Outnumbered 4 to 1

2011-03-30T21:49:00.003-05:00

Wow! It has been way to long since I have posted. Whats going on here? Well some of the highlights would be...

RC took a break from playing in our church band for about 2 months. In that 2 months his walk with the Lord has grown ever so much! He told me God had to bring him to his knees in order to build him back up.

AC turned 9 today! He is loving 3rd grade and is playing baseball! He is playing youth pitch competitive! He is on the Diamondbacks! He is such a sweet spirited child!

Trace is 7 1/2. He is in 1st grade, he is such a great helper and really good at science! He is also playing baseball! He is playing coach pitch! He is on the Yankees! He has such a servants heart!

Andrew is 5! Oh my he can't really be 5! He starts kindergarten next year! We are having issues with his allergies this winter! Hoping that he will out grow it because it is miserable for him! He also is playing baseball! He is playing advanced t-ball, which means he starts with 3 pitches from the coach and if he isn't able to hit it then he hits off the tee. He is my snuggle bug! He is so stinking cute! He is charming and wonderful!

Kailey is 3! She is something else! She is in a very independent stage! She has to get dressed all her own and she doesn't always do it right. Its really cute! Last Friday she went to bible study dressed with her pants on backwards, her sweater was inside out, and she had on two different flip flops (both being left feet sandals)! She is stubborn, strong willed, and very sweet! I love her to death and wouldn't trade her for the world!

Now as for me... I am still very active in the Woman's Bible Study! We are currently studying Calm My Anxious Heart! I am also very active in our youth group now! I enjoy working with the girls so much!

Now I do have something to put out there! Our youth group has decided to put our words into action! We are participating in a 30 hour famine! That's right we will not be eating for 30 hours to experience a small bit of what children all around the world go through day in and day out! We are also trying to raise money for this! $30 will feed a child for an entire month! That is just a $1 a day! You can learn more and also help out by going to the web site below!

http://twv.convio.net/site/TR/30HourFamine/30HourFamine?px=1161170&pg=personal&fr_id=1310

It's Been awhile....

2010-02-27T07:58:00.003-06:00

Wow its been forever! So here whats going on here....

AC is going to be 8 next month! I am really struggling with the fact that I will have an 8 year old! He is great in school :) He absolutely loves to read and is such a sweetheart! We have had issues with his asthma more especially with this cold weather but he is amazing!

Trace is rocking kindergarten! He is embracing all of his subjects! His teacher is amazing! He loves reading just like his brother and loves P.E. He still is my sweet snuggle bug!

Andrew is a Wii-aholic. You think I am joking, no my little man who will be 4 next month is addicted to the Wii. Just ask Grandpa he can kick your butt in bowling (at times, he sure beats me), sword fighting, table tennis and many others. He plays everyday. Yes I do limit it to about a hour a day but he LOVES the Wii.

The boys got an awesome electronic basketball game that is now in their room. They love it. We did get rid of Andrews bed and he is now sharing with Trace. RC loves the basketball game just as much!

Kailey my rough and tumble little princess is well exactly that! She can be little Miss Priss wearing her tutu, tiara, and princess shoes. Then you will find her right on top of her brothers wrestling with them still in her outfit :) We just redid her room, she has a little kitchen, table, little crib for her baby dolls (which I counted and she already has 12 baby dolls LOL I guess you can never have too many), and my big girl is sleeping in the big bed in her room. She is also potty training! Woo hoo we will be getting rid of the diaper pail very soon!!!!!!!!

RC is doing incredible! He turned 30 last month. Still working out like crazy. He runs 6 miles 5 days a week, taking a rest day on Wednesday and Sunday (that's only until he gets his bike fixed then Wednesday will become a workout day too! He will alternate running and biking.) He also does weight lifting and core workouts each day before he runs. He is looking incredible! I can say this wife is really enjoying the benefits of an obsessed husband :) Work is going well. He loves working from home. Moving here he has discovered a new passion in cooking. He loves to experiment with different recipes and create new ones. He is really good at it too! I love it most days. The only thing I get frustrated with is I have discovered that I like to cook but he hogs the kitchen. Oh well he is better at it then I am so he can do it :)

Me: I just turned 28 on Tuesday. I am doing really well. I celebrated my 1 year anniversary as a Premier Designs jeweler. Its amazing! I enjoy getting to serve my hostesses and helping other ladies discover the joys of putting on a piece of jewelry and just watching it transform their self-esteem. I know that's what this has done for me. I have started seriously looking to lose weight. Since the beginning of the year I have lost 8lbs. I still have a ways to go before I reach my goal but I am taking the steps. This week I started a new diet and workout regime and I feel great! I am a little sore but I really have seen a difference in just a week! Still very active in my bible study! Loving it! We are doing a Beth Moore bible study, Believing God, and it is really one of those intense studies! I love life right now! Even with the ups and downs God is there taking care of me and my family!

God is so Good!

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-04T12:11:00.002-05:00

Okay so we started our celebration yesterday. The day started out with me heading out on the bike with Dad yesterday, not so good! I ended up having to have RC come pick me up because I pushed too hard too soon! Then Mom and I took the kids to this park that has a water section! The kids had so much fun! Grandpa came and joined us and we let the kids play for about an hour and a half. Then we came home and rested, then headed out to do some errands, and then headed to Kaboom Town (ranked in the top 10 best Fireworks in the nation) in Addison. We had a lot of fun! Well I took tons of pics (way too many to post here) so click here to go see the pics!

200th Post

2009-06-07T23:13:00.002-05:00

Wow I can not believe that this is my 200th post. Most people have little giveaways for such a thing but sorry I don't. I do have an update with whats going on in our lives...

RC is doing awesome. He is playing guitar at our church Lifepointe Fellowship. He loves getting to help lead worship. He is more determined than ever to get in shape. He is so strict on his stuff that it makes me want to rebel on mine. Yes he is still totally into bicycling! I think somedays its the only thing that keeps him sane!

AC has now officially graduated from 1st grade into 2nd. He loves school and is still at the stage that he doesn't look forward to summer. We are going to keep him busy by having a learning time everyday. We will take 2 hours out of everyday to have some reading, math, writing and computer time. He can't wait to get to the library and get some books to read.

Trace is so excited. He asks me every morning if today is the day he gets to start kindergarden. I tell him no and he is so disappointed. He loves to sound things out and LOVES to write!!! We will be working really hard on his reading and writing this summer. He will be doing the same things as AC.

Andrew is so excited about his latest accomplishments. He is wearing big boy underware. Thats right we are potty training. He would be interested for a day and then not. Take a trip and he wanted to go everytime the big boys went. A few weeks ago we made a chart gave him goals and he has completely embraced it!!! We are still working on the harder parts but he is doing so awesome!!! His goal now is to earn a guitar!!!

Kailey is well Kailey! She is my rough and tumble little Miss Priss! I know some of you are looking at this and thinking how can she be both because you normally get one or the other well my daughter has figured out how to be both! She is the one that if her brothers take a toy away I have to pull her off of them because she has tackled them and his letting them know she doesn't appreciate the fact that they took her toy away. She is also the one who LOVES LOVES LOVES to shoe shop! Yes at 18 months old my daughter has found a deep love for shoes. She picks them out and will let you know if she likes them. She is also the one who picks out her own clothes. I have always belived in giving my kids options but good grief this little girl. If she doesn't like what you put on her she WILL take it off and tell you NO. She then goes to her closet and tells you "Dat Dress". She is like I said my rough and tumble little Miss Priss!

Now for myself...

The bible study I mentioned a few posts before is really going great. We are now moving to meet every Wednesday instead of every other. We are starting a new study called "The Power of a Woman's Words" I am really excited about this! We have counted we are going to have somewhere between 10-15 women meeting.

I am praying about starting a bible study for working women as well. I know there is a really big need for this and I feel God leading me to start it. I do ask for your prayer on this because I do not have all the logistics down but I know that I don't have too because GOD is in control.

I am really enjoying selling my Premier jewelry! I love that I have finally figured out that I can be me Brittney! Now don't get me wrong, I love being mom and I love being wife but somedays I just need to know that I am more than that! With selling the jewelry I go and I am me Brittney the jewelry lady.

I am finally figuring out that I can wear all these different hats and know that even when I feel like the world is slipping out from under me that all I have to do is cry out because my heavenly Father is waiting there to catch me. Yes as you can see I have been really struggling with this. I feel God calling me to do more but satan whispers in my ear you have your hands full. I mean I do have my hands full. I have 4 beautiful children to raise, I have a husband that I need to be the best wife for, I have a bible study full of ladies that I took on the role of leadership and that means a lot, I have my business to build.... I think you get the point. But I realized in all of these things I can do NOTHING without God! I am who he made me to be and who am I to not desire with all my heart to do more for his purpose! Now my prayer is that I will listen to God to know what HE has planned for my life, if it is to take on more, if it is to let things go, or if it is to stay where I am right now for the time being. I don't know all of God's plans but I do know that he loves me and he wants me to be the Best he created me to be!!!

This post started out as a just an update but God really wanted me to share this because now it allows me to come back and read it! It serves if nothing more as a reminder to me that GOD is in Control!!!

GRANDPA JOHN

2009-05-02T08:15:00.001-05:00

John Israel Olinger
97 years, 3 months, & one day
Born in Salem, SD January 13, 1912
Died in Sioux Falls, SD May 2, 2009

Grandpa John went home to be with the Lord this morning at 4:30am. With a sad heart for those of us hear on earth grieving the loss of this great man, we look up and praise the fact that he is no longer in pain and is HOME with the Lord of Lords and King of Kings! He is also being reunited with his wife and many others that he knew he would one day see again! I thank the Lord that he knows the number of hair on our head and that he knows the day, the hour, the minute He will bring us HOME to be with him.

Please pray for the family as we go about making arrangements for the traveling. Also please pray for those of us saddened by the loss, help us to remember that he is in a much better place and that he is no longer in pain! Pray for his 6 daughters: Joyce, Phyllis, Marilyn, Sheryll, Arlene, and Ede! Also pray for his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren!

Update on Grandpa John!

2009-04-19T14:23:00.001-05:00

We just found out that Grandpa John is hemmoraging somewhere (he had to have 5 units of blood today), his blood pressure is down and he told his brother that "its time." Please pray for the family!

Urgent Prayer Request!

2009-04-18T13:06:00.002-05:00

UPDATE:

Grandpa John survived the surgery and the surgeon thinks that he got all of the tumor (which was quite large) out of there. I am so glad that the doctor was willing to do surgery on an elderly man! Grandpa John is left with a very small bladder so he will still have to wear a catheter but at least now the bleeding will stop and he won't bleed to death-a very bad way to die they say. At this point we don't know if his cancer has metastasized out of the bladder wall-will have to wait to hear from pathology. He is in recovery and probably be in ICU for a few days and be in a lot of pain. If he makes it through the recovery process it will buy him some time. He did very much want to go to the 9th annual family reunion in May. Thanks so much for your prayers. Pray that the Lord eases his recovery as well. God is good.

Hey all I am coming to you asking desperately for your prayers! RC's grandfather John Olinger was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor a short while ago. We were told that the tumor was too large to remove and because of his age (97) he was too old to have his bladder removed. He has had to undergo several blood transfusions and has been in and out of the hospital. This morning he blew a hole in his bladder and is undergoing emergency surgery. We have been told he has a 50/50 chance of coming out of the surgery and Ede (RC's mother) told us that the doctors are saying that even if he comes out of the surgery he still will most likely only have a few more weeks to live. RC and I do not seem to have a way of getting to South Dakota for the funeral when it happens, his mother has offered to help but she does not have the kind of money lying around. This is really hitting RC hard and so I ask for you to lift him up in prayers. We know that he has lived an amazing life and he told his daughters that he trust the Lord completely and relying on him to decide when its time for him to go home! Please pray!

Today has been tough!!!

2009-02-13T16:37:00.003-06:00

Today has been a rough day for our household. We came downstairs to find out that a friend of ours was the Pilot of flight 3407. My husband played in the church band with Marvin and his wife Sandy and I were friends through many church activities. My heart grieves at the loss of such a Godly, loving man! I ask that you pray for the Renslows and the others who lost loved ones in the tragic accident!

I had a great weekend!

2009-02-09T10:02:00.004-06:00

This last week was a pretty good week. I thank those of you who prayed about Kailey's sleeping pattern. Last week went pretty good. We actually had two nights of her sleeping from 8:30pm to 5:30/6:00am. Wow it was so nice getting some sleep. When she does wake up either my mom or I go in give her her binkie and cover her up and leave. Last night she woke up and got her own binkie and went back to sleep. YEAH YEAH YEAH!

We have had a full house of sick people. Last Sunday night AC came down with a fever. He stayed home from school Monday and Tuesday. He went back to school Wednesday - Friday and then started feeling yucky on Friday again. He pretty much stayed in bed all weekend and is back at school Today. Trace started feeling pretty crappy on Thursday and still isn't 100%. Andrew threw up once and has had a headache but so far so good. Kailey thank goodness hasn't had any issues. RC has a toothache. Oh yeah and Friday, my dad came down with the crud and my mom did on Saturday. They spent the weekend in bed. Dad is doing better today but mom still is feeling pretty bad. Thank goodness for small miracles I have not come down with anything. I just pray that my system continues to hold out on getting sick because when Momma's sick it just flat ain't good!!!!

RC, the younger two kiddos and I got to go to church on Sunday. Then afterwards I was stopped by the pastor to find out if we were coming to the leadership meeting. (RC is in the band, and I am starting a bible study for stay-at-home moms. We start this Wednesday so here is another prayer request for you.) RC sent me and he came home to the two sick kiddos. I got home around 3:00pm and then was out of the house again around 5:00 for a Girls night! It was really fun.

Durring that couple of hours at home RC and I got some much needed alone time! It was nice getting to just reconnect as husband and wife! Here are some fun pictures we took! The second one is my favorite! Hope you all enjoy!!!!

What a Great and Mighty God we serve!!!!

2009-02-05T09:12:00.003-06:00

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

I have to start with this verse because wow oh wow has God SO exceeded all expectations. Previously I have asked all of you to pray for two very special babies. Baby Harper and Baby Brayden! Well I don't know if you all have been reading up on them so I thought I would update you.

Baby Harper: Praise you Lord! We lift our hands in Praise! Kelly and Scott get to take their beautiful baby girl home tomorrow!!!!!!! If you go back and read the updates you will see that while we may not understand why someone would have to go through something like this God uses it for HIS GLORY!!! Kelly has been contacted by several who have accepted the Lord as their personal Savior because they see the faith in Kelly and Scott. Wow! That is for His Glory!

