Pictures from Texas

These are a few pictures from our trip to Texas!!!

Returned from TEXAS

Well we returned from Texas today....after 7 fun filled days. It was great to have lots of time to visit with everyone.

The kids had their easter egg hunt at mom's. Cindy's 3 boys were there too. Even Derek decided he wanted to join in on the fun!! (yeah got a blackmail picture out of that one...LOL) We spent the day there...and then went back to dad's till Tuesday. We spent 2 more nights with mom....before returning to dad's at the end of the week....to get ready to come home.

The kids loved being able to wake up around 830 AM and play outside ALL day....until dusk dark. I think the was the first time in their short years they grabbed a pillow and blanket around 8-9 PM and went to sleep with NO problems. I can say that they played their little hearts out!! They really enjoyed uncle Floyd playing catch football with them....and then taking them to feed his chickens!! Every night the bath tub was full of dirt, sand and grass.....a true indication of a hard day's play!!!

The weather was GREAT!! It rained a little on Sunday...but turned out to be a WONDERFUL sunny day. The weather stayed clear and sunny the whole week....until FRIDAY....and then it RAINED all day!! The kids were like sardines in a can.....I eventually took them to McDonald's to play....to help work some of that energy out!! LOL

We didnt get to see Chelsea....which was hard on the kids....but they seemed ok with it as time went on. I just hope she realizes that family should ALWAYS come first. Her sister and brothers are growing up wayyy to fast.....and soon they arent going to have time for her.....so she should take advantage of the time she has with them now. But some lessons have to be learned.....the hard way!!

I got a whole bunch of pictures from my mom to make copies of....so I can start on a scrapbook about me. I hope to go back in the summer....and get some from Dad and Nana....to complete my life story scrapbook!!! I hope one day my kids will appreciate and enjoy learning all about my life!!

Well off to rest and relax......gotta work on Monday!!!

Very Tired

This week has been very exhausting for me....I worked Monday night, Thursday day shift and then Friday and Saturday night. A total of 48 hours...{it even makes me tired thinking about it...LOL} I think the really hard part...it the transition from days to nights...and back to days!! But...I will adjust....the good news is I will have off a whole week come Friday!!! YEAAAHHHHH!!

Kids only have to go to school 4 days this week!! They are out Friday and then all next week for Spring break so we are going to go to Texas for the week! The kids are sooo excited! They havent been since before Thanksgiving....so they are looking forward to it!!

I was shocked when I got home from work this morning. Keith had washed up all the dishes, cleaned out the cabinet above the stove, and put away the dishes he washed! {O-O} <----those were my eyes...LOL He even started a roast this morning so it would be ready for supper tonight. I asked him what had gotten into him...and he said he just started doing it....and just did it!! Well I told him that it meant ALOT to me....to have that task done....and not on MY to do list. Then with the dishes washed up and supper cooking was EVEN BETTER....because I am soo tired...and probably wouldnt have gotten around to it today or tomorrow...and those are my only days off before I work again. So he does care....it apparently is DEEP...but there....LOL!!!!

We took the kids to park for a little while today so they could use their side walk chalk. They didnt get to play on the slide and swings because there was an Easter Egg hunt going on....and lots of people in that section.....so we went across the street...and let the kids play on the soccer field....it also has a paved track for walking. They drew a few pictures and decided to run up and down the field...LOL!! Then we started playing Tic Tac Toe. Right before we left.....I drew an outline of each of the kids....and let them color it....they turned out SOOO cute! The kids didnt want to leave them....but I told them we could always re-draw them!!! :)

Better end now.....try to get some clothes washed for next week!!!

Returned from Scrapfest

I got in this morning about 1AM from Mandeville. I enjoyed my little break these last 3 days..... nothing but scrapping and scrapbook shopping!! I met Vera and the Scrapalious crew from Thibadeaux. We all sat at the same table! It was great. I also ran into Pat and Martha from Remembering Moments in Petal MS....I havent seen them since last Feb 2008. There were classes, games, prizes and make and takes! The best part was I completed 24 PAGES....you can see them on my scrapbook blog http://www.southernmadememories.blogspot.com/ !!

Here are some pics of the Castine Convention Center!!

This is our table....pictured are Maria (right) and Mel (left front) (I forgot the name of the girl on the left next to Mel...sorry) I sat all the way at the end on the right.

