The Carrolls

Today we Honor Veterans!

2010-11-11T13:07:00.000-06:00

I am reminded today of what it costs to be an American. Some have given all, some have given parts of themselves they can never get back. I am so proud to come from a family with an awesome grandfather and brother who served. I also have a brother in law that was a marine. We ahve many friends that have spent time voerseas. So, today I remember those who did not make it home and I remember what and who makes us free! Here are a few of my vets!

Doing our Homework

2010-10-26T22:35:00.000-05:00

Steven has really turned around in his schoolwork. One night we were doing our homework and Steven had a project to do. He worked real hard to get it done. He even has turned it in and had it graded too!

Well Bryce had to do his homework too. We cannot do anything without Bryce doing it too!

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-26T21:12:00.000-05:00

We joined the millions of other crazy parents and took Bryce to the pumpkin patch. It was pretty great! We went on a day that wasn't too busy. We also met another Bryce in the corn crib. They had a huge tractor that they had turned into a slide. Perfect for our boy! He is a crazy guy who loves the outside!

Pure happiness!

8th Grade Band

2010-10-22T22:52:00.000-05:00

Steven's band was asked to play with the high school tonight and it was so much fun. Bryce was really into the game and cheering. The team was doing pretty good. We didn't stay for the whole game because a little guy was ready to head and Steve looked pretty tired himself. It was awesome though! They only played in the pregame. I think tonight made him undecided about football. I told him to just wait and see. He really likes football and the together and respect is greater in football!

Getting some words of wisdom! HA!

Out in the field!

I believe this is Bryce yelling at him!

Campout

2010-10-22T08:44:00.000-05:00

The hubs was staring out the backwindow one Saturday and then just disappeared. I looked outside and he was building a firepit. Bryce and I were busy making ninja turtles out of playdo. I love playdo until the colors get mixed. They always do. There no stopping it. Our turtles were pretty darn cute though!

By the time we finished that it was time to go outside and check our the fire. Steven and dad like to play with fire so we had a great one roaring. You know how boys are! We cooked hotdogs and took pictures looking like a crazy person! It was fun though and we now have a tent that has been up for a week. Steven is planning to sleep there this weekend but it has got to get down before next week.

Girl's Saturday Morning

2010-10-22T08:38:00.002-05:00

A couple of Saturdays ago I was honored to accompany these gorgeous women to David's Bridal to help in the picking of the bridesmaid dresses! It was so much fun. I needed some girl time and adult time with some great chics that are down to earth and normal. Does that make sense? These are people I click with. Anyway, we had a great time and since we were in Huntsville we had to have Rosie's. It is mandatory for me. It is the best! So, I refuse to give away the dress so here are the girls looking fabulouso!

Now, the shoes aren't decided but these shoes are sweet! They made everyone's legs look amazing and man, just look at them! I love em!

Erin was not injured on her trip with us. PROMISE!

My First Real Cake

2010-10-11T20:45:00.000-05:00

I finally tried my first real cake! It started out looking like this.

We had to make some cute little safety cones.

But it turned out great! It's not perfect but I still have a ton of fondant to try out for the smoothness.

But all that matters is that the nephew loved it!

Safety Fest

2010-10-05T11:24:00.000-05:00

Our Home Depot hosted their Safety Fest this past weekend. It is right around the corner so we saw the firetrucks and such, so we stopped to join the fun. We had his apron in the car because we knew they were having a build clinic for kids. He had to put it on asap. We went in to get some things for Blake's work first but they had some pumpkins up front and I had to have a mini photo session with my cute pumpkin.

He's so rotten!

We saw Smokey the bear!

And was able to drive the firetruck, for the 50 millionth time. He is a pro at a firetruck.

Here he is chasing bad guys in a police cruiser! He is doing the siren.

He built a fireman boat. I totally dropped the ball on that picture. He also was able to see the Diving Rescue Squad. He told them how his brother is a diver and how he knew what a snerkle is! That's right a snerkle, otherwise known as a snorkle. I love fall and all the activities associated with it!

What gets your gears grinding?

2010-10-02T09:46:00.000-05:00

Is there something you don't do but you should? Anything that you just hate to do? I can't stand to do dishes at night. It just irks me to have to cook and then clean up the mess afterward. Now, I am not saying that I am just gross and leave it all out. I do clean the counters and wipe up the mess and try to consolidate. I just loathe doing the dishes at night. I do leave them out until the next morning. I am more of a morning person once I am awake. So, there you have it and when people come to my house in the morning please realize that I do clean my kitchen just not right away.

4H award!

2010-10-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

Steven entered a contest at the Morgan County Fair for 4H. He was representing his school and himself. And surprisingly he won third place. He kinda threw all of his stuff together last minute, due to us not realizing it was coming up. He likes to build and he used all the different lowe's building projects from the year for a display of workmanship. Way to go Steve-o!

Where is my canon?

2010-09-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

I have not been a good photographer lately either. I have been relying on my iPhone to take pictures and boy does it stink in the quality department. I am always looking for things to do with Bryce and we go to the library quite often. One week they had a teddy bear sleepover. We all came in our jammies and brought an animal to leave for a slumber party. We had a night time snack and made some crafts and of course read some books.

Our children's librarian is awesome and she really gets the kids attention. She works really hard on all of the activities.

When we came back the next day we found pictures of what the animals did at night. They played in the elevator, had story time, and was caught sliding down the stair rail. Silly animals. It was a treat for Bryce. And yes, that is gum in his mouth. His does really well with it other than he wants it all the time.

A couple of days later we found out that the ships of Christopher Columbus would be docking in Decatur for some great BBQ. It is something that we are known for here and it lures people all the time to our city. Of course the Nina and Pinta look like pirate ships to the Bman so off we headed down to the dock. We would of loved to look around but they had the dock blocked off. Bryce was happy enough to just look at them and see how big they were. They look really big but I cannot imagine what riding them in 1492 with at least two dozen people would have been like, other than stinky and gross.

Plants, Plans, and such

2010-09-29T11:09:00.000-05:00

While playing in the garage the other day and we found a couple things that we hadn't used and wouldn't need until next spring. Since I didn't have the receipts I took them back for store credit. I was able to load up on dollar deals on mums and then I found two little gems for the house. Blake loves indoor plants, me not so much. But when I saw these two plants for $1 and $3 I just couldn't resist. Aren't they cute and low maintenance too!

We seem to keep getting busier and busier as the years move on. I have no idea how I ever worked and kept the house up. Well, I guess I really didn't keep it up like it should have been. It is some hard work and my boy is a wild one. He stays engaged constantly. I have so many ideas but no time to do them. Someday I hope to figure out time and having a toddler. Next year he needs to be in school at least four days. So hopefully then. Who knows?! I did start my flag spinning class. I currently have five girls signed up for that and hopefully we will just keep growing! I hope to incorporate all the high schools into my program to make their transition to high school band seamless. I do have two cakes that I am making in the next 3 weeks, please pray for me! They do not look hard but they will be my tell tale of if this is something that I can do or not. Ok, and I still have to try to put together a coupon class around football season! AHHHHH

School

2010-09-21T10:04:00.000-05:00

We were blessed to be given a years tuition to our church's preschool this year. It is only two days a week for 4 hours but such a great blessing. Bryce was not too excited but when I walked him in today he was ready for me to leave! They were even going skating today and he didn't want me to go with them. He's a heartbreaker but I love him. Mr. Independent!

On another note, I bought 3 boxes of hair color, some crest toothpaste, and a pack of bubblegum today and spent $.33! I was ecstatic! You have to love it when you score some deals!

Now onto a more serene moment....Today Thad Montgomery would have turned 30. He passed in January fighting for our freedom. Take a minute to remember his family today. While he is in a better place, it is still hard for those left here on Earth. Such a great soul! He touched so many in his 29 years! Happy Birthday Old Friend, keep on watching us!

Alabama Penn State!

2010-09-13T10:06:00.000-05:00

Blake was given a pair of tickets for the Alabama Penn State game this past weekend. He has never been to a game and I have only been to two. Well, this was the game for Blake to get started on! It was amazing! We were in the nosebleed but even there you can see very well. We were underneath an awning also and it really helped because we did get a touch of rain during the game. I have to give some kudos to Anna and David, without them we may have never known how to park! Plus, David had scoped out a prime piece of land for us. We were 2 blocks from the quad so we were good. It was crazy this weekend and we could barely walk around to see anything. Then it started to rain, and I mean pour. We headed back to the car for just a little while for some rest and dryness before the game started! I had to show Blake the Walk of Champions and some of the neat stuff at the entrance of the stadium.

We took our picture with the Bear. It was his birthday.

We cheered for our boys.

I watched the band like a dork and loved it! I am glad I like football but I love the band! You don't get to see how great they are on tv. The Million Dollar Band is the reason I wanted to be in marching band.