Baby Brayden: The Lord is a mighty Healer! He is doing really well. They are still trying to get him to take a bottle. They will be running tests on Friday to find out why he won't take a bottle. There is no less Praise to be given here because Gods miraculous hands are at work in their lives and those around them as well. Do you realize that they are not just begging for prayers for themselves but begging their readers to Pray for the other babies!!!

There are several lessons here for you and me (this is being shared with y'all because I NEED TO HEAR IT MYSELF)! Through everything that goes on in our lives, the good and the bad, we never know who is watching. How we handle it can be a more powerful testimony than what we say to that person directly!!! 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Also this goes to show the amazing power of prayer! So please don't give up on prayer (even when you don't get the answer you are looking for!), and when you say you are going to pray PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PRAY!!! In Ephesians 6:10-18 it talks about the Armor of God:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Notice that in the end it says to pray! Also in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 it says:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

So please KEEP ON PRAYING!

Pray for:

Our troops!

Our President and other leaders!

Our Children!

Our Marriages!

Keep on praying for these precious little ones and those like them!

Just Keep on Praying!!!

Pics and a Prayer Request

2009-02-03T11:26:00.002-06:00

Just a couple of quick pics. Some people might think it is completely silly but I have always longed to be able to paint my daughters toenails. Well up until now I just really haven't tried. Well today I sat her down (wow that child wiggles alot!!) and painted her little toenails pink. Sorry the pic is blurry but like I said she wiggles! TOOO CUTE!!! On another note I told y'all that last Tuesday was RC's 29th birthday. Well we really didn't get to do anything for his birthday. Well we were hosting a Super Bowl party so I decided to get a cake for him. Well he was at Walmart with me so I told him to pick out a cake. He picked out the following....

Yes it is purple with leopard print. I don't know why but my hubby wanted this one. He said he really didn't want a cake so if I was going to make him have one he wanted this one. Some of the guys who came to the party told him he lost a few man cards on this one! He is just too funny! Anyhow the kids really liked it even though Trace just couldn't get over the fact that his dad had a girl cake.

One more side note I ask for y'alls prayer. Kailey still does not sleep throught the night. In the last couple of weeks she has decided that about 1:30 to 3:30 am she wants to watch tv and play. Now for all of you who don't know I really like my sleep! I mean REALLY like my sleep so this just doesn't settle well for me. It is physically making me sick. Well I have decided over this week that I am going to try something new. I ask for prayer because this could very well be an extremely rough week for all who live in this house. Before it was just me affected by her being up, this week it could affect everyone because I am trying to let her cry it out. Last night was the first night of it and it went really well. I gave her a bottle about an hour before I put her to bed and then just laid her down at 8:45 and walked out. She fussed a little but then went to sleep. She slept until 4:00 and then fussed for a while. At 4:45 Grandma went in and told her you are okay, you are not getting a bottle, take your binkie and go back to sleep. Sure enough she did. So last night went pretty well, we'll have to see how the rest of the week goes.

Picture Tag!

2009-02-02T10:00:00.003-06:00

The rules are:

1. Go to the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.

2. Post the 4th picture in the folder

3. Explain the photo.

4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun!

Here is my little Ladybug! She is 4 months old in this picture! (Kinda freaky about all the 4s) Anyhow we were trying to take a picture of her brand new ear piercings! She is sooo cute!!!

I tag whoever wishes to play along! (Please comment so I can go check yours out!)

First one of 2009 for me....

2009-01-30T09:11:00.003-06:00

1. I'd really like a Latte from Starbucks right now.
2. Ouch (well and maybe a few other choice words but I am really trying not to use those!) is the word you'd most often hear me say if I stubbed my toe.
3. Possession is 9/10 of the law.
4. Weird but captivating is how I would describe Captain Jack Sparrow.
5. Marshmallows and fire go together like camping and tents do.
6. The sibling fighting seems to go on and on.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to trying to go to bed early, tomorrow my plans include time with my hubby and kiddos and Sunday, I want to go to church to help in preschool then take a nap and watch the superbowl!

Good Morning All!!!

2009-01-28T08:33:00.005-06:00

Wow well lets first of all point out that I am married to a very handsome Man who turned 29 yesterday!!!! I feel so terrible because his birthday really kind of sucked! Poor guy! Yesterday not only did he have to work he also had to help with the kids and the laundry. (Yes he does help with the kids everyday but yesterday he and my dad got to deal with them just them!) Where was I you ask? I was in bed with a migraine! It was one of those that I got to throw up in the dark because I couldn't handle the light on in the bathroom. I was so sick I was pretty much useless. But Daddy and RC really stepped up to the plate and did the laundry and took care of the kiddos! They are pretty awesome guys!

Anyhow I have to show you what we woke up to this morning! Now remember I lived in Florida for 10 years so this girl has Florida blood running through her and I have to say, "IT'S REALLY REALLY COLD!!!"

One of Kailey's Christmas presents...

2009-01-20T09:18:00.005-06:00

This is a video of Kailey Bear enjoying her Christmas present from Nana! She loves it and so do her brothers. I have to keep reminding them that they are too big for it!!!

Just a quick update we are doing well. AC got to go back to school today! He came home from school last Tuesday around lunch time sick, he then missed Wednesday and Thursday. Friday and Monday there was no school. You could tell he really missed the routine of school!!!!

Gotta brag on my little Trace. His Sunday school teacher stopped me after church and told me... She started their story telling them they were going to talk about three men and a fiery furnace. Trace started telling her about Nebuchadnezzar and the statue. She then allowed him to help teach the story to the entire class. She said he new it all. She told me that means I am doing a great job at home teaching him. I have to say its not just me its the fact that I have always had a great church family behind me helping me teach my children. They are even talking about moving him up to the older class because he does so well, they think he would do great with the bigger kids.

Andrew gave up the binky two weeks ago and is doing great. His Nana got him a spider man pillow case to go with his spider man bedding, pajamas and house shoes (yeah if you couldn't tell he is very much into Spider man). Well when we got home from Tampa, my mom put it on his bed, I came in a told him Oh no, anyone who has a spider man pillow can't have a binky. Spider man pillows are for big boys! He handed me his binky and at night he tells us he can't have a binky because he has his big boy pillow! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RC and I are doing well. We are going to a small group on Sundays and really enjoy it. He and my dad went to a Men's prayer and Worship thing last night. I am currently working with another stay at home mom (or as one of our friends put it Domestic Engineer) but we are starting a bible study in February for the domestic engineers. We are really excited about it. I get to announce it Sunday in church.

I ask you to pray for the Life Groups (which is what our church is calling the small groups)!

I ask your continued prayer for our family.

I ask you to continue praying for baby Harper and baby Brayden. Both are doing better but still not out of the woods yet.

PS: I'll add more pics from Christmas later, right now I gotta get off and take care of my kiddos!

Update

2009-01-17T12:55:00.002-06:00

Just a quick update:

Kelly posted a praise!!! Harper seems to be doing lots better! She may not even have to have the bypass if she continues to improve. Wow What an amazing God we serve!

The other thing I wanted to touch base on is, I have had several emails asking me if the marriage thing has to do with RC and I. The answer is no! While we continually covet your prayers for our marriage we are doing good. We have the stresses of daily life and we fight but we are not in trouble. I do however know other marriages that Satan seems to be attacking so severely! I cannot give names but I beg of you to pray for the marriages of your brothers and sisters in Christ and those who are not believers!!!! Now is the time that Satan will try and tear the families apart and we must not allow him to win!!!

Pray Pray Pray Pray Pray

2009-01-16T22:17:00.003-06:00

Dear Blogger Readers!!!

I have many prayer requests!

First of all I would ask you to pray for the marriages of all Christians! Satan is attacking the family hard and I know a few families personally that are under attack!!

Secondly I need your help in praying for a couple of my bloggy buddies. I have recently wrote a thing on hear about Kelly Stamps. She and her husband Scott tried for a very long time to conceive. Praise the Lord they did and delivered Harper today weighing 9 lbs 12 oz. She was having some trouble breathing, so they took her to the NICU to check her heart. They have had to incubate her - they are doing tests to see what's going on. Also, Kelly lost a lot of blood in delivery and has really low blood pressure. We would really appreciate your prayers for both mother and daughter. The new update says that they flew Harper to AR Childrens Hospital. UPDATE: They ended up flying Harper to Tulsa. They are running more test and then going to be doing a bypass. For updates on her go to Kelly's Korner!

Another one of Kelly's friends Jenna also struggled conceiving and once again their baby is having health issues. Baby Brayden was also taken to another hospital. They are currently not even allowed to speak or touch little Brayden because it could delay his progress.

Both of these women are calling upon their brothers and sisters in Christ, asking you all to PRAY PRAY PRAY!!! I know you don't know them but we all do know the amazing power of prayer! If you have any doubt in what God can do go look at this prayer blog (started by Kelly)! Check out the amazing praises!

Thank you all so very much for you prayers!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T07:49:00.002-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All things are going pretty good here. RC, the kids, and I are all in Tampa. We are staying with RC's parents for a couple of weeks. I have to say its really good to be home. I miss here alot but I know we are were God wants us to be! We drove here last Friday and Saturday (stopping for a couple of hours in New Orleans to visit RC's brother). We will stop and stay with him on the way home. I pray all of you have a very Merry Christmas and remember the true reason for the season!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-18T15:13:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

This card is being sent out to all my bloggy readers out there! My sweet SIL Tasha came across this blog that was hosting a Christmas Card Carousel! Well I have decided to participate, especially since I will not be able to send out a Christmas letter until next month. So for now this is my Christmas Card going out to all!

Go here to see more beautiful Christmas Cards (but remember they are more talented than I am so be nice!!!)

My Little Ladybugs Birthday Party!!!

2008-11-24T09:05:00.013-06:00

Here's my little Birthday Princess! You can see her little Ladybug earrings she got from Grandma and Grandpa!My Little Ladybug just standing there, she is getting so big!!!

Andrew just loves his little sister!

Her party decorations came from her Nana in Florida. They showed up in a package as a surprise from them. She said she just couldn't resist! Too cute! Thank you Ede!!!More decorations!

The people from Walmart Bakery were super! They changed their Ladybug cupcakes from red with black dots and black head to pink with white hearts and white head so it all went together!!!

We had both white cake and chocolate cake flavors.

And they even threw in a little individual cake for my birthday girl which they personalized by adding a ladybug to match the big cupcakes!Which all in all makes a lot of cake!!! We had invited more people than showed up but we had a great party and the kids loved all the cupcakes!

More Decorations!

The birthday girls throne!

The birthday loot! Love the bag with her name on it:)

Aunt Nyki :)

Grandma and Trace

Great Grandma Mary and 2nd cousin Joel Wayne

2nd cousin Stephen and Emily with little McKennah (Emily was my best friend in High School who married my cousin)Great Grandma Mary holding Kailey Bear!

Opening her first present from Nana (she had already opened part of it and got a Happy Birthday Dog for guests to sign and a 1st Birthday princess sippy cup)

She got a beautiful red dress that will definately go into her keepsake box!Her brothers were very interested in what was in the bag and she was very interested in what her brothers were doing!She got a really cute microphone from Aunt Nyki, Uncle Jeremy, Rylee and Jakob

Time to get to Present number 3!

She loved pulling the presents out!

She got a gloworm from Grandma and Grandpa!

She got some books from her Great Aunt Janice, Great Uncle Joel and Great Aunt Carol who all weren't able to make it.

She really loved to check out the books!Checking out her very own laptop from Mom and Dad!

Sorry Kailey the book can't see the laptop!

She got a really cute bumble bee from Mom and Dad as well!She got a Xylophone from her brothers. Not that she has gotten to play with it much... Andrew its your sisters!!!Got a great card from Great Grandma Mary!

She got a First Birthday candle from Nana and PopPop as well!

Fun to Be ONE!!

At first she was a little hesitant about the cake.

Then she got a little braver!

MMMM Mom this is good!

She got a whole lot braver with the cake!

OOOH and there is lots more there!!! Yummy Yummy Yummy!!!!!!

Anyone want some!

Only a Mom would kiss a face like that!

MMM finger licking good!

Daddy couldn't believe it but I just couldn't resist putting the cake in her face!
More decorations!
The party was too much for Andrew he just pooped out!
He is such a cutie!

Friday Fill-In

2008-11-21T12:49:00.005-06:00

1. The last band I saw live was _my church band (my hubby's the guitarist!)_.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is _time teaching my kiddos the importance of giving Thanks!_. (if you don't celebrate thanksgiving, insert your favorite holiday)
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is _started but far from finished_.
4. Thoughts of _cupcakes_ fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear _a smaller size_.
6. Bagpipes _hurt my ears (no seriously not because I don't like them but because they really hurt my ears)_.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _finishing the laundry, cleaning house and waiting for family to get in town_, tomorrow my plans include _celebrating the fact that my little lady turned 1 Tuesday (hints the cupcakes filling my head)_ and Sunday, I want to _go to church and praise God then come home and relax and spend time with my family_!

Want to participate go here!

Picture update!

2008-11-21T09:17:00.011-06:00

My Kailey Bear turned one on Tuesday November 18th! She is just way too cute. Her birthday party is tomorrow so I will be updating again either this weekend or Monday but for now here are some pics of the kids that I thought were really cute.

Here is my little Ladybug. She fell asleep playing with her brothers toys. Ignore the unmade bed and focus on the cute little bug in the floor!Here is an upclose on my little bear sleeping! Oh my goodness she is sooo cute!!!Kailey Bear seems to really love her sleep. She had been playing in her crib and her Daddy came in and found her asleep just bent over. Me being Mom couldn't resist taking a picture!This picture was taken on Grandma's Birthday (October 25th)! We were heading to my Grandma's (Dad's Mom) family reunion. She is so sweet! I love getting to dress her up! Girls are so much fun!
Grandpa spoils her rotten! He even comes to her rescue when she is about to get herself in trouble. Sorry Grandpa but I gotta tattle on the little miss Attitude, she does get herself in trouble! At the family reunion the boys got to take a short trip around the field on the dirt bike! They loved it. I was shocked to see Trace be the first one to climb on. He has always been kind of cautious around things and people he doesn't know.
As you can see on AC's face it was very exciting!

Even Andrew went around for a lap! He couldn't quit smiling!

He wanted to even try and do it himself! Even Kailey got to sit on the bike. NOOOOO she did not get to ride just sit!!! Here is a picture of all 4 of my little monkies. I gotta tell you it is a real pain getting all 4 to cooperate for a picture! But I do have some really cute kids don't I!As you can see my Kailey Bear is very curious. She has also started walking. She only takes steps when she wants to but she has finally (sorry Nana it started Sunday after you left) started taking multiple steps and letting go and just standing there!She was getting herself in trouble again heading towards Daddy's side of the bed. She loves to try and get into Daddy's stuff!Here is my little princess and her big brother on her birthday. She loves to get Trace. Trace will be just laying there and she will come crawling up and tackle him and just giggle and giggle! Its really sweet! She loves the stairs! Even though she has a few bruises from the stairs she still absolutely loves the stairs. I love that smile its big enough you can still see it around her binkie!
Her birthday just pooped her out. She finished her dinner and while I was upstairs getting something her daddy found her all pooped out like this! Poor baby I can only imagine how she will feel come her party! This her Daddy took yesterday! Oh my gosh my little lady is just way too cute. She kept crawling back and forth yesterday to anybody who wasn't looking at her and "aaaaa" and smile and it was such attitude that said "Aren't I just the cutest little thing you have ever seen!"

