NICE RELAXING WEEKEND...

THIS HAS BEEN THE FIRST WEEKEND THAT HAS BEEN RELAXING IN A LONG TIME.  IT SEEMS LIKE LAST WEEK FLEW BY BECAUSE WE WERE SO BUSY SO WHEN THIS WEEKEND CAME IT WAS WONDERFUL.  LAST NIGHT WE WERE ABLE TO GO TO LOS PINOS IN PITTSBURG WHICH IS ONLY 15 MINUTES FROM OUR HOUSE.  MY PARENTS HAD ASKED TO TAKE THE KIDS TO A FOOTBALL GAME SO IT WAS JUST US AND ISABELLE.  SO...  PHILLIP DECIDED TO TAKE US ON A DATE (WHICH BELLE SLEPT THROUGH).  IT WAW SO NICE AND PEACEFUL.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HAVING DINNER THERE.  ALL DAY TODAY WE HAVE DONE NOTHING WHICH HAS BEEN SO NICE WE HAD SOME FRIENDS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO COME OVER BUT THEY CALLED ABOUT 45 MINUTES BEFORE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE AND SAID SOMETHING CAME UP.  HONESTLY I WAS RELIEVED BUT A LITTLE UPSET BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY STARTED MAKING A HUGE MEAL AND WE HAD FRIENDS THAT HAD INVITED US OUT TONIGHT BUT WE HAD TO SAY NO BECAUSE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE COMPANY.  TOMORROW WE HAVE CHURCH AND THEN HOME TO RELAX.  THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A GREAT COUPLE OF DAYS AND I HAVE ENJOYED MY FAMILY SO MUCH. 

NO MORE WAL-MART

SO MY GOAL FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH IS NO MORE WAL-MART.  GRANTED WE DON'T GO THAT OFTEN ANYWAY BECAUSE IT STRESSES ME OUT BECAUSE NO ONE KNOWS WHERE ANYTHING IS AND THE HELP ISN'T ALWAYS FRIENDLY.  PLUS YOU SPEND A TON OF MONEY AND GET NOTHING.  SO FOR THE REST OF AUGUST WE WILL NOT BE GOING TO WALMART.  WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED IN THE HOUSE NOW.  LET'S SEE IF I CAN DO IT.  THIS IS KIND OF EXCITING. 

VBS

THIS PAST WEEK WAS INCREDIBLY BUSY, TIRING, HORRIBLY SAD, EXCITING, AND WONDERFUL ALL AT THE SAME TIME.  WE HAD VBS THIS PAST WEEK AND I WAS IN CHARGE OF ORGANIZING THE CRAFTS SOMETHING I SAID NO TO THREE TIMES AND THEN FINALLY AGREED TO DO.  I HAD TWO WONDERFUL WOMEN WORKING WITH ME.  I HAD TOLD ALICIA THAT IF I DID CRAFTS I WOULD GET IT ALL TOGETHER BUT SHE NEEDED TO FIND SOMEONE TO DO THE TALKING AND SHE FOUND THE PERFECT PERSON.  LAURA DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF EXPLAING ALL THE CRAFTS TO THE KIDS.  OUR OTHER HELPER SUSAN DID A GREAT JOB TO SHE IS A VERY SPECIAL WOMAN AND WE WERE LUCKY TO GET TO WORK WITH HER THIS PAST WEEK.  BY THE END OF THE WEEK I THINK 10 KIDS HAD ACCEPTED CHRIST.  WHICH MADE ALL THE LATE NIGHTS AND CRANKY KIDS WORTH IT.  FRIDAY NIGHT AT VBS WE FOUND OUT THAT A WONDERFUL FRIEND HAD HER LITTLE BOY AND THAT HE WENT TO HEAVEN 13 MINUTES LATER.  SHE HAS SUCH AN AMAZING PEACE ABOUT ALL OF IT AND I KNOW THAT GOD IS AT WORK IN THIS SITUATION.  SATURDAY WE GOT TO SEE OUR NEPHEW IN HIS SWIM MEET HE DID AN AWESOME JOB AND THEN WE RAN TO A BALLOON RELEASE HELD FOR LITTLE EDEN WILLIAM.  ALLISON DID A GREAT JOB GETTING IT ALL TOGETHER.  GLAD THAT LAST WEEK IS OVER AND GLAD A NEW ONE HAS BEGUN.

COLORADO PICTURES

PICTURES FROM GALVESTON

SUMMER LOVE

LAST YEAR THE BOYS ENJOYED SWIMMING AND PLAYING IN THE POOL.  THIS YEAR THEY LOVE IT!!!  WHEN NATHAN HAD TO GET OUT FRIDAY HE WAS SCREAMING "NO I GO SWIMMING PLEEEEEEEASE".  IT WAS SO SAD BUT HE HAD BEEN IN THE POOL FOR SEVERAL HOURS ALREADY.  I AM  SO GLAD THEY LOVE THE POOL AND I KNOW MY DAD ENJOYS HAVING THEM OVER TO SWIM.  YESTERDAY WE TOOK THE BOYS OUT ON LAKE BOB SANDLIN...  WHERE I LIVED AS A LITTLE GIRL.  (IT IS THE PRETTIEST LAKE AROUND HERE)  ANYWAY MY AUNT AND UNCLE HAVE A LAKE HOUSE SO THEY INVITED EVERYONE OUT FOR FOOD AND FUN.  MY AUNT BROUGHT HER BARGE AND SO NATHAN GOT TO GO TUBING (WAIT, BEFORE YOU THINK I AM AN AWFUL MOM I DID NOT TELL HIM TO GET ON HE ASKED).  SO AARON AND MY COUSIN STEPHEN TOOK NATHAN TUBING AND HE HAD A BALL.  HE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.  UNTIL HE DECIDED HE WANTED TO JUMP IN AND GO SWIMMING INSTEAD.  WHEN WE LEFT THE LAKE WE CAME HOME AND GOT READY FOR THE FIREWORKS SHOW.  WE ARE VERY BLESSED TO LIVE NEAR THE FOOTBALL STADIUM...  WHICH MEANS WE CAN SIT IN OUR BACKYARD AND WATCH THE FIREWORKS SHOW.  IT WAS GREAT, NOT QUITE AS GOOD AS LAST YEAR BUT STILL PRETTY AWESOME.  THE BOYS ESPECIALLY JACOB LOVED IT AND BELLE WAS JUST AMAZED.  NATHAN ENJOYED THE WATERMELON, HE WASN'T MUCH FOR THE NOISE THAT THE FIREWORKS MADE.  I GUESS I SHOULD GO GET DRESSED FOR CHURCH.  HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE.

