The Mirick Family Escapades

NICE RELAXING WEEKEND...

2010-09-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

PICTURES FROM GALVESTON

2010-07-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

SUMMER LOVE

2010-07-04T06:07:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-28T14:25:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-13T05:57:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-31T09:37:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-05-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-04-21T18:55:00.001-07:00

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

2010-04-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-04-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

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....

2010-04-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

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....

2010-03-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-11T14:49:00.000-08:00

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...?

2010-03-06T05:26:00.000-08:00

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...

2010-02-25T17:31:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-20T06:19:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-16T12:29:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-14T13:39:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

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

BODY SURFING IN FLOUR

2010-02-11T12:08:00.000-08:00

SO TWO POSTS IN ONE DAY... I HAVE SUCH AN INTERESTING LIFE. WELL IT ALL STARTS WITH BREASTFEEDING. NOW I REALLY HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. ANYWAY I AM SITTING ON THE COUCH FEEDING BELLE AND I HEAR THE BOYS LAUGHING SO I THINK TO MYSELF WOW THEY ARE PLAYING SO WELL TOGETHER. IT MADE MY DAY, BUT THEN... WHEN I GET DONE FEEDING HER I WALK INTO THE KITCHEN AND MY SWEET TWO YEAR OLD LOOKS AT ME AND SMILES. MY KITCHEN LOOKS LIKE THE BACK YARD. IT IS SOLID WHITE. MY COUNTER TOPS ARE COVERED IN FLOUR AND SUGAR. NOT ONLY ARE THE COUNTERS COVERED, BUT THE FLOOR, THE COMPUTER DESK, THE CHAIR, JACOB AND THE DOG ARE ALSO COVERED. SO I WALK OUT OF THE ROOM SO NATHAN WON'T SEE ME LAUGH AND I GRAB MY CAMERA. I COME BACK IN AND GET READY TO TAKE A PICTURE. NATHAN LOOKS AT ME AND SAYS "CHEESE MOMMY". THEN HE CLIMBS DOWN AND DUSTS OFF THE CHAIR FOR ME SO I CAN SIT. OH WHAT A DAY AND NOW THEY ARE PLAYING IN IT AND SLIDING AROUND SO I GUESS ATLEAST THEY ARE ENTERTAINED. I FULLY INTEND ON LEAVING THE MESS TILL PHILLIP GETS HOME SO HE CAN SEE WHAT I DEAL WITH DURING THE DAY. HOPEFULLY I WILL GET A CHANCE TO POST PICTURES LATER.

***UPDATE HERE ARE THE PICTURES NATHAN DIDN'T MAKE IT ON BECAUSE HE WAS NAKED.***

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

2010-02-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

SO I JUST REMEMBERED I NEVER BLOGGED ABOUT JACOB'S FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY. FIRST OF ALL IT WAS AWESOME. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE PLANNING AND THROWING PARTIES. I WAS A LITTLE WORRIED THAT MORNING BECAUSE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD THE FLU BUT THERE WAS AN AWESOME TURNOUT. SO JACOB HAD A CARNIVAL PARTY AND IF YOU KNOW ME AT ALL YOU KNOW WE DO BIRTHDAYS UP BIG IN OUR HOUSE. (I AM ALREADY PLANNING NEXT YEAR'S.) SO WE HAD LOTS OF FUN GAMES. MILK BOTTLES, BOWLING, BASKETBALL, FISHING, DARTS, PICK THE DUCK, AND BEAN BAG TOSS. I THINK THAT WAS ALL OF THEM. THE KIDS WERE AWESOME AND USED ALL THE TICKETS THAT THEY GOT IN THEIR GOODY BOXES. EACH STATION HAD A PRETTY NEAT PRIZE SO THAT ALL THE KIDS GOT LOTS OF GOODIES. THE FOOD WAS FUN. WE HAD POPCORN (IN THE FUN LITTLE BAGS) , NACHOS, CORN DOGS, COTTON CANDY, CANDY AND OF COURSE CAKE. WE ALSO HAD A JUGGLER (MY BROTHER). ALL IN ALL IT WAS A GREAT TIME AND I NEEDED TO WRITE ABOUT IT REALLY QUICKLY SO THAT I WILL REMEMBER ALL THE DETAILS LATER WHEN I WRITE ABOUT IT IN HIS BOOK. LOL. I AM A LITTLE BEHIND BUT I THINK I HAVE 3 GOOD REASONS FOR THAT. WELL I AM OFF TO GO TAKE CARE OF THOSE ADORABLE REASONS.

ISABELLE'S PINK EARRINGS

2010-02-06T17:18:00.000-08:00

BELLE GOT HER EARS PIERCED TODAY!!! SHE WAS SUCH A TROOPER. THE CUTIE ONLY CRIED FOR LIKE A MINUTE TOTAL. SHE DID AWESOME. I THINK NATHAN WAS MORE WORRIED ABOUT HER THAN ANYTHING. HE IS A VERY PROTECTIVE BIG BROTHER. OH I AM GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN BUYING LITTLE EARRINGS. SHE GOT HER FIRST PAIR OF DIAMONDS TODAY.

I'M GOING TO HAVE A SISTER SOON

2010-02-04T13:01:00.000-08:00

MY BROTHER CAME OVER TODAY TO TELL ME HIS PLANS ON HOW HE IS GOING TO PROPOSE. I AM SO EXCITED AND HAPPY. HIS GIRLFRIEND IS AWESOME. SHE IS SO SWEET AND VERY GOOD TO MY BROTHER AND MY KIDS. SHE ALREADY SPOILS THEM ROTTEN. I CAN'T WAIT TILL THE WEDDING. I JUST WISH THEY WERE GOING TO LIVE CLOSER.

NO MORE DEBT!!!

2010-01-29T14:40:00.000-08:00

SO WE GOT OUR TAXES DONE TODAY AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO PAY OFF ALL OUR BILLS INCLUDING PHILLIP'S TRUCK. WE WILL HAVE NO MORE DEBT EXCEPT FOR OUR HOUSES. WOO HOO. TO BE OUR AGE AND HAVE NO DEBT IS A GREAT FEELING. I AM SO EXCITED. A FEW WEEKS AGO LAURA WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY ONLY OWE ON THEIR HOUSE AND STUDENT LOANS AND SO I MADE THAT MY GOAL FOR THIS YEAR. I WANTED TO PAY OFF THE TRUCK, CREDIT CARD AND VARIOUS OTHER EXPENSES. I DIDN'T REALLY THINK IT WOULD HAPPEN THIS QUICKLY BUT AM VERY THRILLED IT DID. MY LIFE IS SO MUCH SIMPLER NOW ESPECIALLY SINCE WE DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL STILL BE GETTING UNEMPLOYMENT AFTER THIS WEEK. THIS IS JUST ONE MORE OF THE MANY BLESSINGS WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH.

NEW BABY IN THE FAMILY

2010-01-28T10:19:00.000-08:00

SO... THERE IS A NEW BABY IN THE FAMILY. THANK GOD IT ISN'T MINE. I AM ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL ON DAYS LIKE TODAY WHEN I HAVE THREE SICK KIDS TO TAKE CARE OF, A SICK HUSBAND, AND MYSELF. UGH THIS SORE THROAT IS KILLING ME. WELL I AM OFF TO CLEAN THE BOYS UP FROM LUNCH.

