tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10995079930707283882024-03-05T02:53:54.272-05:00Bless this mess....My life with 3 monkeys/girls...It's messy, loud, fun, sweet, stinky, warm, fun and just about anything else.
Oh yeah...and my ever-patient, lovin' husband.
One more thing...there may be some scrapbooking and crafting...beware.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-47216453928209604752015-01-01T16:24:00.000-06:002015-01-01T16:24:42.890-06:00Back to blogging life!I really want to get back to blogging. I don't think I have many readers, if any. But, I really like the story it tells about my family.<br />
We are moving forward to top speed.<br />
One daughter heading to college.<br />
One daughter heading to high school.<br />
One daughter growing like a weed.<br />
And a mom and dad who just sit back, stunned, wanting to slow it all down. Just a little.<br />
<br />
2015 is our year.<br />
I can feel it.<br />
<br />
A friend told me that she was praying and felt compelled to tell me that good things are coming my way. But I needed to write "it" down.<br />
Not sure what "it" is, but I will do the writing.<br />
<br />
So, Happy New Year!<br />
I feel ready for the journey ahead and the memories of the path that we have travelled so far.<br />
<br />
So, if you are reading this, thank you.<br />
<br />
God bless us everyone!<br />
<br />
Until next time.....Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-32282854850312946412012-09-14T21:06:00.003-05:002012-09-14T21:06:44.417-05:00Well, well, well. There you are!!!Yup! Here I am.<br />
I have not fallen off of the face of this great earth. I have not run away to the jungles of africa.<br />
I have just been a bit busy.<br />
Doing what? Well.....let me think.<br />
Since my last post, Allison has graduated Kindergarten and is thriving in the 1st grade. She is a very sensitive gal who cannot get it through her head that, although she is the youngest, she in not the baby. But I guess she will always be our baby. right?<br />
<br />
Emily is finally a Middle schooler. The most important part of this in our school getting to wear more selections of shirt colors and khaki bottoms. When kids wear uniforms to school everyday, they take every little bit of freedom and individuality that they can get. She is an avid reader and waiting for basketball practice to start. The boy craziness comes and goes like it does with most girls her age.<br />
<br />
Katie? Katie. Katie. Katie. Our sweet Katie. She is jumping in to her sophomore year with both feet. She is staying active in the drama club, but enjoying the work behind the scenes, She has found some kindred spirits with the crew. She is participating in the choir and auditioned for and made the elite<br />
women's choir at EHS called Bel Canto. That was an awesome boost to her self smile!Her grades remain strong. No thanks to me or Eric. I can quiz her on vocab words, but that math stuff that she has gotten to is way above what I remember. She make me so proud. They all 3 do!!!<br />
<br />
My new niece, Madalyn, is now 2yrs old. She is a tiny, mighty vessel of brains and stinkerpotterness. She is a 2yo and she acts like it. Although you need to address her as the mailman quite often. She is <br />
alot of fun. And she reminds me of her mother all of the time/!!!!<br />
<br />
Eric and I are trucking right allong. Almost to our 19th wedding anniversary in October. Wow, huh?<br />
I am so thankful to have him in my life. He is a good hubby and a great daddy to our daughters. What more could I ask for.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI6uYkdV5mYN3-KwliLANpN8QeMb7bTfDRPb1xRWmEiv3w0JnJE7ouQGIKD7QErkJ0AUBoqVgF5jWgIJVx5H6mIVtPg2461eVlHNm7h-uzWG4fqhGGobgWgjAbtzVOtEIM1-4y-hF810/s1600/pensacola+607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI6uYkdV5mYN3-KwliLANpN8QeMb7bTfDRPb1xRWmEiv3w0JnJE7ouQGIKD7QErkJ0AUBoqVgF5jWgIJVx5H6mIVtPg2461eVlHNm7h-uzWG4fqhGGobgWgjAbtzVOtEIM1-4y-hF810/s320/pensacola+607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzfgeLk1RY9Fpsl3SyRL1C9Rj3cLTt2D6AT41fviUKNda700k8IPoQg4tuSP5d67_bVFLhTMpi2gyapwfqp7Ps4MIQWa8nKcAxcOmOFsgJOz1LBNAoSMEcZTwOuejKNeXuutD3WOcpWs/s1600/pensacola+608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzfgeLk1RY9Fpsl3SyRL1C9Rj3cLTt2D6AT41fviUKNda700k8IPoQg4tuSP5d67_bVFLhTMpi2gyapwfqp7Ps4MIQWa8nKcAxcOmOFsgJOz1LBNAoSMEcZTwOuejKNeXuutD3WOcpWs/s320/pensacola+608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We went to Pensacola Florida in August, 2012. It was a wonderful family trip. Time spent together, hanging out, at the beach, exploring lighthouses, museums, more beaches....awesome. It was so nice to spend time together as our family. Love those people to pieces!!!!!Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-64579192010254283032010-09-24T03:38:00.001-05:002010-09-24T03:40:02.276-05:00Has it really been that long since I posted???So much has happened....so much.<br /><br />I will try to catch up this weekend.<br /><br />The best part?<br /><br />I have a precious new niece...born on Memorial Day. I got to be there for the entire thing and it was the most special thing ever!!!<br /><br />I will try to post pictures very soon...<br /><br />We are all well. So much going on. Good. Bad. Everything in between.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-66263561234685684462010-03-16T16:08:00.006-06:002010-03-16T17:31:58.661-06:0065 photos....<div><br /><br /><div>When I got home from work this morning, I found my EMPTY camera case on the dining room table. When I asked Eric where it was, he told me that the camera was by the kitchen sink.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>WHAT?????</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I found the camera by the sink....and proceeded to go through the photos on it. Allison has discovered how to take a photo and she thinks that the camera is just as much her's to use as it is mine. Um....no way, kiddo. But, apparently, daddy was preoccupied with another task and Allison went to town, snapping up photos of our home. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>But not pretty photos, but pics that a 4yo would love to see...her toy area, the kitchen trash can, the pile of laundry that needs to be put away in mom and dad's room....</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>and her left hand. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Yes, her left hand. When asked why there we so many pics of her hand, Allison let me know that she took pictures of her hand so I would know what her hand looked like while she was at school. Yes, sweetie. Momma often forgets what your sweet, chubby hand looks like for the 2.5hrs that you are gone in the morning....3 days a week. NOT!!!!!</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDwvq2KLNhN_6NpaXZ4YN9YFL_48NsdT3OuZzPeq2mScOYM5AZBJw83uT9eIguh5_kGM8rjOhe4ru0JcHqsHB68skg-NaTuTbtTjPUqSUTQcwi4vXnuHs90uUf_civp4-TY0fA5qvneM/s1600-h/DSCN0430.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449363567699211762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDwvq2KLNhN_6NpaXZ4YN9YFL_48NsdT3OuZzPeq2mScOYM5AZBJw83uT9eIguh5_kGM8rjOhe4ru0JcHqsHB68skg-NaTuTbtTjPUqSUTQcwi4vXnuHs90uUf_civp4-TY0fA5qvneM/s200/DSCN0430.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRhV-ynclMV13bEt8iZJh7-FJaQe6BbccUkUN70mABd9RtXHQl958HA3SxB6YqDauKnSJu9deqFSVTAJlO13PWsWwiA7X_nmF5-kKRWb1wyV5YlY9itmEphtYpJ08AGZl_zBLfQabWiI/s1600-h/DSCN0411.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449363556142389698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRhV-ynclMV13bEt8iZJh7-FJaQe6BbccUkUN70mABd9RtXHQl958HA3SxB6YqDauKnSJu9deqFSVTAJlO13PWsWwiA7X_nmF5-kKRWb1wyV5YlY9itmEphtYpJ08AGZl_zBLfQabWiI/s200/DSCN0411.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh22Ua8ZMYuYnOOVWXtp79KK8pBb_7AuMFygF6Nv8WdIBFn2hz8lxbNuL-lMfXfenKjB43lN7CZFIHbdCR8dNV56XU5rlIbgSVw7yzS82ZIY_5I37AbeODJhGIZi2K6Kmj32hicb0KHa8/s1600-h/DSCN0428.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449363542337709234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh22Ua8ZMYuYnOOVWXtp79KK8pBb_7AuMFygF6Nv8WdIBFn2hz8lxbNuL-lMfXfenKjB43lN7CZFIHbdCR8dNV56XU5rlIbgSVw7yzS82ZIY_5I37AbeODJhGIZi2K6Kmj32hicb0KHa8/s200/DSCN0428.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKzWcq3s7WnNcFCIjU4q04a9Dukz1sMzo-L4OBa8Um-ZNzFGxuvpRySHx_MGhUEaVd3wafhNPZHdSlAuQfaAWRkGIRlOMRB_8gVrGf220c0FY4BywvbhlWW4Akt_4n8RXrW0_nsH5-Vc/s1600-h/DSCN0410.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449363530486398306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKzWcq3s7WnNcFCIjU4q04a9Dukz1sMzo-L4OBa8Um-ZNzFGxuvpRySHx_MGhUEaVd3wafhNPZHdSlAuQfaAWRkGIRlOMRB_8gVrGf220c0FY4BywvbhlWW4Akt_4n8RXrW0_nsH5-Vc/s200/DSCN0410.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449360102334148722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXAsWtxDJCAzedRSGsHWmG6YA6v6GVHGlH3lZVZIU4pPTZ9eqYBMVofehlHD_tR0hxrfXHt2CwqH3wEKJa4PLVczHHUqbs-u-YOI1jjQfOfpKG2LkqYYYmxFuXVejnHwD23e1zNi9CF4/s200/DSCN0408.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL-hj3knWPZaHG1YduPXDSS9uwgzB7aE8PTrqH63lSigUNo3UjigHDoCLLZxaW-nMjrRW7kgwrIhEyavAieoEEfRzYfIYq7edZF_knK3SEGFmxcbteHQJXgppOLDuZheXS71ZEw690IM/s1600-h/DSCN0404.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449360093338928754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL-hj3knWPZaHG1YduPXDSS9uwgzB7aE8PTrqH63lSigUNo3UjigHDoCLLZxaW-nMjrRW7kgwrIhEyavAieoEEfRzYfIYq7edZF_knK3SEGFmxcbteHQJXgppOLDuZheXS71ZEw690IM/s200/DSCN0404.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC1Es7vHY0ch0FZj0BehhgQiTq1-dlX3h4OJFo2yz3mGrB1JaA9ebiVyTIjUcC1Uy0Szan7KFr9SKfq2prUF2Zi11TrOhEmQ2NR1mFksd1jTGEpA4ZMa1YyAiW3TBxrC7hFYslDjVBmc/s1600-h/DSCN0394.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449360074157924786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC1Es7vHY0ch0FZj0BehhgQiTq1-dlX3h4OJFo2yz3mGrB1JaA9ebiVyTIjUcC1Uy0Szan7KFr9SKfq2prUF2Zi11TrOhEmQ2NR1mFksd1jTGEpA4ZMa1YyAiW3TBxrC7hFYslDjVBmc/s200/DSCN0394.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449360066972765586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIoUvk_dVDkqhTWuHqNKKN3SznxDsigrRCYL2BtxuctonjmCdgnNuWtG6MZNfoLXF-MpQ6d74fk88wNDP8XujuVjygd13PG51pitCxJRT6C27cy9JKAXRd7llHwSsZBDtL9wF-ZtCh9g/s200/DSCN0401.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449377685926865618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGN98OndbX4OuR15LtovOLi30NibEGG0PYd170MeuizsTLmom09bqcdMWX3O2LdNW8bVteeTHSjfCP_SbF_jjSzgfWZxH7VKsu4aCFu3YpTV8jhvdinOqwjGVx-iDRh1fUG6J3jhsguTk/s200/DSCN0437.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Allison is a right-handed photographer. And she loves self portraits.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Here are a few, for posterity's sake.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>And then Daddy said..."here, let's get a picture of YOU. Apparently, he hadn't checked the photos already taken.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449377670536421346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuKuLmRDCcqHt_mXrVyqRhR0yLGUplMgadRqTb2ouUuEF9qTjd-a7geMoQNCIEdgdsqMSo_PbvE6YQAjvFtaKRJEF1dAhihYitSxthz3_m-0Kr9sgbLY1qKg2dw8S2rek1lMnschUPzI/s200/DSCN0440.jpg" /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-48982039021892359662010-03-16T15:59:00.001-06:002010-03-16T16:08:26.686-06:00Random kiddo photos....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScdzeagQL9Lb2sIP1X1WZB9utU72Av2S5DloxKi30FwRcKb4bfFQe0CevHM9G5ZpArHr3Zy0alHyqhXhnMkCrdBcbKoaah19lyl-9AZ1dfj9vkMijavQ42U1AFD4bq7eM7IevuGjFyoE/s1600-h/DSCN0315.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449356753500195954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScdzeagQL9Lb2sIP1X1WZB9utU72Av2S5DloxKi30FwRcKb4bfFQe0CevHM9G5ZpArHr3Zy0alHyqhXhnMkCrdBcbKoaah19lyl-9AZ1dfj9vkMijavQ42U1AFD4bq7eM7IevuGjFyoE/s200/DSCN0315.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAg5oqzoqNYOTWohWGZW_0TBxR3fu55obddPTvF0StoxqSPtLe9-UNn4DUJB3Vilhze5JEFw_f65r_ITlaZiQ2tpC1VYSU0I-1rHwxsCv8eY0p937wr0hwEfnLPKTlM_WOrQXOEbA4IA/s1600-h/DSCN0286.