We had such a great time and of course the Tide pulled it through. I was truly surprised at the amount of Penn State fans. I did witness one of the main reasons I love the south. As we walked towards the stadium we were behind a group of about 10 Penn State fans. They were younger than us and looked like they were there to have fun. This man who had to be in his 50's made sure to go over to them and welcome them to Tuscaloosa. It was great. I know people sometimes think we are a little too involved in our teams here in the south but this just made my day. I do believe Coach Saban even commented after the game that the Bama fans welcomed Paterno and all his fans graciously!

Awesome Day!

2010-09-09T22:30:00.000-05:00

I had an awesome day. Bryce was Mr. Incredible all morning. I talked him into an early nap around 1130 because we had a busy evening ahead of us. I slept too and it was great. I had a flu shot yesterday and I had been dragging ever since. I taught my first Flag class tonight. It was so much fun and I have 3 girls who are so excited about flag. I know your thinking, wow true band geek. Oh yeah, I was and I loved band. It was fun and something that I was good at. I was just as excited tonight as I was in 9th grade.

Okay, so then we run to Steven's game. He was put in tonight! I was again super excited jumped up and watched him take someone down! Thanks to the awesome person for the picture! They know who they are! It is the best picture ever!!!

The next awesome news is this little boys story! He is a little guy battling a huge disease! Read about him here.

Wordless Wednesday!

2010-09-08T10:05:00.000-05:00

Sipsey Hike

2010-09-07T13:37:00.000-05:00

We are constantly looking for things for the boys to do that keeps them busy and we finally believe that Bryce is old enough for hiking. He was super cute and loved it. Until he got tired then it was I wanna go home. The trails were not too hard and everyone worked up a sweat. Poor Steven though, he is used to hiking like 10 miles and with a toddler, we made it like a mile!

Are you ready for some football!?

2010-09-06T21:09:00.000-05:00

Botanical Gardens

2010-09-06T20:48:00.000-05:00

Way back when, I think maybe even April, we purchased some Rick and Bubba reward tickets to the botanical gardens in Huntsville. They are wrapping up a tree house exhibit, which involves many professionally built tree houses. When were blessed even more to find out that the Scarecrow Trail had begun also! The tree houses were amazing and for Bryce this is the life. He is not one for strollers and being still and he can run in places like this! We even saw some butterflies.

Super excited!

2010-09-06T19:49:00.000-05:00

I am going to make this! I am super excited!

Has anyone had this problem?

2010-09-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

I am having the hardest time getting my photos uploaded. They keep saying server rejected! It is so frustrating! Has anyone else had this problem? I have so much to share and not anything to show! Ugh!

Living Debt Free

2010-08-16T07:24:00.000-05:00

I started a new Sunday school class this past Sunday and I am hoping it will be life changing. I have heard that this Dave Ramsey class is fantastic. I have never been involved in adult Sunday School before. Our church loses the most people in their 20's but we are hoping to change that around soon. SO, I know that Blake and I have a ton of work to do in our finance department and I can't wait to see what Dave will bring to our table!

Indiana Bound

2010-08-10T12:50:00.000-05:00

My grandfathers passing allowed Blake some time off of work and I wanted to go north as soon as we could. We left Thursday and made the quick 6 1/2 hour drive. It is an easy drive straight up 65 and change to another interstate in Louisville. Not hard at all. I drove up for 4 1/2 hours and Blake finished the rest up. Bryce didn't sleep the whole way up. Not at all! We were flabbergasted, to say the least. And that boy's mouth runs the entire way. He is hilarious. Steven is at the age where he puts on headphones and passes out. Can't say I blame him. That's what I would do but I keep Blake company. We were able to go to the Cincinnati Zoo on Friday and it is spectacular.

The boys were up early ready to go. They had no problem making themselves at home. Bryce believes that he should live there too.

Erin stayed with us on Thursday night and got up to go to the zoo too. Bryce was very happy about that!

He was a riot on the way over. There are some smokestacks that is along this highway leading to Cincinnati and I remember it from as long as I can remember and now he will too!

I am not sure why Steven has that lovely look but he was just as excited to go. Maybe this is teenager angst pic.

Me and my Sis

They had all sorts of things. They also have an insect demonstration. Bryce liked this guy.

We are now moving into acting like ants. They learned the different types of ants and what they do. Blake is a worker ant.

Here's Bryce the worker and Erin the Queen

Bryce loved this gorilla and so did Steven. You could climb on it so that is always fun for boys.

The real guy.

There again...teenager face and Bryce saying cheese.

He had to put his head in the jaw of course!

Lions

Siegfried and Roy White Tiger

It was hot but there was almost no humidity. So, for us Alabamians, we were in Heaven! Here's Bryce getting some mist.

This is Bryce and his cougar(koo-grrr). He loves to say that word and sounds hilarious when he does.

8th grade

2010-08-07T19:40:00.000-05:00

Steven begins 8th grade soon. I am praying for a new year, a refreshed Steven. He has become much more serious about football recently and with band. This make me hope that will help him stayed focused with a goal. He has to make grades for those classes. It is not that he makes horrible grades but he forgets to turn his work in and as we all know(except Steven) not turning it in is really bad on your grades. He has just finished his summer reading book and we are going to start on the questions asap. Plus, now that he finished it I will allow him to watch the movie. It was The Hobbit. I know, blah. I remember reading this type of stuff that is boring and hard to read but it is all for a purpose. There are some classics that some grow to love. I love Hemingway, Shakespeare, and E. Dickinson. Steven is just at the age where he has the opportunity to learn and enjoy what he is learning. I am going to work more one on one with him with his work. Just to be sure that it is getting finished properly. He does have a teacher who was a teacher when Gare, Blake, and I went through school and this teacher is a toughie but he can do it. I just know it.

He does have issues taking tests. Especially timed ones, like the standardized versions. I remember tons of people who had a hard time with that though in school. He missed one area of his testing by 3 points. 3 people! That was like 1 answer. He is a slower reader than me and probably some other people. However, he can read. The school is wanting us to make him quit band and put him in a reading initiative program. That is great but he did these classes last year one day a week during band and it didn't make his score any better than the last. He always freaks out with tests that are timed. His semester grades are not bad, he is an A/B/C student. I did not allow them to take him out of band completely! He likes band and enjoys playing the drums. I also believe that a musical education is just as important as coursework. There are many people I know who use music as their jobs. So, Steven will be on lockdown with studies this year and hopefully he will absorb these study habits so he will make it one day on his own.

I did talk to Steven about this and he really doesn't want to drop band. Yet, this is a make or break year and he must do better or he has a list of threats that he knows that me and his daddy are not afraid of….

TGIF

2010-08-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

Kiddie Carnival

2010-08-05T07:33:00.000-05:00

One weekend, we loaded up and went to a carnival that has been going on for over 50 years for kids. It was so wonderful. My brother in law and his family came and Bronson and Bryce were super excited.

The daddies loaded them up on the trains first. It is a favorite.

They were ready to go.

Bryce is really into waving right now. He waved for everything. It was awesome since our vacation was a no go on the pictures.

All the kids loved the swings. Teenagers could still ride on it so Steven went once. Then he told me that he felt like a goob so he only did it once.

The last thing we did was ride the rocket ship and it went fast! No, not really just trying to play on my camera.

Oh no...Check out girl

2010-08-04T19:11:00.000-05:00

I was making a quick run tonight to pick up some meat. We were going to eat luxuriously this evening and have some good ol' hamburger helper. After I burn some of it for not using a large enough pan, which just so happened to be when my sister and her hubs were standing in my kitchen! Yes, I know, SCORE! Anyway, way too fast! Ok, so I was at the grocery store waiting in line to check out. I had passed an employee on the way to the line and noticed after I was in line that she was in the line next to me. When I had passed her, I thought that she was on duty and restocking...that would explain the amount of food in her cart that was all the same. She had stacks of pizzas, lunchables, and other such. Then I spied a handful of coupons in her hands. These were not just your printables or anything, they were actual ones that you pull off in the grocery store. This irks me beyond belief. I so wanted to say something. See, our publix is horrible about not having anything in stock when it is on sale. Now I know why. If you do coupon remember that coupons are for all and it is completely inconsiderate to take a stack full of coupons and clean out a grocery store. Number 2: It is super inconsiderate to take the coupons that your workplace puts out in massive amounts. Truly, think about it...it can sometimes be considered stealing!

My Pawpaw

2010-07-29T19:28:00.000-05:00

My pawpaw passed away today after 86 years of life. He served our country, He cared for me! Many of my memories involve my grandparents, they kept me from a baby until mom started staying home with us. He picked me up everyday from my mom in his blue omni, would take me to his house and throw me in bed with my grandma. The year Cracker Barrel opened my grandparents would come 3 times a day. When I worked they would stay right next to me. He has been in poor health and it is truly a blessing that God called him home. He now can be with his wife of 50+ years and with our Lord! He always used to say, "Right Meggie?" and I would say "Right Pawpaw!"

10 on Tuesday!