GUMBALLS EVERYWHERE

2010-01-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

WELL NEEDLESS TO SAY HAVING THREE KIDS TWO AND UNDER HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING AND FUNNY EXPERIENCE. THINGS HAVE BEEN SO BUSY. TODAY WAS PHILLIP'S FIRST DAY BACK TO SCHOOL AND I WAS EXCITED ABOUT GETTING BACK INTO OUR ROUTINE. THE DAY STARTED OFF VERY WELL AND STAYED THAT WAY TILL ABOUT ELEVEN THIRTY. BELLE STARTED CRYING AND SO I WENT TO CHECK ON HER. I WAS GONE MAYBE A MINUTE AT THE MOST WHEN I HEAR A TAPPING NOISE. SO... I WALK INTO THE KITCHEN TO SEE WHAT MY ADORABLE MISCHEVIOUS TWO YEAR OLD COULD POSSIBLY BE DOING. WELL APPARENTLY HE GOT A SPOON OUT OF THE DRAWER AND WAS NOT TAPPING BUT BEATING IT ON MY GORGEOUS GUM BALL MACHINE. I REALLY LOVE THIS THING. WELL AS SOON AS I WALK IN GLASS SHATTERS AND HUNDREDS (WE HAD JUST PUT FIVE HUNDRED IN IT IT'S THE CHEAPEST WAY TO BUY THEM) OF GUMBALLS GO FLYING EVERYWHERE. WELL NATHAN THEN PROCEEDS TO GRAB ONE AND HAPPILY RUN OFF. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! SO I AM LOOKING AT THE MESS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN THIS UP WITHOUT MAKING AN EVEN BIGGER DISASTER. SO I START SCOOPING UP THE BIG PIECES OF GLASS FIRST AND IN WALKS JACOB. WELL HE LOOKS AT ME GRINS AND BENDS DOWN AND STARTS SHOVING GUMBALLS IN HIS MOUTH. HIS CHIPMUNK CHEEKS LOOKED VERY CUTE. SO NOW I AM DIGGING GUMBALLS OUT OF HIS MOUTH BECAUSE HE ONLY HAS LIKE SIX TEETH AND WOULD CHOKE ON THEM AND IN RUNS MY DOG... WELL SHE BEGINS TO EAT THE GUMBALLS. SHE IS LAPPING THEM UP OFF THE FLOOR IN RECORD TIME AND PROBABLY CUTTING HER TOUNGE. WELL NATHAN RUNS BACK IN AND GRABS ANOTHER HANDFUL WHILE JACOB IS NOW TRYING TO STICK HIS HAND INTO THE BROKEN GUMBALL MACHINE TO GRAB A FEW MORE. NATHAN HAS NOW DECIDED THAT HE WANTS SPAGHETTI AND SO HE IS SCREAMING "SGHETTI MOMMY SGHETTI" AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS. SO WE PICK OUT WHAT KIND HE WANTS AND I MAKE HIM SOME GOOD OL CHEF BOYARDEE, THEN I GET THE BOYS IN THEIR SEATS. WELL AFTER MAYBE ONE BITE NATHAN HAS DECIDED HE NO LONGER WANTS "SGHETTI" SO HE CHUNKS IT ON MY FRESHLY MOPPED FLOOR. BY THE WAY I HATE MOPPING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I FINALLY LET HIM DOWN FROM HIS CHAIR AND HE WALKS OVER TAKES HIS BROTHERS SPAGHETTI AND SAYS "NO BABY" AND CHUNKS IT ON THE FLOOR. (I CALMLY LET THE DOG CLEAN UP THAT MESS. HEY THAT'S WHY WE HAVE HER.) AFTER ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES NATHAN COMES BACK TELLING ME HE IS HUNGRY SO I VERY POLITELY TOLD HIM HE HAD TO WAIT TILL SNACK TIME AND THAT HE NEEDED TO APOLOGIZE TO MOMMY. HE LOOKED AT ME WITH THE SADDEST EYES AND SAID "SORRY MOMMY I LOVE YOU". LOOKING BACK ON IT HONESTLY IT'S KIND OF FUNNY AND I AM VERY VERY PROUD OF MYSELF FOR NOT LOSING MY TEMPER. OH AND BY THE WAY ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS LIMPING AROUND BECAUSE I HADN'T HAD TIME TO GET ALL THE GLASS OUT OF MY FOOT YET. OH I LOVE MY SWEET KIDS. NOW OFFTO FINISH DINNER.

WEDNESDAY IS THE DAY

2009-12-14T08:42:00.001-08:00

SO WEDNESDAY IS MY LAST DAY TO BE PREGNANT. EVER!!! (WELL IT BETTER BE ANYWAY). I HAVE TO BE AT THE HOSPITAL NO LATER THAN SIX AND THEY WILL INDUCE ME BETWEEN SEVEN AND SEVEN THIRTY. AS OF RIGHT NOW BELLE WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY SEVEN TWELVE. I MIGHT BE HAVING TO TAKE BACK A FEW NEW BORN OUTFITS. I AM SO EXCITED. ONLY A FEW MORE HOURS AND MY FAMILY WILL BE COMPLETE. I HAVE TO LOAD PICTURES AT SOME POINT. JACOB'S FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY WAS THIS WEEKEND AS WELL AS THE BOYS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AT MY PARENTS CHURCH. OH AND NATHAN IS UNWRAPPING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. GOT TO GO.