THE LAST FEW DAYS

WELL HERE I AM TO FINISH OUR VACATION STORY...  WE ENDED UP GOING RAFTING THAT AFTERNOON AND IT WAS JUST AS GREAT AS I REMEMBER.  WE GOT SEVERAL CLASS FOUR RAPIDS AND NO ONE FELL OUT OF OUR BOAT.  I LOVE PADDLING AND THE WATER SURGING UP TO YOU.  ANYWAY THE WATER WAS A CHILLY 38 DEGREES SO EVERYONE WAS REQUIRED TO WEAR A WETSUIT.  IT WAS AWFUL THEY ARE NOT EVEN SLIGHTLY FLATTERING UNLESS YOU WEIGH 100 POUNDS.  ALL IN ALL IT WAS GREAT.  THEN THE NEXT DAY WE WENT TO LOOK AT HOUSES MY PARENTS ARE ACTUALLY PUTTING IN A FEW OFFERS SO HOPEFULLY THEY WILL GET ONE.  IF SO THEY ARE OPEN TO ALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO GO STAY IN.  AFTER THAT WE HEADED HOME IT WAS A LONG TRIP HOME BUT THE KIDS WERE SO GOOD.  THEY BEHAVED AMAZINGLY.  IT WAS NICE TO BE HOME BUT I CAN'T WAIT FOR OUR NEXT TRIP.

WHAT ARE WE UP TO IN COLORADO

WHEN WE GOT HERE IT SNOWED FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF MORNINGS.  THE FIRST DAY WE WERE HERE WE DECIDED TO RIDE THE TRAIN AND THEN TO SHOP SINCE IT WAS SO COLD.  THE BOYS LOVED THE TRAIN.  THEY WERE VERY CUTE.  AFTER THAT WE WENT TO A FEW OF THE OUTLETS.  AT OLD NAVY I GOT 29 SHIRTS FOR 2O DOLLARS.  WE GOT SEVERAL OTHER GOOD DEALS THAT DAY TOO.  THE NEXT MORNING IT SNOWED AGAIN SO WE DECIDED TO HEAD TO GRAND LAKE IN HOPES THAT THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK MIGHT OPEN THAT AFTERNOON.  LUCKILY IT STOPPED SNOWING AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO HEAD ON INTO RMNP.  WHEN WE GET THERE (NO ONE WAS TAKING MONEY.  WOO HOO) PHILLIP WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW HE WANTED TO SEE A MOOSE.  ELK AND DEER ARE EASY TO FIND BUT A MOOSE IS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT.  WE SAW 3!!!  THE NEXT DAY IT WAS NOT SNOWING AT ALL.  SO WE RODE THE 4-WHEELERS.  WE RODE IN THE MOUNTAINS NEAR WHERE WE ARE STAYING AT WINTER PARK AND SAW LOTS AND LOTS OF SNOW AND ANOTHER MOOSE.  AT ONE POINT THE GREEN 4-WHEELER GOT STUCK SO PHILLIP AND JACOB, AND I HAD TO PULL NATHAN AND BOPA OUT OF THE SNOW.  ON OUR WAY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN TO THE TRUCK WE SAW SOME PEOPLE WALKING.  THEY HAD DECIDED TO TRY THE TRAIL IN THEIR TRUCK.  NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY WERE IN THE DITCH.  WE TRIED TO PULL THEM OUT WITH THE 4-WHEELER AND ACTUALLY MOVED THEM QUITE A BIT BUT COULDN'T GET ENOUGH TRACTION TO GET THEM OUT OF THE SNOW COMPLETLEY.  THEY ENDED UP USING OUR PHONE TO CALL A TOW TRUCK.  THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THEY WERE FROM COLORADO.  SO AFTER THAT WE JUST HUNG OUT AT THE HOTEL.  YESTERDAY WE WENT TO TINY TOWN WHICH HAD A LITTLE KIDS TRAIN.  THE BOYS HAD SO MUCH FUN PLAYING IN THE KID SIZED HOUSES.  NATHAN, JACOB AND PHILLIP RODE THE TRAIN TWICE.  WE ALSO FOUND A HOUSE THAT MY PARENTS ARE PUTTING AN OFFER ON.  OH WE ALSO SAW A MOUNTAIN GOAT.  TODAY WE LOOKED AROUND DOWN TOWN AND GOT SOME YUMMY PIZZA HUT.  NATHAN IS RIDING 4-WHEELERS WITH MY PARENTS SO WE GOT TO SPEND SOME TIME ALONE WITH BELLE AND JACOB.  THIS AFTERNOON WE ARE GOING TO BE RAFTING. 

COLORADO TRIP SO FAR

SO WE LEFT FOR COLORADO AT FIVE FOURTY FIVE ON FRIDAY MORNING.  HOPING TO MAKE IT TO COLORADO BEFORE GETTING A HOTEL.  WELL WITH MY DAD AND PHILLIP THINGS NEVER GO AS PLANNED.  AS WE ARE GOING THROUGH AMARILLO (THE PLACE WITH THE FREE 72 OZ STEAK) PHILLIP SEES A SIGN FOR PALO DURA CANYON SO WE DETOUR.  THE CANYON IS 2ND ONLY TO THE GRAND CANYON IN SIZE.  THE KIDS LOVED IT AND I GOT SOME CUTE PICS THAT I WILL POST LATER.  WELL THAT SET US BACK A FEW HOURS BUT WAS WORTH IT PHILLIP WAS SO EXCITED.  WE DECIDED TO WAIT ABOUT FOUR HOURS AND EAT AT THE DENNY'S IN RATON.  ONCE WE GOT THERE THE TIME HAD CHANGED AND IT WAS ABOUT NINE IN NEW MEXICO.  WE ATE A VERY YUMMY MEAL AND LOADED BACK UP.  TRINIDAD COLORADO IS ONLY ABOUT THIRTY MILES AWAY.  AFTER A LITTLE WHILE PHILLIP AND I HEAR A POP AND LOOK UP TO SEE MY DADS TRAILOR (WITH THE 4-WHEELERS) SMOKING.  YEP A TIRE BLEW AND I BET YOU CAN'T GUESS WHAT HE HAD FORGOTTEN TO GET.  SO WE HAD A SPARE BUT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE GOTTEN ANOTHER TIRE TOO.  A FEW MINUTES PASS AND THE MEN GET THE OLD TIRE OFF AND PUT THE SPARE ON WELL WHEN MY DAD PUTS A LITTLE AIR IN IT THE SPICKET BREAKS (KEEP IN MIND WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOUNTAINS ON A VERY CURVY ROAD).  SO WHAT TO DO NOW?  THIS IS THE QUESTION WE ARE PONDERING WHEN THE STATE TROOPER PULLS UP.  SO WE THEN UNLOAD THE 4-WHEELERS AND THEY TRY AND PUT THE SPARE FROM THE CAR ON JUST SO WE COULD MAKE IT TO TOWN.  NEEDLESS TO SAY...  DIDN'T WORK.  DURING ALL OF THIS THE KIDS HAD BEEN WATCHING RATATOUILLE SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T GET ANCY.  RAEGAN  DIDN'T KNOW THAT WE HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR ON FOR THE BATTERY SO I TURNRED IT OFF TO SAVE GAS.  THE LIGHTS AND HAZARDS STAYED ON SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL RIGHT?  WELL WHEN PHILLIP GETS IN THE CAR AFTER A LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT TO DO FOR THE NIGHT AND ME INFORMING HIM THAT THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS STAYING AT A HOTEL ALONE WITH THREE KIDS SO THAT MY MOM COULD STAY WITH MY DAD AND HE COULD SEE IF THERE WAS ANYWHERE OPEN WITH A TIRE WE TURN ON THE CAR TO MOVE IT TO A CLEARING THAT THE STATE TROOPER HAD SHOWN US JUST A FEW YARDS DOWN.  THE STATE TROOPER HAD JUST LEFT.  GUESS WHAT DEAD BATTERY AND WHEN WE TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR THE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING SO THEY NOW HAVE TO JUMP THE CAR OFF.  ME BEING A WORRIER, I MAKE EVERYONE GRAB A KID AND TAKE THEM TO THE TRUCK WHICH IS ALRADY IN THE FIELD.  ONCE THEY ARE LOADED UP WE ALL JUMP IN THE TRUCK AND GO JUMP OFF THE CAR.  ALL THIS TIME PHILLIP IS ADMIRING THE STARS.  THEY REALLY WERE GORGEOUS.  SO WE GET THE CAR TO THE CLEARING PUT THE BOYS IN THE TRUCK WITH MY PARENTS.  (THEY HAD A BLANKET AND WE DIDN'T).  PUT BELLE IN THE CAR WITH US SHE (I DID BRING HER A BLANKET) COVERED UP WITH OUR SKI JACKETS AND ATTEMPTED SLEEP.  THE NEXT MORNING (AFTER A VERY CHILLY NIGHY) PHILLIP AND MY DAD GO TO TRINIDAD (SIX MILES AWAY) AND GET A NEW TIRE AT WAL-MART AND GET THE SPARE FIXED WHILE MY MOM AND I WAIT WITH THE KIDS IN THE TRUCK.  ANOTHER STATE TROOPER PULLS UP HE ASKS ME IF EVERYTHING IS OK AND I EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND THAT WE HAD SLEPT THERE HE HAD A VERY CONFUSED LOOK ON HIS FACE AND ASKED IF WE NEEDED FOOD OR WATER OR ANYTHING.  NOW HERE'S THE THING.  I CAN STAND BEING COLD BUT I AM NOT GOING HUNGRY AND NEITHER ARE MY BABIES.  I HAD LOTS OF SNACKS SO WE THANKED THE TROOPER AND TOLD HIM WE WERE FINE.  HE TOLD US THAT HE WAS ON PATROL THE REST OF THE MORNING AND WOULD CHECK ON US AGAIN LATER TO MAKE SURE THE GUYS HAD MADE IT BACK AND THAT WE WERE OK.  SO AFTER ONLY ABOUT 90 MINUTES THE GUYS MAKE IT BACK WE CHANGE THE TIRE, RELOAD THE 4-WHEELERS, LOAD THE KIDS AND WE ARE OFF.  MORE DETAILS ON THE REST OF THE TRIP LATER.