So thats some updated pics, yes I know it was primarily focused on Kailey but it was her birthday this week.

I can tell you a sweet story of my little man Andrew. He has been sick (it has gone through our entire family) but anyhow I finally got him feeling a little better and he wanted a snack on Wednesday afternoon. We went downstairs and he started crying! He stood in the middle of the kitchen crying. I asked him what was wrong and he said, " Somebody stole the kitchen, they broke it!" I just wanted to cry with him. You see I had to mop after lunch and so I hadn't put all the chairs and everything back in the kitchen. So you see he really thought someone had stolen and broke the kitchen. Oh poor guy!

He still doesn't feel really well. This morning he woke up and was losing his little voice. It is really kind of sweet listen to him try and talk because his little voice cracks. Well I just got interrupted from writing this really long post (sorry but you wanted pictures) to go and see what he was up to. Well he has fallen asleep on the stairs. Poor baby just doesn't feel good!

Well anyhow that is my picture update! Please pray for us as our schedules are kind of crazy for the next couple of months. Also that we get Andrew feeling lots better and everyone else in the family. Oh and you know how it goes this time of year with all the sickness going around, and in my household if one gets sick we all end up with it. Oh and also if you will pray for me. A couple of ladies and I feel called to start a woman's bible study for us stay at home moms! So if you could pray for that as it comes along.

Congratulations Scott and Kelly!!!

2008-11-17T11:02:00.005-06:00

For all of my readers out there I would like to introduce to you a very special couple! Above is a picture of Kelly and Scott. They are a couple that struggled for a long time trying to get pregnant! I came across Kelly's Korner back before Mother's Day where she wrote an amazing post that opened my eyes to how many women feel on Mother's Day. I have been hooked to her blog ever since. She later announced that God had given them their little miracle and she was pregnant!!! Praise the Lord!!! Its amazing how you can cry and celebrate with someone even though you know them only through their blog! I also have to share with you a little more about Kelly's heart! She has received her blessing but she knows the power of prayer! She has started a prayer blog for women longing for children and Godly husbands. I ask all of you to go here, and pray for these women. As we see in Kelly and Scott GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS!!

Well they are now a short time away from their precious little Harper joining their lives and I want to say CONGRATULATIONS!!! Her friends are hosting a bloggy shower for us to post our congrats and maybe some advice so...

I have a few tidbits of advice for Kelly and Scott...

1) Pray together Daily - I mean as a family. If you raise your children seeing you pray together and then when they are old enough including them in prayer time, they will grow knowing the importance of going to the Lord in prayer!!!

2) Stick with your quiet time - YOU CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT GOD!!!! Trust me I speak from experience that you get your strength from Christ and She will grow up seeing how important and mighty God is!!

3) Date - You have to make a special point of having MOMMY and DADDY time!!! (I can tell you its hard but it is soooo important!) Carve out some time where you two talk about something other than the baby. Remember a date can be putting the baby to bed and you two just sitting down for a hot meal together and laughing a remembering that how much y'all love each other!!!

4) KELLY - Take time for YOU!!! - Get up and take a shower, put on your make up and do your hair! Trust me I know that you will want to just rest but you will feel so much better, if you feel pretty!

5) Don't be afraid to accept help or even ask for it!- If someone offers then take them up on it! You don't have to be SUPER MOM! You aren't doing Miss Harper any favors doing it all yourself if you run yourself to the ground!!

Sorry its been a while....

2008-11-13T12:06:00.003-06:00

Things are going better! I have been doing my quiet times and that has helped tremendously. It also helped just being honest because I no longer am giving Satan the power, since he is the Father of lies!

So lets see to give you an update on whats going on in our little world...

RC participated in the Coast to Coast for Christ again. For those who don't know or don't remember what that is its a Bike ride sponsored by a church in Tampa. They ride across the state of Florida. They ride from the East coast to the West. This is his 4th year to participate. I am really glad he was able to go back and participate. I really hope I get to do it with him next year. His job is going pretty good. He seems to really be enjoying it. He is also playing guitar again. We have chosen a small church that is starting over. They have changed names and just gotten a new pastor. When we first started they had a guy playing guitar, a guy on keyboards and a girl singing. This Sunday they will have a full band, two guitarists, a keyboardist, a bass player and a drummer. God is SO cool!!! I love seeing RC up on stage again!

AC is loving first grade! He seems to really excel in math! He is gets better with his reading everyday! He has made really great friends. He even had a play day over at one of his friends house on their day off. This is a big thing for him because he was really scared about making new friends. He has the typical first grade attitude. He tries push the limits and test the boundaries but I think that comes with growing up! He is home sick today! Poor little guy is running a fever and has a sore throat. I wish he felt better!!!

Trace is SO eager to learn! He loves to write! He writes everyday! We are still doing preschool at home. He does really well. He also loves to play on the computer with a learning to read program. I really hope that he keeps this eagerness to learn all through school. We do have our struggles. He definitely tests us daily with his behavior. I really believe it is just because he is bored. I really wish we had been able to find him a preschool out of the home but God is in control.

Andrew is well Andrew. We are still fighting him on his little addiction. We will get him to give us his binky when he first gets up and not even five minutes later we will find him with another one. We take that one away and sure enough he shows up with another. When he can't find any of his he shows up with Kailey Bears. I blame me for not being strict enough. But sometimes its really hard not to just give in and let him PLUG IT because I get tired of listening to him whine!!! He is too cute though. He can just grin at you and no matter how tired, sick, mad or whatever your heart melts and you can't help but smile. We are also trying to potty train. Even though it feels like we take a tiny step forward and then two giant steps back! Sometimes I really want to scream!!!

Kailey Bear is growing up way too fast. What am I going to do with her??? She will be one next Tuesday! I know I know I can't believe it either!!! She cruises along everywhere. She will walk when holding your hand but if you try and get her to take more steps she give you this attitude that says I WILL DO IT WHEN I WANT TO DO IT!!!. She still doesn't sleep through the night. Last night she wanted to stay up half the night and play! She loves to play on the stairs. We will catch her on the stairs and she will just grin at us and try and go up it even faster. She is a stinker! She already gives us this little miss thang attitude. She knows she is cute and that we all think she is!! OH I am so going to have my hands full with this one.

Now for me...
As I said before I am doing better. I have been spending more time in prayer and in his word. I have also chosen to lose some weight. I started last week and I lost five pounds last week. I am eating healthier, drinking more water and exercising more. I will weigh in again tomorrow to see how I did this week. Its really nice because RC is helping hold me accountable. He isn't a dictator about it. He really just encourages me and when I ask for help then he gives it. I don't know that I tell him enough how much I appreciate it!!! I am a lucky woman! Anyhow that's enough for now I will try and update again soon!!!

Time to Be Honest...

2008-10-20T10:27:00.002-05:00

Okay so here's the thing. God has been speaking to me. This weekend I have been sick. Yesterday morning I was feeling a little better but not 100%, so my parents offered to take the kids to church and let me go back to bed (RC was already at church because he was playing). I had agreed but about a half hour before church started I felt this nagging that I needed to go to church. So I threw on some clothes and headed out the door with the family. I sat through the songs because I just didn't have the energy to stand and sing. They sang You Never Let Go by Matt Redman. I have heard this song before and I love it. Well when we got home the chorus just ran through my head over and over again. I just thought it was because it is a catchy tune that I really like. Then when I went to bed there the song was in my dreams again. I mean every single dream or thought I had in middle of the night there was this song. This morning I woke up singing the song again. And again all morning every time a turn around I find myself singing it.

So heres the truth of it. I feel I need to be completely honest because well the one who I have doubted already knows it because it says, would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? Psalm 44:21, and it also says in 1 John 3:20b For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. With that being said now it is time to be honest to my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I have been going through some pretty nasty storms. I have felt that God left and just flat didn't care. Oh I went through the actions and I would feel him every now and then but oh how quickly I would forget those warm embraces of worship. Satan would whisper in my ear about how lonely I have been. About how I am worthless because I am not serving God and that God couldn't possibly want me anymore because I have been so angry at him. I have been a christian for 21 years now. I accepted Christ when I was 5 years old and have never doubted where I would spend eternity. I know God's love is amazing and I know that without him I couldn't have made it this far. I know that God's love is unconditional and that no matter what I can come home. Oh but heres the thing, even though I know all this I have been so dishonest with myself. I haven't wanted to admit that I was away from God. I didn't want to admit that I was struggling as deeply as I have been. Satan was winning. I wasn't picking up my bible to have my quiet time with my Father. I wasn't going to God in prayer. Oh I do pray with my kids every morning but that had become for their sake not necessarily mine. Like I said I was going through the actions at church and I would feel God right there next to me and I would reach out and touch him and then as soon as the service was over I would jerk my hand back and become even angrier because I felt that he should have never let go and just forced me to stay there. But oh how the truth came up to me. He never lets Go, Through the Calm and Through the Storm. I am the one who has been running and hiding because I didn't want to be honest. I am the one who allowed Satan to insert all those ridiculous thoughts in my head because I wasn't filling my head and my heart with the truth. Even though I didn't feel God I was still right there in his arms and He was just waiting for me to turn around and say "God you are my strength and I will praise you through it all!"

Now I am still not sure how to praise him even when I do get mad but I know now that my first step was this, Being honest with you and mostly with myself. The next has got to be to spend some time on my knees being Gut-wrenchingly honest and let my heart be opened to Him again. Third I HAVE to get back into his word and fill my heart with truths so that there is no more room for the lies that satan tries to fill my heart with.

Do you know what the best thing about all this is? I know without a doubt in my head that God has his arms wide open ready to embrace me and kiss my vomit covered head! I know that without any reservation as to what I have done, or allowed in my head, God has been patiently waiting for me to return home.

I am including the song and I hope that it touches someone else out there like it has touched me! I pray that in my honesty someone else has the Truth revealed to them that we serve an Awesome God who loves us and will NEVER leave us!

Hebrews 13:5 "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
What an awesome promise we have from God!!!

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-19T22:53:00.001-05:00

HOW 'BOUT THEM RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it The Rays are headed to the World Series!!!!

You can just picture the happy dance I am doing right now!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

GRRRRR! The good and the Bad!

2008-10-16T23:19:00.003-05:00

Okay first of all let me start with the good! I got a very special lunch date with a very handsome young man. I took lunch up to my little guy AC. It was really fun. I got to meet one of his best friends and his mom. He is still at the age that he thinks that is really cool.

KAILEY TOOK HER FIRST STEPS!!!! Yes you read that right. My little ladybug at 11 months old (actually 2 days shy of it but anyhow) took her first steps today. Mom and I were sitting on the floor encouraging her to try and sure enough she did! She did it a couple of times and then decided she was bored with it. She cracks me up. She is stubborn (way more stubborn than I have ever been), thick headed (no matter how many times she gets in trouble, if she wants to do it she is gonna do it), and cute as a button! I don't think she's ready to really get going but man oh man she is definitely on her way.

Now for the really frustrating part of tonight. RC has been in Syracuse all week. He was suppose to fly home tonight but as you guessed it that didn't happen. Due to bad weather his flight to Cleveland was delayed over an hour causing him to miss his connection home. So he is stuck in Cleveland and I get stuck sleeping another night alone. Oh not to mention that I get to handle another melt down from my little daddy's boy Andrew. (We have watched Madagascar 6 times because it sings a song about New York and that's where Daddy is.) RC is suppose to now get in tomorrow morning around 10:30am. Lets hope this happens.

And if that wasn't bad enough....

The Tampa Bay Rays are leading the Red Sox 3-1 in the series for the ALCS. The have the opportunity to clinch their position in the World Series if they win tonight. Do they? OH NOOOOOO they blow there 7-0 lead in the bottom of the 7th inning. The Red Sox then proceed to tie it up in the 8th and then win it by 1 in the 9th. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Talk about turning a really amazing day into a kind of sucky one!

Okay so I really need to focus on the positive. So I will celebrate the first two things and think about this...

- Now the kids (all but AC) can go to the airport tomorrow with me to pick up their Daddy! They have always loved going to the airport to pick someone up. They find it really cool to be there to say welcome home and I love you!

- The Rays now have the opportunity to win it for their home crowd. Now the celebration will be even bigger because it will be on our own turf!!!

Okay now that I have that off my chest I am going to go to bed and try and get some sleep. The sooner I go to sleep the sooner my hubby gets home to me!!!!

Friday Fill-Ins

2008-10-03T15:19:00.002-05:00

1. October 6th is mine and my hubbies anniversary.
2. Heights scare me!
3. Leaves are falling all around, it's amazing.
4. My favorite horror movie is none because I so don't do horror flicks!!!.
5. 7 yrs as of Monday = good memories.
6. It was a dark and stormy night and I am snuggling on the couch with my honey.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner and a hotel room, tomorrow my plans include alone time with my honey and Sunday, I want to come home watch the Bucs and the Rays win!!!!!!

Friday Fill-Ins Here!!!!

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET TRACE!!!!!

2008-09-30T16:16:00.007-05:00

So heres the thing. My little man Trace turned 5 today! I now have a 6 1/2 year old, a 5 year old, a 2 1/2 year old and a 10 month old. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well we have been celebrating his birthday since last Friday!!!! The surprises actually started (for me Thursday night) but for Trace Friday morning when he woke up. Aunt Tasha was at our house when he woke up!!!! For those of you who don't know Aunt Tasha and Uncle Shawn live approximately 9 hours away. She flew in Thursday night just to go to the zoo with us for Trace's birthday. Friday night we went to a place called Buffalo Wild Wings. It was really good!! They sang to him! I wish I had a camera ready because there was a super smile on his face!!!

Saturday we woke up bright and early and rode the train to the zoo. The kids were just as excited about the train ride to and from as they were about the zoo. We had a whole crew with us. Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Nyki, Aunt Tasha, Momma, Daddy, AC, Rylee, Andrew, Jakob, Kailey and of course the birthday boy! I gotta say thats a lot of people to keep all together! It was lots of fun!

We then went back home and had a birthday party. Uncle Jeremy joined us at the house for pizza and cupcakes. Then we opened presents. He loved everything he got. After every present there was a ooohhh look at this or a WOW! This is awesome!!!!!! He even had a present to open from his Nana and PopPop who live in FL. (Nana had bought it for him when she came for a visit and we just put it away to be opened at his party!)