2010-07-27T07:18:00.000-05:00

The job I really wanted replied yesterday with an automatic no. I am bummed to say the least.
I am trying to get any ideas on teaching Bryce at home. Education is extremely important to me.
Steven has football every day for the next 3 months! Ugh!
Blake is a salsa making fool! He makes some yummy salsa too!
Can we have just a little rain? I think Huntsville had a bunch yesterday but none for us. My yard is not liking this and I am not liking this. It is too hot to do anything!
I can't believe that school is starting in 2 weeks. I wish they could put it off at least until the last week of August.
I was able to eat with some great girlies on Sunday. Two of which I haven't seen in at least 10 years and it was just like I saw them the day before. Nothing changed and our little puzzle fits together perfectly! It was great and a simple lunch turned into 4 hours before I even knew it.
I have to get brakes on the mommy mobile. Ugh, again!
I love that Blake is supporting all my new ideas. He really wants me to stay home and find something that I can do from here. This way the bambino can stay with me. I think I like that idea.
Bryce got up at the crack of dawn again today. I have got to get this boy to sleep just a little, even seven is okay with me!

Things that make you go hmmmmmm

2010-07-25T17:56:00.000-05:00

I have been doing a ton of thinking lately. I wish I could say that I can sit down in my thinking chair but I have learned that I will be busy while staying at home. So, I am putting out resumes and continuing to look for meaning employment but I am spoiled. I have been in a corporate atmosphere and I really don't want to have to work super hard again. BUT, I have had a few people ask me to help them coupon on facebook the other day and then I have also volunteered to make my brother in law's wedding cake. I love to make cakes and would love to get better. I believe that I have my buttercream icing down pat. I have been thinking that with all the craftsy things that I can do and now cakes and maybe couponing that I may be able to stay home with the little guy for a little while. I have a long way to go with cakes and couponing so I will have to see but I have some wheels a turning now and hopefully I can figure something out. I do enjoy staying at home even being so busy and would love to stay home with the boys. God will lead me though. He will point me in the right direction, I just know it.

Wordless Wednesday Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station ~ Tallest Lighthouse in Florida

2010-07-21T22:41:00.000-05:00

A New Decade Begins!

2010-07-18T13:18:00.000-05:00

So, today I start a brand new decade of life. The last 30 have been more than blessed. So since I am starting new I thought that I would list some accomplishments:

Met and married the love of my life Blake!
I was blessed with another awesome little guy, Bryce!
I have seen Steven grow into a teen and am super proud of him
earned my brown belt. I hope to one day get the black belt but the chillens come first!
Bought my dream house and car.
Figured out who the true friends are
Went to Mexico and Canada
Reconnected with some family in Indy, LURV YA AMY!
Met a great person in FL
Watched both my children become baptized!
Had God make himself present in my life more and more, which brings the blessings!

This is just the things off the top of my head. I have learned a lot and made a ton of mistakes but I have a feeling that the next ten years are going to be the best yet!

No, do not take my picture!!!

2010-07-16T16:26:00.000-05:00

Ponce Inlet, FL

2010-07-15T22:17:00.000-05:00

We had such a great time in Florida. The oil spilled changed our plans and less than a month before our date we decided that it was too great a chance to let the kids in the water. I am just not sure about the effects. I so wish we could have gone but that was a ton of money to stay in the pool and not be in the ocean. On top of the kids would not stay out of the water anyway, even if we wanted to. We stayed at East Winds Condos in Ponce Inlet, it is around 10 miles south of Daytona Beach and is much more secluded than Daytona. It took us around 12 hours to get there after many stops at the potty. Bryce began "are we there yet" around birmingham! Yeah, that was the best! We got there a little after 4, July 3rd. Since it was Saturday the realtor left the keys for us where we could find them. We never had to even see them. Super! There are two sets of condos and we were in the one that was not having the outside renovated. So, of course, I took a pic of the one that was already done! The renovations are looking spectacular!

We hit the beach asap and the boys were riding the waves in no time. Well, Bryce ran around so happy to have freedom. Ponce Inlet has no beach access near their condos so everyone has a pretty private beach. And the beach is flat and long so you can set up your chair and see the kids from just about anywhere.

Bryce loved it. Steven has been here many times and is getting ready to go back with his grandmother tomorrow. Lucky Dog! She is the one who told me about this place. Their family has been going there for about 20 years. Steven loved skim boarding and bryce just loved the sand, and putting sand everywhere. But we soon found that the liner inside of bathing suits can rub a little guy raw so he was underwear free all week after our first day. There were jellyfish the first two days. One kind was clear and the shape of a biscuit and the other was a gorgeous purple and blue. The colored ones had tentacles and the clear did not. Both boys were stung once.

Bryce is wild. He truly did not like the beach at all last year and this year he was giving us a 630AM eastern time wake up call! Stating, "I Go Beach!" over and over and over!

I did get some great shots of Steven though. Bryce would not let me take his picture most of the week. I am going to dedicate a whole post to that so stayed tuned!

A little News

2010-07-12T15:14:00.000-05:00

I know that I have been absent the last week. We took our vacation that was supposed to be in Destin but at the last minute were changed to Ponce Inlet, Florida. It was fantastic! We had so much fun and I plan to update you all very soon. Today, we got up and got ready for work, rushing as usual, only to be told that our division was shutting down effective immediately. This was not something that I did not expect, I just didn’t expect it this soon! My boss was super nice and waited until after we all had taken our vacations. We also will get some severance to make it until we find something else. I have already filed the unemployment for just in case and have many opportunities scoped out. I am in the process of getting the resume ready to distribute. I am asking for you guys’ prayers for this little storm that has rolled in for me. I honestly have been taking it quite well, the bossman was much more torn up than I! I am just going to enjoy my boys for the time being. I mean, come on, I have finally done what I have always wanted…found a way to get paid at home! Too bad it’s not for too long!

Happy Fourth!

2010-07-04T08:27:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is enjoying their Independence Day! We are celebrating with us! Yay! I am so thankful to live where we live and hope you guys are too! Happy Fourth and Thank You to all of our Soldiers and their Families especially those who have given all for all of us to enjoy this day!

Tribute to Cohen

2010-06-30T23:59:00.005-05:00

To read about Cohen's story please read here

Random

2010-06-30T15:28:00.000-05:00

I just got back from lunch and picked me up a Happy Hour soda from Sonic. Those make me so happy! I have been doing so much better not drinking cokes. I found pink lemonade Crystal Light and I am in love. But I am still craving one soda a day. I hope to cut them out completely very shortly but we have a vacation coming up soon and I don't want to give them up before that. We have had to change our vacation from Destin. I am super sad about it. I have no idea if we will ever be able to return to the Gulf. We have moved our trip to Daytona Beach or truly it is in Ponce Inlet. I have been there before and Steven has been there multiple times. My ex-in laws have always used this place and Blake has never been to this side of Florida before. I am ready to be on the beach. Bryce didn't like the waves too much last year so hopefully it will be a little different. Check out the new blooms on the lilly! I have seven full blooms and seven buds left to bloom. I am super excited about it and they smell so good!

Check out these pictures from Bryce. Somedays I allow him to use my phone and play with the camera. I took the first one(obviously, duh) but he took the rest. He loves it and I love that he is happy in the car.

And the last one, I am super proud to say that Steven won 3rd place in his $15 challenge and he won this plaque from 4H for something with his record book. The plaque(I so had to make sure that I just spelled this right) also came with a $50 savings bond. Can you say AWESOME!? Congrats Steve-O!

Slumber Party!

2010-06-28T07:47:00.000-05:00

One More Saturday Night

2010-06-27T07:34:00.000-05:00

This beauty is in my front yard. I love these lillies and am so excited that they keep coming back every year bigger and better! We had one at our older house and planted this one right away when we moved in here. They smell divine!

Saturday we packed up and headed to one of Blake's good friends houses. Jake was a groomsman in our wedding and he recently bought a new house in Madison complete with a pool. He was going to cook up some ribs on Saturday and have everyone out. We had a good time and the big and little boys had some quality guy time.

Uncle Ryan was on duty all day. The two little boys love their Uncle Ryan!

Blake's Birthday

2010-06-26T22:01:00.000-05:00

We celebrated Blake’s birthday not too long along. We always eat with his mom and family for the birthday dinner. We had to do it a day before because of Brandon’s school schedule!(go Brandon!) The day of Blake’s birthday we were just going to eat at home. So, Bryce knew it was Daddy’s special day and he wanted to have a surprise party for him. It was so sweet! We had balloons and his favorite, caramel turtle pie. He always has this. I never even had ever heard of it before him. We had such a great night! Happy Birthday sweetie! Oh yes, and his birthday toy…an iPad! He is in hog heaven, but he deserves it!

4H $15 chanllenge

2010-06-25T22:01:00.000-05:00

Steven is competing tomorrow in the Regional 4H competition. His event is the $15 challenge. They are supposed to find an outfit for no more than $15. This is right up our alley. Some of my favorite pants to wear at 14 came from the Salvation Army and were plaid. LOL! So, I took off to teach him some skills. We found a shirt and get this, it is a shirt supporting his school with his class year on the back! In.His.Size! What luck! Oh yeah and it was $1.25. The shorts are O'Neil board shorts perfect for the beach, where we just so happen to have a vacation scheduled to the beach coming up, these were $2.00. Alrighty then, that makes our total a whole $3.25! Score! We also found an American Eagle polo shirt too for school. I love easy finds like this. I hope he does well tomorrow. 4H has great opportunities for high schoolers and scholarships can happen. It's time to start thinking about all of this stuff. Whew! Have a great weekend. We have a pool party and some other fun things planned.