THINGS TO GET DONE

I AM A LIST PERSON...  I LIKE TO PLAN THINGS OUT.  SO I NEED TO START SOMEWHERE AND I HAVE NO PAPER AROUND RIGHT NOW SO HERE IT GOES.

THINGS TO DO TODAY:

MAKE PACKING LISTS FOR EACH OF US
MAKE A MENU FOR COLORADO
LOOK FOR FREE THINGS TO DO IN WINTER PARK
PRINT OFF MY RESTRAUNT.COM GIFT CARDS
ORDER THE TRAIN TICKETS
FIND BEST RAFTING DEAL
CLEAN MOM AND GRAMMY'S HOUSE
FIGURE OUT WHAT I AM COOKING FOR THE MEN AFTER CHURCH TOMORROW (I HAVE A PLAN)
PLAN MOPS EVENTS FOR THIS YEAR
WRITE THE DATES IN MY CALENDAR
CATCH UP ON SCRAPBOOKING

WELL I AM OFF TO CROSS THINGS OFF MY LIST.

GOAL FOR JUNE

SO MY GOAL FOR JUNE IS TO NOT GO OUT TO EAT AT ALL.  WELL UNLESS OUR PARENTS TAKE US :).  I OPENED OUR BANK STATEMENT AND FIGURED UP HOW MUCH WE SPEND ON GRABBING SNACKS FOR THE KIDS OR ON BUYING BREAKFAST BEFORE CHURCH, OR GOING OUT WITH FRIENDS AFTER.  IT WAS RIDICULOUS ESPECIALLY SINCE I COOK ALMOST EVERY NIGHT.  WE HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN OUR HOUSE TO FEED A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY AND YET WE GRAB SOMETHING FOR CONVINENCE.  THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER WAYS THAT I COULD SPEND THIS MONEY OR I COULD SAVE IT.  SO FOR THIS MONTH WE ARE GOING TO NOT GO OUT TO EAT...  AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP THIS UP WITHIN REASON.  THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THINGS THAT COME UP AND WE CAN MAKE EXCEPTIONS BUT I THINK IF WE GET IN THE GROOVE OF NOT EATING OUT FOR ONE MONTH THEN IT WILL BE EASIER LATER.  LOOKS LIKE MY CROCKPOT THAT I LOVE SO MUCH WILL BE GETTING A LOT MORE USE.  WELL I NEED TO FINISH MAKING MY MENU FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK SO GOODNIGHT.

DON'T BITE YOUR FRIENDS

THE IMPORTANT LESSONS YOU LEARN WHEN YOU ARE SICK AND GET TO WATCH T.V. MOST OF THE DAY.  YO GABBA GABBA IS SO EDUCATIONAL I AM GLAD THAT NATHAN IS WALKING AROUNDS SINGING "DONT BITE YOUR FRIENDS DON'T BITE YOUR FRIENDS".  IT IS AMAZING THE LIFE LESSONS HE IS LEARNING TODAY.  LOL.

DATE NIGHT

SO PHILLIP AND I HAVE NOT HAD A NIGHT COMPLETELY ALONE WITHOUT KIDS SINCE BELLE WAS BORN SO HE CONVINCED ME TO LET HER AND THE BOYS STAY WITH HIS PARENTS THIS WEEKEND.  SO WE GO TO LONGVIEW RUN BY SEARS FOR HIM TO TRY ON HIS BOOTS AND THEN HEAD TO HIS PARENTS.  WE THEN DROP THE KIDS OFF AND HEAD TO THE HOSPITAL TO VISIT A FRIEND.  AFTER WE LEAVE THE HOSPITAL WE WENT TO LOOK AT BEDS FOR ISABELLE SO THAT PHILLIP CAN GET STARTED MAKING HER ONE.  WELL WE GET TO SMASHBURGER FOR DINNER AND RING RING WE GET A CALL THAT JACOB IS CRYING AND IS RUNNING A FEVER.  SO WE GET OUR FOOD TO GO, RUN PICK HIM UP, AND GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT REGIONAL.  ONCE WE GET THERE THEY TELL US HIS THROAT IS RED AND THAT HE HAS A DOUBLE EAR INFECTION AND IS GETTING AT LEAST TWO NEW TEETH.  SO WE DECIDE THAT WE WILL TAKE HIM WITH US AND LEAVE THE OTHER TWO AT MIMI AND POP'S SO WE PICK UP HIS PRESCRIPTION AND HEAD HOME.  THE NEXT MORNING WE GET UP DO A FEW THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE AND I AM GETTING DRESSED WHEN WE GET THE CALL THAT NATHAN IS HAVING ANOTHER SEIZURE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THAT THEY ARE ABOUT EIGHT MILES FROM GILMER.  WE RUN OUT THE DOOR AND TO THE GILMER ER THIS TIME.  AFTER A FEW HOURS OF NATHAN BEING HOOKED UP TO MACHINES AND BLOOD AND X-RAYS WE DISCOVER HE HAS STREP.  SO I FIGURE WHILE WE ARE THERE MIGHT AS WELL GET BELLE CHECKED TOO EVEN THOUGH SHE IS ACTING FINE...  WELL SHE HAS AN EAR INFECTION AND A RED THROAT TOO.  SO...  AT THIS POINT I HAVE ONE KID WITH STREP, TWO THAT HAD THE BEGINNINGS OF STREP, 3 WITH EAR INFECTIONS, 2 THAT ARE TEETHING, AND ONE WHOSE FEVER WILL NOT GO AWAY.  WHAT A WEEKEND TWO ER VISITS IN LESS THAN 12 HOURS. 