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449356735511118850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAg5oqzoqNYOTWohWGZW_0TBxR3fu55obddPTvF0StoxqSPtLe9-UNn4DUJB3Vilhze5JEFw_f65r_ITlaZiQ2tpC1VYSU0I-1rHwxsCv8eY0p937wr0hwEfnLPKTlM_WOrQXOEbA4IA/s200/DSCN0286.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mo5KD75hSgcXlmR_1e6MkVm0vHZqyJfocyHmyfFdWlMtDuFvODdVVJ5_TfALqmOEQNGu3Zn7aanSRQtto70yA1HT7mFDebM3vTrngFngpIHfOHSfhZ_E-gh1owCFWhhP8MxXODcerWM/s1600-h/DSCN0269.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449356724640271506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mo5KD75hSgcXlmR_1e6MkVm0vHZqyJfocyHmyfFdWlMtDuFvODdVVJ5_TfALqmOEQNGu3Zn7aanSRQtto70yA1HT7mFDebM3vTrngFngpIHfOHSfhZ_E-gh1owCFWhhP8MxXODcerWM/s200/DSCN0269.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6TN7zHVbGx7e-E05m4uMh_JwQ6Dq_EXiaxMgqK53djvZ52-QOUuPfzZHzi8HiE142SSXvzmlOMVSbaAgmkwY5cP3EchJW3XnEqzB8CkhLYbbCO5Hj1F4k3Gz1VXcSIe4yELzQcRLXEA/s1600-h/DSCN0268.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449356710692758450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6TN7zHVbGx7e-E05m4uMh_JwQ6Dq_EXiaxMgqK53djvZ52-QOUuPfzZHzi8HiE142SSXvzmlOMVSbaAgmkwY5cP3EchJW3XnEqzB8CkhLYbbCO5Hj1F4k3Gz1VXcSIe4yELzQcRLXEA/s200/DSCN0268.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Just because I haven't posted some pics of the monkeys....</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-78048846461699789662010-03-04T10:50:00.004-06:002010-03-04T11:17:12.896-06:00Servant<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQCZJzc-0KB9QYpTsy23zE8GfYwGuhDaBTIbGWRBW0rcYvbNMOAiQeXgkqqE-NQUqPsXWHXGOHTE29WXmywLaWKTi_9E_-aFrFYmm6QzQO_VLYclwfsbm-5ibpM9nynrL1c8XNLmfQS8/s1600-h/girls+at+science+center.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444828688362365442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQCZJzc-0KB9QYpTsy23zE8GfYwGuhDaBTIbGWRBW0rcYvbNMOAiQeXgkqqE-NQUqPsXWHXGOHTE29WXmywLaWKTi_9E_-aFrFYmm6QzQO_VLYclwfsbm-5ibpM9nynrL1c8XNLmfQS8/s320/girls+at+science+center.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"><em></em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"><em></em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"><em>Last night, as I was getting all of the girls in bed, I was feeling sorry for myself. I was doing all of the work. Eric stepped in for prayers (he had just gotten home from work a few minutes before). But I was the one that did the baths, checked homework, did the snuggles, got the umpteen cups of water....</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"><em>And I felt a little put-upon. But then I had to remember that this is what I had always wanted. This was my life as a momma. My husband is a wonderful father. He is a good hubby to me. But his focus is on the outside of the house (work, etc.). But, even while I am at work, my heart and mind are here...in this house....on this family. </em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"><em></em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"><em>I realized that that is the way it is for me. That is the way that I wanted it. And I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe a little bit more "Ami" time. Just a little.</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"><em></em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"><em>Then, this morning, an online "friend" Stephanie Howell posted this and it spoke to me. So I am sharing it.</em></span> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>An essay by Roy Lessin</strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>A woman once fretted over the usefulnesss of her life. She was fearful she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. </strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. </strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>"Is it worth it?" she often wondered. </strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>"Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?" </strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>It was during one of those moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her Heavenly Father speak to her heart. </strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice. </strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward. </strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love. </strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>Your children are precious to Me. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me. </strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me. Continue on. Remember you are My servant. Do all to please Me. </strong></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-36935995699235244272010-01-24T21:20:00.005-06:002010-01-24T21:54:21.399-06:002 days post-op.....Allison<div>Today has been a pretty good day. We started out rough. Allison had a rough night - with a fever of 103.6 (2nd night in a row). She is taking fluids ok....just not moving too much. I wouldn't be either.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>She took a 4hr nap on the couch this morning and woke up like a new kid.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>She has played on and off throughout the day. She even sat at the table for dinner. She didn't eat much. Just half of a crescent roll with her beloved butter on it. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>I have found that she loves Sprite and will drink it with no problems. That is what I have been giving her most of the day. She isn't quite sure how to take it. She asks and I jump. I am just happy to have her drinking.</div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Right after coming out of surgery. Poor girl. She had an ice pack to her neck and was "snuggling" her Get Better Buddy that her sisters got for her. GBB and her blankie both accompanied her to the OR.<br /></div></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430517112186649058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYFhtUy9StNvEhh-0wota-P5llZEvfrQAAaj8XdjGAw-Y50tjhEhOSCHhOSGX2LVZHu02cwkTuPH2j0h6qcBzjRdyRfPzRju6bDl3kQWbqAfrwemKNSK0JTRtt_PZxHhvH5_vbh8X7uU/s320/DSCN0240.jpg" /><br /><div>Her first popsicle, in the recovery room. She ended up having 3 popsicles and 2 ice cream cups in the 3hrs that we were there after surgery. Very reassuring.