Not understanding WHY......

I woke up this morning with alot on my mind. This should be the happiest time for most families, but for a few I know, it is not. They are left wondering WHY??????? I know that STUFF HAPPENS no matter the time or date, but I just wished that everything could always be happy and fun during this time of the year.

Friday night I was watching the news before bed and there had been a terrible car accident outside of town. An adult and five children were taken to the hospital after another vehicle came across center line and hit them head on. The other driver drunk. The 11 year old was in the front seat...no seat belt..was killed. They get to bury her on Christmas Eve. Why not take the extra minute to make sure all was safe and belted??????? Why???????

I checked my email on Saturday to find a note from one of my friends from church. Her husbands aunt who has been battling cancer for it seems like as long as I have known her, died. She leaves behind a 16 yr old and twin 12 yr olds with her husband. WHY??????

It so so easy to say "God is so big"..so easy to say "God does all things for a purpose" but it still makes me wonder..does He ever sit and ponder when He chooses these paths for us??? Does He have a peace about all the decisions He makes???We are His children and I can not even imagine how He must feel when He sees us make these mistakes...foolish choices and know that He must allow us to deal with messes we make.

I can not grasp what He felt like to give us His son so that we may live. I can not even imagine what it felt like to watch all Jesus went through for ME and YOU. I can't imagine burying my loved one and at this time of year when we are celebrating His birth. Please pray for these families over the next few weeks. Pray for understand and peace and that God is apart of their lives.

As always, thanks for letting me ramble....

My favorite time of the year....

Yeah know, I was really having a hard time with the holidays. Mostly because my whole family is together right now in Fort Myers and I am here with Buzz and the kids. Not that I want to be away from them, but I miss those crazy and lazy days of just hanging out...playing games...drinking tea (making special coffee for Trish) and of course..eating! I really should enjoy the peace of this year because next year, they are all coming here!!

I finished up work yesterday and am off now until Jan 4th. My friends all laughed at me and when they asked what I was doing over break and I said "knitting and reading". No one thinks I can sit long enough to do either. It is now my goal to prove them both wrong.

Tonight we are going up to Alum Creek to see the lights. I hear they are great. We promised the kids to stop at the Krispy Kreme store after for a treat so I am excited to do something as a family. It seems like my kids are growing so fast and more so at this time of year, it makes me think of Chrsitmas past and the joy and excitement on their faces. It makes me think of all those things I feel most blessed for:

1. The Lord being born for me...
2. My husband and kids. No matter how crazy they make me, I love them very much....
3. Family ..once again..no matter how crazy they make ya, they are family....
4. Friends. I have made some of the best that anyone could ask for. So if I have known you my entire life or it only seems that way, I am greatful for you....

Merry Christmas.....

My Singing Star....

Tonight the children's choir sang with the adult choir at church. Sarah Kate has been so excited about this. She has practiced so hard and was so excited to get dressed up and "perform" for the whole church.

This is Julia! She is my friend Kara's daughter and she also performs in the choir. She loves to dance and sing and I am sure this is why she and Sarah Kate are such good friends. Two drama queens !!

Sarah Kate excites me when I think about what she might become. I love to hear her thoughts because she is such a good person and really does love most everyone. She tries to see the good in people and I love her for that. She has a huge heart for The Lord and really tries to do the right thing at all times.

I hope that during this Christmas season, we can all become like children and love one another the way that He wants us to.

The Holidays are Here.....

We got the tree up this week and in case I decide do not to send out Christmas cards, you will get to see my family. I have always been so good about sending cards, but with the cost of everything and the time it takes, I am not sure if any will go out. There...that is my disclaimer.....

It has been a crazy week and it does not look like things are gonna slow down until after next week. My last day of work is the 19th so then I can get settled into a large task that I most enjoy...baking all those cookies! I am not doing as many this year..only about 7 different kinds. But of course some of them are double batches.

Every year, my kids get a new ornament and Buzz and I exchange one. That way when they leave home, they take something that is so special through their lifetime. This year, Sarah Kate got a Barbie spa ornament. She is such a "diva" and always cares so much about her appearance, that this was much appropriate. What a girl.....