Looking down the whole convention center.


Me and Amber

Scrapalious store..behind the register is VERA :)

...another picture of the convention

My house was broken into......

(heart pounding)When I came home about 30 minutes ago....it was pouring down rain...so I just grabbed my stuff out of the car and quickly got inside. Well as soon as I opened the door...I noticed the livingroom light was on....and I KNOW that I turned it off when I left......also there was a box that was in the kitchen right in front of me....and I know that wasnt there when I left. Well I went to the back and looked all around....searched in the kids rooms...(really good thing we have a small house...it doesnt take long)...then I called Keith and asked did he have someone come in to get something.....he said NO. He called everyone and they hadnt seen or heard anything. I was only gone 3 hours, plus MaryAnn was home, Maw was home...and the garbage man came during that time...so how could this happen. I checked and all of Keith's guns were there, my wedding rings were there....but $80 was missing from on top of the fridge. My heart sunk....I felt violated!! I called Keith to ask if I should call the Sheriffs office....because I know they touched the lights...maybe they can get finger prints.........then he proceeds to tell me....that I am married to a maniac (like I didnt already know that)....and he had came home to grab something and took the money.........and since I wasnt home....he played this trick on me. Ok....most of you probably dont know....but Keith LOOOOVES pranks....he comes from a family of pranksters.......(he used to put fake spiders in his mom's plants.....so that when she watered them....well...you get the picture....)

Well all ends well...seems I got an EARLY.....APRIL FOOLS!!!

LOL....I bet the kids will love this one....because they are always putting fake bugs on the floor and screaming roach or spider....to get me to jump......oh what am I going to face in the years to come.........:)

Spring has Sprung

The first day of spring was Friday....and I can see it all around me!! The azelas are blooming everywhere, grasses are being mowed, and babies are being born....(we have 9 in ourselves)...LOL

I have a scrapbook convention this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9AM to 12Midnight all three days...45 hours of SCRAPPING and SHOPPING!!! I have been looking forward to this for months. Scrapfest occurs twice a year....so I try to take advantage of it...if I can. Scrapfest is held in Mandeville, LA...there are several vendors that come from all around...some hours away to set up 'store' in the Castine Convention center. Its great....I meet new friends everytime I go. Friendships that I have held ever since. Its really neat because I even run into ladies that I have met online through scrapbooking message boards too!!

Kids are good....just ready for school to be out. It is getting harder and harder to get them up in the morning. I hope our trip to Texas after Easter will give them a needed break and they will be ready to return and finish up the year. May Fest in on May 1st. It is a LES school function in which the whole school puts on a program for the community. Kaitlyn and Kase will perform in it. Chelsea was in it when she moved over here in 4th grade....now that seems like ages ago. I will have to get those pics out and take a trip down memory lane!!

Well I am off....gotta go finish packing for this weekend......

Air Guitars

Nothing much going on this week. I worked Monday and Tuesday....and work again on tomorrow through Tuesday!

Kids had a great week this week. No bad marks on their behavior charts for either of them! Yeah!! They had the book fair at school...and I let the kids take $5 to purchase some books. Kase bought a Cars book and 2 bookmarks.....Kaitlyn didnt get a chance to go...so I am going to take her to Wal-Mart to purcahse another Junie B Jones book....<---(her favorite).

Went looking at houses again this week. There is just so many choices...and not enough choices....!! LOL I have for now talked myself out of getting a house....again!! Just too many issues going on in LIFE right now!!

Last night the kids were playing air guitars....while listening to music on the TV! I just had to get out the camera and capture this moment!!

Next weekend is my 3 day scrapbooking convention!! I can't wait....I need this break from work, kids...and just life in general! I am meeting some friends from far away...that I dont get to see that often!! .....plus you add shopping on top of that...and it makes for one AWESOME weekend!!! So I am off to clean and pack for next week........

Very Busy Week

Lots going on this week. Kaitlyn and Kase were sick at the begining of this week. I ended up taking them to the doctor on Wednesday....so that made the week seem to start off VERY slowly....but the rest sure did fly by. Once Kaitlyn and Kase were better....they went back to school on Thursday....which helped me.......since I worked Wed and Thurs...and needed to rest.