<br /><div><div></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYze8zn06w-WeRlXBqglD2C5MPcz66IuTblDbehLmsWeFB7ccSOg2XJFUtaz5M6tK9kiN0E8-QBR1hcazW16sKwwuxzufFQJ48QYi55BEqUfJdDDmG2Ze4tcKQdgzcCuTKhY9fY7cceQ/s1600-h/DSCN0241-1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430518925697506450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYze8zn06w-WeRlXBqglD2C5MPcz66IuTblDbehLmsWeFB7ccSOg2XJFUtaz5M6tK9kiN0E8-QBR1hcazW16sKwwuxzufFQJ48QYi55BEqUfJdDDmG2Ze4tcKQdgzcCuTKhY9fY7cceQ/s320/DSCN0241-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>2 days later...looking better...acting better...</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430517129083036722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CH64qP4lLZZfDQofFrFcv2QgzMwqq6mWLQSXCO6ZXUPXAyAqTHJr7ZbZA4nlnr0Gp1qvk_IbEzX8hqPCWTw3pPESjZE25w_bYHdrwSsbn11EmzeLpAF50kRc6DElrLUng69raSkEI1U/s320/DSCN0242-1.jpg" /><br />Keep the prayers for a speedy recovery for our girl!!!!<br /><br /><p></p></div></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-2093897675462863772010-01-23T17:36:00.002-06:002010-01-23T17:40:06.218-06:00What a week....Poor Allison had her tonsils and adenoids out on Friday...She also got new ear tubes. She is doing well, but not like I expected. She refuses to sleep, even though she is fighting through the narcotic pain meds that she is getting every 4-5hrs.<br /><br />But we know that this is temporary. She will be breathing so much better. She already is. And when the swelling, in her airway, goes down, she will be just like a new girl. Right now? She looks worse for the wear.<br /><br />Soooo....we are spending our time encouraging PO fluids and keeping her still and comfy. And she is taking it all in.<br /><br />Poor girl...<br /><br />And...oh,yeah....I turned 40 yrs old on Thursday...meh.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-64827039224164926422010-01-08T21:52:00.004-06:002010-01-20T03:15:32.795-06:00Scrapbook Nook blog hop....please check it out!!!<span style="font-size:130%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68N7Ba7cPcH6mSdNsBHaK3UHt5j8O4qRSDB6jqS-jEaUuXnZIOlhXqRxRAVDfrAuUEO4hm1IkYS4aWJ1gTcp_PHeoGhXNDKSDUAbcK69L9_lFn0H33ZUAk2cW08uKSgNXo6eZwF8BiEI/s1600-h/bloghopcopy-4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424583983748148642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68N7Ba7cPcH6mSdNsBHaK3UHt5j8O4qRSDB6jqS-jEaUuXnZIOlhXqRxRAVDfrAuUEO4hm1IkYS4aWJ1gTcp_PHeoGhXNDKSDUAbcK69L9_lFn0H33ZUAk2cW08uKSgNXo6eZwF8BiEI/s320/bloghopcopy-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong> <span style="font-size:130%;">Updated....1/19/10...I won!!!! I won!!!! All that hard work paid off and I won some free scrapbooking stuff....awesome scrapbooking stuff!!! YAY!!!!</span></strong><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you are a scrapbooker and are challenged to find the newest stuff....every month....please check out the Scrapbook Nook. <a href="http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-myscrapbookno/StoreFront.bok">http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-myscrapbookno/StoreFront.bok</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Their kits are always lovely. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And you can check out this blog...<a href="http://lifeaslou.blogsome.com/2010/01/08/my-scrapbook-nook-blog-hop/">http://lifeaslou.blogsome.com/2010/01/08/my-scrapbook-nook-blog-hop/</a> to try to win one of these fabulous...or as my 12yo daughter says...prettiful kits.</div><br /><div></div>If you sign up now...you get a $20.10 store credit....and they have the cutest stuff!<br /><br /><br /><div></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-77830160979772782622009-12-31T12:36:00.003-06:002009-12-31T12:44:05.257-06:00One Little Word.....2010 is going to be BETTER....Ali Edwards <a href="http://aliedwards.typepad.com/">http://aliedwards.typepad.com/</a>, a celebrity artist in the scrapbooking world, has chosen a word for each new year...and she challenges her blog readers to do so, as well.<br /><br />I always have good intentions to choose a word (I often choose one...change my mind....etc.) and stick to it. But I have not followed through well.<br /><br />This new year, I have chosen the word BETTER. I know that 2010 will be better for me and my family. 2009 has been such a challenge for us and so many families in these United States. But I know that things will change. We have to make it so.<br /><br />Better may not be easy to come by. It may take some work and sacrifice, in the beginning. But I know that it will be worth it. I haven't set about on the details...and will keep those to myself...but I know that the better part will be obvious for those around us to see. I want to show myself "better" to those that see me. Physically, yeah...of course. But spiritually, emotionally...anyway that I can be better...that will be my goal.<br /><br />And in my endeavor to be better....my family will only benefit. We will all be better people for it.<br />I know it.<br /><br />Happy New Year friends and family. I love you all and cherish our relationships so much. I know that hardly no one will read my blog...but it is out there now. I have said it and I mean it.<br /><br />God Bless!!!!!Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-91431059114920574522009-12-14T22:14:00.000-06:002009-12-15T16:09:18.732-06:00Rest in peace, Grandma Henderson.Grandma Henderson passed away Monday evening, December 14th, 2009.<br /><br /><br /><br />She was my dad's mom. She had a husband and 3 sons...but was survived by only 2 of the son's - Larry and Gary.<br /><br /><br /><br />She led an interesting life. Was a tough cookie. Loved her God and wasn't afraid to talk about it.<br /><br /><br /><br />She is in the company of her husband, Curt, and her youngest son, Danny...who passed away about a year ago.