INCREDIBLY BORED AND THANKFUL

2009-12-07T12:27:00.001-08:00

WELL IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE WHILE SINCE MY LAST POST. I AM SO BORED!!! CURRENTLY I AM SUPPOSED TO BE ON COUCH REST... WHICH PRETTY MUCH MEANS I SIT ON MY TOOSH ALL DAY. FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME WELL YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS KILLING ME. I HATE NOT BEING ABLE TO CLEAN AND COOK AND PLAY WITH MY CUTE LITTLE MEN. PLUS IF I EVEN GET UP TO GO TO THE BATHROOM MY SWEET HUSBAND GIVES ME THE THIRD DEGREE. ANYWAY LITTLE MISS ISABELLE HAS TO STAY PUT TILL I AM 39 WEEKS HENCE THE COUCH REST. AS WITH ALL MY PREGNANCIES MY PLATELETS ARE LOW AND MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS UP, PLUS WITH ME TAKING INSULIN IT CAN CAUSE HER LUNGS TO DEVELOP SLOWER AND MY DOCTOR IS WORRIED THAT IF I DO TO MUCH I WILL GO INTO LABOR. HMMM MAYBE I SHOULD SWEEP AND VACCUM. JUST KIDDING. I HAVE HAD THE MOST AWESOME HELPERS THOUGH. PHILLIP'S MOM HAS BEEN GREAT SHE HAS KEPT THE BOYS DURING ALL MY DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS (TRUST ME THERE ARE SEVERAL). MY LITTLE BROTHER HAS COME OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS AND TAKEN CARE OF THE BOYS FOR ME PLUS HE HAS HELPED WITH SOME OF THE HOUSE WORK. I WAS SORT OF IN SHOCK. PHILLIP HAS BEEN AWESOME HE HAS SCHOOL IN THE MORNINGS BUT IN THE AFTERNOON HE GETS MOST OF THE CHORES DONE AND HELPS A TON WITH NATHAN AND JACOB. TOMORROW IS HIS LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! IT WILL MAKE MY LIFE SO MUCH EASIER. WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE FROM THE CHURCH IN GLADEWATER BRING US FOOD WHICH HAS BEEN REALLY APPRECIATED. PLUS WE HAVE HAD GREAT FRIENDS COME OVER JUST TO KEEP US COMPANY. MY MOM AND DAD TOOK THE BOYS TO SANTA LAND AGAIN THE OTHER NIGHT AND PHILLIP GOT TIME TO STUDY SO THAT WAS A BLESSING. MY HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK THOUGH WAS MY WONDERFUL MOPS GROUP HAD A BABY SHOWER FOR ME AND LITTLE BELLE. THIS WAS OUR THIRD SHOWER BUT WAS STILL SO MUCH FUN!!! (MY BEST FRIEND DID ONE AND THEN I HAD A SURPRISE ONE.) IT WAS NICE TO HAVE A BREAK AND GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND JUST BE AROUND WOMEN THAT I ADORE. HONESTLY I THINK I HAVE THE BEST TABLE. THEY ARE ALL SO SWEET AND THOUGHTFUL. OH YEAH I ALMOST FORGOT WE HAD CHRISTMAS WITH PHILLIP'S FAMILY AND I GOT TO SEE MY TWO GORGEOUS NIECES AND MY TWO HANDSOME NEPHEWS. I AM SO AMAZED AT HOW GOOD CHELSEA IS WITH JACOB AND NATHAN ADORES ABIGAIL. HE THINKS SHE HUNG THE MOON. POOR ANDREW I THINK GETS CONFUSED SOMETIMES ABOUT WHERE HE FITS IN. IT HAS TO BE HARD BEING THE OLDEST BOY AND LITTLE LEWIS IS A MESS. HE IS TRYING SO HARD TO GET AROUND. I LOVE HIS CHUBBY LITTLE LEGS THEY ARE TOO CUTE. HONESTLY I DID REALLY WELL THERE WAS SO MUCH CHOCOLATE THERE AND I PRACTICED GREAT RESTRAINT WHICH IS SO HARD WHEN IT COMES TO CHOCOLATE. WELL I AM OFF TO SIT HERE AND WATCH A ROUSING EPISODE OF FOX NEWS. WOW MY LIFE IS SO THRILLING.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLES

2009-11-19T05:20:00.000-08:00

EVEN THOUGH I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO REMEMBERS I JUST WANT TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE CHARLES. HE WOULD BE THREE TODAY. THIS AFTERNOON I HAVE A SONO SCHEDULED SO THINGS MIGHT BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT. WELL I BETTER GO FIGURE OUT WHAT KIND OF BIRTHDAY CAKE I AM MAKING.

LOTS OF CONTRACTIONS

2009-11-17T10:13:00.000-08:00

SO... ALL DAY I HAVE BEEN FEELING LOTS OF CONTRACTIONS... NOTHING TOO HEAVY BUT I CAN DEFINENTLY TELL THEY ARE THERE. I REALLY HOPE SHE STAYS PUT FOR A COUPLE MORE WEEKS. OH WELL I PACKED A BAG SO I GUESS I AM READY WHEN SHE IS. HMM MAYBE I SHOULD GO PACK FOR MY LITTLE MEN. WOW THAT THOUGHT JUST HIT ME. LOL. SO THE DOCTOR SAYS IF I HAVE DIALATED TWO TO THREE CENTIMETERS AND I MAKE IT TO 39 WEEKS HE WILL HELP ME HAVE A BABY. WE ARE ON THIRTY FIVE AND COUNTING. I AM SO READY TO NOT BE PREGNANT.

MY NATHAN IS TWO AND HAS BECOME A PIRATE

2009-10-31T06:57:00.000-07:00

WELL THIS PAST SUNDAY WAS NATHAN'S BIRTHDAY... HE IS TWO. ON SATURDAY WE HAD AN AWESOME PIRATE PARTY. SATURDAY MORNING WAS VERY RELAXING, I AM THE MOST ORGANIZED PERSON EVER AND SO I HAD EVERYTHING READY TO GO. THE PARTY STARTED AT TWO AND SO WE RELAXED TILL ABOUT ONE AND THEN GOT READY TO PARTY. NATHAN HAD THE CUTEST BIRTHDAY OUTFIT COMPLIMENTS OF HIS MIMI AND ADORABLE GOODY BAGS WHICH THE KIDS LOVED. (WE GO ALL OUT ON PARTIES) ONCE ALL THE KIDS WERE HERE MY AWESOME HUSBAND WHO WAS DRESSED AS A PIRATE LED THEM ON A SCAVENGER HUNT... THEN IT WAS TIME FOR ALL THE PIRATE THEMED FOOD, CAKE, AND PRESENTS. NATHAN GOT WAY TOO MANY PRESENTS AND HE LOVES ALL OF THEM. AFTER CAKE AND PRESENTS ALL THE KIDS WENT OUTSIDE AND PLAYED ON OUR BRAND NEW PIRATE SHIP. MY PARENTS PRESENT TO THE KIDS (IT IS FOR JACOB'S BIRTHDAY TOO... SLIGHTLY EXPENSIVE) WAS A PIRATE SHIP PLAYSET THAT PHILLIP AND MY DAD BUILT. IT LOOKS AWESOME. THE GUYS DID A GREAT JOB. ALL IN ALL IT WAS A VERY NICE DAY BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE MY OLDEST BABY IS NOW TWO. EVERY DAY HE DOES SOMETHINGS NEW AND I CAN'T HELP BUT LAUGH. RIGHT NOW HE IS TELLING PEOPLE HE IS A PIRATE AND SHOWING THEM HIS MUSCLES WHILE SAYING ARGH. GOT TO LOVE IT.

UPDATE ON ISABELLE

2009-10-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

I THINK THIS CHILD IS GOING TO BE THE DEATH OF ME. I WENT IN THIS MORNING FOR MY WEEKLY SONOGRAM AND DR. APPOINTMENT AND HE HAD ME DO BLOOD WORK.... WELL GUESS WHAT!!! WE NOW HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE. NOT REALLY A BIG DEAL JUST MORE MEDICINE. APPARENTLY I AM ANEMIC WHICH COULD EXPLAIN PART OF THE EXHAUSTION (NATHAN AND JACOB ARE THE OTHER PART. LOL.) ALL IN ALL A GOOD VISIT. BELLE WEIGHS CLOSE TO FOUR POUNDS WHICH IS AVERAGE. I AM SO EXCITED SHE LOOKS GOOD.