We found out this week...that the FHA limits on buying a house went up. (ok long story short...we have been looking at buying a new mobile home...but since we didnt have land to put up...it has raised the down payment....and what we qualify for....since I havent been working 2 full years yet....and we only qualified for 49,900...which really limited what we could buy)....So now the limit has been raised to 69,900..... :) Which is soooo much better because with a family of 6....we really need more room than what is in a singlewide. We had to put down more money before with the old limits....to get a doublewide....and that was fine...but as of Feb 11....there are new state guidelines on the land you put a mobile home on....you have to build a 'pad'....like you do for a house....and that in itself is going to be over $1,000!! So anyway...this news has shed some light on the house situation......!!!

On Saturday...we had 'another' new addition to the family. Princess...our Black,Orange and White Calico cat had kittens.....2 white and 1 black and white....and then today... low and behold....she had another black one. ....I really hope that is all!!

Kaitlyn has a new 'love'.....of books...Junie B. Jones!! We picked up one last night...and ever since she hasnt been able to put it down. She laughs as she is reading.....she says...."Junie....is so funny...listen to what she says...." Her facination has even rubbed off on Kase....he is constantly saying..."read it to me".....!! This is like a step back in time....because Chelsea's favorite books at this age were the same....she LOVED Junie B. Jones!!!

Well there ya have it....one very busy week....and one finished week.....Tomorrow will start another......

Weekend Wrap-up

Here are a few pictures from the this weekend. I was working during daylight savings time.....so I didnt feel the time change....but today I sure have!! Another Monday starts tomorrow......so off to get this together to start the week!!

Lime Green, New Kittens...and the weekend

Well here we are....the end of another week!! I have enjoyed my last 3 days off. I bought a new bedroom set....its black and white...with accents of lime green!! It matches the colors I have my scrapbooking stuff stored in! I havent had a new bedroom makeover since 2001. I always put my wants and needs last on the priority list.....but I seen this....and just went with it!! :)


Well racoon kitty had her babies yesterday. She had 6 but only 5 made it. They all look like her....a grey and black tiger stripe. Coby is too cute....he said "raccon cats babies are eating" ...and Keith said...'eating what' and Coby said..." racoon kitty's tummy"!! I just love how innocent children are!! He keeps telling the cat that he 'wubbs' her babies....all of 'dem'!

Kids are good! They are ready for school to be out. Kase keeps asking when his birthday is....and what month we are in! He told me last night he wants to have a transformers party at the Fun Farm...so I will be planning that soon!

I work tonight and Sunday night....so I better get off and take a nap!!

Its Monday

The begining of another week is upon us! Nothing exciting over the weekend. I took Kaitlyn with me to meet Amy and Annalise in Covington to go shopping and do 'girl' stuff for about 5 hours on Saturday. The boys went with Keith to the auction barn in Kentwood. Of course KEITH bought something..... A GOAT!! Correction.....2 GOATS!! They are about 2 months and are so stinkin cute! They run up to you and wag there tails like little puppies! The kids love 'em. Keith put them in the chicken pen to keep the grass down and so the kids would have something to play with while he is feeding up. I still dont think we need another animal....but the kids are happy and thats what matters...right?

We hung out at home Sunday...did a little cleaning. We went grocery shopping!! I can not believe how expensive everything is getting!! It cost us $120 for food....and it wont last a week. I even made sure to buy the cheapest, buy store brand...and it is still high!! Two pounds of hamburger meat, a 2lb roast, and some boneless pork chops was $20!! At this rate....I am going to have to get another job so I can feed my kids!! LOL

I work tonight and Tuesday night then I am off for 3 days! I have been enjoying my days off....spending time with the kids, and getting some scrapping done. The kids even come help me...or ask if they can scrap too! Life is GOOD!!

Kailtyn's Pigtails

All is well here....I am off from work for 3 days....but today is almost gone...so really 2 days!!

Anyway...I just wanted to post a pic of KK and her pigtails....every morning we get up....she asks if I have time to fix her hair into pigtails....one on each side she says......LOL You cant tell it but she has both top front teeth missing....and neither is trying to come in yet!! :)

Well Feburary has come and gone....now into March.....which brings spring, longer days, easter and spring break!! I am planning a trip to Texas when the kids are on spring break which is the week after Easter!! I will be taking off a block of time then.....but wont know final details till closer to that time!!! I will keep everyone posted!!