Giveaway! Yippee!

2010-06-25T12:06:00.000-05:00

Over at In the Sky with Diamonds, Jessica is giving away a CSN stores $60 gift card!! There are so many different things that you could use this one. I will show you what I have my eye on! That bakewear is so awesome! My mother in law currently has them and uses them for everything! And those sheets are so cute! Blake and I really slack in the decor in our bedroom sometimes and we are really in need of some new sheets. So, if any of you think you may like a shot at this giveaway head on over to Jessica's blog and enter yourself! I have got my fingers crossed on this one!

Puddle Jumper!

2010-06-24T17:00:00.000-05:00

I had a fellow bloggy mom ask me about the puddle jumper today and I thought I would rave a little about it! This is by far the best thing for kiddos who are learning to swim. My mother in law found it last year at Walmart for Bryce and my nephew. She has a pool and a boat so we had been looking for something to give them the freedom they needed. We tried the one that is a rectangle that they step into and it didn't hold them too secure. I had the built in bathing suit one and Bryce wore it once and would never put it back on. However, the puddle jumper gave him complete and total freedom. He will jump all over and swim all over too! It was easier on me to show him the proper movements of swimming and last night we became the proud parents of a swimmer. He barely put the thing on. Since he had been wearing the jumper he knew how to kick very well, we just had to get over the fear of the water. Well, that didn't take long and he is now swimming under water, jumping from the side, and jumping from the diving board without the float! Woohoo! So, any of you guys that are looking for a great tool for swimming I totally recommend this one. I have seen them at Walmart and Academy but I am sure they are at other stores too. Oh, and another great thing is that they are coast guard rated so they count as a life jacket in a boat! Double score!

Weepy Wednesday

2010-06-23T17:11:00.000-05:00

This precious child was called home today. She has been battling cancer for 2 years and I mean battling. She has fought for every milestone and today Jesus carried her home where there is no pain and no fear. I do not know this family personally, but beg you all to pray for her family. I know I will hug mine a little tighter tonight!

Weekend Yay!

2010-06-20T11:19:00.001-05:00

We started the weekend by all going to see Toy Story 3. It was everything I expected it to be and then some. I even got a little teary at the end. If you were on the fence about going to see this one, do it! Bryce loved it and Steven did too. I think we all enjoyed it at all sorts of different levels. Saturday we got up early to get the boys haircuts and boy they look good. The rest of the weekend is swimming, swimming, swimming. Hope you are all having a great one!

See Bryce's rash. This is the result of toothpaste. He was painting while he should have been asleep.

Very exciting for Steven this weekend. We picked up some of his scuba gear.

See his hair! It looks so much better!

Nick Saban Football Camp 2010

2010-06-17T17:10:00.002-05:00

As I said earlier, Steven was gifted Nick Saban football camp for Christmas. Well, I entered a portal to Hell the day we went to observe for the parents program. Steven loved camp, shook Coach Saban’s hand and everything. Saban gave the boys one of the best speeches I have ever heard. Of course, I didn’t remember I had my video camera until about 3 minutes into the speech.

Steven did get to take his picture with Coach and shake his hand. He said that he is shorter than he expected. He has a presence and you can tell that.

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you how hot it was! I cannot do heat anymore. It was beyond hot and miserable. I took Bryce thinking it would be a great experience for him and it was just too stinking hot to enjoy anything. Plus, there was no water or anything for the parents so we sat in the open stadium, with a select few breezes, melting in the sun. However, I could see a difference in Steven's playing so it was totally worth it!

Brycee’s first video game

2010-06-17T16:17:00.001-05:00

Don’t go and get your panties in a wad. We had found a few educational games online. We are working on our letters, since we decided to go backwards and learn numbers, colors, and shapes first. So, here he is on the computer…

You have to love that gorgeous bedhead!!

Vacation Countdown!!

2010-06-15T12:49:00.000-05:00

We planned so great this year and paid up front so we may have a chance at a vacation this year. It looks so inviting and welcoming! Until you remember that there is oil out there just waiting to dirty up those pretty beaches. We still have a few weeks before we head out of town but I am praying that the oil holds out!

Hot Hot Hot

2010-06-13T16:31:00.002-05:00

Boy, it is hot! The temp is like 98 feels like 100!! And the humidity is horrible. We went swimming today and it was almost too hot to enjoy that too. We are now just winding down a great weekend. Steven is all signed in at Saban camp and I am waiting to hear how it is going. I will check back in later.

Merry Christmas Steven!

2010-06-12T21:56:00.002-05:00

Steven's aunt, Anna and her husband David, bought Steven the treat of the year...Three days at Nick Saban Football Camp. We are Alabama fans and they DID just win the National Championship this year sooooo, to say the least, we ARE EXCITED!!!!! I think that I am just as excited as he is. What an opportunity!! Thank you guys for such a sweet thing for him! I pray Steven drinks some water down there because we are experiencing 103+ heat indexes and smothering humidity. It was hard to breathe outside today. Good luck my son, see you soon!!!

Daddy's Birthday!

2010-06-12T19:26:00.002-05:00

We celebrated Daddy's birthday. With a somewhat surprise party.

Bryce is not a good secret keeper.

But Daddy loved his surprise just the same. This is his favorite, Turtle Pie!

Point Mallard!

2010-06-11T02:26:00.000-05:00

Sunday, before the virus hit, we headed to the waterpark here in town. I guess I just remember everything but here again it has many memories. It is an old stomping ground for some of us here in the d-Rock. Back when it was safe to leave kids places, I would get dropped off first thing in the morning and hang out there all day. I can't imagine doing that with Steven now. Well, the mallard had some specials for passes this year and Steven scooped one up. Then Point Mallard held some contests on their facebook page and moi won one! I was super excited, to say the least. It took me about two weeks to go and pick up my prize and the marketing director gave me a pass and Blake some day passes too! Excited some more! Plus, Brycee still gets in for free. They have two kiddie pools, an olympic size pool, three speed slides, a toilet bowl slide, and it is also home to America's first wave pool. I haven't been in a couple of years and was pleasantly surprised to find most of it resurfaced. It took some time to get your feet used to the blistering hot pavement they had many moons ago. If you are ever in the north Alabama region, look up Point Mallard. It is worth the time!

Happy Birthday Love!

2010-06-10T00:00:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday to my husband today! I am so thankful to have him in my life. He takes such great care of all of us. He is a wonderful man and father. I thank God everyday that he brought us together and has given us so many gifts! I hope that I am there to celebrate many more years with you sweetie!

I Love the Alabama Jubilee!!!

2010-06-09T06:14:00.000-05:00

The beginning of summer is always welcomed in by the Alabama Jubilee in our town. It is a hot air balloon festival that has vendors, rides, and lots of food and fireworks. I love to go and see all of the balloons, it was a tradition with my grandpa when I was younger. I can remember sitting in my room listening for the humm of his diesel dodge to round our street to pick us up. We would usually follow up our trip with a hearty breakfast of Hardees where he would always eat biscuits and gravy! Ahhhh...memories...Anywho, I digress...This year I took charge of the tshirt booth. Our boy scoot troop heads this up for the jubilee so they can worry about other things. We get a profit and the boys take their "scout bucks"(the money they earn) and apply it towards trips, camping, and such. The troop keeps some of it for awards and such. Since I was doing this it meant way early mornings and a lot of work. But I loved it! The weather didn't hold out again this year, as it always is in Alabama. We had showers and wind on Saturday but Sunday was pretty enough to fly in a different location. This was the first time the jubilee has done this but it was a nice way to involve the whole city.

Hey Meg! I see you!

I wish we didn't have all those power lines in the way. All these balloons went right over our house. SO COOL! They tried to have a key grab at the Home Depot Field here in town. We live within walking distance from that! Even with the weather we had a great time and Point Mallard did so great with their fireworks, that is what ends the festival.

Bryce-ism

2010-06-08T16:25:00.001-05:00

Bryce has had a stomach virus. He is feeling mucho better-o today and is trying to get out of a nap. He just told me, "Mommy, I firsty because I was stinky." I love 3 year olds!

Little Guy!

2010-06-08T10:14:00.000-05:00

My little guy has an awful stomach virus. He actually asked to go home from the waterpark on Sunday. That is when we noticed it at first. He had a fever when we got home and laid around but we thought he was just waterlogged. Well, around 11pm Sunday night it hit. He's not throwing up but he has horrible stomach cramps and out the other end. His fever was 104 Sunday night!!! Scary! He has been drinking and has eaten a few things. Today we are still sitting at 100 and he feels better but is really crabby. I will be back after we are all well!

I wonder!