<br /><br /><br /><br />She looked just like her mom, Little Grandma Morgan. They had the same laugh.<br /><br /><br /><br />Rest in peace, Grandma. We love you and will miss you.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-73556558633021203022009-11-17T07:42:00.003-06:002009-11-17T08:01:11.734-06:00A chance to win some AWESOME goodies.....<span style="font-size:130%;">Mama's Holiday Wish List Meme</span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">Today's Mama</span> (<a href="http://www.todaysmama.com/exclusives.php">http://www.todaysmama.com/exclusives.php</a>) and <span style="color:#ff9966;">Provo Craft</span> (<a href="http://bit.ly/4ikY3c">http://bit.ly/4ikY3c</a>) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I am sharing this meme with you.<br /><br />1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year? <span style="color:#6600cc;">Gift cards to Home Depot and Lowe's so we can get some stuff done to beautify this house (5 gift cards would be nice :)</span><br />2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received? <span style="color:#6600cc;">Anything by the monkey's that live here.</span><br />3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle? <span style="color:#6600cc;">Not necessarily a gift, but I would love to actually get handmade cards done and mailed out!</span><br />4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child? <span style="color:#6600cc;">The Arena sweatsuit that I was totally convinced that I would not get (you had to actually live in the 80's in my hometown to understand this one!) I was 14yo.</span><br />5. What items are on your kids' wish lists this year? <span style="color:#6600cc;">Ipod Touch (12yo), Skateboard (8yo) and Puppy in my pocket (4yo).</span><br />6. What is your favorite holiday food? <span style="color:#6600cc;">Hands down....Pumpkin pie....MY pumpkin pie.</span><br />7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays? <span style="color:#6600cc;">Haven't decided yet.</span><br />8. What is your favorite holiday movie? <span style="color:#6600cc;">Die Hard, seriously. Or Planes, Trains and Automobiles.</span><br />9. Favorite holiday song? <span style="color:#6600cc;">Anything from Amy Grant's holiday albums.</span><br />10. Favorite holiday pasttime? <span style="color:#6600cc;">Spending time with family!</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">Now you give it a try....go here.... ww.todaysmama.com/exclusives.php ...and you might win.</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-12031594878740486762009-11-10T22:24:00.002-06:002009-11-10T22:38:01.244-06:00Fevers suck.<span style="font-family:courier new;">Poor Allison had a febrile seizure this evening. </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Scary.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I had run to school to go to parent-teacher conferences and left Allison sleeping on the couch. She had a low-grade temp all day, but was OK. Katie was on the computer and Em was watching television.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I came home to a frantic 8yo and 12yo. Apparently, 911 had just been called by my girls. Emily dialed and Katie talked. Allison had some activity that was later determined to be the seizure, vomited and then became unresponsive. Her breathing was shallow. I got there moments before EMS arrived.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">When they got there, Allison's oxygen saturation was 92% (low-ish for a healthy 4yo girl) and her heart rate was 148. She was still shallow breathing and was not following any commands. </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Scary.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">We decided that the ambulance did not need to take her to the hospital, but that I would take her in myself. Eric would meet us at the ER (he was coming home from Greenville).</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Allison was awake but still out of it and not following commands. She had not spoken any words still....hard to believe... :)</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">We were seen right away in the ER. Her temp was 102 degrees. The doctor later told us that it is not necessarily h0w high the temp is, but how fast it spikes. I think that is what happened. I asked if the doctor thought that it was influenza and she stated that it could be. But she would not treat Allison any differently. She stated that the incidents of influenza is decreasing. Yay!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">We were sent home about an hour later with a prescription for Amoxicillin (for a newly discovered ear infection in the ear WITHOUT the tube), instructions for Motrin and Tylenol and close observation. Check. Check. Check.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">As I type, she is sleeping soundly. Sweating off the fever that is breaking.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">As I type, Emily has fallen asleep, hopefully she will be sweating off the fever that she developed this evening. </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">When it rains, it pours.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">God bless my little ones. Keep the healthy ones healthy and heal the sick ones. Thank you, Lord, for my usually healthy girls. Eric and I are so blessed.</span>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-33243307826153456992009-09-11T22:41:00.002-05:002009-09-11T22:49:43.636-05:00I remember....I remember how I felt that day. As I watched the news breaks...and then the constant news coverage on TV.<br /><br />I remember how I sat, crying, feeling totally helpless, as I held my then 4mo old, Emily.<br /><br />I remember how I felt as I had to tell my 4yo that, yes, people got hurt. And that yes, you are safe. And hoping and praying that it was true that she was safe.<br /><br />I remember feeling like I needed to go to the grocery store (to stock up on staple goods) and fill up the gas tank, just in case....