MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This thing still suprizes me! I just spent a half hour recapping the past couple of days. I am not a very good writer so it always takes me longer. NOW, I realize that I did it in the wrong spot!!! All those lines are my life. Now that I have gotten it out of my system I don't know if I could write it again. At least I am smart enough to write a little under the pictures but that doesn't do justice to all my hard work. Oh, well they say life is a lesson and I just learned one. When there are unexplained lines under what you are writing don't write much. Hope you enjoy the pictures at least.

Only Six more days till Christmas!!!

The cookies are baked (and eaten). The school program has come and gone. We cleaned out old toys to make way for new. I think we are almost ready.

This has been a busy week! Just when I think we have it all together I remember that I forgot something. It is a good thing that we live and work close. I am home room mom for Levi's second grade class. Today they had their complement party. Tomorrow will be the Christmas party. So... I'm in charge of pulling this thing off. I never like to be in front of lots of people no matter what their age. I call other parent as instructed by the teacher to get help. Slow response, now what to do. As usual I try and wait it out to see if they come through. Last minute the calls come in. Now, craft or game, craft or game. Now, I love crafts but I've seen a few come through the door the last couple of days and the thought of me trying to do this by myself was not to promising. So, game it is. Now remember these are second graders, smart but need a little direction. Pin the nose on Rudolph and charades it is! I have to work so I am frantic to get there on time then I remember I have to pick Naomi up in less than an hour! I go in, give it my best. One other parent is there to help and it is a huge success!!! The kids loved the games, we laughed really hard at everyone trying to pin the nose on Rudolph and I was able to get Naomi in time.

I looked back at my opening sentence. This has been a busy week. Today is only Tuesday!!! I am glad that I have this blog so I can keep up with myself. Hopefully Christmas vacation things will slow down and I can relax. I have truly enjoyed myself these last couple of weeks but I could use a break. At least to sleep in would be sooo nice. We'll see, I'm sure I will blog about it!

Christmas program, Levi in the back.
Naomi's new and improved room. She has quite a few dolls and has taken up playing with my old ones.
Out to eat with Joe's parents after a trip to the farm. Crab legs!!!
Levi's new and improved room. As you can tell I let my kids have there own style with a little help from me.
It wasn't as bad a Joe makes it look. I can't believe how much time it takes to make so few cookies! They were gone in minutes. Fun, but I can wait till next year to do them again. Unless, of course someone talks me into it. I'm such a sucker for a sweet face and good attitude.

Happy Holidays to all and God Bless

Up close and personal!!! As you can tell Naomi likes to have her picture made. This is the way she likes to look (lip gloss and posing)! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!
We have been trying to get a moment to take a picture in front of the tree. This is not quite what I had envisioned but it showes what our kids are really like. They each have their own personal style and I try not to discourage it! (That may change in the future). We are so blessed to have a nice warm home with lots of room. I really enjoy putting up the tree, especially now that the kids are older and really want to help. We spent one whole day putting the tree together and putting the ornaments on it! My clients come in with stories of the new trees with 3 parts and the lights already on them. I can't imagine but I think it would be nice... But, who likes to break tradition? Growing up we did the same thing as I do now with our tree only we had icicles !!! Lots and lots of icicels!!! I know they were a pain and I'm sure that's why we don't have them now but they bring back such good memories. I hope my kids will look back and remember the good times we had and keep the traditions alive!
Levi showing off his new grown up coat (like his brothers) and pokemon. He wants everyone to know what his favorite is.

I know that it's winter and almost Christmas but I miss warm weather!!! It has felt like a heat wave the last day or two after being in the teens!!! Spring can't get here soon enough for me! Really, I was wanting to post some pics by the Christmas tree but I cant seem to get the kids together all at once. I hate to go very long without posting anything and I vowed not to write anything that wasn't positive so that narrows things down. I will work on the pics this next week!

These were made this summer at Lake Cumberland. We have a good friend that owns a house and boat or two that invited us down. We love the water and would spend more time there if we could afford it. Until then we will just have to enjoy what we can. Here's to sunny days and warmer weather!!!

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Mom, happy birthday to you!!! And many more! This is what she looks like after spending some time with her grandchildren. Naomi picked out her dress and put make-up on her. Katherine had the idea for her to wear the had. My family has style!!!
Of course Katherine doesn't want Meme to have all the fun. Still more pics from the Thanksgiving weekend. Did I say we had fun? I looove being with my family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEME (MOM)!!!

You have been a great Meme for the past 8 year's.Every body loves you extra special!!! LOVE, LEVI

bgidxounrcwkjmnycagoqcnoa
Love, Naomi

Fgvsgcsfdfcsgvbdbvcfdcscfgvbh
Love, Elijah

You are very special to us, you have been a great role model, and we look forward to many more years in our lives, I hope you feel better, and have a great birthday!
Love, Kathy

Dear Meme,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I wish you were feeling better. Ditto from Kathy above, you are a wonderful role model and an inspiration for us all.

Peace Be With You.
Love, Joe

P.S.I'm a peace keeper; are you?

HAPPY DECEMBER !!!

This is a busy time for all of us. The days are short and it seems there is more than enough to do. Please remember to be thankful for all that we have. Take time to enjoy the peace in our lives and remember what life is all about. I know we all work hard to acomplish our goals and for that we will be rewarded.