BUSY BUSY

SO THIS HAS BEEN AN EXTREMELY BUSY PAST FEW WEEKS.  PHILLIP IS OUT OF SCHOOL FOR THE SUMMER...  HE GOT 2 A'S AND 2 B'S.  SO TO CELEBRATE HIM BEING OUT AND ME BEING ME WE TOOK THE KIDS TO GALVESTON.  I GOT AN AWESOME DEAL ON A HOTEL THAT WAS ON THE SEA WALL SO OFF WE WENT.  WE WERE LUCKY AND GOT TO BORROW MY PARENTS CAR (MY VAN DRINKS GAS).  WE WENT TO THE RAINFOREST CAFE WHICH NATHAN LOVED BECAUSE IT WAS SHAPED LIKE A VOLCANO AND ERRUPTED EVERY THIRTY MINUTES.  HE REALLY LIKED THE LAVA COMING OUT OF THE TOP.  WE ALSO RODE THE FERRY AND SAW 10-15 DOLPHINS.  I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT MANY ON ONE TRIP.  THE BOYS WERE SO EXCITED ABOUT THE DOLPHINS.  THE OCEAN WAS REALLY ROUGH WHILE WE WERE THERE PHILLIP AND NATHAN PLAYED FOR A WHILE.  NATHAN LOVED TO RUN AND KICK THE WAVES.  ALL OF THE KIDS LIKED THE POOL.  JACOB TOOK A WHILE TO GET USED TO THE WATER AGAIN BUT BELLE AND NATHAN HAD A BLAST.  ALL IN ALL A VERY FUN TIME.  NOW WE ARE GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS.  PHILLIP WILL BE HELPING MY DAD THIS SUMMER AND WORKING ON HIS INTERNET CLASS AND I WILL BE DOING WHAT I ALWAYS DO.  HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT WEEK.

OFF TO GALVESTON

SINCE PHILLIP GETS OUT OF SCHOOL NEXT TUESDAY WE HAVE DECIDED TO GO TO GALVESTON FOR A FEW DAYS.  I GOT AN AWESOME DEAL ON A HOTEL AND WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME TIME AWAY FROM EVERYTHING.  I AM SO EXCITED BECAUSE THE RAINFOREST CAFE THERE IS AWESOME AND I KNOW NATHAN AND JACOB ARE GOING TO ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. 

MY WONDERFUL AMAZING HUSBAND

WELL YESTERDAY IN PHILLIP'S A/C CLASS HIS TEACHER STARTED TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING AND AFTER EXPLAINING IT PHILLIP RAISED HIS HAND AND TOLD HIM HE THOUGHT THAT MIGHT BE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH OUR A/C AND ASKED IF HE COULD LEAVE TO GO CHECK AND FIX IT.  LUCKILY PHILLIP WAS RIGHT AND WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT TWENTY DOLLARS.  WOO HOO.  THIS WAS A MAJOR BLESSING BECAUSE DAVID WAS REALLY REALLY BUSY AND WAS GOING TO SQUEEZE US IN AT SOME POINT, BUT I THINK HE WAS RELIEVED WHEN WE LET HIM KNOW HE DIDN'T HAVE TOO.  OH AND THE ELECTRICIAN WAS ONLY THERE FOR MAYBE AN HOUR AT THE MOST SO THAT BILL SHOULDN'T BE TOO BAD.  MY HIDDEN STACK OF CASH IS SLOWLY DWINDILING AWAY. 

WHEN IT RAINS...

WELL THIS PAST WEEK WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICITY IN OUR LONGVIEW HOUSE SO PHILLIP REPLACED SOME OF THE WIRES AND IT ALL WORKED... FOR A FEW DAYS.  SO NOW THERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT HE CAN'T FIX SO WE HAD TO HIRE AN ELECTRICIAN WHO WILL COME OUT ON MONDAY.  WELL LAST NIGHT WE WERE AT A WEDDING RECEPTION WHEN PHILLIP GOT A TEXT THAT THE AC ISN'T WORKING.  SO WE RAN BY TO CHECK IT OUT AND COULDN'T TELL MUCH BECAUSE IT WAS DARK.  THIS AFTERNOON PHILLIP WENT BACK TO CHECK IT OUT AND THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL STUFF.  THE GOOD THING IS THAT THE COMPRESSOR SEEMS TO BE OK AS FAR AS WE KNOW...  THE BAD THING IS THAT PHILLIP IS IN AN AIR CONDITIONER CLASS RIGHT NOW AND THE ELECTRICAL THINGS ARE WHAT THEY WILL BE COVERING LAST.  DON'T YOU LOVE IT?  SO NOW WE HAVE TO HAVE DAVID TO COME LOOK AT THAT.  UGH I HATE SPENDING THIS MONEY.  AS FAR AS GOOD NEWS WE WILL BE GETTING $1000 PER MONTH NOW INSTEAD OF $800.  WOO HOO.  OH AND I HAD AN AWESOME LUNCH WITH SOME GREAT FRIENDS.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE WOMEN THAT I AM GOING TO CHURCH WITH.  THEY ARE SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING AND KIND WOMEN. 

HOW TO SPEND TEN DOLLARS

WELL... TODAY I DID MY CVS AND WALGREENS SHOPPING.  SO HERE IS WHAT I GOT

3 BOXES OF ALUMINUM FOIL
5 BOXES OF STAY FREE PADS( 16 COUNTS)
2 SKINTIMATE SHAVE GELS
BUTTERFINGER
CRUNCH
2 REACH DENTAL FLOSSES
2 CHILDREN'S TYLENOLS
2 SOFTSOAP NUTRI SERUMS (LOVE THIS BODYWASH!!!)
2 PALMOLIVE DISH DETERGENTS
1 PACK SHICK QUATRO RAZOR REFILLS (4 PACK)

I SPENT TEN DOLLARS AND GOT SEVEN DOLLARS BACK TO SPEND NEXT WEEK.  WOO HOO.

HOW RELAXING

I LOVE JUST TURNING ON THE RADIO AND WATCHING MY KIDS DANCE AND SING.  HOW FUN IS THAT?  IT RELAXES ME FROM ALL THE STRESSES OF THE DAY.  I THINK WE MAY GO FOR A WALK IN JUST A FEW MINUTES WITH OUR NEIGHBORS TODAY DOESN'T REALLY FEEL LIKE AN INSIDE DAY.  ABOUT MY BLOG YESTERDAY I SHOULDN'T HAVE POSTED IT AND TOOK IT DOWN QUICKLY, IT ALSO SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SAID THOUGH.  MY THOUGHT IS THAT IF YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW YOU SAID SOMETHING THEN DON'T SAY IT.  I KNOW IT IS THE TRUTH AND AM NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN FROM THAT.  IF YOU SAY SOMETHING OWN IT.  JUST LIKE I AM ABOUT PUTTING IT UP YESTERDAY.