THIS WEEK

2009-10-15T05:29:00.000-07:00

WELL SO FAR THIS WEEK I HAVE MADE IT TO THE DOCTOR EVERYDAY. LOL. HOPEFULLY SHE WON'T ACT UP TODAY BECAUSE IT'S MY MONTHLY GROCERY DAY. ANYWAY YESTERDAY AFTER MY DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT I MET KAYDEE AND WE WENT SHOPPING. SHE IS GIVING ME A BABY SHOWER "SINCE IT'S MY LAST BABY AND I AM FINALLY HAVING A GIRL". THE TRIP STARTED AT TARGET WHERE I REGISTERED (LOT'S OF CUTE STUFF!!!), THEN WE WENT TO CARD AND PARTY FACTORY, THEN WALMART (WHERE YOU NOW HAVE TO REGISTER ONLINE... NOT SURE IF I WILL END UP DOING IT.), THEN WE HEADED TO PARTIES PLUS AND FINALLY OUR FAVORITE HOBBY LOBBY. WE ENDED UP FINDING THE PLATES AND THINGS THAT WE LIKED AT HOBBY LOBBY FOR A REALLY AWESOME PRICE. HOBBY LOBBY IS SUCH A DANGEROUS STORE FOR ME... I COULD SPEND SO MUCH MONEY THERE. PHILLIP WAS PROUD THOUGHT I ONLY BOUGHT TWO THINGS. I GOT HIM A PICTURE FRAME FOR HIM AND ISABELLE "MY PRINCE DID COME AND HIS NAME IS DADDY" AND I BOUGHT A PIRATE SHIP CAKE PAN SO I CAN MAKE NATHAN'S BIRTHDAY CAKE. OH YEAH WE ALSO WENT YAMBOREEING LAST NIGHT AND NATHAN WON A STUFFED ELMO DOLL. WOO HOO JUST WHAT WE NEED. HE WAS SO AMAZED AND LOVED THE CAR RIDES. WELL I AM OFF TO CHECK MY BLOOD SUGAR AND GET TWO VERY HANDSOME BOYS READY FOR THE DAY.

I DID IT!!! I GAVE MYSELF MY FIRST SHOT.

2009-10-13T19:00:00.001-07:00

SO I HAVE GIVEN SEVERAL SHOTS IN MY MANY MANY YEARS. LOL. GIVING THEM TO OTHER PEOPLE DOESN'T BOTHER ME AT ALL. I CAN HANDLE THAT BUT I JUST GAVE MYSELF ONE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND HONESTLY IT KIND OF GROSSED ME OUT. IT DIDN'T REALLY HELP THAT MY HUSBAND WAS SQUINTING SAYING HAVE YOU DONE IT YET? ALL THIS TO SAY THIS LITTLE STINKER BETTER BE NICE TO ME AND HER DADDY BETTER HAVE AN ICED DR PEPPER WAITING FOR ME THE MINUTE SHE IS BORN. THIS PREGNANCY IS KICKING MY BOOTIE. OH WELL NOT TOO MUCH LONGER.

NEW ORLEANS, ISABELLE, AND A BUSY WEEK

2009-09-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

WELL WE MADE IT BACK FROM NEW ORLEANS. NOW PHILLIP UNDERSTANDS WHY I SAY IT IS AN INTERESTING CITY. OUR HOTEL WAS RIGHT IN THE GARDEN DISTRICT AND WE WERE SUROUNDED BY GORGEOUS HOMES. WE BOTH LOVED THE SWAMP TOUR. WE ALSO GOT TO SEE TWO NUNS RIDING A DOUBLE BIKE WITH THEIR FACES PAINTED SOLID WHITE IN SUPPORT OF AIDS AWARENESS. LOL. THEN THERE WAS BURBON STREET. SINCE I AM PREGNANT WE JUST DROVE DOWN IT SO THAT PHILLIP COULD SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE. IT WAS A GREAT TRIP BUT NOT A CITY I WOULD WANT TO FREQUENT. I AM SO GLAD TO BE HOME I MISSED MY KIDS SO MUCH. WELL THIS WEEK HAS BEEN CRAZY AND IT'S ONLY TUESDAY. MONDAY AIMEE AND I TRIED TO SET UP RACKS FOR THE CONSIGNMENT SALE... THAT WENT WELL. HALF THE RACKS WERE BROKEN AND WE GOT LOCKED OUT OF THE ROOM. TODAY I HAD BLOOD WORK AT EIGHT A DOCTOR APPOINTMENT AT EIGHT FIFTEEN (WHICH I DIDNT GET TO SEE THE DOCTOR HE HAD TO GO DELIVER A BABY, AND THEN MOPS AT NINE FIFTEEN. I HAD TO RUSH FROM THE DOCTOR TO MOPS BECAUSE I HAD FOOD. SO NOW I GO TO THE DOCTOR FRIDAY AT EIGHT FOR MORE BLOOD WORK (MY BLOOD SUGAR IS EXTREMELY HIGH HE SAID) AND THEN AN APPOINTMENT. I AM SO SAD I CAN'T EAT ANYTHING AFTER EIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE AND I WON'T BE DONE WITH ALL THE BLOOD WORK TILL ABOUT ELEVEN. OH AND THURSDAY WE HAVE THE SALE. PLUS SOMETIME DURING THE WEEK I HAVE TO SQUEEZE IN CLEANING MY HOUSES.

PLANNING FOR NEW ORLEANS

2009-09-16T06:01:00.000-07:00

WOW WHAT AN EXPENSIVE CITY!!! I AM VERY GLAD THAT I WAS ABLE TO SNAG A FEW GIFT CARDS WHEN THEY WERE ONSALE AT RESTRAUNTS.COM. SINCE IT IS OUR ANNIVERSARY I WAS HOPING TO DO SOMETHING ROMANTIC LIKE A CARRIAGE RIDE... BUT SO FAR THEY ARE ALL AROUND $150 FOR AN HOUR. ARE THEY KIDDING ME? SO INSTEAD I THINK THAT WE MAY TAKE A ROMANTIC SWAMP TOUR. LOL. NOT QUITE ANNIVERSARY MATERIAL BUT HEY THE TICKETS ARE ONLY TWENTY DOLLARS PER PERSON. THAT IS ALOT MORE IN MY PRICE RANGE. IT WOULD BE SO AWESOME TO SEE AN ALLIGATOR... DON'T WORRY MY HORMONES AREN'T TOO CRAZY I WON'T GO NUTS AND PUSH MY HUSBAND IN. LOL. HE IS PRETTY GOOD A TOTAL KEEPER. IT'S FUNNY HOW MUCH HE IS LIKE HIS DADDY. LOL. HE SAYS THINGS AND I JUST LOOK AT HIM AND THINK WOW YOU ARE A CARBON COPY OF YOUR FATHER. LOL. IT'S CUTE. ANYWAY I AM OFF TO CHECK NATHAN AND JACOB'S SUITCASE A LITTLE BLONDE BOY DECIDED THAT HE DIDN'T LIKE WHAT I PACKED SO HE REPACKED. THEN I GET TO PACK FOR ME AND PHILLIP AND FIND OUR HOTEL CONFIRMATION. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

THANK GOD FOR SMALL MIRACLES

2009-09-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

WOW I AM SITTING HERE WATCHING THE NEWS AND CAN NOT BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN EIGHT YEARS. I REMEMBER EXACTLY WHERE I WAS AND WHAT I WAS DOING AS IT CAME ON THE NEWS. I SIT HERE AND CRY BUT I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE HOW THESE PEOPLES FAMILIES FEEL. THIS HAS TO BE SUCH A HARD TERRIBLE DAY FOR THEM. I THINK OF ALL THE WIVES WHO WERE AT HOME GETTING THEIR KIDS READY FOR THE DAY WHEN THEY GOT THAT LAST CALL FROM THEIR HUSBANDS JUST TO SAY I LOVE YOU OR EVEN WATCHING THE NEWS AND AUTOMATICALLY KNOWING YOUR LIFE WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME BECAUSE YOUR LOVED ONE WAS THERE. OR THE KIDS WHO WILL NEVER KNOW THEIR PARENTS. I JUST THANK GOD THAT WE HAD A WONDERFUL GOD FEARING PRESIDENT AND NOT THE ONE WE HAVE NOW. IMAGINE IF THIS HAPPENED TODAY I HATE TO THINK WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT WOULD DO. SO AT THIS POINT I AM JUST THANKING GOD FOR THE TIMING OF THIS INCIDENT.