I want to tell you about my hard working friend Kimberly. For over the past year she has been has been working harder than anyone I know to start her own buisness. It is called Inner Trinsix and is now up and running. She has a web site www.spiritualtoolbox.net/ and it is still in the beginning stages but I was very impressed!!! PLEASE check it out. The boxes are beautiful, the artwork is unique and everyone could use one (or two). I had a hard time picking my favorite and I know you will to. Let me know what you think of her idea and what your favorites are! I look forward to hearing from you.

The big girls!
Joe loves his father-in-law
What the kids really look and act like when the adults aren't around! I think they really enjoyed taking the pictures! I can't believe there is enough of them to fill a staircase. You can only imagine what the house sounds like when they are all there. We have fun, what can I say!!!

Cute pic of some of the family. We had a hard time getting a good one of all 18 of us. When the camera comes out we all turn silly!

We had a great time at my parent over Thanksgiving! I feel like I didn't get to spend much time there but it was nice to see everyone. I miss my family a lot. Everyone is great, even though I don't get to see my older nieces and nephew much! The kids all get along great and can't wait to go back. I know we wear my parents out when we visit because it is always so wild but they will just have to suffer for family's sake!!

We are back in our home town now and in the routine as usual. As I get older I don't mind things being uneventful because I know there is always excitement around the corner. My client today told me to relish the years with my kids now because that all will soon change. After reading my nieces my space I believe it! Children grow up waaaay to fast.

This is me and Joe in Cherokee last summer. We had a great time and hope to go back.

THINGS I LIKE (not in any particular order)
God
family and friends (friends that act like family are the best)
sunny days
animals
books
flowers
sunrises (not that i've seen to many)
sunsets (everyone is spectacular)
outfits that make you look GOOD
clean house
things that make you think
new creations
art
good conversations
caring people
history (especially family)


There are many more where they came from. I am going to start a list of at least 100 things that are important to me or that I want to do in my life time. I don't think all of it will make it on the blog, but it might...

Here are pictures of crafts I made from feathers given to me by one of my friends. They are really cool! Just my style.

I thought I would brighten our day with some flowers! I had sooo many nice pics to choose from I thought I would start with these. They were taken in our yard this year. No wonder we have problems with allergies by looking at the pollen on them!!! I miss summer already! I am never ready for fall and winter. I love the long days of summer, seeing the sun set, playing outside. If next year goes anything like this one it will be summer again before I know it!

As always, we have to be just a little different. (sunglasses inside)


Levi's school project



These pics were made on Joe's 46th birthday! I think some of my humor is rubbing off on Joe and the kids!!!

Monday already!!!

I can't believe another weeks gone by. We have been busy! Joe's mom got out of the hospital this week and is doing great! The leaves are in her front yard. Levi and Naomi couldn't resist when we went for a visit. The other pic is Levi making his patchwork quilt for church. This is his first try at sewing but he did great! Grandma would be proud. Naomi made the pumpkin in school and is very proud of it . We had to take a pic of it! The last pic is Levi and I went on his class field trip fri when the weather was beautiful!! The fall color is awsome this year and the kids really enjoyed the hike. (I wasn't kidding, we have been busy).
It's time to slow down now and enjoy the rest of the year, it will be gone soon. I hope the election goes well and we all have a great week!

These are our chickens. Cinderella is the New Hampshire Red and Henny Penny is the Domonique. They are about 6 months old and are a lot of fun to watch. The let us pet them and give us an egg each a day. The 1st pic was when Cinderella was laying and we did'nt realize it! What a suprize!!!

Levi showing us his latest trick
Elijah clowning around
Naomi trying to look like her Dad, only not such a puffy face
Mom and me last Christmas
My superman, Joe
Dad with Naomi
Sunshine! We finally have sunshine! It seems like it has been cloudy and raining for a week. Levi had a field trip planned for last Fri. It was cancellec because of rain. Looks like we will be going tomorrow, he is soo excited! Here are more family pics.

This is at Joe's family farm. Deer season is upon us so Joe need to go scope out the possiblities. Of course you can't have deer season without a gun. Levi won't be going any time soon but he wanted to shoot the gun. We are very safe. This is a single shot gun and we have control of the bullets. I grew up with guns around and think that education is the key. I am still working on the addition of the pics. I'm not sure what I like best so you all will have to patient while I figure this out. These pics were made the same day. We didn't see any deer but we did see signs. We always look for rocks and geodes and usually come home with something. It is truly beautiful and always different. We are very blessed to have a place to go and enjoy the outdoors (just never enough time to enjoy it!)

The server went down last night so I was not able to finish what I started. Elijah did not want to be seen with us. He was holding out for his old friend Terrel. He hadn't spoke to him probably since last Halloween but they like to go out alone. I told him he couldn't go out without a costume and the house coat was the best he could come up with. I would like to have heard what he told people that he was. When I took this first pic before they went out, Elijah said "that's going to be on the blog" of course Naomi is always ready to have he picture made (that's a pose) and I think Elijah likes looking annoyed. Levi is always different with a face (usually good). I hope everyone had a great time and got to see lots of good costumes!

This is the best picture I could get of Naomi and Levi. They were wayyy into their candy and didn't want to stop for a picture. I didn't think to get Levi to put his mask on (he was a storm trooper from Star Wars). Naomi thought she looked like herself (a princess). It has been crazy the last couple of days. The weather, cold, hot, cold, rain, we weren't sure we were going to even get to go out. The kids had a blast and because not to many kids come out anymore on Halloween my kids really raked in! Candy up as Levi put it!