MAN I AM BLESSED

HOW BLESSED AM I...

I HAVE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND WHO STICKS UP FOR ME
I HAVE THE SWEETEST MOST BEAUTIFUL KIDS
I HAVE A WONDERFUL CHURCH FAMILY AND AM MAKING SOME GREAT NEW FRIENDS
I HAVE AN AWESOME ALMOST SISTER IN LAW WHO CARES ABOUT MY KIDS
I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS A PERSON COULD EVER ASK FOR
I HAVE TWO WONDERFUL HOMES
I HAVE TWO CARS THAT ARE COMPLETELY PAID FOR
I HAVE PARENTS WHO LIKE TO TAKE MY KIDS FUN PLACES SO THAT THEY HAVE LOTS OF EXCITING EXPERIENCES
PHILLIP'S PARENTS WHO WATCH OUR KIDS SO WE CAN GO OUT
THERE IS A GORGEOUS VINEYARD ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE
I LOVE MY MOPS GROUP
MY KIDS HAVE EVERYTHING THEY COULD POSSIBLY WANT
MY HUSBAND IS GETTING TO GO TO SCHOOL
WE HAVE NO DEBT EXCEPT OUR HOUSES
WE ARE VERY BLESSED...

OLIVE GARDEN...

SO TONIGHT WE SURPRISED ONE OF THE GIRL'S AT MY TABLE IN MOPS WITH A BABY SHOWER AT OLIVE GARDEN. SHE IS SO CUTE PREGNANT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE YOU ARE JEALOUS OF. ANYWAY I DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND A TON OF MONEY SO I JUST GOT AN APPETIZER THAT WAS SEVEN FIFTY... WELL WHEN I GOT MY TICKET THE TOTAL WAS OVER SIXTEEN DOLLARS ARE YOU KIDDING ME? APPARENTLY MY SWEET TEA WAS OVER TWO AND THEN MY 3 CROUTONS I ATE COST THREE DOLLARS AND THIRTY CENTS... THAT'S A DOLLAR AND TEN CENTS PER CROUTON. I CAN BUY THREE BAGS AT KROGERS FOR THREE BUCKS. OH AND THEN GRATUITY. I WAS SO DEPRESSED. OH WELL ATLEAST IT WAS A FUN NIGHT OUT WITH GREAT FRIENDS. I AM BLESSED TO EVEN HAVE MONEY TO DO THIS AND ALSO VERY BLESSED TO HAVE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND TO TAKE CARE OF THREE KIDS.

NATHAN

WELL AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF PERSUADING I GOT NATHAN INTO THE DR TODAY. THE NURSE WANTED ME TO WAIT TILL TOMORROW... BUT WHEN MY KID HAS A TEMP OF 103 HE IS GOING TO SEE SOMEONE. I DIDN'T GET TO SEE MY NORMAL DOCTOR WHICH WAS OK. THE LADY WE SAW WAS GOOD. TURNS OUT NATHAN HAD A STOMACH BUG AND ON TOP OF THAT HE HAS AN UPPER RESPERATORY INFECTION. THE POOR GUY STILL LOOKS MISERABLE. HE IS STARTING HIS ANTIBIOTICS AND WILL HOPEFULLY BE FEELING LIKE MY SWEET WILD LITTLE BOY AGAIN SOON.

POOR NATHAN

NATHAN HAD ANOTHER SEIZURE TODAY... I FEEL SO SORRY FOR THE LITTLE GUY. LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE SEEING DR. ROBERTS THIS WEEK.

PRAYER REQUEST

EVER SINCE PHILLIP AND I STARTED HELPING WITH THIS CHURCH PLANT IN GLADEWATER WE HAVE MADE FRIENDS WITH A VERY SWEET COUPLE. THEY HAVE BEEN THERE FROM THE BEGINNING TO AND SO WE HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND I JUST LOVE THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE A BABY FOR A WHILE NOW AND HAVE HAD TWO MISCARRIAGES. WELL SHE HAS BEEN ON SOME MEDICINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO HELP HER GET PREGNANT. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I GOT THE FEELING SHE WAS PREGNANT AND ASKED HER HOW HER MEDICINE WAS WORKING. AFTER CHURCH SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT. WOO HOO. PHILLIP AND I WERE SO HAPPY FOR THEM. WELL THIS PAST WEEK AT CHURCH SHE TOLD US THAT THEY WERE HAVING A GIRL... SHE IS 17 WEEKS AND DUE ON OUR ANNIVERSARY. WELL DURING THE WEEK SHE HAD TO GO TO DALLAS TO GET A LEVEL 2 SONO. THE NEWS WAS NOT GOOD. THE BABY HAS POTTER'S DISEASE AND THEY TOLD HER SHE WILL PROBABLY CARRY TO TERM BUT THAT THE BABY WON'T LIVE AFTER IT IS BORN. I AM SO HEARTBROKEN FOR THEM. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CAN HAVE ABORTIONS AND THEN THE COUPLES THAT WANT A BABY SO BAD CAN'T HAVE ONE. SO MY PRAYER IS THAT THEY WILL HAVE PEACE DURING THIS HORRIBLE TIME AND THAT THEY WILL LEAN ON EACH OTHER AND KNOW THAT GOD IS THERE WITH THEM. I CAN NOT IMAGINE PLANNING ON GIVING BIRTH AND THEN PLANNING A FUNERAL RIGHT AFTER. MY OTHER PRAYER IS A SELFISH PRAYER BUT I PRAY THAT BY SOME MIRACLE THE BABY WILL MAKE IT. I DON'T KNOW ALL THE STATISTICS BUT IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK.

NOT TRYING TO BRAG BUT...

I THREW AN AWESOME BABY SHOWER TODAY!!! MY FRIEND IS HAVING A LITTLE BOY SO INSTEAD OF THE USUAL GLASS AND CHINA I GOT CREATIVE. I USED MY CHILDRENS TOYS AS THE SERVING DISHES. YEP WE HAD TONKA TRUCKS, TOOL BOXES, BUCKETS AND SHOVELS, WHEEL BARROWS AND TRAINS ALL LINED WITH FOIL AND FILLED WITH FOOD. IT TURNED OUT TOO CUTE. TOO BAD I FORGOT MY CAMERA. I ALSO HAD A CLOTHES LINE HANGING IN THE BACK AND WHEN SHE GOT A CUTE NEW OUTFIT I HUNG IT UP ON THE LINE SO THAT EVERYONE COULD SEE THEM INSTEAD OF TRYING TO PASS IT AROUND AND ONLY GETTING HALF WAY AROUND THE ROOM. OF COURSE THE FOOD WAS AWESOME BECAUSE I LOVE TO COOK AND I HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE ASK ME FOR A COUPLE OF THE RECIPES SO THAT MADE ME FEEL AWESOME. OH AND I ALSO MADE MY FIRST DIAPER CAKE AND IT TURNED OUT PRETTY CUTE. ALL IN ALL I AM VERY PROUD OF THE FIRST BABY SHOWER I HAVE EVER THROWN. OH WHAT I WOULD GIVE TO HAVE MY OWN CATERING COMPANY, I GUESS FOR NOW I WILL HAVE TO SETTLE FOR THROWING PARTIES AND WORKING FOR THE TOWN CATERER. LOL. HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT WEEK.