Now we jump ahead to today! He woke up this morning to Grandma singing Happy Birthday! She gave him a camo blanket (he is currently completely into camo stuff! He got a camo jacket, como sleep pants, and even his cake was camo as you saw above.) Then he went down stairs to find me cooking his some cinnamon rolls. Then for lunch he got pigs in the blanket. (He had really wanted these for his birthday party but I couldn't find all the materials so he got pizza instead). He has cleaned today! NOT because I asked him to but because he came to me and told me he wanted the house sparkly clean for when Grandma got home. Tonight we are taking him to The Black Eye Pea! He really loves this restaraunt and it doesn't hurt that kids eat free on Tuesdays.

This last picture was taken because RC and Trace went in and found her sleeping like this. Isn't she cute!!! Trace made me run and get my camera!!!!

Memories of 2008

2008-09-01T11:34:00.003-05:00

Okay so my SIL is so talented. She loves to Digi Scrap and here is the latest creation. I love you T- Thank you for the special memories!!!!

Friday Fill Ins

2008-08-29T12:47:00.002-05:00

1. When I'm sick I'm am absolutely miserable.
2. When I take a walk, I think about how amazingly blessed I am and how I shouldn't be down and depressed.
3. Money can't buy happiness but it can make life a little easier.
4. Cotton makes me feel safe and comfortable and leather makes me feel wild and adventurous.
5. The strangest person/character I've had lewd thoughts about was my hubby:).
6. My favorite color these days is pink and green because of my sweet little girl.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to surprising my kiddos, tomorrow my plans include hanging out with family and Sunday, I want to hang out with family some mor!

Life Updates!

2008-08-28T09:30:00.009-05:00

So I haven't been able to do the next installment of the trip because all my pictures are on RC's laptop. He has had to take his laptop with him to his sales calls. Anyhow Mom left her computer home today and so I will give you a little update with some pictures.

So first things first. I have a praise that some make think is silly but it is a major accomplishment.

KAILEY TOOK A BOTTLE!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right people my girl finally took a bottle. You may laugh at how excited I am about this but I am. I will be able to actually go out with my husband. My anniversary is coming up in October and we had planned a couple of nights in the hotel. Well the way things were looking we were going to have to take her with us (not exactly the anniversary getaway I had planned). I made my mom laugh because as SHE was taking a picture (which is in her camera and will come later), I told her Happy Anniversary to ME :)!!

Another accomplishment that accompanies that she has finally slept through the night. Last night and Monday night she actually slept ALL night! Both nights she ate a really good supper. A couple of hours later she took an 8 ounce bottle! (I have to say THANK YOU to my brother and sister-in-law for encouraging me to take a bottle that they had and try it. Its the Playtex drop ins. Also I have to THANK my cousin Emily for giving me some of her left over formula!)

Okay so this first little bit is all about my girls accomplishments. She pulls up on EVERYTHING and has started creeping along the couch. I come in every morning to her standing in her crib and just smiling at me. She loves to pull up on the couch and creep along it trying to get the remotes. She is just growing up way too fast!!! Here are some cute pictures of my girl!

I have just finished unpacking some boxes from my bedroom. I put her in here and she had such a sweet grin I couldn't resist taking her picture.Here she is pulling up hanging onto the stairs. (NO Grandma and Nana there was no way she was going to fall)

Trace loves her to death. He is always trying to pick her up and carry her around. I have to encourage him not to do so!!!Some of you have already seen this on my Mom's blog, but its SO cute I just had to post it again. "See Daddy you're not the only one who likes to ride a bicycle!"

Oh yes I also have a first grader now! Yes that's right I have a 1st grader!!!!!! I have to first tell you about registering him for school. We went up to the school and the secretary asked "So are you the one who will be in first grade?" He answers her "Yes" "Well what is your name?" she asked him. "AC" "What does that stand for?" Are you ready for it? You will really get a kick out of this! "Air Conditioning" She started laughing so hard and told me that is one you will have to write down Mom!!! Okay so here are some pictures of my little man on his first day of school!!

Here's my little man before I woke him up!Wide awake! He's nervous and excited all at the same time!

He loves Speed Racer! He has a Speed Racer backpack as you see below. He also has a Speed Racer lunch box and thermos!Have you ever tried to get a 6 year old to be serious for a picture. It takes lots of work. The thing I have figured out (thanks to my SIL) is to let them take a silly one as well!Here's my big man ready to conquer the world!!

Okay so on to Trace! He is full of life! He is excited to be doing preschool here at home. I have recently discovered that the cost of preschool in Tampa is considerably cheaper than it is here in Texas. So we are doing a program here at home!

I told you he is full of life!!!

Then there is Andrew. OMG I so have my hands full with this child!!!! He is mischievous and just flat a little stinker! But he is SO cute and vivacious! He definitely can steal your heart with one glimpse of he smile. He is also practicing pottying in the potty. He is not quite potty training yet but he is experimenting.

Here is a really cute messy picture of my little man!

As for RC and I we are just taking it one day at a time. With the new business he is really busy. This week he had to be in Oklahoma for two days, then he was suppose to be out on a call all day yesterday (but ended up not needing to be) and then is out this morning. He and I are really looking forward to getting some time for just him and I! Right now our time consists of when we get the kids to bed. By that time we are both so exhausted we don't want to talk we just want to go to bed. Its rough right now. I can't wait until our anniversary weekend and we get to get away! It will be nice to have my husbands attention and actually get to talk about our dreams and plans for the future!!!

Okay enough with the seriousness. Here are some more pictures of my new hair cut! If you can't tell I really love my new look!!!!

Hope you are all doing well! I would love for y'all to comment and let me know how you are doing!!! I miss you guys there in Tampa and can't wait until I get to come visit!

13 States in 9 Days.... (part 1)

2008-08-21T20:20:00.008-05:00

Here we go......

Wednesday morning RC, the kids and I get in the car and head to Amarillo. We finally got out of town around 11ish. Just for those who care it is a six hour drive to Amarillo. We went in RC's truck. So now you can picture it, RC driving with me in the passenger seat, AC is in between RC and I. The other three are sitting in the back seat. We can do it but given the choice won't be doing it again too often. Anyhow we got to Amarillo around 6ish. We took the boys bikes so that they could ride them with my cousin Alisha's boys. They immediately went out to ride. By the end of the night they were so tuckered out that we found them in the middle bedroom with Andrew and Trace crashed and AC glued to the tv.

Kinda cute aren't they!

Thursday morning we (Nanny, PawPaw, RC, the kids and I) hit the road. We drove over through New Mexico. We stopped at the Capulin Volcano and had a picnic lunch. The boys found it really cool to be on a volcano.

They had a small walk that we could go down into the volcano a little ways. Nanny and PawPaw stayed up on top and got lunch ready. A really nice gentleman took this picture for us.

We continued on up through Colorado and then went into Wyoming. We had planned on staying in Cheyenne but didn't realize that their Frontier Days was going on. We couldn't find a hotel room for a reasonable price anywhere. We ended up driving with me on the phone calling hotels to find a place to stay. We ended up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Which was cool because I had never been to Nebraska. I have to tell you we got to see some magnificent sites along the way.

Here are just a few...

The following picture was taken at the hotel Wednesday night.

Okay so that was day one of the trip. I will post more later.

PS if you want to see more pictures of the kiddos go to my moms blog. I especially love the up close picture of Kailey.

New Hairstyle

2008-08-21T20:06:00.003-05:00

Okay so when I went to Amarillo for the 4th of July and stayed a week I was surprised by my Aunt and Cousin with a makeover. My cousins sister in law went to beauty school and now does her friends and families hair. Well they surprised me with the makeover the night before I went home. So here are a few pictures of my new hair cut and color. I actually wake up and can't wait to style iit. I feel so sassy. I find myself wearing more makeup now. I just feel good when I get all dolled up!

Getting to town....

2008-08-19T13:37:00.003-05:00

AC and Trace picnicing day 2 of driving.

RC (don't look so thrilled to be having your picture taken hon) and Andrew (I told you the juice thing is the most important thing to him.)
Me and my Kailey Bear and Trace at the bottom! She is such a mommas girl!!!
My sister met us at Moms and Dads when we got into town.
Andrew loves to lay and this window still to this day.
All 6 grandkids.
RC ready to head of to work. Now remember we hadn't even been there for 30 minutes before he was out the door.

Another grandkids shot.Everyone swears the stairs will loose their appeal but they haven't yet.Here's my Kailey Bear. Isn't she cute!!!!

Okay Okay so heres the moving pictures. My next endeaver will be to post from the trip.

Our Day in New Orleans.....

2008-08-19T11:23:00.003-05:00

We ate at The Market Cafe and got to listen to this great little band. It was alot of fun. RC and his brother Nathan. You will see that most pictures of Nathan he is goofing off.
Our group heading back to the car. We had lots of fun.
See theres that gorgeous smile, without the pacifier!!!! He walked for a good little bit with his hands in his pockets. It was so cute!!!
Here's my Kailey Bear. She has this thing with my shoes. Like I said Nathan always goofs off for the pictures. The following three are when we were out without kiddos.
RC now goofing off for the camera. (Oh he is not going to be happy with me for posting this picture)

Here we are at a local place that Nathan likes to go to. The food was soooo good. We had lots of fun. It has been a long time since I've gotten to go out for some adult time!

Some more pictures of the move.

2008-08-18T21:11:00.004-05:00

Isn't God amazing!!! I couldn't help but take this picture. (Yes I am driving down the road but this was too beautiful!) God reminds me all the time with sights like this just what a magnificent creator he is!!!!!
AC and I enjoying a little relaxing time in the hotel in New Orleans.
RC and Trace enjoying snuggle time :)
Andrew Andrew Andrew just imagine how gorgeous that smile is without the stupid bink!!!!

I have been trying to upload more pictures but this thing won't let me right now. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Its a little irritating. I will post more pics tomorrow because I don't have the patience to keep going tonight.

Pictures from the move...

2008-08-18T20:35:00.005-05:00

Here's Andrew getting ready to start out on the move. Kailey Bear checking things out.
Here's the award winning smile that Grandma was talking about.

AC was not thrilled I was taking this picture.
Here is my Trace! He really does have a cute smile!Here's the view I saw the entire trip. I followed RC the entire time. Andrew slept more than anyone I've seen. I guess the car can do that for you.
Here's the kiddo's at one of the picnic stops the first day.Kailey Bear... She looks kinda frightened in this picture.Trace being his typical goofy self.AC loves sticking his tongue out for pictures.Andrew's most important thing for the trip... Juice!!

A Real Post....

2008-08-14T15:29:00.003-05:00

Oh wow I had not realized just how long it had been since I gave a real update. I have to apologize to you all. I know that many of you really had hoped I would stay on top of this. Things have been absolutely crazy.

Well first things first....

We are no longer in Florida. As of mid June we moved to Texas. We packed up and hit the road on the 17th. Spent the 18th in New Orleans with RC's brother and made it to our new home on the 19th. I am very pleasantly surprised to learn that my 4 kiddos are actually great travelers. We drove split into 2 cars. RC had the older boys in the pick up with him and I had Andrew and Kailey in my van. We had portable dvd players for all 3 of the boys with 38 dvd's packed. We drove only making stops for gas and for meals. Our meals consisted of stopping at rest stops and picnicing. We had packed a cooler full of drinks and sandwich stuff. Then we would let the kids run and play for about 20 to 30 minutes. This really seemed to work out perfectly. We drove to New Orleans that first day and made it there around mid-night. We didn't get to our hotel until after 2 am. RC's brother Nathan lives in New Orleans and RC's mother (who had been traveling) met us there. Nathan showed us around town on Wednesday. We did all the touristy stuff we could stuff into one day. Then around 8pm we took the kids and Ede back to Nathan's where she watched the kids so that Nathan, RC and I could go out and have some adult time. We headed out to Bourbon Street and had lots of fun. We then hit the road the next morning and made to the Dallas area by 5:30 pm, just in time for RC to get ready for a business meeting that night. Nothing like jumping into business head first.

I have really enjoyed being near my family again. My sister who I have lived away from for 10 years lives in this area. We love being able to see each other whenever we want. I actually was able to go to my niece and nephew's birthday party for the first time in their life. I think it is so cool that my kids and her kids will actually grow up getting to know each other. I also love the fact that the weekend of the 4th of July Mom and I decided that we wanted to go to Amarillo. We woke up Thursday morning and just decided we wanted to go. RC and Dad had a little work to do but we hit the road Thursday afternoon. How cool is that!?! We can just decide to go to visit my family for the weekend. Okay just so you guys understand how cool this is I hadn't been to Amarillo in 4 1/2 years. My family in Amarillo hadn't even met Andrew. Anyhow then I decided to stay in Amarillo the week after and drive back to McKinney with my brother and his wife. Monday and Tuesday of that week I spent up at my brothers house. I loved getting some one on one time with my brother. My brother and boys stayed up until 12:30 playing k'nex (to see pictures check out my sis in laws blog.) When we got back into town I was able to go to Winnsboro to see my other grandmother.

After being back home just a couple of weeks, we packed up and headed out of town again. RC, the kids and I drove to Amarillo on July 23rd. We met up with my Nanny and PawPaw (my mom's parents). We then hit the road on Thursday for a very long trip. Our main destination was South Dakota for RC's 10 year class reunion. We drove through 13 states in 10 days. I will write a post on this trip later. (RC is bugging me because we need to go to the store.) Then when we got back to Amarillo we stayed there for another week. My cousin Alisha graduated from college so we celebrated with her!! I am so incredibly proud of her.

Anyhow life has been settling in. Kailey is growing like a weed. I can't believe that she will be 9 months on Monday. She is crawling all over the place. You cannot keep her from going wherever she wants. She also has started pulling up on things. For those of you who cares she still will NOT take a bottle. She doesn't eat baby food. She nurses and eats whatever we happen to be eating. Talk about stubborn. This morning I pulled out a yellow outfit for her and she hits it out of my hand and squeals. I then pull out a blue outfit and again she did the same. Just to check to see if she was just being a pain I pulled out a pink outfit and she grabbed it and just giggled. Can you believe she is already starting this? Wow I am in for a real ride. Don't get me wrong she has definitely grabbed my heart. I love having a little girl.

I promise pictures later because like I said RC is bugging me to go to the store. I will also give you details of our trip. Here is one picture for the road....

Friday Fill-Ins

2008-07-18T17:44:00.003-05:00

1. If I could be a fly on the wall I would _love to hear what people really say about me__.
2. Jealousy is __something I really have to work on__.
3. When I see a shooting star my wish would be that _be able to see my friends that I miss very much_.
4. I'd rather be _in love_ than _rich_ any day!
5. Certain songs when I hear them make me wanna _laugh, cry, dance (depends on the song)_.
6. If time were in a bottle _I would make the time with my family last forever__.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _hanging out at home_, tomorrow my plans include _family time_ and Sunday, I want to _sleep_!