Kids are home from school...so I am off to talk to them about their day!!!

(ETA: the lesion on my leg is being treated...if it turns out to be something else....I will let ya know)

Work Work Work....

I work again tonight. Then I have off for 3 days....so hopefully I can get some things accomplished.

On another note....I found a 'raised' lesion on my leg today. Its not brown in color but it is glossy like the books say....and clearly it isnt normal. I plan on going to the doctor tomorrow when I get the kids off to school. I just noticed it so hopefully it wont be anything serious. I dont want to scare anyone....and I will update as soon as I know something!!

Well gotta run....need to start getting ready!!!

Fat Tuesday

Ok...so nothing really exciting going on here for Mardi Gras....at least not as exciting as whats going on down on Bourbon Street.....:) Just been a lazy day for us! Keith was off today and took the kids to the auction. He is wanting to by a goat to keep the grass down in the chicken pen....but also so the kids can play with it. Yeah....well lets not ask me my opinion about that one.....:)!

Yesterday I took the kids to the park to eat and play. I going to call it MONDAY FUN-DAY....when I scrap the pictures.... :) The kids had another little girl to play with that was 4....so they ran around for over an hour. I think their favorite part was playing on the tennis courts....just running, laughing and falling down. I enjoy watching them be so carefree.....

Why 4-year olds shouldn't dress themselves....LOL

So yesterday...I am putting Kase and Kaitlyn on the school bus and I tell Coby to get ready....and put his shoes on so I can take him to daycare. Well I had the laugh of my life...when I turned around...and seen this........

and a closer look.........(they dont match either)......

he was so proud that he accomplished what I had asked him. I explained that pink flip flops couldnt be worn to school...and he says to me....'I can't find my other crock'.....LOL....

Sometimes it is moments like this that really slow life down....and me smile of all the blessings that GOD has given me!!!

Another Monday

Well I couldnt sleep last night...so here I am on the internet....getting my fix. Not sure if I just wasnt tired....or had alot on my mind with all that is going on. But anyhow....this week should be pretty laid back. Nothing going on with the kids....they have school all week. I work tonight then I dont work again till Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Maybe these few days off...will allow me to get some things accomplished around the house that I have been putting off.

I might even take some time to scrap....if I can get this printer to print my pictures...LOL!!

Gotta go....kids are dragging this morning and we dont need to be late!

Valentine's Day Weekend

Time has passed since I last posted....a week to be exact!! I worked for my birthday...so nothing really big happened here. I did go eat at La Carretas with the kids.

I was at work all week this past week...so not much time to post. I did get some special Valentine's stuff from the kids....and Keith bought me a new Kodak camera....this one is more on a professional level. I can use it for more professional type photos....gotta read up and experiment a little first though...LOL

So all is well as can be. I have talked myself out of getting a new house right now....not sure why...just have lots of doubts with the economy, the deal itself.....my marriage....just lots of things not really adding up right now...and I feel it would make more sense to just wait. Well what do you know....'me' trying to be more responsible.... who would have seen that coming...LOL So anyway....on with another week.......


ETA: Today Derek turns 16! He has become a dedicated,loving, and charming young man. Sometimes when life is difficult we choose to take the less traveled path....but he chose to over come the obsticles. I commend him on his positive attitude and the respect he shows to everyone he meets. I pray that he will succeed in all that he does!!

Some Random Thoughts

Well here I am....the day before I turn 32! WOW.....am I really 32? Where has the time went to? I dont feel 32....not that you are suppose to 'feel' any special way. Its just hard to believe! I am the kind of person who plans for everything.....I always worry about the future...do we have enough money for bills, food...will my kids be ok....but I have never really looked at MY future....past the age that I am living at the moment. I have no expectations of 32....nor have I ever really thought about where I would be at 32........

I can say that I am content with my life at 32...I have 4 great children, a husband who is supportive and makes me laugh, a loving family, a career that I enjoy, and many great friends! I can say that 32 is going to be GREAT ......because I am surrounded by people who love me for who I am......no matter what age....and I couldnt have planned it any better....(even if I had tried)!! I AM BLESSED!!!