PRAYING FOR THE FAMILIES...

TWO WEEK APPOINTMENTS!!! AND OTHER THINGS

2009-09-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

WELL I HAVE OFFICIALLY STARTED MY TWO WEEK APPOINTMENTS... A LITTLE EARLIER THAN NORMAL BUT HEY. I WENT IN YESTERDAY AND THERE WERE A COUPLE OF ISSUES SO NOW I GET TO GO MORE OFTEN. WOO HOO. I LOVE MY DOCTOR THOUGH AND I AM GLAD THAT HE IS VERY CAUTIOUS. ON A LIGHTER NOTE WE HAVE A PLACE TO GO FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY!!! WE ARE GOING TO BE IN NEW ORLEANS FOR A FEW NIGHTS. NOT EXACTLY MY FIRST CHOICE BUT HEY IT ISN'T GILMER OR LONGVIEW. PLUS IT IS A FREE ROOM SO THAT MAKES IT EVEN BETTER. NOW PHILLIP JUST HAS TO ENDURE THE DRIVE THERE WITH A WOMAN WHO HAS TO GO POTTY (YOU CAN TELL I HAVE LITTLE KIDS) EVERY TIME YOU TURN AROUND. YESTERDAY STARTED MOPS AND I THINK I AM REALLY GOING TO ENJOY IT. I NEED TO DO SOMETHING FOR ME. RIGHT NOW MY ENTIRE LIFE REVOLVES AROUND MY CUTE KIDS AND ALL OF THE THINGS PHILLIP HAS GOING ON. I AM THE BEHIND THE SCENES PERSON WHO KEEPS IT ALL RUNNING SMOOTHLY. YESTERDAY WAS NICE THOUGH BECAUSE I HAD CALLED HIM THAT MORNING ON MY WAY TO MOPS AND GRIPED AT HIM FOR JUST LEAVING HIS STUFF AROUND SO WHEN I GOT HOME HE WAS MOPPING!!! YEP THAT'S RIGHT THE MAN WHO DIDNT KNOW YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO WASH YOUR SHEETS ONCE A WEEK HAD VACCUMED, SWEPT AND MOPPED. WOW I WAS IMPRESSED. NOW I THINK I AM OFF TO PRICE MORE STUFF FOR THE CONSIGNMENT SALE.

EXCITING NEWS

2009-09-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

LAST NIGHT WE GOT THE DEPOSIT FOR OUR HOUSE IN LONGVIEW!!! WOO HOO. ONE STRESS DOWN 337 MILLION TO GO. ALSO WE ARE TAKING NATHAN TO SEE SESAME STREET LIVE IN TYLER ON NOVEMBER 13TH. WE ARE PART OF THE ELMO FAN CLUB THING SO WE GET INFO ON TICKETS BEFORE THEY GO ON SALE SO WE WERE ABLE TO GET TICKETS IN THE FIFTH ROW (ROWS 1-4 WERE $25). THESE WERE ONLY TWELVE DOLLARS. I THINK IF YOU GO ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY INSTEAD OF OPENING NIGHT THEY EVEN HAVE SOME SEVEN DOLLAR TICKETS. NATHAN IS GOING TO BE IN HEAVEN AND WE MIGHT EVEN CALL AUNT AIMEE AND SING ELMO'S WORLD TO HER. LOL. LITTLE JACOB IS EXCITED TO BECAUSE HE WILL GET TO SPEND A LITTLE ALONE TIME WITH MIMI AND POP WITH OUT HIS BIG BROTHER DRAGGING HIM AROUND.

LIFE HAPPENS

2009-08-31T17:09:00.001-07:00

SO I LOVE THAT SUGARLAND SONG I KNOW IT ISN'T THE GREATEST SONG EVER BUT HEY CUT ME A BREAK. I'M SITTING HERE FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF BECAUSE I THINK RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ABOUT TEN DOLLARS TOTAL. LOL. (TOMORROW IS UNEMPLOYMENT DAY... THANK HEAVENS!!!) I REMEMBER THE DAYS WHEN WE WERE MAKING BETWEEN EIGHT AND NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS PER WEEK AFTER OUR 401 K, HEALTH INSURANCE, SAVINGS AND GYM FEES WERE ALL TAKEN OUT. WHAT DID WE DO WITH THAT MONEY? HOW LUCKY AM I THOUGH PHILLIP IS NOW HOME MORE AND WE ARE SO INCREDIBLY BLESSED. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOTHING AND ARE LIVING IN TENTS AND WE HAVE 2 VERY NICE HOUSES, 2 VEHICLES, HEALTHY KIDS, NICE CLOTHES, AND PLENTY OF FOOD. SURE OUR SAVINGS WAS DEPLETED BECAUSE OF THE RENTERS AND PLUMBING BILLS BUT WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR. SO LIKE THE SONG "LIFE DON'T GO QUITE LIKE YOU PLAN IT WE TRY SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND IT" I AM DONE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IT. I AM JUST HAPPY WITH ALL WE HAVE.

AMAZING RACE

2009-08-28T08:21:00.001-07:00

AMAZING RACE STARTS SEPTEMBER 27TH WOO HOO.

WOW IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS

2009-08-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE SARAH. WE LOVE YOU. MOMMY IS GOING TO MAKE YOU A BIG CHOCOLATE YUMMY BIRTHDAY CAKE.

THIS AWFUL BEAUTIFUL LIFE

2009-08-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

WOW THIS HAS BEEN A HORRIBLE WEEK FOR US...