Friday Fill-ins

2008-06-27T10:00:00.004-05:00

Its that time again for the fabulous Friday Fill-ins. Feel free to comment and to participate if your heart desires. Just go here to link up so others can read your answers.

1. Birthdays are __not just for kids__.
2. __Fall__ is my favorite season because __the colors are so beautiful and the weather is just amazing__.
3. I feel my best when __I am exercising and eating right__.
4. __Steak__ is my favorite food!
5. First impressions are __very deceiving sometimes and should never be your only opinion of someone (Everybody can be fake or be having a bad day)__.
6. The best piece of advice I ever received was __celebrate the journey, don't wait for the destination__.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _hopefully spending time with my hubby_, tomorrow my plans include _getting to go to my niece and nephews birthday party for the first time (ages 4 and 2)_ and Sunday, I want to _go visit my old church and see old friends_!

Friday Fill ins

2008-06-20T15:54:00.002-05:00

1. A smile is __worth more than money__.
2. __Canasta__ is my favorite board or card game.
3. I would love to have more __money__ in my life and less __stress__.
4. When I think of the Summer Solstice, I think of __what the heck is that__.
5. I just remembered I need to __finish unpacking__.
6. One of my favorite song lyrics goes like this: __Oh, baby, look what we made when we made love All by ourselves, with some help from above In the middle of the night, we really did something right Oh, look what we made when we made love__.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _hanging out with 6 kids in the house_, tomorrow my plans include __probably unpacking more boxes__ and Sunday, I want to __go to church and then over to my sisters house to see it for the first time__!

Kailey's First Trip to the Beach

2008-06-16T21:42:00.004-05:00

RC's cousin came down for a bit. While they were here we headed to the beach. It was kind of bittersweet. You see it was Kailey's first trip to the beach and probably the last for a while. Texas just doesn't have the same water!!!

Here is Kailey putting her feet in the water for the first time! (Just in case you were wondering no she wasn't exactly thrilled. But she did finally warm up to it!) RC decided to goof off with the camera. I'll spare you some of the pictures he took being a typical husband. But I actually liked this one so here you go!
Here's my little Trace! He loves to find shells and build sand castles. He still kind of iffy with being in the water. He was fine when the he was real close to an adult.
Steven and Thara, RC's cousin and his girlfriend. We had so much fun. Aren't they tooo cute together!!!
Okay so tilt your head sideways, No the other way smart allic (yes Shawn I'm talking to you!) Here's our crew! Good grief there are a lot of us aren't there!!

Yes I know this is part of why there are so many of us! But I gotta say I love kissing this man!!!!!

Here's my cute little Andrew. He is mister adventure. His favorite part of the beach was the coke that Steven and Thara let him drink! More coke, drink coke, coke please was all we kept hearing all day!!!AC was buried in the sand. You see the only part that was left showing.He did really great until his brother kicked sand in his face, then he was ready to get out.We were on our way to my favorite restaurant Frenchy's Rockaway Grille. If you go let me recommend you get some She Crab Soup it is absoulutely some of the best soup in the world! It was great we got to see the sunset on the way to the place. Only God can create something so beautiful!

Kailey's half birthday

2008-06-11T08:29:00.002-05:00

Well I have been trying to upload pictures for a week now and this is the first I've gotten them to load. So I will say SORRY for taking so long to update you all.

We celebrated my sweet Kailey turning 6 months. The half a birthday celebrations started because Grandma just couldn't wait to have a party so we did it with my oldest AC. And it has been done ever since. Yeah I guess you could say she is a little spoiled when you look at her stuff just for her 6 months birthday. She got some clothes, so toys, a snuggley, and some headbands.
The next two pictures are of her snuggley. Nana had it made for her. She loves snuggling up to it. It is really sweet. Nana had to give it to her early because she went out of town early, but we got it out for pictures: )

The boys thought it was awesome. Uncle Nathan was there!!!!!! Uncle Nathan lives in New Orleans and we only see him every once in a while. You can see by the boys faces they are a big fan of their Uncle Nathan. As you can see Grandma and Grandpa were there as well. For those who don't know the reason for the boxes in the background is we stopped in midst of packing and getting ready for our big move to have this party.

The big move - Well my parents have already made it to Texas. They had a few hiccups along the way. We couldn't fit all of our stuff on the moving truck. Granted it was two families going in one 10x30 truck. We took a few items out that weren't absolute nescessities. They got on the road Saturday morning. Just a little way out of town the truck broke down. Yes you read that right the moving truck broke down! But as my momma said She saw God everywhere. They broke down on the only stretch of the road that had a cement place for them to pull off on. There were trees to shade them. Due to an unexpected pizza moving party the night before our camping chairs were the very last things to be put on the moving truck so they were able to pull them down to sit on them. They were just a little ways out of town so the company was able to send someone out to fix the truck. When the guy came back with the part he came back with some ice water for them. You see some would just look at the negative in the situation but LOOK you can see Gods hand at work even in midst of a very frustrating event. You can read more about it here. (She is slowly getting back to updating so be patient with her. She is also unpacking right now) They then hit LA and had someone point out at a gas station that they had no rear lights whatsoever. Luckily it was someone at a gas station who noticed not a police officer or someone else rear ending them. So you see they had a few hiccups but they are there safely and are unpacking the house.

I will update more later but right now my children are wanting my attention.

Friday Fill in # 75

2008-06-06T08:44:00.002-05:00

1. Idle hands are __just get you in trouble____.
2. I love __relaxing____ in the shower.
3. My favorite time of the day is when _all the kids are in bed___.
4. The last tea I drank was _my momma's____.
5. I like to __swim and go on vacation___ in the Summer.
6. My mother always said ___I love you to the moon and back____.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _go to my hubbys softball game__, tomorrow my plans include __washing the cars___ and Sunday, I want to _try and rest__!

To participate or read others answers go here.

Friday Fill Ins

2008-05-23T20:29:00.002-05:00

1. On my laziest day I like to stay in bed with my hubby!
2. Checked of lists makes me feel like I'm being productive.
3. I love little gestures and big hearts.
4. This summer I want to get settled into a new life.
5. My awesome sister in law and mother made me start my blog.
6. Red apples and orange oranges.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending time with my Dad and family, tomorrow my plans include going to the amusement parks and getting some quality time with the family and Sunday, I want to rest rest and rest some more!

To participate go here!

God's Wonders

2008-05-18T02:07:00.005-05:00

Warning: This is a very long post but I think it is worth it.

Okay so my friend over at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders is hosting a 100th post giveaway. Well let me start with you if you need an uplifting blog go check out this blog. It has Gods amazing hand in it. When you read her posts like Learning my ABC’s or the 100 Things about God, you see God's love and the love that she has for God.

Okay now back to the giveaway. The rules of the giveaway state that you are suppose to write a post about a sign, miracle or wonder in my life. So here I go….

Well I know that God has done miraculous things in my life. Look around and you see HIM everywhere. But the greatest thing that comes to my mind is my husband and children. I met my husband at church. Nope there was no exciting clubbing experience, no accidental meeting at the park, no fix up. I saw him playing guitar up on stage at my church and asked a friend of mine (I babysat for this friend) who he was I thought he was HOT! Well the said friend then proceeded to tell RC “Some girl in the back of the church thinks you’re hot!” That was it. He didn’t tell him who or any more specific as to the where. A couple of weeks later he saw me at a church softball game. He asked about me and my best friend. Well to make a long story just a little shorter we started dating. Not everyone was thrilled with us dating but I truly felt Gods hands at work. Now I am married to a man who is not perfect but that loves God, loves me and loves our children. We fight, we yell, we cry, we get so angry at each other but then God reminds us that he ordained our marriage and who are we to second guess his mighty work!

In March of 2002 I became a mother. I gave birth to my little wonder. He was a miracle. To watch something that God created using the love of my husband and I grow within me, wow I know of no greater wonder. Then to have someone who relies completely and totally on you for their everything there are no words to describe. This is how we are suppose to rely on God. We are suppose to come to him with faith like children. I don’t think I understood this until I realized just how much faith my child had in me to protect, feed, nurture and just plain love him. He is now six and becoming more independent but as I watch him grow God just amazes me more and more. Last year my baby chose to accept God as his Lord and Savior. Wow a mother’s heart just bursts with true joy when you know that you will spend eternity worshiping God with you child because they chose to believe as well. (Let me clarify – I believe that should my other children go today, they too would go be with the Lord because they do not have a clear understanding of what it means for God to be their personal savior. It is my job to teach them. They know God. They pray to God, no not the practiced prayer, but their own words. It’s just not personal to them yet. It states in 1 John that God knows our heart. He knows when it is that we reach an age that it is rejecting God.)

In September of 2003 God blessed me with another beautiful baby boy. This was just as miraculous as the first. My biggest fear during this pregnancy was would I have enough love for more than one child. OH yes oh yes oh yes I do. Once again the wonder was there for me. I knew once again that this how we are suppose to go to God, trusting and whole-heartedly relying on him. That awe was there and then I went some place dark. Let me tell you ladies and gentlemen, post partum depression is real!!! I didn’t understand how I could love my children one minute and then the next minute be thinking thoughts that well I will just spare you on. How could I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God had blessed me so amazingly with my family and yet be so dark. Many of you just don’t know how dark things got. Well I must tell you God is my strength. He placed people in my life that helped me to get the help I needed. Yes it was bad enough that I had to go on anti-depressants. (Let me tell you, there is nothing to be ashamed about having to use these. And anyone out there who thinks differently shame on you! Depression is an illness. You wouldn’t look down on someone who has heart problems for taking medicine to help them and you shouldn’t now.) Sorry just something that I felt I must throw in there. I was on the medicine for less than a year and God worked me to a new place that I no longer needed them. Now my little man is 4 ½ and he just graduated from preschool. He has an amazing heart. He is stubborn and hard headed but so am I. As I watch him grow each day well my love for him grows each day. I look forward to seeing what an amazing God fearing (this is my prayer) young man my son will become. But the most important thing is I am celebrating the journey as we go.

Then much to my surprise in March 2006 along came my 3rd son. He is lively and vivacious. He has a smile that will melt your heart. I was in completely awe with God because once again my love just overflowed for yet another child. I had a few complications at the end of my pregnancy. I broke my leg just 2 weeks before he was born. I delivered him with a bright lime green cast on. The nastiness that came out with him (it’s that m word mecconium I think all I know is my mom said it was nasty). He had the cord wrapped around his neck. My heart sank when out he came and there was no cry like before. They rushed him over under the lights (now I know it was to clean out the lungs and that they didn’t want him to cry to keep the stuff out of his lungs) to work on my baby. I laid there in tears asking my mom and my husband why isn’t he crying what’s wrong? They assured me that it was okay and God’s peace washed over me. I truly felt it start at the top of my head and go to the tips of my toes. Let me tell you I see every day God’s wonder with my little man. He is now 2 and growing like a weed. There is nothing more spectacular than to watch you child discover new things everyday. He learns new words everyday. He tries to do everything his big brother’s do.

Then in November 2007 came my beautiful little girl. As you can imagine this was my biggest shock yet. I truly had prepared my heart for it to be a boy and so I cried when the ultrasound technician told me it was going to be a girl. Once again there were more complications. This time the complications came after she was born. She had a very severe case of jaundice. I found out after the case just how severe it really was. You see God spared me parts of the details that at the time I thought I needed to know but God new that my heart and mind couldn’t handle all the details. All I know is that I felt God’s hand there watching over my sweet baby as I looked in at her sleeping in a box under the bright lights. This was the first time that my baby wasn’t allowed to sleep in the room with me. I could only feed her through the box. It was so difficult. My heart ached to be able to hold my sweet angel. I feel so wrong putting this up there considering I have a friend whose child was born at 28 weeks. They couldn’t have their baby leave the hospital with them. They just celebrated her reaching 6lbs 6oz out 3 months. But that is truly how I felt. I just didn’t understand it. The thing is I had this thing that some don’t. I have a PERSONAL relationship with God and could and can go to him and pour my heart out. I can tell him I hurt and I’m angry and he listens and then comforts me. She is six months old today. She is thriving and growing like a weed. She is a true gift from God.

Wow I have to say thank you to Amy for this giveaway. I needed this amazing reminder of just what a blessed woman I am. God is doing great things in my life and I get to celebrate each step. I see His amazing hand at work with every breath I breathe and with every step I take. I hope you will take the time to reflect on the signs, miracles and wonders. Have a blessed day!!!!!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

2008-05-17T06:38:00.003-05:00

Okay so... One of the blogs I read started participating in this Then Sings my Soul Saturday posts. Sitting down last week it just stuck. All week I really couldn't come up with a song to post so I had decided to just not participate and I would try next week. This morning I woke up at 7:00am (which might I point out is way to early for having gone to bed at 12:30am). Anyhow all that kept going through my head this morning was the chorus to Made to Worship. I hope that this touches your soul and speaks to you because it has me this morning.

New Family Picture

2008-05-16T16:52:00.003-05:00

Taken at the boys tball award ceremony.

Some more pics from yesterday and today....

2008-05-16T15:10:00.005-05:00

This first picture Ladybug is wearing a dress my Daddy bought the day I was born. It is so cool to see my little girl in something I wore as a baby.

I love this picture of my sweet Trace loving up on my sweet Ladybug. Trace loves to pose for pictures. He also loves to place people for the pictures (he doesn't always have to be in them.)
I love it when my Ladybug looks up at me like this. She is tooo cute!!!
Goofing off with the camera as I picked AC up from school.
AC took my picture (no not so thrilled with the way I look) but he does such a great job centering and all. I have my own little photographer in the family.
More goofing off with the camera. My little man loves to point when he has is picture taken.
Excuse the blurr from finger prints I took this picture and the above one through the window. My little guys are way too cute.

Mother's Day Pics...

2008-05-16T14:53:00.003-05:00

Here are some pictures taken on Mother's Day. Yes I know I probably should have posted them sooner but as I said in the Friday Fill ins section I am just having a hard time organizing my thoughts. So instead of organizing I'll just post some sweet pictures.

This first one is of my Ladybug! Isn't she so sweet. There is so much material to that dress she constantly had it pulled up using it as a blanket to hang on to.Here's Ladybug again. Wow what a sweet sweet smile she has. She lights up the entire room when she graces you with a smile. Okay you can ask anyone from here that when I say graces I mean graces. She may decide one minute you are worthy of her smile and the next she gives you this look of Oh you think I should smile at you yeah well NO!
On Mother's day we went to our church to see the baby dedication. Then we went to second service over at my MIL's church (the church RC grew up in.) We then went to the in laws for lunch and hung out over there for a while. When we got home I was pretty tired. Here I was laying on the floor taking pictures of my Ladybug and decided to just play. I actually like this picture, which as many of you know I normally don't like any picture that has me in it.
Another one of those priceless grins from my Ladybug!!!
Here is one of the sweetest pictures I have of my boys. I wasn't the only one pretty pooped by the time we got home. Here's the crew hanging out watching tv in the boys room. I love capturing moments like these. You get to see the little moments that mean the world to you! You don't always have to have the posed pictures sometimes its the "Kodak moments" that are the most special!!!!