JOB OPPURTUNITIES....

WELL ON MONDAY PHILLIP IS TURNING IN HIS APPLICATION AT EASTMAN. THIS WOULD BE AN AMAZING JOB TO HAVE. HE WOULD JUST BE INTERNING FOR THE SUMMER, BUT THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR HIM TO BE HIRED ON DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. THE BEST THING WOULD BE HE MIGHT COULD GET ON THERE AFTER HE GRADUATES. HE IS THE ONLY PERSON IN HIS PROGRAM THAT WILL HAVE THE ACTUAL DEGREE AND HE IS TAKING PLC CLASSES TO. JUST AS AN INTERN HE WOULD BE MAKING THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY PER HOUR AS HE DID WHEN HE WORKED AT LE TOURNEAU AND AS AN INTERN HE WOULD HAVE TO WORK 60 HOURS PER WEEK. THIS WOULD BE HARD ON BOTH OF US BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO GO FROM LIVING OFF FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS A WEEK TO LIVING OFF TWELVE HUNDRED. ANYWAY ALL THIS TO SAY PLEASE PRAY ABOUT THIS AND WHETHER THIS IS THE PLACE HE NEEDS TO BE RIGHT NOW.

MAMA ALWAYS SAYS TO PUT THE FEAR OF GOD IN THEM....

WELL THAT'S NOT EXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING BUT... MY NEIGHBOR CHELSEA HAD A BRILLIANT IDEA. I WAS GOING TO PUT IT IN ACTION WHEN HE WALKED HOME FROM SCHOOL BUT HE DIDN'T COME THROUGH OUR YARD TODAY NOT TO FEAR THERE IS ALWAYS TOMORROW. I WILL BE UP AND WAITING FOR HIM WHEN HE STARTS HIS WALK TO SCHOOL. SO HERE IS THE PLAN... I AM GOING TO APPROACH HIM AND TELL HIM THAT THE POLICE CAME BY TODAY TO ASK ME A FEW QUESTIONS BECAUSE ONE OF THE GIRLS PARENTS ARE SAYING SHE WAS RAPED. THEN I AM GOING TO TELL HIM THAT I GAVE THEM THE CONDOMS AND THAT THEY ARE TESTING FOR DNA. ALSO THAT I HAD TO TELL THEM WHO HAD THE KEY AND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE CALLING HIS PARENTS AT SOME POINT THIS WEEK. SINCE HIS PARENTS DIDNT CARE HE THREW A PARTY AT MY HOUSE MAYBE THEY WILL CARE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE POLICE. MORAL OF THE STORY DON'T BRING OTHER PEOPLE IN MY HOUSE AND DON'T HAVE SEX IN MY HOUSE.

AND THE STORY GETS DEEPER

SO... I WAS OUTSIDE TALKING TO MY NEIGHBOR CHELSEA... WHEN HER NEIGHBOR CAME OUT AND ASKED IF I HAD A PARTY THE OTHER NIGHT. SO I PROCEEDED TO TELL HER WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THAT OUR NEIGHBOR HAD COME IN OUR HOUSE. WELL TURNS OUT THERE WERE SEVERAL PEOPLE IN MY HOUSE. ATLEAST TEN. SHE THEN TELLS ME THAT THEY HAD PARKED IN HER BACK YARD AND WALKED TO MY HOUSE SO NO ONE WOULD SEE THE CARS AT MY HOUSE. THE THOUGHT THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE WERE HAVING SEX IN MY HOUSE, IN MY BED AND IN MY KIDS BEDS MAKES ME LIVID. IF I WERE HIS MOTHER HE WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER HERE APOLOGIZING AND SCRUBBING MY HOUSE DOWN. I AM ABOUT TO CALL THE POLICE AND SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO SINCE HE HAD A KEY. I DOUBT IT BUT IT IS WORTH A SHOT.

WHOSE BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BEDDY BED BED

WELL WE FINALLY GET HOME FROM VACATION AND MUCH TO OUR DISMAY REALIZE OUR HOUSE WAS A PARTY HOUSE WHILE WE WERE GONE. OUR NEIGHBOR WHO IS FIFTEEN ALWAYS WATCHES OUR DOG FOR US WHILE WE ARE GONE. WE GIVE HIM A KEY SO THAT HE CAN LET HER IN AT NIGHT AND FEED HER. WE HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL NOW. WHEN WE GOT HOME HE CAME RUNNING OVER TO TELL US THAT HE HAD TURNED OUR HEAT ON FOR US. PHILLIP AND I BOTH THOUGHT WOW THAT WAS NICE OF HIM. WELL AFTER CLOSER EXAMINATION... I NOTICED A FEW THINGS OUT OF PLACE. FOR SOME REASON ALL THE LIGHT BULBS IN BELLE'S ROOM HAD BEEN UNSCREWED EXCEPT ONE, (WHY WOULD ANYONE HAVE A REASON TO BE IN MY DAUGHTER'S ROOM) MY BED HAD CLEARLY BEEN SLEPT IN AND REMADE (I AM OCD ABOUT MY BED AND HAD WASHED THE SHEETS BEFORE WE LEFT SO THAT I COULD COME HOME AND CLIMB IN A NICE CLEAN BED.), OUR FUTON HAD BEEN TURNED AROUND, AND THERE WAS A SWISHER SWEET ON THE FLOOR IN MY ROOM. WELL PHILLIP WAS FURIOUS SO WE DECIDED TO CALM DOWN BEFORE APPROACHING THE KID ABOUT IT. WELL TODAY WHEN I MOVED THE COUCH TO SWEEP I FOUND A BLACK AND MILD AND A CONDOM!!! IS HE KIDDING ME. SERIOUSLY IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF. THERE WERE MC DONALDS BAGS EVERYWHERE. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY LIVID AND HE WILL NOT BE WATCHING MY HOUSE AGAIN. OH AND I DON'T THINK I WILL BE PAYING HIM THIS TIME... ESPECIALLY SINCE HE USED MY HEAT ALL WEEK WHICH I HAD TURNED OFF TO SAVE MONEY.