2010-06-08T10:06:00.002-05:00

I am big about innocent until proven guilty, but I just wonder about this guy. Natalie Hollaway is from about one hour south of us. Close to Birmingham. She disappeared as I was getting ready for our wedding. This was all you would here about. It's so sad that nothing has ever come of the investigation, as I feel for her family. I have had doubts about Joren but after the car secret tapes I was convinced. How weird is it that exactly 5 years later he kills another? I wonder if he will ever confess about Natalie, he did confess about this other girl. He sure does look meaner now.

Hanging out at the waterpark!

2010-06-06T14:45:00.000-05:00

We went to our local waterpark today. We love water and have two water babies.

Bloggin' Friends!

2010-06-04T09:35:00.002-05:00

This weekend in the midst of working like a dog, I met a blog friend. We have always known we lived in the same city and as time went on we found out that at one time we lived around the street from each other. Like right around the street. My brother lived 2 doors down from her house also. Weird huh! I can't remember how we stumbled upon each other but we did and I am glad to of finally had the pleasure of meeting her at the Jubilee Saturday night. We have a ton of mutual friends. Good to meet you Bridgette! Check out her blog!

OOO...OOO...OOO...I was given an award!

2010-06-04T06:10:00.000-05:00

Robin over at The Hanlon Family was super sweet and gave me a bloggy award! We have a history, one that proves that I am not a morning person! Her sweet daughter used to go to school with Bryce and we would see each other in the mornings. She is also the aunt to Princess Katie. After Katie's accident I realized that I have been following this woman's blog who ended up taking about the same little girl! I was not connected to the internet during her hospital stay and I completely didn't put it together that I knew her until about 2 months after reading her blog. Way to go me, I know! Anyway, I digress... Back to the award. I am supposed to tell 7 things about me.

I love the pool and the summer. I could be in water all summer and so could both of the boys.
Blake is a yard man. He would rather be in the yard than the pool.
I work for a general contracting construction firm as an executive assistant. While it pays the bills, I would so much rather be a SAHM. My heart aches for them during the day.
I am obsessed with the Rent soundtrack. I loved stuff with Rent way back in the early 90's! I was never lucky enough to see it other than on the billboard on Broadway. Still it is so moving.
I love Coca-Colas. (sorry Meggie!) I so wish that I didn't but it is so tasty.
I love all of my boys. It is so wonderful to be the only girl in the house.
My hubs is very cautious over the bloggy world but I enjoy my bloggy friends! I know we are putting ourselves out there but I would miss you all!

Ok, so now I must give it back to some of my friends:

Hattie at God Love Him

Bridgette at Life's a Beach

Anna at The Higginbothams

Lauren @ The Happy Honeymooners

Candi @ Instructions not Included

The Book of Life

2010-06-03T13:58:00.000-05:00

Religions are so funny. Some sing with music, some without. Some baptize early, others later on in life. Some wear dresses, some wear whatever. No matter what, they all teach about the love of Jesus and that He died for us! He loves us all of the time! Blake and I had decided last year about having Bryce baptized in my church. Where I attend, we usually baptize as infants but having two separate religions we had to talk about what we felt was right. We knew from the time that Uncle Keith found Helene that together they should be Bryce's godparents. After a few logistical snafus we finally decided upon Memorial Weekend. I have been anxiously counting down the days since November! Keith and Helene will be wonderful godparents for my baby! They take their responsibility very seriously and had even called to make sure the details and what it truly means to me.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2010-05-29T23:18:00.000-05:00

It's Jubilee Weekend and I am selling the tshirts for the Jubilee committee. The Boy Scout troop is the allowed to come in and sell the shirts for them and in turn they give us a profit of the sales. The troop committee then adds this profit up and we keep 50% for the troop fund and the other 50% is dispersed to the boys according to who works and how long. That way they make money to help pay for their trips like camp, SCUBA DIVING, and ski trips! The money for the troop pays for their groceries when they go, all their awards, and small things for troop fees. It is so much fun and I have always loved this festival. It starts at the crack of dawn but it is a whirlwind weekend. Even if it rains it makes it that much better when you get good weather!

Aunt Helene and Uncle Keith are here too! WOO HOO! Helene is so awesome and I love it when she is here. Friday I kept my nephew and took all three of the boys swimming with Dena until they got home. Dena and I had a picnic for them and it was awesome. After H and K had lunch with some friends they were home too and we got to hang out for a while too.

Bryce is being baptized tomorrow and I am super excited. Remember us friends! Please remember the real reason of this weekend. Rip my friends who have given all! Happy Memorial Weekend!

Jubilee Weekend!

2010-05-28T22:26:00.000-05:00

Here is Alabama, we have the Alabama Jubilee! I have such great memories about it with my grandparents. Our Boy Scout Troop is in charge of the tshirts and I am the leader for this fundraiser. Be back shortly!

He's a man...

2010-05-27T20:57:00.001-05:00

Fun in the Sun Weekend

2010-05-25T10:24:00.005-05:00

This past weekend was my off weekend for the month. We started back the last weekend of April with Birthday parties, weddings, showers, more parties, and we even have the jubilee weekend this coming weekend. So, I was protesting any type of activity this last weekend that did not include water. Now, while you think I was being oh so lazy, I promise I wasn't all that lazy. I did get up and rake up a pile of wet leaves around a tree and weeded the ol' flowerbed for the 14th hundred time already this year. We also picked a ton of mulberries off of our mulberry tree. Since I made myself feel better about my wet weekend, I will tell you now that I did nothing else after that. We went to the pool on Saturday and Sunday and on Sunday my nephew and his folks were there also. But after only swimming for about an hour on Sunday, all the other adults were ready to go. So, I protested and kidnapped my nephew and kept the kids and boy we had so much fun!

We played photo shoot.

Bronson is really good at photo shoot. I always tell him that he is my best model.

We drank Kool Aid by the pool.

Lounged with Dad!

Played boat with cousin and brother.

Swam to our little hearts' desire.

And made some teenager looking faces.

Oh yeah, and Bryce was able to meet the ice cream truck for the first time. Steven was at a swim party!

Wax Museum

2010-05-22T22:08:00.000-05:00

Steven and the 7th grade class recently participated in a mock wax museum. It truly was an educating experience filled with enthralling narratives by the students. It was so nice to see the whole class involved. Every student participated and they were engaged and excited. It was very warm in the gym but that was the only complaint. I thought everyone did great and I hope Steven gets a good grade overall. So far, so good. His group portrayed Frank Sinatra with two band members. Steven brought his drum and guitar so that made him excited. He truly looks grown up. It's killing me!

Happy Happy Oh My Son!

2010-05-20T06:10:00.003-05:00

Today at 10:46am Steven will turn 13! My first baby, one that was a surprise but such a blessing to our lives! He has grown into a fine young man, who loves God, his momma, and his family! Steven and I have been through a lot together and I have a special place in my heart for him. I used to worry that when Bryce was born that it would be hard to love two children so much. I didn't know how it was possible. Well, it is and it is something that is so hard to describe! Steven is so smart and loved. He brings me so much happiness and I am so proud of him. I cannot imagine my life without him. Every sacrifice I made was so worth it! There was a time that he was the only man in my life and that makes him more special than anyone I know! So...Happy Birthday to my first born. May there be many many more! You make us so proud son!

Sorry, I never fixed my scanner and way back in 1997 there wasn't digital photography!

Steven's 13th Birthday Party

2010-05-18T14:27:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe that my first born will be thirteen in a few short days! Due to scheduling we went ahead and had his party this past weekend and boy was it fun, even though we felt like we had decided to play on the Equator! Boy was it HOT! I started to melt upon opening the door to the car. Steven invited the scout troop and some friends from school/church. They had a total of 15 players and some cheerleaders on the sidelines. I have never been to paintball or even seen a paintball field, so this was a new experience for me. Everyone seemed to enjoy it thoroughly and we even sold a few more birthday parties while we were there. Steven has been showing me his battle bruises for the last 3 days. Seems like the adults who played all were trying to hit Steven! AWESOME! Forget birthday spankings, this is the way to go! I was eaten alive by mosquitoes while there and Bryce was even allowed to shoot a gun. I was thinking normal party hours and had a mother come at 330 thinking we would be finished by 4. Well, no such luck there. The boys just kept wanting to play. It was so much fun and I didn't even play. We also had one big birthday party rather than separate ones between his dad's family and my family. It was so nice to have us all together. Well, off to pictures!

They love each other!

2010-05-18T06:20:00.000-05:00

I love my boys!

They love each other!

I also love my new flowers on my porch!

Yay for swimming!!

2010-05-17T11:14:00.003-05:00

Friday, I had a haircut right after work. I was praying all day that the rain would hold off long enough to take the boys to swim! I was super excited when after we walked out of my stylists that the sun was still shining and it was hot! We waited not so patiently for Steven to get home and off we went. No one was at my mother in laws, so it was a nice afternoon just the boys and I! Bryce is a little skidish of the water but I am sure that will change soon!

Promise, he had a haircut the next morning!

We love Puzzles!