Friday Fill-ins

2008-05-16T10:20:00.002-05:00

Okay yes I get that people are tired of only seeing Friday Fill-ins and no updates. For those people I ask you to bare with me. I am having a hard time trying to get my thoughts in to a logical post. So with that said its now time for the Friday fill-ins.

To participate go to http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/.

1. There is absolutely NO way you can get me to __jump out of a perfectly good airplane___!
2. __Trace's preschool graduation yesterday___ reminds me that summer is almost here!
3. I cannot live without my __God (without him I would be useless)___.
4. __A one hour massage___ and __a mud bath___ are two things I'd like to try. (Yeah I get I'm not very adventurous.)
5. When life hands you lemons __give them back___.
6. __Family time___ is my favorite childhood memory.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __packing___, tomorrow my plans include __birthday party and more packing___ and Sunday, I want to _go to church, go swimming and then go to the going away party some friends have planned for us____!

Friday Fill-ins

2008-05-09T11:39:00.004-05:00

Okay so its that time of week again. I love these Friday Fill-ins. It something different and you can go see what everyone else wrote. Go here (http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/ the link button wouldn't work.) to participate and if you did participate leave me a link to your blog because I would love to read your answers!

1. The marriage had an extra secret ingredient; it was LOVE!

2. No peeking through my window.

3. Right now, I need some sex.

4. Bunco is where I went Thursday night; it was lots of fun - I won some money.

5. Why does it hurt so much?

6. All I can think of is the man I married.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to well from previous answers I'm sure you can figure it out, tomorrow my plans include full body massage, pedicure, and a facial with my mommy and Sunday, I want to Enjoy being a mom!

Friday Fill-ins

2008-05-02T07:43:00.002-05:00

1. Two of my favorite ingredients in a drink are tequila and strawberry mix!

2. My children often amazes me.

3. You can keep doing that forever, the dog is sleeping.

4. Add ingredients, mix it all together and voila! You have whatever you are making!

5. If I had a yard with a garden, I would love to grow beautiful flowers.

6. Tans are best au naturel.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to heading to my hubby's softball game, tomorrow my plans include boys t-ball and putting together invites for a baby shower and Sunday, I want to play in the pool!

For more Friday Fill-ins go to http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/

Friday Fill-In

2008-04-25T09:04:00.002-05:00

1. When I fell in love I fell and fell hard!
2. I love it when the flowers bloom and it heats up outside!
3. Oh no! The internet connection is down, I can't check my email.
4. Big Brother is the craziest tv show ever.
5. Cheese and Summer Sausage make a great meal!
6. Plant a garden.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some family time, tomorrow my plans include a t-ball game and Sunday, I want to take a nap!

What a blessing....

2008-04-20T17:25:00.002-05:00

Okay so I have to share this blog with you. My sister in law introduced me to this blog. We are going to participate in the bible study that is coming up. Well I checked her blog and she had the above link so I clicked. Wow, what a blessing. I hope to share this blessing with y'all and I can't wait to see how God will use this blog to remind us all of his Truths! Love you all and I really hope you will take the time to check it out!

Friday Fill Ins

2008-04-18T11:01:00.004-05:00

Okay so the family and I have all decided to start participating in this thing called Friday Fill-ins. So here we go with what I hope to be a regular thing from here on out.

1. The last time I lost my temper I was so angry I wanted to cry!
2. Not getting enough sleep is what I'm fed up with!
3. The next book I'd like to read is anything that is written for my age not a 2 year old.
4. Answers is what I'm looking forward to.
5. If you can't get rid of the skeleton[s] in your closet, burn the closet down!
6. The best thing I got in the mail recently was the jewelry I ordered at the last party.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to resting, tomorrow my plans include helping mom at a wedding and Sunday, I want to rest some more!

Name Statistics

2008-04-17T08:22:00.002-05:00

Ok so I found this kind of interesting when my sis-in-law did hers. So here is my name statistics. I promise a real update later when I actually have time to put my thoughts together!

Brittney Crosby

There are 36,465 people in the U.S. with the first name Brittney.
Statistically the 941st most popular first name.
More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Brittney are female.

There are 48,620 people in the U.S. with the last name Crosby.
Statistically the 716th most popular last name.
Famous people with the last name Crosby:
Bing Crosby
Bobby Crosby
Cathy Lee Crosby
Denise Crosby
Sidney Crosby

There are 6 people in the U.S. named Brittney Crosby.

My Maiden name: Brittney Hubbard

There are 97,239 people in the U.S. with the last name Hubbard.
Statistically the 335th most popular last name.

There are 12 people in the U.S. named Brittney Hubbard.

Love

2008-04-14T12:08:00.002-05:00

Have you ever had one of those moments where you look at your spouse and go, "Wow, I can't believe he really loves me!"?

Well I did last night. Yesterday I was being a real witch and I mean with a capital B! ( I know this may come as a shock to some of you but hey I'm entitled to a few days here and there.) Well I guess if I am going to be honest I've used up more than my fair share of entitled days in the last few weeks. Well back to yesterday. I had quite a headache and was snapping at everything RC did. When I say everything I mean everything down to where he was sitting on the floor. Well I went to lay down for a little while and woke up even crankier.

Let me stop right here and say, "I am so sorry RC, Mom and kids! I know I was a bear yesterday and I am asking for forgiveness!"

Ok back to the moment...
Last night I asked RC to come and watch the rest of his movie in the bedroom because I wanted to cuddle. (Well I have to be straight with you had the situation been switched, had it been RC that acted the way I had all day and then asked me to come "snuggle" I would've told him to Take a Hike!) He didn't! He came to bed and held me without any comments. Laying there in his arms I looked up at him and had that moment! "Wow I can't believe he really loves me!"

I married a man with flaws. But as much as I hate to admit this, He married a woman with flaws as well. Lately I have been looking in the mirror and I don't like what I see, but for some strange reason RC just keeps loving me! And for that I am so very very Thankful!!!!

I made a comment to a friend of mine that love is like a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs, twists and twirls, fast and slow, and even its completely upside down times! There are times when I scream and feel like I am going to throw up! But I never want it to stop! I hope to have many more years to ride this roller coaster of love!

I love you RC! I am thankful you are my husband! I know I am not always the easiest person to live with but Thank you for loving me through those tough times!

T-Ball

2008-04-12T21:34:00.003-05:00

AC takes off!!! (1st game of season)

Trace out in the field! (1st game of season)

They start and finish each game with a prayer.

3rd Game of the season and look at my baby's go!!!!

Sonic Trip!!

2008-04-11T17:44:00.000-05:00

A very big Thank you goes to Aunt Tasha and Uncle Shawn for the Sonic gift cards for Valentine's Day! We just now got all kids feeling like going to Sonic at one time. Anyhow thank you and here are some very cute pictures.

Here's the gang Checking out the menu.

My little Movie Star!

Grandma and the boys!

Trace the Stud!

Swiping the Card.

AC figuring out what he wants for dessert.

Trace wants dessert as well.

And we all know that Andrew had to have some too.

More Sonic pics.....

2008-04-11T17:26:00.003-05:00

AC got a Cherry Cream Slush. He really enjoyed it. (The first picture, instead of saying cheese he said Thank You!!!)

Andrew got a Chocolate Sundae. MMMM and he shared with Mommy!

Trace got a Chocolate Sundae and Daddy eventually got to eat the rest. (The second picture he is saying Thank you!!!)

Even Kailey got to reap the benefits of the boys desserts! MMMMM She really really liked it!!!!

2008-04-02T13:40:00.000-05:00

Nyki
1. You are beautiful!
2. You are a terrific mother!
3. You make Jeremy happy!
4. You are one of my very best friends!
5. You are supportive.
6. You are following your dreams.
7. You are a loyal friend.
8. You want to be there for everyone.
9. You enjoy having fun.
10. You are loving and kind.
Nyki, You are an amazing sister! You are not only my sister but my friend! I thank you for being there fo me and for listening to me when I am frustrated from being mommy and wife! I love you and hope you have a very very good birthday!
Happy Birthday!

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T01:54:00.001-05:00

Challenge for Everyone!

2008-03-21T09:50:00.000-05:00

If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below...

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.

After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

"No" he responded.

"Heading out" I asked?

"No. I'm escorting a soldier home."

"Going to pick him up?"

"No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family."

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, "Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do."

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we d o .

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, Country and Home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a home coming football game in the bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is "We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

I won the giveaway!

2008-03-18T06:22:00.003-05:00

I won! I won! I won!

I won the $100 shopping spree for babyscholars.com.

Thank you T for introducing me to this blog. I love it. If you wanna check it out click on the button below. See what products they are reviewing and enter a few giveaways.

Another Give Away

2008-03-10T10:48:00.002-05:00

I entered another give away! I didn't win the other so keep your fingers crossed maybe I will win this one.

This is great for our little artists out their. The featured product on http://simple-reviews.blogspot.com/ is the little crayon apron. Go check out this product and more by clicking on the following link.

Rain Forest Cafe Pics....

2008-03-07T10:06:00.003-06:00

Grandpa with Kailey. You can tell he was thrilled with my taking the picture. She was fascinated with everything around us.

Check out the slushi's the boys got. Man oh Man and they drank most of it.
Mom and Dad aren't they such a cute couple!!!!!!!!!!!
RC and I. Happy Birthday to Me!!!
NO I did not eat this all by myself. But man o man it was soooooooo good!!Grandpa has now taken all six of his grandchildren on their very first Carousel rides.

Down Town Disney

2008-03-07T09:56:00.006-06:00

The boys got to ride the train at Down Town Disney, while we waited for our seats at The Rain Forest Cafe. They said it was lots of fun. I tried to catch it, but every time they went around they would wave out the window.
This is outside the Rain Forest Cafe. I love my guys!
There was a big alligator (fake of course) down in the water. They were fascinated.
My momma. Isn't she gorgeous!

More Downtown Disney

2008-03-07T09:50:00.003-06:00

My guys aren't they handsome!!! Better chance for you to see how handsome they are :)
This picture started out being just us girls but the boys saw an opportunity for them to get some more camera time so sure enough there they are.
Yes I know its mean to put something on a sleeping baby but doesn't she just look precious!!!
I mean look at that sweetness. I love it!

More Lego Land Pictures

2008-03-07T09:14:00.002-06:00

The Kids truely thought this was the coolest place in the world. You should have seen them. "Oh look at these, no these, no these and they really went that fast.

Down Town Disney

2008-03-07T09:03:00.002-06:00

Grandma and Grandpa got them their birthday presents early. (Actually on my birthday whats up with that?) Anyways here they are enjoying their new dvd player for the car. It will be really nice on the move to Texas.Headed to Downtown Disney for my Birthday. Here we are checking out Lego Land. The boys loved it!! That Sea Monster is really made of Legos. Who has that kind of time on their hands???
My guys checking out the Sea Monster.
RC and Trace checking out more Lego stuff.
Grandma holding Andrew, Grandpa and AC. I was very thankful that we had one adult per child because that place was crazy!

Kailey

2008-03-07T08:55:00.002-06:00

Her little t-shirt in this first picture says "I'm with the Band". In order is Mr. Larry who plays piano, Daddy the guitarist, Mr. Bruce who plays the drums and Mr. Ken who lead worship that night and is the other drummer. She has three wonderful Uncles. This t-shirt was bought the day she was born since she was born on Uncle Shawn's birthday. But I assure you she loves all of her Uncles!!!
Grandpa came back for a visit and this is him holding her at the airport. She's actually looking at Grandma.
Grandpa bought her this little outfit for Christmas. Its still a little big but isn't she soooo cute!!

Give Away!!

2008-03-04T08:23:00.002-06:00

I entered a giveaway!

Its really nice to see them going back to the simple toys. I really really hope I win. Go check it out by clicking the link below.

Cross your fingers I really would like to win this!!!

I'm Exhausted....

2008-02-21T07:27:00.008-06:00

Little Ms. Brittney had a house
eee iii eee iii oooo

And in that house she had sick kids

eee iii eee iii ooo

With a sick kid here...
and a sick kid there...

here a sick kid
there a sick kid

Everywhere a sick kid

Little Ms. Brittney had a house

eee iii eee iii oooooo

Okay so here is the story. Last weekend my husband participated in The Joy FM bike ride for the homeless. Riding their bicycles from Brooksville to Sarasota (129 miles) to raise money for the homeless ministries in the area. The ride was organized by the lady who does the bike ride across Florida that RC participates in, so she called RC and asked him to be one of the leaders. So Friday and Saturday he spent on his bicycle. I am so proud of him and doesn't he look good *wink *wink* Yes I know that is why we have 4 kids 8-)

Well Mom and I took the kids to Ellenton Outlet Mall on Saturday to kill time until we met RC at the finish line. He ended up call 2 hours prior to the planned meeting time to tell us he was a few miles from the finish line so luckily being at Ellenton we were half way there. We were able to watch him cross the finish line. Then a couple of hours later their was an award ceremony. He got a medal and they thanked him for being so helpful. He was the go to guy when someone got hurt. Which the morning DJ Carmen ended up needing RC's help more than once. Lets just say she learned the importance of the helmet. She fell while going over the railroad tracks, cracked her helmet and got a mild concussion. Of course my "wonderful" husband (I felt like if I heard another great description of my husband I was going to puke! Don't get me wrong he's great but come on enough is enough) came to her rescue. I plan on posting more pictures of the bike ride later or you can go check some out here. Just click on the bike ride for the homeless. Okay anyways back to the post....

On the way home Trace started complaining about a headache. When we got home we took his temp and it was 102.9. The next morning he was once again running fever so he and Grandma stayed home from church. AC kept telling us he wanted to stay home too because he wanted to watch tv. We told him no. Then on the way home from church, he started complaining about a headache. We took his temp and it was 102.3. Okay great the older two are sick so it just a matter of time before the younger two are sick. Well anyhow on Sunday night my Mom and I took the older two to the After Hour Pediatrics because they were still running fever and their throat had the puss pockets and were really red. We were afraid it was strep throat. Luckily it wasn't just a virus. (Correction - Just got a call from the Doctors office - Trace did have strep throat. Luckily the antibiotics they gave him for his cough will also work for strep. So he has already been being treated, we just didn't know it yet.) The next day their pediatrician put them on antibiotics for their cough. Well then Tuesday night (yeah you probably guessed it) Andrew and Kailey started running fever. I took them to the doctor Wednesday and was told that Andrew had a double ear infection and Kailey had a single ear infection. Great so now all 4 of them are on antibiotics. They don't sleep very well and they are extremely whiney. Oh and on top of all this RC has a sinus infection which causes him to snore. So when I finally get all 4 kids down, I lay down and there is RC sawing logs. My poor babies, RC included. I really hope I don't get sick because that would not be a good thing. So far Mom and I have steered clear of this round of sickness.