SUNDAY- A GIRL IS ON HER PHONE AND SPEEDING AND HITS OUR PARKED TRUCK... MORE THAN LIKELY UNFIXABLE. LUCKILY WE ONLY OWE BETWEEN $7000 AND $7500. THE BLUE BOOK VALUE IS $8200 AND THE DEALER RESALE IS $12000. EATHIER WAY IF THE TRUCK IS TOTALLED WE WON'T BE OUT ANYTHING WE WILL JUST BE OUT THE MONEY WE ALREADY PAID ON IT. ONE PLUS THOUGH IS THAT HER INSURANCE AGENT HANDLES BOTH OF OUR HOUSES AND MY DAD IS HER BIGGEST CLIENT SO HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP US SLIGHTLY. ;)

MONDAY- WE FIND OUT WE ARE HAVING A SWEET LITTLE GIRL WITH A SMALL POSSIBILITY SHE MIGHT HAVE DS

TUESDAY- WE GET A $700 DOLLAR DOCTOR BILL. WHEN NATHAN WAS BORN LE TOURNEA WAS SUPPOSED TO ADD HIM TO OUR INSURANCE AND NEVER DID. WELL WE HAD TO WAIT A YEAR TO ADD HIM AND AFTER THREE TRIPS TO HR PHILLIP FINALLY HAD HIM ADDED. TURNS OUT THEY FORGOT TO SEND IT IN TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE PERSON WHO HANDLES THIS IS CONVIENTLY OUT OF TOWN.

WEDNESDAY- OUR RENTERS CALL AND SAY THEY ARE MOVING OUT AND HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY AUGUSTS RENT. OH BUT THEY WON'T BE OUT TILL THE END OF THE MONTH AND LEGALLY WE CAN'T DO MUCH.

THURSDAY- THANK THE LORD NOTHING HAPPENED WE JUST CLEANED OUR HOUSES

FRIDAY- THE PIPES AT OUR HOUSE IN LONGVIEW MESSED UP AND WE HAD TO GET A PLUMBER TO CLEAR THEM. OUR LITTLE SNAKE WOULDN'T COVER IT. WE SPENT OUR LAST TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS. BOTH BOYS ALSO HAD SHOTS. OH AND AFTER DAYS AND DAYS OF NAGGING WE FINALLY GOT A RENTAL CAR.

SATURDAY- THIS WAS AN OK DAY. I WENT TO KROGER'S WHICH I AM NOT A BIG FAN OF (TOO OVER PRICED UNLESS THERE IS A REALLY GOOD SALE) ANYWAY WITH MY COUPONS I GOT OVER $400 WORTH OF FOOD FOR AROUND $22O (I HAD LIKE FIVE ROASTS, 7 PACKAGES OF BEEF, 5 PACKAGES OF STEAK, AND 4 BAGS OF CHICKEN). ALL IN ALL NOT BAD. THEN WE FINISHED OFF THE DAY WITH SWIMMING AND I HELPED MY MOM CLEAN HER HOUSE A LITTLE SO SHE BOUGHT US BABY FOOD AND SOME DIAPERS.

HOPING THIS NEXT WEEK GETS BETTER AND JUST TRYING TO KEEP MY FAITH UP. ATLEAST MY KIDS AND HUSBAND ARE OK, I HAVE A NICE HOME, A VAN THAT WORKS, AND A PRETTY NICE RENTAL CAR. COMPARED TO SOME PEOPLE I HAVE IT ALL. SO I AM CONSIDERING MYSELF EXTREMELY BLESSED. SUNDAY IS CHURCH AND MY WEEKLY WALGREENS AND CVS TRIPS AND TUESDAY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WILL BE HERE SO WE WILL KNOW MORE THEN. HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND THIS NEXT WEEK SEEMS TO BE LOOKING UP.

PICTURE FROM THIS SUMMER AND OUR LOVELY TRUCK

2009-08-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

ISABELLE CLAIRE

2009-08-11T11:14:00.001-07:00

WELL WE ARE HAVING A GIRL. PHILLIP IS SO EXCITED!!! WE WENT SHOPPING YESTERDAY. MOST OF THE SONO WENT WELL BUT I HAVE TO GO IN FOR A LEVEL 2 SONO NEXT WEEK. THE BAYLOR PEOPLE ARE COMING DOWN TO DO IT. THERE WAS AN ABNORMALITY ON THE HEART WHICH MEANS THAT SHE COULD HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CHROMOSOMES. MY DOCTOR SAYS IT IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT WE JUST NEED TO CHECK SO WE WILL KNOW FOR SURE. WORST CASE SCENARIO WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL WITH DOWN SYNDROME. ALL OF THE OTHER ORGANS LOOKED FINE AND HE SAID THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING BAD COME FROM THIS WITH ALL THE OTHER POSITIVES. WE WILL KNOW EVERYTHING NEXT WEEK WHICH SEEMS SO FAR AWAY. HONESTLY THOUGH I WOULD MUCH RATHER ME HAVE A BABY WITH DS THAN SOMEONE WHO WOULD CHOOSE TO ABORT HER. SURE IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT BUT SO WORTH IT. I AM WAITING FOR HIM TO CALL BACK ABOUT MY PLATELETS THEY HAVE DROPPED PRETTY LOW AGAIN WHICH CAN BE AN ISSUE IF THEY KEEP GOING DOWN. HOPEFULLY WE WILL NOT HAVE TO HAVE A C-SECTION. I CAN'T IMAGINE HAVING THREE KIDS AND HAVING TO RECOVER FROM THAT. WELL I GUESS I BETTER GO RESCUE JACOB, NATHAN IS WRESTLING WITH HIM. THEY ARE SO ADORABLE.

HOW DO YOU HIT A PARKED CAR?

2009-08-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

SO... HOW IS IT THAT YOU HIT A PARKED CAR? MAYBE I SHOULD ASK THE GIRL WHO HIT PHILLIP'S TRUCK. TONIGHT WE WERE AT A PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY FOR CHURCH IN GLADEWATER WHEN MY BROTHER CALLED ME. I THOUGHT MY PHONE WAS ON SILENT SO IT STARTLED ME. WELL I HIT THE SILENT BUTTON AND THEN MY DAD CALLED. THEY BOTH KNEW WE WERE AT A CHURCH THING SO I KNEW THERE WAS A REASON THEY WERE CALLING. TURNS OUT A TEENAGER HIT PHILLIP'S TRUCK. ALL THE DRIVEWAYS ON OUR STREET ARE SMALL SO THERE ARE CARS PARKED ALL ALONG THE STREET. THE GIRL SAID SHE TRAVELS THIS ROAD FREQUENTLY SO YOU WOULD THINK SHE WOULD KNOW THIS. WELL ANYWAY THE TRUCK WENT OVER THE CURB INTO OUR YARD THROUGHT A HOLE AND BACK INTO THE STREET COMPLETLTY SIDEWAYS. AND SHE WAS ONLY GOING 30? THE MOST INFURIATING THING WAS WHEN HER MOM TOLD ME THAT SHE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN SPEEDING HER DAUGHTER DOESN'T SPEED. THE POLICE OFFICER THEN INFORMED THE WOMAN THAT HER DAUGHTER HAD TO HAVE BEEN GOING ATLEAST 50. THE WHOLE BACK END OF OUR TRUCK IS SIDEWAYS AND MORE THAN LIKELY TOTALLED. THE OTHER GIRLS INSURANCE SHOULD COVER IT ALL BUT THE THING IS... IF IT IS TOTALLED THEY PAY OFF THE TRUCK BUT HOW DO WE AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN GET A LOAN WE HAVE NO JOB. LOL. OH WHAT IRONY. WELL LOOKS LIKE PHILLIP WILL BE DRIVING THE MOUNTAINEER FOR AWHILE UNTIL THE INSURANCE STUFF ALL GETS WORKED OUT. ON A LIGHTER NOTE WE FIND OUT IF BABY MIRICK IS A BOY OR GIRL TOMORROW.