2010-05-16T10:25:00.000-05:00

One difference we see in Bryce, since we transferred schools, is his love for puzzles and ability at putting them together!

Show Us Your Life: Books we love!

2010-05-14T10:19:00.007-05:00

Over at Kelly's Korner today we are showing our favorite books. I have always been a reader, for as long as I can remember. I wish I had all the books that I once owned. After I moved out, I have no idea whatever happened to all of them. I had a cabinet full and those were only the ones that didn't get loaned out. I will start with my most favorite children's book!

Our librarian read this to me first in elementary school and I loved it then. The verse inside is so right for anyone with kids!

Ahhhhh...the babysitter's club. I started with this one. Good ol' #1. When I first started these books there were only 4 in the series. I read them all through elementary school and some of middle school. I wanted to have a club just like them and thought that Kristy and I could have been two peas in a pod! I believe that I read at least 70 to 80 of them. There are now well over 100! They also had Super Special books that were just a tad bit longer and I read most of those too!

Ninth grade lead me to Romeo and Juliet and I was hooked! After we watched the movie, I just couldn't get enough. My sophomore research paper was the comparisons and contrasts of Romeo and Juliet to West Side Story. My pick!

I also loved magazines and anything with music. I read a bunch of books or articles about the Grateful Dead and the Beatles.

This is the first book I remember getting for Christmas. I still have a cookbook that came with it also. I wanted to be Laura too! I loved watching the show growing up and these books were so good to sit down and read at night.

I think it is so funny that American Girl has so much hype right now. My mom bought my sister and I each a series. There were again only three when we began. Molly, Samantha, and Felicity I think. I liked Molly and find it interesting that WWII drama stills gets me every time!

The RL Stine and Christopher Pike books were awesome in middle school. Now that I see the cost of books, I don't know how my mom fed me. I had almost all of these too!

Now, what I read now is a mixture of all things from romantic to war novels. Right now I am reading EB Sledge's With the Old Breed. I have to tell you that I used to pride myself, thinking hey I can do anything! Well, let me tell you that I cannot or will not or could not be in the marines doing what these boys(most were under 24) do! I have every bit of respect and awe for our military boys! I know the war is different now compared to the Pacific Theater in WWII but WOW!

Stream of thoughts......

2010-05-12T11:09:00.002-05:00

It's Wednesday! Thank goodness! I am ready for the weekend already. This weekend we are celebrating Steven's birthday! YAY! I can't wait nor can I believe that boy will be 13. We haven't been doing too much this week. I am busy trying to get the tshirt sales together for the Alabama Jubilee! It is such a neat weekend where we live and it always finishes up with some fireworks, which is a favorite of our boys! While we are not exciting, I did find two pictures that I just thought were hilarious!

This is an ongoing joke in our house. Blake is not supposed to touch the laundry. He has no skills in this department and after our clothes has become different colors and sizes, we only allow me in my laundry room.
I just think this is hilarious! Have you ever watched these people. God love them because they are at least the most real of the reality shows. These people are so much fun that I just couldn't resist at least one episode!

Have a great Wednesday!

Diaper Wreath

2010-05-11T15:08:00.002-05:00

I was super excited about making a diaper wreath for Scott and Amanda. So excited that I never took a picture of it. I had to steal this one from my friend. Becky and I did this all by ourselves and boy were we proud! They are going to try and do some of the baby's room in DeadBears so I found these cuties at our local head shop and away we went. I was very please with how it turned out.

My best friends shower!

2010-05-09T21:41:00.004-05:00

This past Saturday I hosted a shower for my best friend and his wife. We were showering them with gifts for Baby Liam who is set to make an appearance in late August. We had to plan this in the month of May so that one of the other sisters would be here. You see, Scott is an only child. He is just one of those guys who, so happens, to have a few really close girl friends. We all claim to be a family in our own little way. The best part was that after a couple years of us being apart we were all together, as we should have been. The passing of a great friend in January reminded me how important our friends are and Scott is truly one special friend of mine! We had a great turnout and had fun for all ages. We had babies in pools, teens playing X-Box, and adults having great conversations! I have to thank my fellow hosts Becky and Chad! Without them we wouldn't have pulled all of this together. I also have to thank Becky's mom, Pam. She made some wonderful dishes and had everyone in awe of her culinary skills! I love to serve and host and this was just great for me. We hope to have everyone get together more often, if we can just get Becky to move back to Bama!

Becky and Lauren chowing down on some of Chad's dip.

Scott loving on his wife, in his own way!

The Haul!

I made the cake all by myself!

One of the coolest gifts from Manda's parents

Exhausted

2010-05-09T16:33:00.004-05:00

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T16:32:00.003-05:00

Wow just wow!

2010-05-08T05:49:00.000-05:00

Photo courtesy of The Morgan Hill Times

I was at first appalled that some kids were told to go home for wearing their patriotic clothing to school. Until I saw what they were wearing. You know, our country is in some major unrest at this time. No matter what side of the fence you are on, people are mad here and people are mad there. Then we have some punk kids trying to stir up more drama! Really! Do we need this type of publicity? How do you think this makes us look? Our country has enough problems right now that the whole world can see! The social media age has taken over and now people can know what is happening in our country 24/7! While the rest of the world is worried about elections, riots, WAR, death, starvation, oil, and flooding, these fools are making a stink about Cinco de Mayo and what they were wearing. A school can tell you what to wear, even the public ones. It is called discretion of the administration. If they do not like it, you do not get to wear it! These kids knew what they were doing when they chose to wear this. Did they know that Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more by American Caucasians than Hispanics? This is a holiday that America has made into another hallmark holiday. Come on people! Let's worry about our bigger problems right now, say like, the economy! Not some punks trying to stir up trouble!

Okay, I will step down from the soap box now. Have a great Saturday Everyone!

Muffins for Mommies!!

2010-05-07T10:58:00.003-05:00

Bryce and I had Muffins for Mommies today and it was so wonderful. This little boy fills my heart with such love, in his own little way. We pulled up at school and he was so excited that I was going to stay with him for a little bit. When we came into his room, he took me right over to the tables and started working on puzzles. They are his favorite and Blake actually had a praise about this boys abilities to work puzzles. After everyone was there the kids stood on the rug and sang a Happy Mother's Day song to us. I melted right there. Then they all ran and gave us big hugs! It was so great!

Show Us Your Life: Our kids names!

2010-05-07T09:18:00.003-05:00

Today over at Kelly's Korner we are discussing our children's names and how we came to these decisions or what we would want to name children. I love thinking about things like this and I am always thinking about it. My first one was not too hard. I had narrowed it down to two different names. Blake Christopher(which is my hubs name now, He is not Steven's father) or Steven Mathieu. I liked Blake Christopher because it just sounds nice together but Steven means crowned and Matthieu means gift of God. Well, being so young I truly felt like he totally was a gift from God.(as they all are) Steven was also the name of Gare's uncle who, at the time, was serving our country in Iraq. Gare looks just like Steve to the point that you cannot tell them apart sometimes from behind. Steve is a great man and a wonderful role model. Steven truly loves to be his namesake.

Bryce is a completely different story. We had such a hard time with his name. I really wanted to keep his initials the same as his daddy. BCC Well, Blake wanted to name him Dominic. I just couldn't do it. It felt odd to me and foreign and we could never agree. Then somehow he found the name Bryce and it was perfect. His middle name is Christopher just like his daddy. I still look at him and think 'hmmm Dominic?' Still doesn't fit! Thank goodness!

For girls names: I am a Gone with the Wind freak and would love to have a little girl named Katie Scarlett or Scarlett Elizabeth. I love the name Elizabeth and it seems so strong. But I also love the name Emma. Emma is also one of Blake's great aunts. I am sure if and when the time comes we will pick something completely different but those are it for now.

Words of Wisdom

2010-05-05T16:03:00.001-05:00

My oldest is going to turn 13 in less than 15 days. This is the first in a lifetime of big birthdays. I, honestly, am very excited for him due to how life changing his next few years are going to be. He attended his first dance with a girl on Friday night. We didn’t get to see her or anything. Steve told us that her parents wanted to drop her off at the dance, which was totally understandable. They did take pictures and I am anxiously awaiting their arrival! He has turned into such a young man this last year and as time moves on I have been having more heart to hearts with him. Talks that explain life and how his life came to be. I have always been very open with him about how young I was when he was born. I pray daily that he does not follow in my poor footsteps. So far, his decisions have been good ones with a few missteps along the way. I remember middle school. I also remember that relationships start during this time of a tween’s life. It’s hard to know the right way to say things to kids. We made sure though that we explained that touching girls at school is completely inappropriate. That a young man should always treat a girl like she is a princess. We reiterated that kissing is completely a no no at school. They can get in a lot of trouble for things like that. The schools are much more strict on these types of policies and we don’t want him doing anything stupid that will get him in big trouble. I hate to think that this time has already arrived but I have to face the facts. But I will be ready and give Steven the most words of wisdom I can shove down his throat before he gets older!

How Hard Is It?