<br /><br />I remember how I felt so sad when they showed the wall of pictures that families had posted..."Have you seen this woman? Have you seen this man?" Pictures of Americans that would never come home.<br /><br />I remember all of this. And not only on September 11th, but especially on September 11th.<br /><br /><br />As I watched the Boy Scout color guard take down the flag from the flag pole at my children's school this evening...and as I watched the Marine Corp color guard present the flag this evening....and as I listened to my oldest daughter play the Star Spangled Banner in front of the large crowd...I felt proud to be an American.<br /><br />I felt proud to help my youngest daughter place her hand on her heart as the flag was presented. I felt proud that I could remind my middle daughter that we should ALWAYS be respectful when our flag goes by (she is a good girl and tries very hard to remember all of this).<br /><br />I feel proud that I could stand with my husband by my side. My children at my side. And sing the national anthem.<br /><br />God Bless America.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-68467761338001585212009-08-24T17:44:00.002-05:002009-08-24T17:51:38.174-05:00We all survived Allison's first day....School days....school days....I-don't-know-the-rest-of-the-tune days......<br /><br />We all survived. I mainly roamed around the house this morning. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I felt as if I needed to get SO much done....and I didn't get anything done. I showered. I put on make-up and sort of fixed my hair. I folded a load of laundry and put it away. Started a load of laundry that still sits in the dryer. And that all took me 3hrs.<br /><br />Allison has been away from me for hours on end. Spending time at a Grandparent's house, or shopping with Aunt Mandy. But this was different. I knew that she was with a new grown-up in her life. Someone who will have alot of influence on her little mind. That is when I started to miss her in a different way. A good way. The way that makes a parent proud that "we got her this far and she is still doing great! We haven't messed up too bad."<br /><br />She has 8 students in her class. We were told of a Mindy (who didn't share) and Emerson (who wouldn't talk). When I walked into her room to get her, Allison was sitting, quietly, at the little table. She looked tired. She looked like Ms. Sherry had done her pre-school teacher job and kept the little ones busy.<br /><br />We shall see how bedtime goes tonight. I am sure that it will be a bit earlier than last night.<br /><br />The other 2 monkeys? They are settling into their routines with their new teachers. Emily is learning how to pace herself with her homework. And Katie is learning what middle school is like....with tons of homework and a little bit of socializing.<br /><br />Here's to a great week for all of us.<br /><br />God Bless my family (they are so special to me) and God Bless this mess. Please.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-52975950402099087272009-08-23T21:30:00.002-05:002009-08-23T21:36:20.348-05:00Preschool Days....Littlest monkey is starting school tomorrow.<br /><br />She is so excited (I wouldn't have it any other way). She will be in the same building as both of her sisters. How cool is that? I really don't sense any anxiety from her. She is at or in the school almost every weekday. It is just someplace that her sisters go...and now her.<br /><br />Her teacher is Mrs. Sherry. We were thrilled to see her at the Open House. The former teacher left for a position at the University. Why were we so happy to see Mrs. Sherry??? She was Katie's pre-school teacher 8 years ago. We loved her. She is so good with the little ones.<br /><br />What will I do with all of my free time??? Well....this is the first time that I have sent a little one to school when I wasn't expecting a new one...or had a new one on my hip. I will have 3 glorious hours home, 3 mornings a week....not alone. Eric will be around. But perhaps he can get some work done, too.<br /><br />I will miss the little bug. But she is so attached to me. She needs to branch out...just a little. She still needs her momma. But maybe just a smidge less.<br /><br />God Bless the little ones...and the grown-ups who teach them. We are entrusting them with our most precious creatures.<br /><br />Have a great week!Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-34524178936486937072009-08-19T18:44:00.003-05:002009-08-19T19:03:04.766-05:00School days and on-call shifts....<div>Well....school has started. For the 2 big monkeys...littlest monkey starts next week. She is SOOO ready. <strong><em>I</em></strong> am so ready.....</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The girls love school and have always excelled in their school work. Thank goodness.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Katie's class is about a 2:1 ratio boys:girls. That is fine with Katie. We are approaching that age. Boys are becoming cute and are something to doodle about and giggle over. Ahhhh....the good 'ol days. I remember them fondly. But Kate's dad is not fond of the crush stage. I try to reassure hime that it is perfectly/wonderfully normal. We'll see if I am still saying that in 3 or 4 years. ha!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Emily is profoundly social and loves to have people around her. School is the place for her. She is bright and cheerful. She loves to talk...and that may be her only downfall. If that is one. She is a favorite of her teachers, for sure.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Allison is a blank slate. We shall see how school fits her. We shall see. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As for the on-call shifts....they suck. I got called in around 0130 last night. Don't get me wrong...I need the moolah, it was only 6 or so hours and I DID SIGN UP FOR IT!!! But, a delivery at 0707 is not the way to end a shift. I didn't clock out til 0815. </div><br /><div>The delivery was great. The pt had had 4 or 5 kids prior to this delivery. She was requesting an epidural...but when a pt with that many deliveries under her belt tells you that she feels "pressure" you-know-where....you usually don't have time to get that epidural in. And we were right. But she did great. Cute baby boy. They are all cute...in one way or another.