CHURCH FAMILY

2009-07-31T11:16:00.000-07:00

WE ARE SO INCREDIBLY BLESSED WITH A WONDERFUL CHURCH FAMILY. TODAY PHILLIP HAD PRAYER MEETING SO AT ELEVEN FOURTY FIVE I TOOK THE BOYS BACK TO OUR ROOM BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE STARTING TO SHOW UP. WELL THIS ADORABLE SWEET LADY GAVE PHILLIP A GIFT CARD. THIS IS SO THOUGHTFUL SHE IS HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS AND HAS A TUMOR AND SHE THOUGHT OF US. I FEEL SO BLESSED THAT WE GET TO SPEND OUR SUNDAYS WITH SUCH AN AMAZING GROUP OF PEOPLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED LIKE THIS SINCE PHILLIP WAS LAID OFF AND IT IS SO AMAZING HOW IT COMES AT THE PERFECT TIME. THE LAST PERSON MAILED US A GIFT CARD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO USE FOR MEDICINE WHEN NATHAN WAS SICK AS WELL AS OIL CHANGES AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HAPPENS ALL AT ONCE. ANYWAY KEEP THIS SWEET LADY IN YOUR PRAYERS SHE GOES BACK TO THE DOCTOR SOON AND HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE GOOD NEWS.

JILLIAN PICKED THE WRONG GUY

2009-07-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

AFTER AN INTERESTING SEASON OF THE BACHELORETTE IT HAS COME TO AN END. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED. I WANTED JILLIAN TO PICK KIPTON SO BAD. HE WAS SWEET, KIND AND WHAT A CUTIE. THEN WHEN SHE LET HIM GO AND REED SHOWED UP I WAS EXCITED THAT SHE HAD A SECOND CHANCE AT A GOOD GUY. WELL SHE LET REED GO TOO. SO NOW WE ARE AT ED. I MEAN SERIOUSLY HE ISN'T CUTE AND HE SEEMS KIND OF NERDY TO ME. THERE IS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT HIM THAT RUBS ME THE WRONG WAY. HE REMINDS ME OF THIS GUY I WENT OUT WITH A FEW TIMES IN COLLEGE. WELL I GUESS SINCE I HAVE BEEN HOGGING THE TV FOR THE PAST TWO HOURS I SHOULD LET MY HOTTIE HUSBAND WATCH WHAT HE WANTS.

BIRTHDAYS

2009-07-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

WELL FRIDAY WE WENT TO MEDIEVAL TIMES IN DALLAS. PHILLIP LOVED IT... I THOUGHT IT WAS OK. PERSONALLY I LIKE THE DIXIE STAMPEDE BETTER AND WE BOTH AGREE THAT THE FOOD IS BETTER. SATURDAY NATHAN GOT TO HAVE HIS COUSINS OVER. WELL THEN ON SUNDAY WE DID OUR BIRTHDAYS WITH PHILLIP'S FAMILY. HIS MOM AND DAD GAVE US EACH $75 SIMON GIFT CARDS. YEA!!! SO WITH MINE I GOT... A GORGEOUS NEW COMFORTER, TWO SHAMS, AND A BED SKIRT. I ALSO GOT A CHAIR FOR MY SCRAPBOOKING DESK, THREE NEW THROW PILLOWS, AND 2 NEW PAIRS OF TONGS I LOVE THESE WHEN I COOK. OH AND GUESS WHAT!!! I STILL HAVE ABOUT FIFTEEN DOLLARS LEFT. WOO HOO. I AM SO EXCITED. MY PILLOWS MAKE MY STAINED COUCH LOOK SO MUCH BETTER. GUESS WHAT ALMOST TWO YEAR OLD CONTRIBUTED TO THE STAINS. WELL I AM OFF TO FINISH MY MENU FOR THIS WEEK.

FREE MEDIEVAL TIMES

2009-07-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

I WAS CHECKING OUT MEDIEVAL TIMES BECAUSE PHILLIP AND I ARE PLANNING ON GOING FOR OUR BIRTHDAYS. WELL IF YOU CLICK ON THE BIRTHDAY FELLOWSHIP TAB YOU CAN GET FREE TICKETS ON YOUR BIRTHDAY. THIS WORKS OUT AWESOME FOR US SINCE OUR BIRTHDAYS ARE LESS THAN A WEEK APART. SO ANYWAY OUR BIG OUTING THIS WEEKEND IS PAID FOR!!! MAYBE THIS MEANS WE CAN GO TO CHEESECAKE FACTORY. YUM.

WHAT TO DO WHAT TO DO

2009-07-12T12:32:00.000-07:00

SO A FEW MINUTES AGO I GOT A CALL FROM MY AUNT. APPARENTLY MY STEP-GREAT GRANDMOTHER HAD A STROKE THIS MORNING. THE BAD PART IS THAT HER FAMILY CAME AND TOOK HER TO LIVE WITH THEM. WELL MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER JUST GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL LESS THAN A WEEK AGO AND IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE AT HOME ALONE. HE REFUSES TO GO INTO A NURSING HOME OR ASSISSTED LIVING SO THE FAMILY IS TRYING TO MAKE PLANS TO CARE FOR HIM. WELL SINCE I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO "DOES NOTHING ALL DAY" SINCE I DON'T HAVE A JOB THEY ARE HOPING THAT I CAN HELP SIT WITH HIM. I WOULD LOVE TO HELP IN ANYWAY THAT I COULD BUT MY DILEMMA IS THAT 1) I AM PREGNANT 2) WE ARE HAVING A FEW ISSUES WITH THIS PREGNANCY ANYWAY AND SO IT IS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO STAY AWAKE AT TIMES 3) I HAVE TWO VERY SMALL KIDS 4) HIS HOUSE IS DIRTY 5) HE WON'T PAY TO RUN THE AIR AND 6) I CAN'T AFFORD THE GAS. MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER IS AN AWESOME MAN AND I WOULD LOVE TO HELP HIM BUT I HONESTLY THINK THAT WOULD BE WAY TOO MUCH FOR ME TO TAKE ON. UGH I HATE THESE HARD CHOICES.

2009-07-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

ON JULY 14TH FROM OPEN TILL 2:30 LONG JOHN SILVERS IS GIVING OUT FREE BAJA FISH TACOS.

http://www.thunderfap.com/free-food-samples.htm

LOTS OF COOL FREEBIES HERE

BABY KICKS

2009-07-08T18:03:00.001-07:00

WELL TODAY WAS A VERY STRESSFUL DAY. I HAD TO TAKE MY GRANDFATHER TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT IN SHREVEPORT THAT LASTED FOREVER. ANYWAY ALL OF THAT IS A STORY ALL BY ITSELF. WHEN I GOT HOME MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND HAD A BASKET OF GOODIES WAITING FOR ME. HE HAD DECORATED THIS CUTE LITTLE CLOTH BASKET AND FILLED IT WITH DOVE CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS, LINDOR TRUFFLES, AND GHIRADELLI CARAMELS. OH... I WAS IN PURE HEAVEN. HE ALSO WENT AND SHOWED A HOUSE FOR ME TONIGHT THEN TO TOP OFF A GOOD NIGHT THE BABY GAVE ME A BIG SWIFT KICK. I FEEL HORRIBLE, MY BACK HURTS, I HAVE A MIGRANE AND I THINK I MIGHT BE GOING CRAZY BUT ATLEAST MY BABY KICKED. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GO TO WHITE OAK TO THE SPLASH PARK TOMORROW BUT AT THIS POINT I DON'T REALLY SEE THAT HAPPENING.