2010-05-05T06:10:00.000-05:00

I know there are more pressing things to worry about in our country. BUT, I have a bone to pick and it is driving me crazy! Do you see the signs above? Are they hard to understand? I do not have any transgendered people in our office so it should be pretty self explanatory. Did you know that boys are gross in a bathroom? Yes, you can quote me on that. My husband isn't quite as gross as others I may know HOWEVER, boys are gross in a bathroom. Our office has two separate bathrooms and while I may be selfish in thinking that the girls bathroom is mine, I am the only girl here. I know there can be emergencies and if one is full please do use the other. BUT can they not put the seat back down? I know, I know, I sound horrible. We always put the seat down in our house. It's just common courtesy, on top of, they do not want a very ticked off mom in the middle of the night. I digress...Our men's restroom at work is not as clean as mine. It is a little gross to me, in all actuality. I have already started to teach Bryce that it is neat to wipe the seat if we sprinkle when we tinkle. If a three year old can do it, so can a man! I have been finding my seat up multiple times lately and it is bothering me only because I can also see watermarks around the floor. Just the thought makes me go EWWWWWW! SO, if there are any men out there who need reminding, please clean up your mess in a bathroom and put down the seat!

Rainy Sunday Afternoon!

2010-05-03T14:01:00.001-05:00

We had been gearing up for our weekend that was supposed to be covered in rain. We waited to plant some more color in our front flower bed until Sunday because it was supposed to rain all weekend. When I hear that i think…All Weekend. Like in all day both days. We held off on doing anything on Saturday due to a wedding and the supposed rain. So, Sunday morning we got up and starting planting. Boy it was like a wet towel outside. (note to self…the humidity is back) We worked hard and had everything done with very few sprinkles. Steven had a band concert at 2, so we laid Bryce down and hoped he would nap after we all had our showers. Concert was fabulous! ( no pics, sorry it was pouring by then) We could hear Steven very well. We did sit underneath a roof leak so we were a little moist when we left! After we got home, we had to do something to entertain the little guy. My sister is letting us use some of her potato heads for the time being. Bryce loves these little guys!

As you can see we have quite the array of different taters! We keep them in one big bucket so even clean up is a cinch! Steven got home and Bryce was super excited!

We are back at the grind today. Steven did really good getting up and going. Bryce did good until Blake walked him in and then the tears started flowing. (still adjusting to the new school) He was calm and collected when I phoned in and checked on him. How about you guys? How was everyone’s weekend?

Meghan!

Still having fun!

2010-05-02T08:02:00.000-05:00

We have been having a ton of fun this week just checking out all the new birthday gifts. The boys had a bike ride around the kitchen and living room which turned into a full fledged race! It was hilarious. We play a ton of Buzz Lightyear while the movie plays in the background. We paint, use chalk, and play with crayons. It's nice to have a ton to do in the house. The weather has not been ideal lately so we have been inside after work.

Steven had a dance Friday night. He had a date and all. The girl wanted to meet at the dance so no chance to take pictures but they did take some at the dance. I CAN NOT WAIT to see them! He has had a better week at school this week. Thankfully! He seems to be trying much harder or paying attention much better.

We had a wedding on Saturday for one of my oldest friends. It was so sweet, a day I know she has been waiting on! She looked beautiful!! It was nice to catch up with our group of friends from back in the day, and I am talking waaay back. We were all friends in elementary school and were practically inseparable then. Bryce was an angel during the service. Thank goodness because we are still working on our inside and whispering voices!

Bryce started a new school this week. We brought him closer to us. The new school is a private preschool that can even have a kindergarten if there are enough children who want it. The big difference is they do not watch tv at all. This starts a great education and we are hoping to continue private school with him. I am not opposed to sending Steven to a private school but he is. I also worry that because he hasn't been in private school that he would be held back if we did switch and that is a major ego buster! I digress...Bryce hasn't adjusted quite yet and there are tears every morning. I believe that he just doesn't know everyone yet and it is pretty scary to go to a new school. Everyone seems really nice and we have been pleased so far. Hopefully, he will adjust in a couple of weeks. He does love their playground because it is shaped like a firetruck!

We have a band concert today. This is the last big thing for band this year. Next year, Steven will be the big man on campus. A big 8th grader. That also means that he graduates high school in five years. It's time to start thinking college already. I can't believe that it is almost that time! He is getting excited for high school and all the extra activities that will bring. He is ready for some marching band and I am too!

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday! We are preparing for rain and still getting the house ready for another party next weekend!

XOXO

Bryce a pa Looza!

2010-04-27T11:58:00.006-05:00

****Once Again I Warn You~~~Loads of Photos****

Best cake ever! Made by a friend!

I love the ooooo on his face!

We had an excellent time at Brycee's party. He is more rotten than I could ever imagine. The first thing he did that morning was notice that I had a wrapped present on a cabinet. Yes, Mommy knew to put it up where he couldn't reach it. He then came to our room to wake us up and said, "Mommy, Daddy, Santa came!!" It was so cute! He was beyond precious. He thanked all his guests for coming! Even more than the general thanks! I was pooped after a day of hosting and a weekend of cleaning but his face made everything so worthwhile! Here's to many more birthdays to come!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

2010-04-26T09:50:00.000-05:00

*****I will warn you now that this is a huge picture post!

Three years ago, Blake and I headed to the hospital one, rainy and gloomy day. It was my due date and we were able to go ahead and induce for two reasons: (1) the amniotic fluid was not enough for my sumo wrestler I was carrying and (2) Blake was about to have a 10 day off period and we really wanted him home with us. It took all day but around 5:30PM Bryce made his debut into this world and we have been trying to catch up with him ever since.

Bryce,
You are a light in your daddy's and my life. You have a humor that is hilarious, a compassion that is shown to just the right people, and the energy for a whole platoon! You are super smart and I am not just saying that. You LOVE and I do mean LOVE Toy Story right now. Everything has to do with Buzz and Woody. Your favorite thing to do is to strip down to your underroos and "fly" through the house to "infinity and beyond!" You know all of your colors and numbers. You love to sing. Thank goodness for a big brother because you can hang with the best of them now too! You and Steven have such a special bond and you two love each other very much. You don't cuddle a ton but when you do you love to smother me in kisses. If you are not felling it you will tell me "not today" and laugh! You eat anything and you are an outside boy. I often find you digging in the dirt with your bare hands. I can't imagine what life would be without you! We love you so much baby boy!(to which you would say Mommy, I a big boy not a baby!!)

What a Weekend!

2010-04-25T20:18:00.001-05:00

Show Us Your Life: How We Met

2010-04-23T09:27:00.001-05:00

I had ended a relationship in December of 2003. I was working at Cracker Barrel and not having the best of years. The guy before Blake didn't want kids and I already had one. He was great with Steve but I knew that our relationship would not go anywhere. When we ended our relationship, it ended some friendships also. I had been hard core into the karate circuit and he was the instructor. I moved karate schools and just went back to life as normal. Around April I met a guy and gal at the Barrel who was a lot of fun to hang out with. When I was with them they argued constantly. We started hanging out with one or the other. Usually not both at the same time. See this guy was involved with this girl for the past 6 years. I never had any intention of ever dating this guy BUT as time went on he broke things off with her and we ended up together. The next couple of months were blissful and for the first time in 6 years I thought that he may be the one! After 4 short months of dating he and Steven surprised me one afternoon with a ring and then he asked me to marry him. We then waited another year before the wedding and the rest is history. We are getting better by the year and I love him with all my heart! He is a great husband, father, stepfather, and provider! I can't imagine my life any different. Oh yeah......and the other woman!? She is happy and I think married living up north. They are still friends and when she comes to town I actually encourage Blake to visit with her. They grew up together and Blake and his brother are both friends. She even lived with us for about a month once. So, while I did steal him in a sense, this is who I was meant to be with!

I Heart Thursday!

2010-04-22T13:48:00.000-05:00

I am participating in this weeks I "heart"... at You and Me Plus Three. Go there now to add yours and read others!!

What a beautiful day to have an I Heart Thursday. This is the day that we look at the good things in our life. We hear so much bad in today's world that I am so happy us bloggy friends have started this! So, off to it...

I heart that Brycee's birthday is coming up. He is so excited! We are decorating in Toy Story(his favorite)!

I heart having another girl at work today. I love working where I do but sometimes miss conversating. The boys just don't talk like girls can. We have a large bid today and she is here helping and it is so much fun!

I heart that Steven has been working hard at his grandmother's this week. He had been in some trouble with grades and such and he is really working on redeeming himself.

I heart that my hubby shaved today! He was trying to prove to his brother that he can grow a beard. Thankfully, it only lasted 6 days! WOOHOO!

I super heart the doctor that gave me a shot yesterday. I had pulled a ligament in my arm and it has been killing me. I caved yesterday and went to the doctor. He gave me a shot and today no pain at all!

I heart the new swingset.

I heart party planning. Just a few more to go after Sunday!

I heart our decision to enroll Bryce into Primrose School! Super Excited!

What are your hearts?

XOXO

Celebrate Good Times Come On!