Happy 15th Birthday Chelsea

WOW...15 years has flown by. I can still remember Chelsea as a little girl. Playing barbies, baby dolls, and riding her tricycle. She has become a beautiful young lady. I wish her all the best that life has to offer her. I pray that she always remembers her roots, is true to her friends and to never forget that no matter what......she is LOVED! I also hope that she enjoys these last few years of being a teenager....because 18 is only 3 years away....and then the really HARD part about life will start.....theres no changing it....or holding it back....it happens...and ready or not....she will soon have to face it.

TO Chelsea: ***remember these words***

~laugh like no one is listening, dance like no one is watching.....and love like you have never been hurt~


****I LOVE YOU CHELSEA****

Bomb Threat at LHS

We got a call today about 1130 from MaryAnn asking us if we heard about the bomb threat at the school. Of course we hadnt...so I called the Elementary school and they told me that the threat was at the high school....and that if we want to pick up our children we could...and it wouldnt count against them...well hello....of course Keith was already on his way. Why werent we called sooner? The threat was earlier in the morning...and alot of us were just finding out about it....to me that isnt right? Just because it was at the high school didnt give the other schools the authority to decide that my child was safe especially since the high school isnt even a football field length away from the elementary school. Anyway....most of all the children were leaving...there were officers there directing traffic and blocking roads and such. Now what do we do...? Are they going to resume school tomorrow? Are they giving updates on who or what exactly happened? probably not! Well at least my children are safe at home!!

On another note....we will be ordering our house this week. I just need to finalize all the colors. I want to see all my options on the counter tops....and I would like darker carpet....but other than that the colors of the demo house are what I am going with. We paid our down payment and it will take about 3 weeks to get it built and shipped to the dealer....so probably 4 weeks before it will be here on the property!! I CANT WAIT!!

Here is last weeks picture of the week.....other than the ones of the house.....LOL

...and Thats My Final ...Choice...LOL

OK here it is my new house...well not actually.....but close enough...this is only the demo. But the rooms....and layout are the same. We go Saturday to pick out colors and make sure we have added everything they way we want it!!

Narrowed the Search

Ok well I think I have picked out my house!! I really could get wrapped up in all the details...and what this one has...or that one...but finally I have chosen one! The house is a 16x80...3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms. I went for practicality and room space.....for the kids. I decided to hold off on the double wide...or modular homes due to the fact that Keith and I do not own this land....and having to move a home like that is so costly....which we plan to do once we purchase some land. We should be ordering our new home on Monday....and the manufacturing time is about 1 week...give or take! These are pictures of the living and kitchen. If I choose this one I will have the red on the kitchen walls....and dark cabinets....with black appliances.

Just another Thursday!

Just sitting here thinking about lots of things....which bills are due, which house I want, the laundry that needs to be done....LOL....but not really dwelling on anyone of those things.....!! Instead I am reading blogs, scrapbooking message boards....ect....trying to relax.

We are heading to Gonzales tomorrow to look at a particular house....really think this is the one...I am SERIOUS this time....LOL!! I am just a visual person...so before I buy it from the dealer in Hammond...I need to see it for myself....KWIM?

Everyone is doing good....Coby has a bilateral ear infection....but he seems to be doing well with it....he went to the doctor and is on antibiotics....so he should be over it soon. All he talks about is his squarrel hunt and how he wants to go back to the woods to get another...LOL

Kase is....well KASE....hard headed and VERY independent....but that makes me love him all the more!! For those who dont know this....I wanted to name Kase...CONWAY after Conway Twitty....but of course Keith wouldnt hear of it. Well I got my Conway anyway....because Kase sings his songs ALL the time....even Coby sings them. I love it.....!!! :) Now if I could just get him to wake up in the mornings without being so GRUMPY!!!

Kaitlyn is good....she brought home straight A's on her report card....I am so proud of her!! She loves to have PRAISE in everything she does.....which is great...because it really is her driving force!! She tries to help out so much....which is wonderful....but still has to be reminded that she isnt the boss of Kase or Coby......(I see that being a BIG prob in the future)!!

Well guess I am going to end....we are without water right now so I need to figure out what to do about getting the kids some clothes to wear for tomorrow!! I will be posting my pic of the week on Saturday....so until then...................