On another note I will give you females a little tid bit that I learned. Let me first preface this with the fact that I know I was wrong and I have apologized to RC for it....

RC comes in on Valentines Day and hands me this plastic container with hearts all over it and tells me "Happy Valentines Day and Happy Birthday!" I look at him then the container then him again and say "In this kind of container." (Yes you can picture the look of your kidding right) He informs me not to judge the present until I open it. Well I opened it and buried in the midst of a bunch of yummy chocolates is my brand new digital camera. Thats right he got me a digital camera. I squeeled and laughed and smiled and kissed him because I really wanted a camera. I also really apologized! So here is the lesson girls... Don't judge the present by the package. You may be really surprised. Oh and if you do keep your mouth shut!!!!!

So I have already completely filled up my memory chip and internal memory on my camera. So I will be posting lots more pictures. Here are just a few I've taken....

Miss Movie Star

No Autograph's Please

Daddy Daddy Daddy I missed you!!!

My Gang!

Trace- "Why are you taking my picture?"

AC - "All I want for christmas is my 4 front teeth..."

My girl..

2008-02-14T12:36:00.002-06:00

Aunt Tasha pointed out that I don't post very many pictures of my ladybug all dressed up. So here we go. The first two were taken a couple of Sunday's ago. Isn't her smile too sweet. (Yes for the record she is smiling at me.) The next two were taken this last Sunday. Grandma had fun playing dress up. She looks SOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sweeeeet!

2008-02-14T12:10:00.002-06:00

The kids had fun in the following pictures. I love the one of all four of them. Andrew loves to lay and check out his sister. He can be so gentle with her as you see in the first picture of them and then at other times he's a little too helpful as you can see in the second picture of them. Kailey is a big hit with all her brothers. Trace, Andrew, and Kailey love to pose for the picture. AC gives kisses all the time.

10 things I like about You!

2008-02-12T15:12:00.000-06:00

Alisha

1. You are beautiful!

2. You are a terrific mother!

3. You make Justin happy!

4. You are a pretty special cousin.

5. You are smart.

6. You are following your dreams.

7. You are goofy when the timing calls for it.

8. You have a compassionate heart.

9. You know all about having fun.

10. You are loving and kind.

Alisha, I am so glad you are my cousin. I hope that you remember how special you are. I am so looking forward to living closer to y'all so that we can spend more time together and so our boys can get to know each other so much better. I love you!

Happy Birthday!

Pictionary Fun

2008-02-04T15:02:00.000-06:00

1. Go to photobucket.com.
2. Type in your answer for each question into the PhotoBucket search bar.
3. Only use the first two pages. Choose your favorite photo to represent your answer.
4. Copy the html and paste it.
5. You can only answer in picture form.

1) What is your first name?

2 ) When is your birthday?

3) What kind of car do you have?

4) Where did/do you go to school?

5) What's your favorite color?

6) What's your favorite movie?

7) Favorite vacation destination?

8) Favorite Letter?

9) What are you most afraid of?

10) Who do you love most in life?

11) Favorite time of day?

12) A word to describe yourself:

10 Things I like about you!

2008-01-20T06:09:00.000-06:00

TASHA

1. You are a great friend!
2. You really love my brother!
3. You support my brother through thick and thin!
4. You follow your dreams!
5. You are very creative!
6. You love children!
7. You are strong!
8. You aren’t afraid to stand your ground!
9. You are beautiful!
10. You know the importance of family!

Tasha, I am so thankful you are in my life and especially in my brother’s life. You are an amazing wife and will one day be an amazing mother. Remember who you are and do not change for anyone! My kids are lucky to have an amazingly creative aunt, who is willing to share who she is with them. You will be an awesome teacher. Hold true to your dreams and know that I thank God you are apart of our family! I love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Kailey's scripture...

2008-01-14T17:53:00.000-06:00

As mentioned in a previous posting I have chosen scriptures for each of my kids to pray over them. In the story before I told how each of the boys came along. If you care to read that check it out here http://crosbyspalace.blogspot.com/2006/04/andrews-scripture.html.

Well just for those who don't know I will put all the scriptures on here.

AC's - Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you." declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Trace's - Psalm 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.

Andrew's - James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights , who does not change like shifting shadows.

And now for Kailey's...

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

This verse was chosen because I believe it paints one of the most magnificent pictures. How amazing a thought that our Lord, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords takes such delight in us that he rejoices over us with singing. I participated (or tried to) in a summer musical and we sang a song that sang of Christ singing and dancing over us. Well through out the practices Steve (our Music Pastor) had us do devotionals over the different songs and I chose this song. I found this scripture and it has just stuck with me ever since. When she was delivered the thought that my Lord and saviour is rejoicing over my daughter like I was, was just an absolutely amazing picture. I didn't really think about this scripture being Her scripture until I was praying about it last Sunday and I opened my bible and sure enough there it was. I showed it to my mom and she agreed that it was perfect for my little girl.

I hope that I never forget what amazing gifts my children are and that these scriptures continue to remind me daily that God chose them for me and me for them, and he planned it. Its all in his perfect will that my children are my children and that I am their mother!!! I thank God that he uses little reminders each day to keep me from quitting and giving up when I am exhausted and think that there must be a mistake I'm not made to handle it all. It can be a little smile from my kids or an amazing unexpected hug. Picking up my bible and seeing their scriptures or rereading a previous post I wrote a while ago.

So Sweet!

2008-01-14T17:44:00.000-06:00

The first two are pics I took of her smiling.

The next two I took in December just because she looked so cute in the outfit picked out by her daddy and me.

The last one is of how angelic she looks when she does sleep.

Daddy's Girl

2008-01-11T07:51:00.000-06:00

Our sweet Kailey is growing up way to fast! She will be 2 months a week from today. Well we experienced one of her firsts yesterday, January 10th. (I put the date in for my own purposes.) She has been randomly smiling for a couple of weeks now but yesterday she interactively smiled at her daddy. RC was talking to her and she smiled. He stopped talking to her and she stopped smiling. He started talking to her again and sure enough there was that beautiful smile again. Then when he got home last night she was in her swing and just followed him around the room with those gorgeous big brown eyes. Oh and this morning he walks into the living room and talks to me, she started crying until he came and talked to her, then there was that heart stopping smile. RC is so in trouble because that little Ladybug has her daddy wrapped around her little pinkie and there is nothing her daddy wouldn't do for her!

Psalm 23

2008-01-05T16:08:00.000-06:00

Okay for those of you who don't know, I belong to a bible study called The Well. Our leader Susie sends out emails each week to inspire us in between meetings. Well she sent this one and like her I just had to pass it on.

Thought for the Week

I wrote out an entire Thought last night, but didn’t like it. It felt uninspired and quite honestly, it depressed me to read it and I wrote the darn thing! But I received something today written by a dear sister in Christ, Barbara Robinson, which is her exegesis of the 23rd Psalm, and I’m not sure there are many theologians or preachers who could explain this psalm any better. So I want to share with you the simple, yet profound truths and realities found in this timeless passage as Barbara has understood them:

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd – That’s RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want – That’s SUPPLY!
He maketh me lie down in green pastures – That’s REST!
He leadeth me beside the still waters – That’s REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul – That’s HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness – That’s GUIDANCE!
For His Name’s sake – That’s PURPOSE!
Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – That’s TESTING!
I will fear no evil – That’s PROTECTION!
For Thou art with me – That’s FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me – That’s DISCIPLINE!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies – That’s HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil – That’s CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over – That’s ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – That’s BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord – That’s SECURITY!
Forever – That’s ETERNITY!

What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but Who we have in our lives!

(Barbara Robinson, January 2008)

What's Up for 2008....

2008-01-03T18:19:00.000-06:00

Hey all do you like my new background? Thank you so much T.! My sis-in-law did an incredible job didn't she. Okay so all is well here.

We do have a lot planned for 2008.

January - We will be combining houses with my Mom, to save money for the upcoming move this summer. Dad is leaving this month. RC will turn 28 on the 27th.

February - I will turn 26 on the 23rd. Of course we have Valentines Day in there as well.

March - Andrew will turn 2 on the 23rd. AC will turn 6 on the 30th.

April - .... Not real sure whats going on this month, but I am sure something major will considering it is my life.

May - Kailey will turn 6 months and we always have a 1/2 a birthday celebration. Trace will graduate from preschool.

June - AC will graduate from kindergarten.

July - We will be moving to Texas (sometime this summer this is the perspective month). RC's 10 year reunion is also this year and they have something scheduled in SD this month I think.

August - We should be settling in to a new town, new school, new church, new job... you get the picture, new new new....

September - Trace will turn 5 on the 30th. (Oh and I guess I could mention Mom and Dad's anniversary on the 15th and Daddy's birthday on the 22nd.)

October - RC and I will celebrate 7 years of marriage on the 6th. (Mom's birthday is the 25th.) The boys (RC and Dad) hope to come back to FL for the bike across the State they do.

November - Kailey will turn 1 on the 18th. We will have Thanksgiving and etc.....

December - Christmas....

Wow I am exhausted just looking at the upcoming year and its only the 3rd day into it. Well prayer in all of it is to seek God whole-heartily because I know he is the only way we are ever going to survive!

Oh and my New Years Resolution is I am going to try to blog at least once a week. Hopefully I can do it.

What is your New Years Resolutions??? Leave me a comment I would love to hear them. It will be interesting seeing how different they all are.

Went and Had pics Done...

2007-12-27T11:07:00.000-06:00

First Family Photo as the whole gang!!

2007-12-10T13:43:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas!!!!

2007-12-09T18:03:00.000-06:00

2007-12-09T16:29:00.000-06:00

Another update...

2007-12-04T11:57:00.001-06:00

Okay here's my update....

RC - RC is smitten. He can't get enough of his daughter or his boys lately. I think it may be kicking in just how quickly they are growing up. He has even back off about the not calling Kailey a princess. For those who don't know he wasn't thrilled with calling her a princess because there is already 2 princess' in the family and he thought that was enough. But he has been caught more than once referring to his little princess. But my favorite is when he picked her up and called her is little Ladybug. I don't think he knows I heard him or he would shoot me for sharing this with y'all (good thing he doesn't really read this huh!). He has been amazing about spending equal time with the boys as well. He watches the Transformer cartoon with the boys every morning. He snuggles with them all the time. Oh and he even changes Andrew's diaper without too much complaining. He really is an amazing father! I am so blessed to be married to a man who loves God and his family!

Myself- I am tired. Not exhausted just the typical run of the mill tired that a mom of a newborn is, oh and not to mention 3 boys! No seriously I feel good. I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I was healing up nicely. My favorite thing was stepping on the scale. I know I know its hard to believe a woman, especially one who just gave birth two weeks ago would say this but I am. I started the pregnancy a lot higher than I ever wanted too. I started it at 195. At my last doctors appointment prior to Kailey being born I weighed in at 193. When I weighed in yesterday I weighed in at 173. That is 22lbs lighter than when I got pregnant. I still have a little ways to go before I am where I want to be but hey I am going to celebrate the journey and the little milestones along the way.

AC - Well he is doing well. He missed two days of school last week do to a stomach virus. Oh and missed today because he has bacterial pink eye. (At least its bacterial because that way we can treat it with antibiotics and he can go back to school tomorrow. If it was viral he would be out of school for 3-5 days because you have to let it run its course with out medicine.) He is doing amazing in school. He is reading well. He and I made it through half a book today before his youngest brother and Kailey started fussing. According to his teacher he is just amazing in school.

Trace - is back to enjoying school. He looks forward to going now and will excitedly tell me what he did at school each day. He is an awesome big brother to Kailey. He is so helpful. He'll go get diapers, burp clothes, and anything else Kailey needs. He loves to hold her and snuggle with her. He is very hard headed though. He acts like his father! I find myself having to tell him repeatedly to do something, or when I tell his brothers to do something I have to tell it to just Trace as well. (Hey no comments from the peanut gallery, yes I know I was the same way.)

Andrew - Well Andrew is just Andrew. He is such a mixture of his brothers personality that I'm not sure quite how to deal with him. He can be so laid back and chilled one minute and then stubborn and hard headed the next. He jumps from one extreme to the other and wow which way will work best you have to guess and hope your right. I do have really excited news to share about him. He pottied in the potty for the very first time today. We are not pushing the potty training thing but he is interested so we are exploring it. He was so excited that we had to clap with him and just be excited too. He too is amazing with Kailey. Maybe a little too rough but then again he is only 20 months. Oh, I have to share this story because it is just my kind of luck that I have to deal with. We were gathering up to leave the doctors office today for AC's eye, I had Kailey in her car seat and was getting the prescription. Andrew was standing right next to Kailey and all of a sudden pukes. No he didn't turn away from her, quite the opposite in fact, he turned towards her and puked all over her. Luckily I had a blanket on her so it only got on her hair and car seat but gross, Poor Kailey!

Kailey - Speaking of Kailey, she is doing awesome. Her coloring is warming up more and more each day. She still seems so small. I can't believe she's here. She did unfortunately catch the stomach bug that has been going through our family. Her tummy just doesn't feel good. She is getting more alert and actually looks towards her brothers now when they talk to her. Her lungs are great just ask her Aunt Nyki. She can scream when she is upset. She's still not as loud as her oldest brother was but she can scream! I do love playing dress up with her. NO she doesn't care for it but hey she's gotta toughen up 8-) She doesn't like to be messed with at all.

Well that's all for now. Oh I almost forgot. Our family got elfed. We got the idea from my brother and sis in law. So check us out. Here's the kids http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1162061319, and here's RC and I http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1162329682. You guys should get elfed yourself. I would love to see so leave your link on the comments.

Quick update!

2007-11-28T15:57:00.001-06:00

Well my angel and I got to go home last Wednesday. She has been to the doctor twice to be checked and both times they saw considerable improvement in her jaundice. The pediatrician told me today that Kailey had given her a real scare and that is why she wanted to see her today. She told me that she had been one point away from being put in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). She then proceeded to tell me that a severe case of jaundice can lead to needing IV antibiotics (which is what Kailey would have received in NICU) and also the possibility of needing a transfusion. She did atleast tell me all of this after she told me how great Kailey was doing.

The boys are doing really great with her. We have our typical bouts with pushing the limits but hey what mom doesn't deal with that. They think she is pretty amazing!

