCH..ugh. So I feel kinda gipped right now. I am trying to look at the positive side of this, it is more time I get to see my family and Dan in particular.....Maybe if I tell myself it's not so bad I will eventually believe it.

anyway, happy monday guys!

does not smell like roses in here!!!!

Okay, so by now I have mentioned that I work at a Boys & Girls Club. I am for the most part thrilled about the fact that my older girls get to come hang out where mommy works. Today was not one of those days.

The joke around my office is how the toilet is backed up CONSTANTLY and there is always a fight to figure out 1.)who the culprit was and 2.)Who is going to unstop it.....Well today that honor went to my child and me.

Emory is like clock work. She gets off the bus at 3 on the dot and at 3:05 WHERE EVER she is you can find in her in the bathroom. The other members of my family have some degree of modesty but does Emory? NO! She could use any one of the 5 restrooms scattered around the facility but for some reason she likes to go to the admin offices where in a tiny space, 8 people share air. So you know every smell is detected and of course lingers for all to comment on.So I inspected for a cushier toilet seat, stronger better smelling air freshner, softer toilet paper or some other reason she would insist on using our bathroom. But it is just a bathroom. Same as the other 5. So I can't figure it out.

I did not enjoy spending my happy friday afternoon cleaning out a nasty toilet and being the entertainment for all of my co-workers!!!!Gotta love being a mommy huh!

7 things I pray for my kids

As I was blog hopping (as I tend to do when I am procrastinating at work on a task that is daunting or unappealing), I stumbled across this blog post from "Bring the Rain" and it really touched me. When I think of my children, and all that I want for them it is such an overwhelming prayer. All the wishes and hopes and dreams I have for them and for the adults they will become. So to be able to read something so simple yet so complete was something I printed out to take home and frame for bedside.I thought I would share that prayer now.....


1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring Kaileigh, Emory and Isaiah word of your unfailing love, for we put our trust in You. Show them the way they should go, for to you I lift up their soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)


2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help my babies bear with others and forgive whatever grievances they have against others. Help all of us to forgive as the Lord forgave us. And over all these virtues, help us put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)


3. While they are eating: "Teach my angels the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach us that we can do everything through him who gives us strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)


4. When they go out of the house: " Kaileigh, Emory and Isaiah do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)


5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give my children clean hands and a pure heart, and let my family not lift our souls to an idol or swear by what is false. Let us receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God our Savior. Let us be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)


6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)


7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that Kaileigh Shay, Emory Caron and Daniel Isaiah will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that they may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which they shine like a star in the universe as we hold out the word of life-in order that they may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

proud of my family

 

 

first time voter

As I am standing in line waiting for the door to open, letting in the long line of people waiting to excercise their right to vote, I am listening to everyone around me talk about where they have voted before and what a pain it always is. I am excited and just trying to take it all in (and make sure I am in the right line) The group I am standing in exchanges their stories and then stop talking and look at me, waiting to hear my voting stories or jokes and I meekly say, "this is my first time to vote". After they narrowed their eyes a little, one man spoke up and said "well, this election really stirred up some issues now didn't it" to which I replied "no, I just figured I am 30 years old and have not ever felt relevant, that my vote would not matter. But this time around I wanted to pay attention so I did and here I am"
For the millionith time I thought to myself "I can't wait for this election to be over"
Eventually we shuffle in and what do we have, broken machines and yet another line. It was divided up into two precients (and of course mine had more people in it making the line longer). I made my way up to check in and get my ballot and got in yet another line. Reading over the ballot I saw the ammendment for allowing "idiots and insane" people the right to vote. I will not even start on how disgusted that made me because it is a whole different post.I will say, no person should be called an idiot or insane person (because of disability or mental illness that is).
Finally it was my turn and I made my way to the makeshift voting station. See, in order to help the line along the volunteer had gone into the kitchen of the church that I was voting at and grabbed three of those plastic crates that you use to run dishes through a dishwasher and formed a screen out of that.I heard a man say, only in Arkansas.
So I voted. I didn't know who some of the candidates were so I did the I like that name, or this one is a woman thing and in true Wendy fasion I saved the president of the United States for last. In my head I heard a drumroll and cymbols as I colored in the little black circle. I walked up to the voter ballot box and slid mine in there.and I left.
I left feeling like a grown up (usually I still feel like a kid that is pretending to play grown up).I felt for once I was being a responsible, contributing grown up. Such a small thing I know for some because you have always done this everytime voting time came around. But I never cared before. Never had the thought if everyone thought like I did, noone would ever vote. Change would never come. And how can you complain (which I do in spades) about something when you do nothing to change it? I feel like if my candidate wins or loses, it's okay but I was still a part of that. A supporter.
I do dread tonight. My husband has already claimed the big screen for the entire coverage (all 8 hours of it) so I have resigned myself to the fact that I have to watch my shows from my bedroom. Dan gets interested in this election for entirely different reasons and is very passionate about the outcome. I don't even want to think about the mood he will be in if Obama loses. To him it's about the possibility of his children and grand children seeing a black man in a position of leadersip and the inspiration and encouragement they will get from that. That they will see their skin color as just what it is, a color and not a barrier.
My next post will not be so deep. and I will say again, I can't wait for this election to be over!!!!

halloween is over..hooray

Most little girls pick the typical princess, or cheerleader, or punk rocker. I do have one that followed the norm of girl costumes, but not Emory. She wanted to be a pirate this year, so I present the 3rd place winner (out of 62 kids) for best costume. I would like to say it was for her cute face but really I know it was mostly due to the glow in the dark vampire teeth she proudly displayed winning over the judges hearts.....prison or president with that one!!

 

My not-so-little girl the witch Kaileigh

 

What made this full body dinosaur so cute was the way he walked around to everyone growling. The fat patch of skin above his eye puffed out and eyes menacing. Each time he did it,I kept thinking he was gonna bite me, but he was too busy laughing at himself....

 

overall the day was chaotic, but oh so much fun