ETA: Emily turned 15 today....its so hard to believe that girls are in high school and are maturing so fast. I wish her well in life....but hope that she realizes you get out of life...what you put into it and the choices we make today will affect our future......that is a promise!!

Coby's First Squarrel Hunt

Well today was a lazy day...Kase and Kaitlyn went to church....and Coby stayed home with Keith and I. Keith decided to take him to squarrel hunt. I was in shock when my little baby came busting through the door holding a squarrel like it was an olympic gold medal. He was so proud. I grabbed the camera to capture this moment.... I laughed so hard because he had the goofiest grin on his face.....oh my baby is growing up!!!

Pic of the Week

OK...so I have given this much thought...and I am going to do Project 365. For those who arent in the scrapbook world....Project 365 is about scrapbooking my life for a full year....either everyday, every week....or on a monthly basis. I usually have something for each month.....but its a holiday or activity...and Project 365 is about my LIFE....so it will be from a different angle. I will be recording this on my scrapbook blog....but decided to post a weekly picture here too!! I am posting pics for the last 2 weeks so we will be up to date!!

(Click here to see my scrapbook blog: http://www.southernmadememories.blogspot.com/ )

Pic of the week for Jan 4th-10th

This is the kids with the Christmas gifts mom sent them. It was like Christmas again...they said...LOL

Pic of the week for Jan 11th-18th

This is the kitchen in one of the houses I looked at this week!! I LOVE THIS KITCHEN!!!

Already the middle of Janurary

The last week in December went by so slow....now someone hit the fast forward button....because the last 15 days have just flown by. Why is it....that as a child, life goes by so slow...the weeks drag on....but as an adult....they just fly by? (Have I already asked that?....I really am getting older) This week was full of looking at houses!! I have looked at so many that I can't even remember them all. Who really cares the difference between 'crown' molding or just flat molding? Plush carpet or low grade? 15ft or 17ft refridgerator??? OMG....I really am begining to HATE this. To me.....molding is molding.....carpet is carpet, and as long as my food stays cold....I really could care less about the size of the refridgerator!! Oh and lets not forget.....tan,toupe,beige or mocha.....ITS ALL BROWN!!! Can you tell....I do not have the patience for this!!

Another 3 day weekend is upon us. The kids are out of school Monday for Martin Luther King day. I am on my 2nd of 5 days off in a roll......dont ask...its just how the schedule fell. Well I guess I am going to get off and be productive....and get some cleaning done!!

One of Life's Lessons

Well....I went to Texas on Friday to pick up Chelsea. Her dad had kicked her out on Tuesday and had not contacted my dad in regards to her since. I withdrew her from school, she seemed OK with the whole situation, and we were headed back to my dad's when Tracey showed up wanting to 'say bye'. I didn't want to let her talk to him....since he had had 3 days to make this right...and I feel the only reason he did finally contact her was because he found out from the school that she was being withdrawn. Its really sad that she is naive to even want to go back to stay with him. But she did!! Both of them acted as though me driving all that way and he having not spoke to her in almost 4 days and telling her to leave .....was nothing....they just picked back up where they left off.

Chelsea has hurt me for the last time. I hope that she doesn't need me or her papa again...... because she burnt bridges this time. Help is no longer there!!

I have always felt that is was a mother's job to stand by her children, and help them become mature young adults. I have made many sacrifices for Chelsea, I have been more of a mother than most woman my age ever thought about being.....and it was all for NOTHING!!

I watched my 14 year look at me as though I was disposable and she had no regard as too how bad it hurt me for her to go back with her father.....whom had kicked her out more than once! It took me several months to understand why she left last year....not because I was a bad mother....but because it was a choice....she wanted to live with her dad. But after a year of nothing but misery.....and being unhappy living with him.....I thought for sure things would be different from her......but the child that I saw Friday was not the little girl I raised!! I don't know who she was....because MY daughter would have cared.

Life is all about lessons.....some aren't as easy as others. I never thought that one of my lessons would be this!! ........ I do learn from my lessons........

New Year's Resolutions

Well I have given these much thought and have decided to put out a few resolutions this year!!

1. To blog at least 3 times a week!!
2. Stay current on all scrapping for this year...so I can work on past years!
3. Have a family night at least 1 night a week!!
4. Go to church more regular
5. Find patience....no matter the situation
6. Walk at least 3 times a week
7. Eat healthier
8. Visit my family in Texas more


Thats all I have so far....those seem easy when in print....just taking the time to make sure they are done is going to be the hard part!! But with this new year its time to proceed forward with change!!!