VACATION 2010

DAY 1

WE LEFT HOME AT THREE A.M. MONDAY MORNING SO THAT THE KIDS WOULD SLEEP THROUGH MOST OF THE RIDE... WHICH WORKED WELL. ALTHOUGH WE DID HAVE A FEW SETBACKS. MY WONDERFUL TWO YEAR OLD SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET BUBBLES AND I HEAR HIM SAY MOMMY I BLOW BUBBLES SO I WAS THINKING HE WAS BLOWING BUBBLES WITH HIS MOUTH SO I SAID "OK NATHAN HAVE FUN" THEN WHEN I TURNED AROUND I SAW HE REALLY HAD BUBBLES. (STILL NO CLUE WHERE THEY CAME FROM) WELL ONCE WE GOT TO BRANSON WE HEADED TO THE DINOSAUR MUSEUM MY HUSBAND AND NATHAN LOVE DINOSAURS. AFTER THE DINOSAURS AND LUNCH AT FUDRUCKERS WE HEADED TO THE WINERY FOR A FREE TASTING... WHILE ON THE LITTLE TOUR WE WENT INTO A ROOM WHERE THEY SHOWED US HOW THE WINE WAS BOTTLED AND ALL THAT. WELL THE MAN DOING THE DEMONSTRATION HAD ON A RED SHIRT AND HE HAD A REALLY LONG WHITE BEARD AS SOON AS WE WALKED IN NATHAN LOOKED AT ME AND EXCLAIMED, "LOOK MOMMY SANTA CLAUSE.) IT WAS TOO CUTE. AFTER THAT WE HEADED TO CHECK IN AT THE RESORT AND THEN BACK OUT TO DINNER AT SHORTY SMALL'S AND A QUICK TRIP DOWN TO BRANSON LANDING.

DAY 2

THE SECOND DAY WE WERE IN BRANSON WE WENT FOR A RIDE ON THE BRANSON SCENIC RAILROAD. BOTH THE BOYS LOVED IT. NATHAN KEPT SAYING "ALL ABOARD" AND JACOB JUST LOOKED AROUND IN AMAZEMENT. THEN WE WENT TO DENNYS FOR LUNCH AND OFF WE WENT FOR A RIDE ON THE BRANSON LANDING BOATS. THE BOATS WERE GORGEOUS. ONE OF THE LADIES JUST ADORED JACOB AND GRABBED HIM UP AND STARTED DANCING WITH HIM. THE BOAT RIDE WAS GORGEOUS. WE ALL LOVED IT. ONCE WE GOT BACK TO DRY LAND WE HEADED OUT FOR DINNER AT... (WELL I CAN'T REMEMBER RIGHT NOW). AFTER DINNER THOUGH WE WENT TO GET SOME CHOCOLATE AT THIS REALLY NEAT STORE WHERE SHE HAND PAINTS ALL HER CANDY. SHE WAS ACTUALLY IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING AN ORDER READY FOR THE GRAMMY'S.

DAY 3

TODAY WE TOOK A TOUR OF THE RESORT... THEY WANTED US TO BUY A TIME SHARE BUT WE JUST WANTED THE FREE GIFT. HEY WE GOT A HUNDRED DOLLARS. AFTER THAT WE WENT TO SPRINGFIELD TO THE ORIGINAL BASS PRO SHOPS. THEY ARE HUGE. WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE RESORT NATHAN WAS BEGGING TO GO SWIMMING SO WE HEADED TO THE POOL. WHEN WE GOT THERE HE GOT SCARED BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE. SO... BACK OUT OF THE POOL AND OFF TO THE OTHER SHORTY SMALLS FOR DINNER ON THE LAKE. WHEN WE WERE LEAVING DINNER THE BOAT WE HAD RODE THEY DAY BEFORE WAS ON TOUR AND JACOB'S DANCING PARTNER NOTICED US AND CAME OUT WAVING AND ASKING HOW HER LITTLE BUDDY WAS. I THOUGHT IT WAS SWEET SHE REMEMBERED HIM. WELL AFTER THAT DADDY WANTED SOME MARBLE SLAB AND MOMMY WANTED TO SHOP. (I GOT SOME GREAT DEALS AT KIRKLANDS.)

DAY 4

WE WENT TO THE FISH HATCHERY THAT MORNING AND THEN SHOPPING THAT AFTERNOON. NOTHING TOO EXCITING. ALTHOUGH WE DID EAT LUNCH AT THIS PLACE WHERE THEY THROW YOUR ROLLS AT YOU. THAT NIGHT WE WENT TO DINNER AT RUBY TUESDAYS AND RAN INTO KEN HAGAN WHO IS A FAMOUS PREACHER. WE STARTED TALKING BEFORE WE KNEW WHO HE REALLY WAS, ABOUT HOW WE HAVE BEEN HELPING WITH A CHURCH PLANT AND HE MENTIONED THAT HE HAD DONE THAT. BY THE TIME WE GOT UP TO LEAVE WE HAD FOUND OUT ALOT ABOUT HIM... (AND EVEN THOUGH WE MAY NOT AGREE WITH SOME OF HIS BELIEFS 100% HE WAS A NICE GUY). WHEN PHILLIP WENT TO SHAKE HIS HAND HE HANDED HIM A HUNDRED DOLLARS. OF COURSE PHILLIP TRIED TO GIVE IT BACK BUT HE INSISTED. (JUST SO YOU KNOW WE ARE TITHING THIS MONEY... WE WOULD FEEL BAD KEEPING IT). THAT NIGHT WE WENT TO BED EARLY!!!

DAY FIVE

TODAY WE GOT UP AND HEADED OUT WE STAYED IN DALLAS OVERNIGHT BECAUSE WE HAD TO BE IN BELTON THE NEXT DAY AND IT WAS EASIER TO GO TO DALLAS INSTEAD OF GOING ALL THE WAY HOME AND THEN GOING BACK TO BELTON. ANYWAY WE GOT TO GO TO IKEA SO THAT WAS EXCITING AND WE GOT TO HANG OUT IN THE SUPER COOL HOTEL ROOM AND EAT PIZZA. FOR SIXTY FIVE DOLLARS WE GOT AN AWESOME ROOM AT THE ALOFT.

DAY SIX

WE GOT UP AND HEADED TO BELTON FOR LEWIS' FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY.

FINALLY WE WERE HOME!!! GREAT TRIP BUT GREAT TO BE HOME ALTHOUGH WE HAD SOME NOT SO LOVELY SURPRISES WAITING AT HOME.

THE REASON I COUPON

TODAY I DID MY WALGREENS AND CVS SHOPPING AND I GOT...

4 NESTLE CRUNCH BARS
1 CRUNCH CRISP
1 HERSHEYS BLISS
6 GATORADES (32 OZ)
5 DAYQUILS AND NYQUILS (6 OZ)
2 CREST (6 OZ)
2 JOHNSON BUDDIES BATH SOAPS
2 SWIFFER SWEEPERS
2 SWIFFER SWEEPER REFILLS (16 COUNT)
2 TIDE STAIN RELEASE TABS (10 COUNT)
2 TIDE STAIN RELEASE LIQUIDS (20 OZ)
1 BAN DEODERANT (2.6 OZ)
1 CARAMEL
4 ORAL B TOOTHBRUSHES
1 GILLETE BODYWASH (12 OZ)
6 REACH TOOTHBRUSHES
1 GILLETE DEODERANT (4 OZ)
1 SURE DEODERANT (2.6 OZ)
2 DAWN DISH SOAPS
3 LISTERENE MOUTHWASH (8.5 OZ)
2 COLGATE TOOTHPASTES (4.2 OZ)

ALL THIS FOR $24.72 NOT BAD. ESPECIALLY SINCE I WILL USE OR DONATE ALL OF IT. I AM ESPECIALLY HAPPY ABOUT THE TIDE. IT WORKS AWESOME.

BREAKFAST IN BED...?