MY BROTHER'S HOUSE

2009-06-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

SO MY BROTHER CALLED ME THIS MORNING... AND SOMEONE BROKE INTO HIS HOUSE. I AM SO UPSET FOR HIM. HE IS NINETEEN AND HAS BOUGHT HIS FIRST HOUSE AND SOMEONE BROKE IN AND STOLE OVER SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS WORTH OF BRAND NEW FLOORING. IT IS AMAZING TO ME THAT PEOPLE DO THESE KINDS OF THINGS. TO ME THIS IS SO UNTHINKABLE. ANYWAY THE POLICE ARE OUT THERE NOW AND HOPEFULLY THE INSURANCE WILL COVER IT WITHOUT TOO HIGH OF A DEDUCTIBLE. WELL I AM OFF TO MAKE COOKIES AND SEE MY PRECIOUS LITTLE MEN. IT'S ALMOST SNACK TIME AS NATHAN KEEPS REMINDING ME. "HUNRY HUNRY MOMMY HUNRY."

JON AND KATE

2009-06-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

WOW... JON AND KATE WAS CRAZY TONIGHT. THEY OFFICIALLY FILED FOR DIVORCE TODAY. HE IS SUCH A JERK. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS SHOW SINCE IT FIRST CAME ON AND I AM SO DISAPPOINTED. ON THE SHOW TONIGHT HE VERY BLATANTLY SAID THAT HE MIGHT GET OFFERED A JOB AND MOVE AWAY. HELLO WHAT ABOUT HIS KIDS. HE WAS ALSO COMPLAINING AGAIN ABOUT HOW MEAN KATE IS TO HIM. IF HE WAS HOME ALONE ALL DAY WITH EIGHT KIDS HE WOULD PROBABLY BE SNAPPY SOMETIMES TOO. I FEEL SO BAD FOR HIS KIDS. KATE STATED THAT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO BE ALONE. HOW SAD IS THAT? ANOTHER JERKY THING HE SAID IS THAT HE IS ONLY THIRTY-TWO WHO KNOWS HE MIGHT HAVE MORE KIDS ONE DAY. WHY WOULD HE EVEN CONSIDER HAVING MORE KIDS WHEN HE CAN'T EVEN BE FAITHFUL TO THE MOTHER OF THE EIGHT KIDS HE ALREADY HAS. I AM SO SAD FOR THESE KIDS. I HATE IT WHEN FAMILIES END THIS WAY.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE RANGER'S GAME

2009-06-14T07:31:00.001-07:00

WELL YESTERDAY WE WENT TO THE RANGERS GAME AND I WAS A LITTLE UNEASY ABOUT IT. LAST TIME WE WENT NATHAN ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL AND JACOB ENDED UP GETTING SICK YESTERDAY SO I WAS REALLY PRAYING WE DIDN'T HAVE A REPEAT. ANYWAY ON TO THE GAME. WE FINALLY GOT THERE AFTER GOING AROUND DALLAS FOR A BIT. THE GAME STARTED AT SEVEN AND WE GOT FOUR INNINGS IN AND THE LIGHTS RIGHT ABOVE US WENT OUT. TO ME IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE THAT BIG OF A DEAL BUT APPARENTLY IT IS. SO THEY STOPPED THE GAME. (THE PLAYERS COULD SEE FINE BY THE WAY) AFTER OVER AN HOUR OF WAITING WE DECIDED TO LEAVE BECAUSE THERE IS NO TELLING HOW MUCH LONGER IT WAS GOING TO BE. PLUS WE WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE HOME AFTER THE GAME WAS OVER. (PUTTING US HOME AROUND TWO OR LATER. UGH) WELL WE GET JUST INTO GILMER AND A CAR PULLS OUT DIRECTLY INFRONT OF US. PHILLIP HAS TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND SWERVE TO MISS THEM. IT TOOK ONLY A FEW SECONDS TO REALIZE THEY WERE DRUNK!!! NOT SLIGHTLY DRUNK BUT VERY DRUNK. THEY WERE ALL OVER THE ROAD AND ALMOST INTO THE DITCH A FEW TIMES. WE THEN CALLED THE POLICE AND FOLLOWED THEM FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TO GIVE THE POLICE THE LICENSE NUMBER AND THE DIRECTION THE CAR WAS GOING. ALL OF THIS TOO SAY. WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS? IT IS JUST SO AMAZING TO ME HOW CARELESS PEOPLE CAN BE. WHAT A LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE REST OF US.

THE JOYS OF UNEMPLOYMENT

2009-06-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY WAS UNEMPLOYMENT DAY... THIS IS THE DAY WHEN WE FILE TO GET OUR MONEY. SINCE PHILLIP STARTED SCHOOL I HAD TO FILL OUT A WHOLE EXTRA SECTION. AYWAY OUR MONEY IS USUALLY DEPOSITED BY TUESDAY SO WHEN IT WASN'T IN THE BANK TODAY AFTER VBS I STARTED TO WORRY. TURNS OUT SINCE PHILLIP IS NOW IN SCHOOL THEY HAVE TO REVIEW IT AND IT CAN TAKE 14 DAYS FOR THEM TO LET US KNOW ANYTHING. HELLO... WHY DID THEY NOT FEEL THE NEED TO LET US KNOW THIS? ESPECIALLY SINCE I MAILED OUT OUR BILLS ON TUESDAY. YIKES.

God Sightings

2009-06-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

This week in V.B.S. we have been talking about God sightings... Well today I had one. This past Sunday after Church we saw one of my favorite people... my ob. I know so weird. (By the way I am pregnant and I had him down as my emergency doctor for medicaid. Phillip lost his job right before we found out, so our health insurance expired.) Anyway we had called the diagnostic clinic to see if he took medicaid and they told us he didn't. So we went to a nurse practitioner who is great... but she isn't my doctor. I have been through a lot with this man. After I had my second miscarriage he called me at home himself to check on me. Plus he stayed at the hospital till one in the morning to deliever Nathan and he wasn't even on call. Anyway all of this just to say he is very special to us. Phillip adores him too. Well we saw him Sunday afternoon while driving and he told his nurse on monday to call and check on me. He said that seeing us was God's way of telling him he needed to call us. We were out of the house when she called and so I returned her call today. Turns out they thought I was upset with them for some reason and they were calling to make sure everything was ok. After I explained that we are now semi-poor and they didn't take medicaid. The air was cleared. She then told me that I should have asked to speak with her and that they would love to have me. So now I have an appointment scheduled to see him next Wednesday. I know this seems insane for me to be so excited over a doctor but we love Dr. Yancey.