~Happy New Year~

Ok...so technically I am a little early....but since I will be working when the clock strikes 12....I thought I would wish it now!! Wow....this year is GONE....and now we face 2009!! Who would have thought? I can still remember 1999....a whole 10 years ago.....lets see that was the year I met Cory, Dad had his heart surgery, and the whole world thought that the new millenium was going to crash all the computers in the world....LOL!

Now for this last week of 2008...what are my thoughts, wishes....well first and foremost...I wish the years would slow down!! They go by so fast!! Lets see 10 things I am excited about for this last week of 2008:

1. Starting a new church....becoming closer to GOD and letting him guide my life, my marriage, and my parenting!!!
3. Holiday pay :)
4. Looking forward to the weekend to spend time with Amy
5. Getting organized
6. Decluttering my house
7. My 32nd birthday....wow didnt think I would be EXCITED about that :)
8. My baby turning 15..she was once a duckling and now a beautiful swan
9. Spending time with the kids while school is out
10. ....lol school starting back next week ....because of above :)~

Ok so there is my list.....of course I am sure I could find lots more to be excited about but these are on top.

...see ya next year.....LOL

Merry Christmas

We had a great day. The kids woke up bright and early on Christmas morning...eager to open up what Santa had brought them. Kaitlyn got barbie dolls, barbie clothes, barbie furniture, along with a cabbage patch, doll clothes, and a gameboy with games;Kase got a nerf gun, transformers, power rangers, legos, magnetix, and a gameboy with games;Coby got little people play sets, transformers, monster trucks, hot wheel cars, a mack truck to haul his hot wheels, and a laptop...which I have to take back because he wants a gameboy.....go figure!! LOL Of course they received lots more from the family....!

We all had a great time and were exhausted by the end of the day....:)!!

Winter Wonderland

I wouldnt have believed it....if I hadnt seen it with my own eyes....but we had 8 inches of snow fall on December 10th. What a wonderful experience to see.....even if it was short lived!! All snow was gone by Sunday the 14th because the temperature was in the 60's. It was beautiful to drive down the road and see all the pastures covered in snow.....really breath taking. The kids had a blast throwing snowballs, making snow angels, and a snowman. I actually got out there myself and played....cause you never know when we might see it again!! I think Keith was more into building the snowman at first than the kids. LOL I hope the kids remember this always.....that their first snow day was at home in South Louisiana.

Homemade Christmas

The kids wanted to make a paper chain for the Christmas tree....so I just let them make all the ornaments. They really enjoyed glueing, glittering....and making 'crafts' as they say. We added colored lights and all the homemade decorations to the tree. Everyday we light the tree and enjoy our colorful Christmas!!!!

My Favorite Picture

I took this picture when we were about to leave Texas. Have you ever taken a picture....no prep at all....and just looove the results? Thats exactly what I did here....and I LOVE IT!! I do believe this is my all time favorite picture!!!

Our 7th Anniversary

Keith and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on December 1st. Where has 7 years went to? I remember as a child that the years seemed to drag by so slow....and now......the years go by so fast! Life has changed over the past 7 years. We have 3 more kids...which brings lots of laundry,toys and fighting. We have outgrown our house which was once so empty. We both have careers we enjoy....me a nurse and Keith a welding supervisor. But the best part is we have more love for life, our children, our families, our marriage and most of all GOD.

******My wish is for the next 7 years to bring us the knowledge we need to strengthen our marriage and family.******

Our Texas Trip

We returned from Texas the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. It is sooo nice to visit friends and family....but even better to sleep in your own bed...LOL! The kids were great on the 7 hour drive....I guess they have finally gotten used to it.

We had Thanksgiving dinner Sunday the 22nd at Dad's house. Being with family is wonderful......I am thankful for being able to spend this time with them.

I took pictures of the kids together for our yearly Christmas card. It took a few shots to get one where everyone was looking....but we finally got it!!






It was sad when we had to leave......the kids didnt want to leave Chelsea....I know they miss her and wish she was close! Maybe someday the distance will shorten...and they will get to see her more!!!