2010-04-22T09:41:00.000-05:00

We had a very fun weekend. Bryce is celebrating his birthday all week! We started with a swing set from that store that I loathe! We had no idea what to expect, it fit in the car so we figured it was going to be an involved process. That was the understatement of the year! We were told it wouldn't take too terribly long so Bryce and I headed out to the local ballfields to catch our neighbor playing in the county softball tournaments for high schools. She is such an awesome sitter, so it was only right to go and cheer her on. Bryce loved being there. He played with a ton of other kiddos and dug in the dirt. I talked with my neighbor friend, Rachel's dad. He is a fellow Deadhead and we get along great. It is so nice to have neighbors that all get along! We were attempting to give Blake enough time to mow and put this thing together. After a while I had run out of options. The game was over, I had already been to Hobby Lobby, and we just didn't have anything left. I got home and this is what I saw! Nothing in that box was labeled. Blake told us that he had been sorting things forever when we got there.

It didn't take long before Bryce was ready to help!

It took us two days to put this stinking thing together. Everything that Blake put on, we had to take off and rescrew (is that a word) everything! But we finished and we are now the proud parents to one really happy little guy! Our nephew came over to help him break it in. They played and played. The best is the rocket rider. Bryce thinks he is Buzz Lightyear on it!

Look at this stinker! He knows how to work it!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

Scooty Scoot

2010-04-20T17:05:00.001-05:00

We came home last night to find a surprise on our porch! The label soon revealed it to be from Brycee's bestest friend MawMaw Amy! (no, she is not his mawmaw or old enough to be. He just started calling her this and we have no idea why) Thanks so much Amy! We love you!

Woot Woot

2010-04-19T22:08:00.002-05:00

This is Steven's $15 outfit.
This outfit cost us a total of $12.93.
This ALSO won him a 2nd place ribbon,
in the 4H county roundup for Morgan County

Taking mom by surprise,
he also gave an informative speech.
Once again 2nd place!

Woot Woot!

Walmart Diaries!

2010-04-17T16:50:00.000-05:00

We went on a wild adventure last night. We endured many animals and some rough terrain but in the end we made it through. You would think that my family went on a safari. Unfortunately no, we sure didn’t, as Bryce would say.
Blake got home around 6 last night and our family piled in the mom mobile and headed about 1/3 a mile to the good ol Wal-Mart. (Warning: I loathe this store and this story is only going to make it worse) We have been investigating swing sets for quite some time now. We know that it is THE present that Bryce needs for his birthday this year. We are planning on having the kids from his school over to play for his birthday and thought that it would be a great addition for that also. I digress…so we drove practically across the street to the neighborhood Wal-Mart. I had already checked the web and supposedly the only ones available were in Cullman. I just didn’t think that one store in North Alabama would carry swing sets. I had tried to call the store before going over there but was only placed on hold for a long time. We parked unloaded and went inside. I wrote down the number we wanted and headed to a cash register. After a long line we were finally there. I could almost taste it! But the girl didn’t even know how to look for it and her supervisor had left her by herself and she had no idea what to do. She was new, so no hard feelings.
We then walked to Wal-Mart’s Customer Service. Thinking for some reason that they may be able to help. Well, boy was I wrong. The lady looked at me like I was bothering her and proceeded to tell me that I needed to walk back to toys and look for so and so. I told her that I already had the number for the merchandise if she could just tell me if they had one in stock. She just stared at me, so we left. I was hot! I got the trusty iPhone out and started googling for another number to another store. I called the next one on the list and was left on hold four times for over 10 minutes!!! We had already started heading to Cullman at this point.
We plugged in the GPS and trekked down the county roads to another Wal-Mart. There were hills and tractors and a ton of construction work. OH and I had not mentioned that my sweet hubby worked for 17 hours that day. We arrived at the new Wal-Mart and the difference was amazing. The store was cleaner and the staff was very helpful. We finally purchased our swing set and we have been setting it up since. Hopefully, I will have pictures tonight!
Thanks guys, I feel better now. I can just add this to my list of Wal-Mart junk that has happened. The last time I tried something with that store I had a bad experience. To say that this one was bad is an understatement!

Terrific Thursday!

2010-04-15T16:10:00.000-05:00

I am participating in this weeks I "heart"... at You and Me Plus Three. Go there now to add yours and read others!!

It has been a blah week for me and I am so glad to be joining Crystal for I heart Thursday. I sure do need it today!

I heart that I ate lunch with my matron of honor/bestest friend today. We haven't seen each other in over 2 years! That's crazy but we were right back at it like we were sitting in cheerleading practice.

I heart having health insurance. I know it's a big debate right now but I am truly blessed to have it. I have been on the other side of that spectrum so I know how hard it can be.

I heart planning parties. We have a couple coming up! Bryce and Steven both have birthdays and I am planning a party for my best friend and his wife for their upcoming baby boy Liam!

I heart mexican food!

I heart that Bryce loves Toy Story just as much as Steven.

I heart my boys, all three of them. I am the princess in the house and it is quite nice sometimes. (check back though)

I heart The Pacific. I am now reading Helmet for my Pillow and my loyalty to our country is only growing stronger. It also makes my heart hurt for all of our fallen soldiers. I know now that I would never be able to handle this type of thing.

I hope you guys can put away your bad thoughts for the week and remember just what you are hearting today!

XOXO

Ramblings

2010-04-12T16:53:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a great weekend. It was beautiful here. Blake got a ton of yardwork done while I attempted to scrub down the house so it would be clean enough for a sitter. That took all day with a three year old running around at my feet, begging for snacks, drinks, and attention.

We were trying to get ready to go to a popular place here in town called The Brick. I, personally, liked it better before it burned down and was rebuilt. They changed the venue and enlarged it quite a bit. It just doesn't have the same ambiance that it once did. I was really excited Saturday because our friend Bo was playing with his band The Hypseys. They are based in Tuscaloosa but Bo played in a number of bands here before he moved to go to college. He has since graduated and is going this week to hopefully do some sort of music business stuff. We ate with some friends and it was really nice. I know that I am old now because everything was great until the music started. Then you couldn't talk anymore. I understand needing to hear the band but I cannot read lips! Never have been able to, which makes any type of conversating difficult.

Sunday we went and visited Princess Katie Cakes! It was so nice to see her. I cooked the family lunch and some yummy cake cookies. Bryce was on day two with no nap so he was a hornet for sure! Katie looked so good and has really recovered a great deal since the last time we saw her family! She tires much easier but I had remembered to stick Toy Story 2 in my purse so she could watch it. Steven was home from New Orleans so he was able to play with the boy twin of the family. They are 3 months older than Steve so it works out great! Keep up the prayers though, there are still ways to go for sweet Katie!

Steven returned from New Orleans, broke. This did not surprise me because I always made sure to spend my money when on trips. I called him on Saturday to see if he still had enough to eat that day and he only had $7. That boy! They had a blast and most of Steven's money was spent at Bubba Gumps. He had some sort of grilled Mahi Mahi and dessert plus that sweet boy remembered to get his brother something. I think he said that he spent almost $60 there so that was half of his money. He still had to eat other days! Oh well, that is what trips like this are for. He took mainly all of his own money that he had saved from Christmas with a little extra from mom.

I just wanted to ramble a bit, sorry no pictures. I had my camera with me all weekend but my hornet was busy buzzing around all weekend so I never had the chance to get it out. Hope everyone's Monday is fantastic but I am ready for Friday!!!

I REALLY Heart this Thursday!

2010-04-08T15:37:00.002-05:00

I HEART THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS!
Katie is being released from inpatient rehab tomorrow!

I HEART THAT ALL OF YOU PRAYED FOR HER!
She may not have made it without you!

I HEART MY HUSBAND AND CHILDREN!
So much that it hurts sometimes!

New Orleans Band Trip

2010-04-08T13:10:00.000-05:00

Steven left this morning for the middle school jazz and stage band spring trip. I loved band trips! They were always sooooo much fun. We had to get him to school before the rooster crowed this morning. I set my alarm for 430 and laid in the bed listening for Steven.(his room is directly above) I heard him stirring and I wondered if this boy was going to take a bath or not. I finally reached for my phone and called him! That's right! This mama does not do mornings and all I wanted was for him to shower before he left. I had to get up shortly after and find him some socks and underwear because apparently something is eating all of the socks and underwear that belongs to him. He brought me his suitcase last night so I could check it and the boy had no socks, underwear, pants, or anything. Men just don't pack! So, Steve is on his way after I went down the list of everything that I would say no to. I made sure to say things individually to not leave any room for interpretation!

Saturday was a Beautiful Day!

2010-04-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday we woke up at 730. That is sleeping in in our house. We had a late night at the hospital on Friday night and all of us didn't get in the bed until late. Even when we woke up we lazied around in the bed until almost 11. Bryce received a Buzz Lightyear from Grandma and wouldn't let it go all day.

Baby Alyssa came over and let me use her as a model! She is growing so much!

While I think that Bryce would be a pretty model, he does not agree! I asked to take a picture and this is what I got!