I am doing well after my surgery. I got my tubes tied for those of you who didn't know. I finally got the approval I needed for the procedure to be done. I know that not all agree with my decision but it was not a decision made lightly nor was it made on my own. RC and I prayed about this for a long time and we agreed that it was God's will for us to have it done. And quite frankly for those who don't approve its really not your decision it is ours. (Sorry had to get that off my chest.)

RC is absolutely head over hills wrapped around his little girls finger!!!! You should see him all gagga about her. He comes in asks about is pretty girl and just talks to her. Wow I am definately no longer his one and only!! He has a new girl in his life.

Just a quick note you can see more pics on my moms blog http://oldmotherhubbardsharesall.blogspot.com/

Welcome to the World!!!!

2007-11-18T07:47:00.001-06:00

Wow what an interesting weekend. First of all we had a big family Thanksgiving Feast with RC's side of the family. Some of his cousins came down and his brother was in town. It was delicious. Then we decided to go bowling. Take it from me bowling and 9 months pregnant not a good mix. So the RC and his brother got an extra turn, and the boys bowled on the lane next to them. Well we got home (minus the 2 older boys who spent the night at NaNa's) and RC, Andrew and I set down to watch some football. After being home about a half hour to an hour, I yelled for RC to start getting ready to go my water had just broke. We headed up to the hospital about 10:00 pm, and sure enough after some pitocin and an epidural Miss Kailey Ashlyn joined us at 4:49am November 18, 2007. Something I find really cool is that she shares her birthday with her Uncle Shawn, who is 24 today (Happy Birthday!) So here you go meet our newest addition Kailey, who weighed in at 7lbs 4oz. and was 20 1/4 long!

Pictures and Update

2007-10-24T13:40:00.000-05:00

Okay so here is my little monkey climbing on the dash while waiting for his big brother to get out of school. Isn't he tooo cute!

These are the promised pictures of my pumpkin belly. I had a lot of fun and thought it was kind of cute. NO comments from the peanut galory about the witch hat!!!

Update: Okay so my sonogram went well last Friday. Kailey is about 5 lbs 4 ounces. She is in the 38 percentile. Which according to them is still good. SHE IS A SHE!!! I begged them to check again just to be sure :) So the stress has been relieved in the fact that I am still not gaining weight but she is growing and healthy. Well it looks like she may be a little impatient to get here. I went to the doctor on Monday and things are beginning. Don't worry the doctor said it could be a couple of days or a couple of weeks. I have already started thinning and am dilated to a 1. Which I know I can walk around like that for a while. I am having minor contractions. Nothing regular but they can be somewhat intense. I go back to the doctor on Tuesday and I'm sure he will be monitoring it. The guys (as in my dad and RC) both say that she has to stay put for at least another week. Their bike ride is this weekend!! Oh and the doctor did say that if she comes this early she will have to spend some time in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). I am only 35 weeks so thats still a little early in my eyes. I will keep you guys updated! Love you all.

Check out my little Kindergartner!

2007-10-15T15:29:00.000-05:00

Check out my little Kindergartner! We just got his school pictures in and doesn't he look cute! He loves school. He told my mom on Sunday that what he loves the most is God, Jesus, family and then school. He was disappointed that it was not a school day and guessed he would play. His teacher comments on how smart he is and that he is such a sweet boy! I am so glad that he loves school. He even asks to do his homework.

Things are going well for the rest of us as well. I have a sonogram scheduled this Friday to check the fetal growth. When I went to the doctor last week I hadn't gained weight since my 4th month and I'm due in 6 weeks. Well I went to the doctor today and had finally gained 1/2 a pound. The doctor doesn't seem to be overly concerned about the weight because my measurements are still coming in okay and my blood pressure is looking good. I have another doctors appointment next Monday.

RC's ride across the state is in two weeks. Remember that He and Daddy are riding from the East coast of Florida to the West Coast in 3 days. It is approximately 210 miles. They are really excited about it. This will be RC's 3rd year and Daddy's 1st. Please keep theirs and all that participate safety in your prayers because they do ride on very busy streets.

Trace is in pre-k and his teachers comment on how wonderful he is. I was told today how incredibly adorable my little man is. He is really polite and well behaved. He is just really cute. I wanted to ask are you sure your talking about my little man but I know she was. I guess its better that I see the ornery side rather than his teachers.

Andrew is off. You all warned me that once he started to walk he wouldn't ever stop and well you weren't kidding. Oh just to remind you before I start this story that he is only 18 months old so I know I am in trouble. I told him no the other morning (yes for those of you who have issues with my telling y'alls little angel no, I did have to tell him that), well he looked at me and put his hand on his hip and told me "I can't hear you." All I could do was try my hardest not to smile because it was kind of cute, and inform him that he could hear me and the answer was still no.

Oh I have to get the pics from my mom but Kailey is now my own little pumpkin. We had a Halloween themed bunko night (for those who don't know bunko is a dice game that mom and I play once a month), we had to dress up for it. So I put on some black pants and a button up shirt which I pinned open to see my belly and painted my little pumpkin. I also had an orange and black witch hat. So keep checking mine and my moms blog for the pics of my cute little pumpkin belly! It was fun.

Also coming as soon as I finish getting my house together pics of the new house. So now y'all know there are plans for more updates soon! Keep checking back!

Entered a New Giveaway!

2007-09-24T14:52:00.000-05:00

Hey all, I know I owe an update but I couldn't pass this awesome giveaway up. My mom has all these links on the side of her blog and one of them is Drea's. Well the latest give away she has is these adorable little onsies by SATees! http://www.cafepress.com/satees

The word that I liked and think describes all of my little ones, but especially my newest addition is extemporaneous (made without much preparation)! We all know my kids were made without preparation so isn't this just perfect.

I hope I win, but if I don't I will still keep going back to the SATees website just to expand my vocabulary. I will also continue to return to Drea's Reviews because she just has a way of putting things and I love that she gets to try all these cool things!

To get in on all sorts of cool giveaways keep checking back with

Update

2007-09-07T15:44:00.000-05:00

Lets see.... We'll break it down by person to let everyone know what's going on.

RC - He has taken on more work. But he is really excited about this work. He has been working for a realistate auction place, doing their signs and such, but last week was asked to come and help at an actual auction. He went and they have offered to make it more permanent. Also this gives us the hook up, when God decides its time for us to get a home. Last night he worked an auction that a $400,000 house went for $240,000. No we are not going to jump in over our heads but we are seriously praying about God's will in our housing situation right now.

Me - Well I have been fighting off the tale end of the junk the kiddos had. The fun part for me is that fluid has built up in my left ear, and I have lost hearing in my ear since Tuesday. I am on antibiotics and trying to deal with 3 little boys who are really trying to understand that Mommy just can't hear quite as well and so they have to be a little patient with her. I am trying to stay positive with the overwhelmingness of everything. God has really been good in showing me he is in control.

AC - has been in school for 11 days and is doing awesome! He really enjoys everything except the getting up early part. He grumbles a little about that but when I remind him he has to go to school he stretches and gets the day started. I can't believe just how much he has already learned. He comes home telling us something new everyday. I think he really enjoyed yesterdays lesson about germs. He was being quite silly telling Grandma and I about them.

Trace - He has decided he wants a pirates birthday party. I'm not sure he fully understands that his birthday is the end of this month. Things have been so crazy with everything that we (and I admit this knowing that its mostly me) haven't really played it up. He is also rebelling a bit, with AC starting school and our focusing on Andrew's walking, he's felt a bit left out. (I have to really thank Mom for this observation, because I couldn't quite nail down what brought on the sudden need to rebel, but when Mom pointed this out, that old saying Bad attention is better than no attention came to mind.) I ask that you all pray that I am able to remember this and when he starts in I can redirect the attention to good attention not bad attention. I really have been down on myself because I feel like all I do is yell at this poor guy, and well that's true. I have been so focused on other stuff and I just have to do better. I am excited for him to start preschool the beginning of October because then he will have something to share that is just his!

Andrew - Well I kept hanging on to the hope and sure enough it paid off. He started walking this week. Actually he started walking on Sept. 4 (Shawn and Tasha's 3 year anniversary and the day after Shawn sprained his ankle.) I called Uncle Shawn and told him that his nephew decided to give him an anniversary present and that he decided that since Uncle Shawn obviously couldn't walk right that he would show him how. For some reason I don't think Uncle Shawn found it all that funny.

Kailey Ashlyn - Well I think that she may turn out to be Kailey Ashlyn the entire name. That is what her big brothers call her. They even correct me if I shorten it to just Kailey. We still have some time to figure it out. All is well with her. My blood pressure was great Wednesday. My only concern and the doctor didn't seem concerned about it is that I have lost weight in the last 3 weeks. My next doctors appointment is Sept. 26th so we'll see what happens. Her favorite past time is kicking her big brothers so this may be interesting.

Here are some pics of me taken August 23rd....

AC's 1st Day of School

2007-08-23T14:15:00.000-05:00

AC's 1st Day of School

For those of you who don't know AC's 1st day of school was post poned due to pneumonia. He was really sick. Well the time has come!! My baby is off to his first day of school.

Here he his heading down stairs for his first day of school. He looks so small from this angle and quite frankly I wish he was still that small!

His Daddy laughed about how big his backpack looks on him. My little man is growing up! Wow for the mothers out there you can know how my heart is breaking to see what a big man I have. I came across pictures of him as a baby and think he should still be that small!

Mommy and AC (Yes there are tears in my eyes!

AC getting in the car. He said he was nervous and excited and a little scared all at the same time. He asked me is that normal Mommy? Yes baby thats exactly how Mommy is feeling right now too!

The really cool thing that I found out when I dropped him off is that the 3 days he missed due to the pneumonia doesn't count against him. They counted today as his first day of school!

AC loved his first day of school. When I picked him up the teacher told me he had a super first day! They have a falling star chart that monitors behavior. Everyday the children start with their name high in the sky. The first time they get in trouble they get a verbal warning. The second time they get in trouble they have to move their star down and lose 10 minutes of center time. The third time they have to move their star down another level and lose center time all together. The fourth they move it down to the last level, lose center time and get a note or phone call home. Well I am happy to say the biggest excitment AC talked about today was he didn't have to move his star at all!!! Yeah AC I'm so excited for you! He is excited about going back to school tomorrow!

Stresses vs. positives

2007-08-23T10:04:00.000-05:00

Okay so I have decided that I have to put this somewhere! I am not super woman!!! I cannot stop two speeding trains from crashing into one another. I actually feel like the trains have crashed and I was in between them when they hit! I am exhausted mentally, emotionally, and physically. When asked last night if I am hanging in there, I just started crying and said no. I am challenging myself that for every negative or stress I put on here I will try to match it with a positive.

Okay my stresses…
A) AC has been sick with pneumonia
B) We had to take him to the hospital
C) We have no insurance for the kids because I keep getting pushed around by Florida Kidcare
D) Trace is beginning to cough and run a low fever
E) Andrew is coughing
F) How are we going to pay for the dentist for AC?
G) How are we going to pay for the hospital bill, which I’m sure is going to be very expensive?
H) Is my pregnancy really going okay? (They had to take my blood pressure twice at my last doctors appointment)
I) I am having nightmares
J) I am not sleeping (between sick kids, nightmares, and being a mom)
K) AC started Kindergarten today.
L) I want out of the apartment and into a house (a two bedroom apartment is really too small for a soon to be family of six)
M) Am I really going to be able to handle 4 children?
N) I have to deal with the drama going on with others.

Okay Okay I have to quit there or I am going to spiral into tears again.

The positives…
A) I have God on my side.
B) AC is feeling better
C) We know what is wrong and can treat the problem.
D) We caught Trace’s right on the onset so we can treat it.
E) Andrew is only coughing no fever, hopefully we can treat it without him getting any fever.
F) So far RC and I haven’t come down with anything.
G) God is the provider. He will provide a way to get AC’s dentist bill taken care of as well as the ER bill.
H) I have family willing to take the kids so I can get some rest.
I) AC started kindergarten today! ( Yes I know this is on both lists, that’s because it is both a stress and a positive)
J) I have a roof over my head and my family is fed.
K) I have a loving husband that provides for my family and even though he doesn’t always get it he tries so hard to be supportive of my fears and stresses.
L) Children are a blessing from God and I know that God must think I’m doing something right or he wouldn’t have given me another blessing.
M) I have 3 beautiful well behaved (atleast most of the time) little boys.
N) I have a girl on the way!
O) I have friends and family that I can deal with their drama. Cause the only way to get rid of the drama would be to get rid of the friends and family.
P) I have a church family, that loves and cares for me and my family.
Q) I am breathing!
R) God loves me!
S) The sun rose again today!
T) There is God’s beauty all around me.
U) I have an amazing support system.
V) Even when I have my nightmares my husband holds me. (Even if I do wake him up at 4:30am)
W) I am healthy and the doctor says my pregnancy is going well.
X) My children love to sing!
Y) My kids smile each and every day!
Z) God is on my side!!!

Wow! I came up with more positives than negatives. Isn’t God good!

2007-08-22T16:44:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Giveaway: Redecorate with Olive Kids

Tired of seeing the same old television characters in your child's room?
The founders of Olive Kids were and decided to come up with their own line of kids room decor with bright and colorful designs. "We feel kids should be able to surround themselves with art, design and decoration that encourages creativity and fun without all the hype and sales pressure of TV and movies. "What a great concept! And boy, do they have the cutest things!

This is really a cool giveaway thing I would love to try and win. I am going to need help decorating for my kids room.

They have personalized clocks, bedding and personalized place mats. They have alot of cool things check it out. Olive Kids is giving away a $50 gift certificate to one lucky winner. How cool is that?

http://islandreview.blogspot.com/2007/08/giveaway-redecorate-with-olive-kids.html

Darn it didn't win this either!

Free Stuff!!

2007-08-21T16:38:00.000-05:00

I know I know I am posting again but I thought I would double the odds of trying to win some free items for Kailey Ashlyn. I know I don't have to remind y'all that with me being a stay at home mom with 3 little boys and a girl on the way that I could use free items!!!! I can vouch for what a life saver these cups are and how nice it is knowing that if you do leave them somewhere it doesn't matter because they are inexpensive.

The 2nd cups featured are the "Take or Toss" Cups. While at home we mostly use Take or Toss cups. Their the easiest to use because you don't have stoppers involved... yet their pretty affective with very few leaks. After they begin to leak we simply "Toss" them. Travis and I both use the bottoms of the cups for ourselves throughout the day :-). So it works well for a sippy as well as a "big boy/girl" cup.

So if you want to see the web page hosting this give away click below!!! Hopefully my mom or I win!!!

http://dreawd.blogspot.com/2007/08/playskool-review-giveaway.html

DARN IT DIDN'T WIN!!!!