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am not sure what the deal is with the insane amount of deliveries...but these babies all got their starts in October/November of 2008. Can anyone tell me what was going on then????</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We have Obama Babies!!! Not Obama's babies...nooooo. But I think that everyone was feeling the "love"...professing the "hope and change"....and celebrating. Yeah....I think that that is it. We have to explain it some way.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 382px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 440px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://baroqueinhackney.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/obama-baby.jpg" /><br /><div></div><br /><div>We will have to see what this economic downturn will do to the number of pregnancies....people can't afford entertainment....people are staying in more.....we will probably keep seeing this surge of new people entering the world. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am on call for a couple of more shifts this week. Hopefully I will get called in and not have to do crazy work....you think??? I love the time and a half pay...but hate the work level bumped up 50%, too. Go figure.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-56899111201189676072009-08-11T16:12:00.004-05:002009-08-11T16:31:42.181-05:00Anyone want to borrow some children???Yikes! This summer cannot pass fast enough. The girls have officially gone stir crazy. I will be admitting them to the institution (their school) in <strong>1 week!!!!!</strong><br /><br /><br /><br />That being said....I will miss them. It is something to have the insanity that is our home...but in overdrive during the summer. Allison will be a preschooler...I can't believe it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Our "baby girl princess (self-proclaimed)" is now 4yo. Unreal. I had a patient, on Sunday night, who was 7 cm dilated and in full blown labor. It was unreal on the division and the CRNA (anesthesia nurse) couldn't get right to her bedside to place her epidural. The patient was feeling the unbelievable urge to push and kept grunting and bearing down with contractions...even though we were encouraging her to "breathe" and "not push" (she was not fully dilated). I apologized (lightheartedly) to her afterwards (beautiful baby girl) about that. The whole time I was having flashbacks to my own labor with Allison. I had tried to deliver her without an epidural (which I had with the first 2). I was completely dilated for about 2 hours and had that same terrible urge to push and couldn't help but to bear down. It is uncontrollable. She laughed and said that she understood that we had to do what we had to do.<br /><br /><br /><br />School shopping is almost complete. We need to purchase the ever-important backpacks, lunchbox (Emily), pencil case (Emily), and accordian file (Katie). The right or wrong one of any of these can make or break a school year. Especially for a 7th grader or 3rd grader. ha!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />Shoe shopping was a delight....not. But we ended it with 3 happy girls...Katie got the perfect pair of Nike's. Emily got the "cutest" pair of Sketchers. And Allison is very happy that her shoes have "diamonds" on them. You didn't know that Payless had diamond encrusted shoes, did you????<br /><br /><br /><br />Last weekend, we went to Pere Marquet park past Grafton, Illinois for the annual TKE campout (my hubby is a TKE from his long ago SUIE days). They get together every year and I think that it is wonderful. This year was a good crowd...but the crowd now includes kids, spouses of said kids, and GRAND kids. Crazy!!!!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368820334485627122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82vHrPYRHhtyJVXOkVVuPqQUs0v4DA0yq-thhiOyA7ZMtlkD42ouxoP6BED-68e8pa5SlC5W72ht1eMTXrViwW7CcnIlcKytidOwMDiWz_9DM0XeBMAgsjPHfQEijczIATHb5UW-avzk/s400/TKE+campout+2009.bmp" /><br />This is a great photo of the group!!! I love this photo!!!!<br /><br />Have a great day...I am getting ready to go put 2 children into timeout....guess which 2.<br />Hint: Allison is not one of them.<br /><br />Do you think that, if I put the children at the front doors of the school now...I will get in trouble??? ha!<br /><br />PS...will I ever get to scrapbook again???Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-9930131055224378912009-07-30T11:28:00.001-05:002009-07-30T11:29:24.915-05:00Blogging...I want to do it more.<br />I plan to do it more.<br /><br />Does anyone have any spare time that they could loan me?Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-35732435406410867982009-06-25T17:55:00.003-05:002009-06-25T18:02:04.274-05:00Sad.<span style="font-family:courier new;">Michael Jackson has passed away.<br /><br />50 years old.<br /><br />He was born in the same month as Eric...and Madonna.<br /><br />I am surprisingly saddened.<br /><br />I know that the life and times of MJ had taken a serious detour to the weird and freaky...but it is the Thriller era that I remember. I was a Jr High Student...loving to listen to and wearing out my Thiller "tape".<br /><br />Very sad. For his 3 young children, as well.<br /><br />And Farrah Fawcett. </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Losing her battle with cancer. Eric tied it back to her being like his mother...who passed away in April. He tends to tie most things back to his mom...the pain and grief is still so raw and painful.<br /><br />Two American icons...gone on the same day. So sad.</span>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-51590443569574358372009-06-15T17:51:00.000-05:002009-06-15T17:52:26.521-05:00Is it August yet???Just saying....