WELL THIS MORNING MY KIDS WOKE UP AT THE CRACK OF DAWN AS USUAL WHICH IS REALLY LOVELY SEEING AS HOW I WOKE UP WITH A SORE THROAT. ANYWAY. THE BOYS GO TO THE LIVING ROOM TO WATCH CARTOONS WHILE I FEED BELLE AND MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND GOES BACK TO SLEEP. AFTER A FEW MINUTES NATHAN COMES IN AND SAYS "HERE MOMMY BREAKFAST." HE HAD BROUGHT ME A RAW HAMBURGER PATTY (I HAD PULLED THEM OUT LAST NIGHT TO THAW FOR LUNCH TODAY) ON HIS FAVORITE ELMO PLATE AND A BIG SERVING SPOON TO EAT IT WITH. AFTER MAKING SURE JACOB WASN'T EATING THE OTHER HALF OF THE MEAT WHICH WAS ON THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN I LAUGHED BECAUSE IT WAS SO CUTE AND SO SWEET. WHAT A WONDERFUL KID.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN TROUBLE WHEN...

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN TROUBLE WHEN YOUR TWO YEAR OLD COMES TO YOU AND SAYS "MOMMY I MAKE A MESS I CLEAN IT UP." NEEDLESS TO SAY HE WAS RIGHT HE DID MAKE A MESS. I NOW HAVE A VERY BLUE WALL IN MY HOUSE. ALSO NEEDLESS TO SAY HE WAS RIGHT ABOUT CLEANING IT. HE IS IN MY LAUNDRY ROOM RIGHT NOW CLEANING THE WALL, THE WASHER, AND THE DRYER, AND SOON HE WILL BE CLEANING HIMSELF. I KNOW MOST PEOPLE WOULD HAVE SPANKED HIM BUT HONESTLY I DON'T THINK HE KNEW BETTER (HE CAN USE CHALK ON THE FLOOR). IF IT BECOMES A HABIT THEN WE HAVE A WHOLE NEW SCENARIO. ALSO JUST TO NOTE I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE MOM'S WHO DOESN'T BELIEVE IN SPANKINGS HE GETS HIS FAIR SHARE. WHAT A PERFECT ENDING TO AN ALREADY BAD DAY.

MY BROTHER IS PROPOSING TODAY

WELL TODAY IS THE DAY. MY BROTHER IS PROPOSING TO HIS GIRLFRIEND. SHE STARTED PLANNING THE WEDDNIG ALREADY SO SHE KNOWS IT'S COMING BUT I AM EXCITED FOR HER TO GET HER RING. I AM SO EXCITED!!! AND TIRED. I WAS UP ALL NIGHT FINISHING THE SCRAPBOOK "HE" IS MAKING FOR HER. THE RING IS IN THE BACK. SUCH A CUTE IDEA. WELL LOOKS LIKE MY KIDS GET TO BE IN THEIR FIRST WEDDING NEXT YEAR.

CAJUN CHICKEN SANDWHICH

SO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE MADE MY CHICKEN LIKE THIS SO I WILL UPDATE LATER ON WHETHER IT WOWS ME. THE BREAD THOUGH I HAVE USED BEFORE AND LOVE THIS RECIPE.

TASTY HAMBURGER BUNS

5 CUPS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
2 (.25OUNCE) PACKAGES OF YEAST
1 CUP MILK
3/4 CUP WATER
1/2 CUP VEGETABLE OIL
1/4 CUP WHITE SUGAR
1 TSP SALT

STIR TOGETHER 2 CUPS OF FLOUR AND THE YEAST
IN A SEPERATE BOWL HEAT MILK, WATER,OIL, SUGAR AND SALT (LUKEWARM)
ADD ALL AT ONCE TO THE FLOUR AND MIX UNTIL SMOOTH (3 MINUTES)
MIX IN 2-3 MORE CUPS OF FLOUR TILL SMOOTH
DUST FLOUR ONTO A SMOOTH SURFACE AND LET DOUGH REST UNDER A BOWL FOR TEN MINUTES
SHAPE DOUGH INTO 12 BALLS (I USUALLY DO 6 BIG ONES...)
PLACE ON A GREASED BAKING SHEET AND LET DOUBLE IN SIZE
BAKE IN A 400 DEGREE PREHEATED OVEN FOR 12-15 MINUTES

CHICKEN

3BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS
1 TB OLIVE OIL
1/2 TSP CELERY SALT
1/2 TSP GARLIC SALT
1/2 TSP LEMON PEPPER SEASONING
1/2 TSP CAJUN SEASONING
1/2 TSP ONION POWDER
1/4 TSP PAPRIKA
1/4 TSP PEPPER
1/4 TSP CAYENNE PEPPER (I DIDN'T HAVE ANY SO I LEFT THIS OUT)
BUNS
LETTUCE
TOMATO
CHEDDAR CHEESE

BRUSH CHICKEN WITH OLIVE OIL
COMBINE SEASONINGS
RUB ON BOTH SIDES OF CHICKEN
ARRANGE IN A BAKING DISH AND LET MARINATE 2 HOURS OR OVERNIGHT
COAT GRILL WITH NON STICK SPRAY
GRILL ON MEDIUM
PLACE ON BUNS
ADD ALL OTHER INGREDIENTS
ENJOY!!!


I WILL UPDATE AROUND SIX ON WHAT WE THOUGHT


***IT WAS AWESOME***

WHAT'S FOR DINNER THIS WEEK

SO I AM SITTING HERE TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT WE ARE HAVING FOR DINNER THIS WEEK. THE PAST FEW WEEKS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SPICE THINGS UP A LITTLE IN OUR LIVES AND HAVE BEEN ADDING NEW RECIPES TO MY REPOTOIR (I'M SURE I BUTCHERED THE SPELLING ON THAT WORD. LAURA DON'T LET ETHAN SEE IT). SO... THIS IS WHAT WE ARE HAVING THIS WEEK.

MONDAY-CHINESE FOOD (IT'S FREE.)

TUESDAY- SANDWHICH DAY CAJUN CHICKEN SANDWHICH

WEDNESDAY- SOUP DAY!!! LASAGNA SOUP
HOMEMADE FRENCH BREAD

THURSDAY- MOZZARELLA CHICKEN ROLLUPS
PEAS
BOILED POTATOES

FRIDAY- STEAK
SCALLOPED POTATOES
HOMEMADE MACARONI
GREEN BEANS

SATURDAY- CHEESEBURGER PIE
CORN
HOMEMADE FRIES

SUNDAY- CROCKPOT DAY!!! ROAST
POTATOES, CARROTS
HOMEMADE BREAD

RANDOM PICTURES

WOW IT LOOKS SO PRETTY IN THE SNOW

BELLE IN HER BROTHERS' DEMON HUNTER SHIRT

WHAT A CUTE LITTLE GIRL

THEY LOOK SO INNOCENT AND SWEET

CHRISTMAS AT MY PARENTS HOUSE

PRETTY GIRL

ALWAYS EATING

I LOVE THOSE CURLS

HE ADORES HER

BRAND NEW BABY BELLE

THE BOYS IN THEIR CHRISTMAS PLAY

HE HAS SUCH A SWEET PERSONALITY

WANTING TO BE LIKE DADDY

WHAT A FUNNY GUY