<br /><br />ugh.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-9200119495138559112009-05-22T02:25:00.009-05:002009-05-22T02:36:39.554-05:00Just....<a href="http://yourkidmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/toys.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 169px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://yourkidmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/toys.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play... </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given. </div><br /><br /><div>I will think about the mothers And fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms , and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore. </div><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 337px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/mother_and_daughter_mothers_day_card-p137285718364978150tdtq_400.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day............. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">from an e-mail that I recently received from my sister....thanks....</span></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-89578861011646979102009-04-30T18:11:00.003-05:002009-05-06T22:10:10.582-05:00Happy birthday to my almost teenager!!!!Unbelievable.<br /><br /><br /><br />Seriously.<br /><br /><br /><br />My oldest daughter is 12 yrs old. As of 5:31pm this evening. I cannot believe it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Eric and I keep shaking our heads at the thought of having an "almost" teenager - a fact that she keeps reminding me of.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My daughter is awesome. She is so sweet, thoughtful, caring, smart and pretty. Seriously. She has the best smile and the most beautiful dark hazel eyes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As a birthday gift, she is getting contacts. Something that she has been requesting for awhile. I think that she is ready. We shall see.<br /><br /><br />We went to the eye doctor at Clarkson Eye Care here in Edwardsville. And as he continued to tell me the condition of her eyeballs, I could tell that the bill would be significant. She has astigmatism to beat the band. I knew that her vision was complicated when I had to start, when she was a 3yo preschooler wearing those adorable wire rimmed glasses, putting eye drops in her eye to weaken the strong one so the one with the worst vision wouldn't get too dependent. With me so far????<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />She was beaming the entire time, knowing that she was taking that leap into NOT wearing glasses, as she has been for 3/4 of her life.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Needless to say, the doctor reassured her (and me) that her contacts would need to be the hard kind, with a super special, one of a kind prescription. They are being made as I type. I picture a small, old, white-haired man (akin to Gepetto, Pinocchios' dad) whittling away at a small piece of plastic/glass to try to make that perfect lens for my girl. I know that is not the case, right?<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 329px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.daviddarling.info/images/gas_permeable_contact_lens.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p><br />Anything for our girls, you know?</p><p> </p><p>Happy Birthday to my oldest, sweetheart monkey. You made me a momma. </p><p> </p><p>I love you, forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I am living, my baby you'll be.<br /></p>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-91233141147161450042009-04-23T06:58:00.003-05:002009-04-23T07:06:52.682-05:00Heard in my house....just a few days ago...."Momma? I have poop on my foot..."<br /><br />Silence from both Eric and I....I think we both thought that we were dreaming. It was VERY early...too early for poop to be ANYWHERE!!!!<br /><br />"Momma....I have poop....on my foooooOOOOOOT!!!"<br /><br />I implore the husband to get up and check. He does. And quickly calls for back-up.<br /><br />Our 3yo monkey is recovering from a NASTY stomach bug and things...well....things happened.<br /><br />We got it taken care of. We got the monkey taken care of. And, after 2 trips to the ER in 1 week, with one kid....I am glad that she is on the mend.<br /><br />By the way....she is in her big-girl bed now. She thinks that it is the most awesome thing ever. She is so proud. In and out. In and out. In and out of that bed. Just because she can. Yesterday evening, I caught her brushing the "hair" of all of her stuffed animals. She wants to be like Aunt Mandy.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1099507993070728388.post-29804808919031046822009-04-12T22:34:00.002-05:002009-04-12T22:43:46.280-05:00Easter....Well....the plastic grass is put away...<br />the baskets are put up...<br />half of the hard-boiled eggs have already found their way into an egg salad sandwich...<br /><br />Easter is over.<br /><br />This day has capped what has been an emotional week.<br />Easter week shall forever have a new meaning for our family.<br /><br />My mother-in-law met Jesus on Palm Sunday. And on this Easter, her absence is palpable. It doesn't, and probably will never, feel the same.<br /><br />But, on this Easter, she would want us to remember the sacrifice that was made, that made her admission into heaven possible. Jesus, dying on the cross, making us all worthy of heaven and God's grace.<br /><br />May we never forget the reason for the season. May we enjoy the chocolate, peeps, jelly beans and family dinners...but always have, in the back of our minds, the real reason that we should be celebrating...<br /><br />Our salvation.<br /><br />God Bless you...if you are a reader of my blog. If you are not...God Bless you, too.<br /><br />I am so thankful for my family...friends....and for my Lord and Salvation. I hope that you are, too.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08632205843888850259noreply@blogger.com1