Corey got a "Big Poppy" baseball ornament. He loves the Red Sox and Big Poppy is one of his favorites so he was excited to have it this year. Corey is growing up and this year he has kind of not wanted to do some of the normal things we do and my heart has been broken cause I feel him wanting his independance. But he was so into going through his ornaments and remembering them from year to year and why he got the ones he did that it renewed my heart for the holidays.

Tonight is date night and Buzz and I are excited that despite the busy time of the year, tonight is about us. We are going to dinner and do a little shopping and hopefully relax and enjoy each other..if only for one night......the chaos returns tomorrow......

O....H...I...O.....Go Bucks......

Today is the day!!!!!!!!!!That team from UP NORTH (we never say their name) has come to town to get a butt kicking. Out of all the games in a NCAA season, this is the game that all Buckeye fans wait for. It does not matter if you are 9-3 or 3-9 all bets are off for this game. THAT team has had a really bad season (YEAH) but when they enter The Shoe, they will be ready to play.

All week we have heard how we are going to beat them, but I think that Rich Rod will not want to come here and lose his first year as head coach. Of course, he is already hated in out house for the way he left WVU, so he is REALLY on THE LIST.... Corey and Buzz are "Scarlet and Gray, just for a day"!!

So, at noon, I will be parking my butt on the couch...no phone calls..lots of diet coke and I am sure be pulling Chris down off my ceiling if we do not bring our A game... So give me a big one guys....O....H...I...O......Go Bucks!!!!!

A Hat Trick for Team #48...

It has been an exciting day in my home. Today was the last NASCAR race of the season. All Jimmie needed to do was win the race in at least 36 position to win the 3rd year in a row in the Sprint Cup. It is nail biting when he started in 30th position with all those crazy guys in the back of the pack.

Not only am I excited because he is "my boy", but also because he is only the 2nd driver to ever do this. He crew chief is the first chief to ever win 3 cups in a row. This is history made before my eyes.

Congrats team 48..can't wait until February..........Go Jimmie!!!

Too Early to be Up.....

Well, I woke up around 6:00 a.m. and I have been unable to go back to sleep. With as much as I do, you would think this would not be a problem, but it is. It makes me crazy to wake up and have all these things going through my head. So, I began to pray for these things instead of letting them bombard my mind. Here we go:

1. Anita's sweet little Alena who will be born in February. And that Anita's back will improve through the next few months.
2. For my sister in law Missy and her unborn child due 12/24. We are not in a relationship at this time because adults act like children so I pray everyone can pull it together so Sarah Kate and Corey can know their cousin.
3. For the sale of my parents home. I wish they were closer so I would not worry about them.
4. For Buzz. He is getting a cold and feels like poop.
5. Buzz's Aunt is really ill (in and out of the hospital) so I pray for God's will.
6. Thanksgiving....to just be happy being together..wherever we are.
7. Things at work.....enough said.....
8. Having enough money for Holidays.

You would not think that all these things would travel through my mind all that the same time. I guess that does prove that women are like spaghetti!

Whatever is lovely...think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Am I the Maid????

Nice title huh?? Well, that is the way I am feeling. Besides the fact that I work at least 40 hrs a week, I have a home to tend to. Right now, I am feeling like I should get a stipend on the side for making sure this house does not fall apart.

I usually come home on Thursday nights and we all clean. Well, this week, that did not happen and here it is Sunday and I feel like I have a lot to do. I had nursery duties this am so the morning flew by. My Colts are on @ 4:15 so I need to haul butt to clean the bathrooms and mop floors, get stuff ready for the week. It is another busy week at that.

Where the problem lies, if everyone would clean their rooms, it would be easier to mop (we have hardwood floors) and fly through what needs done. I am reading this book On Strike for Christmas (thanks Stacie..love it) if my family is not careful, I might go on strike!! I just need to find my groove. Between work, working out, PTA, Relay for life (which I really want to be a part of) and church activities for all of us. I have been knitting Buzz's blanket for 6 months now and it still is not done. I love all the things I do so I can not back out of any of them.

Anyone have suggestions on how to not to continually run on overdrive?????

Big not so dumb dog.....

As you all know, I have an almost three year old dog named Ben. This is him with my dad. He absolutely loves Pappy with everything in him. When Dad is here, he spoils Ben...takes him walks several times a day...shares all kinds of good treats and lets him lay next to him all day long. Well, everytime we talk to Dad, (which is daily), he gets to talk to Pappy too. We put the phone next to Ben's ear and Dad will talk to him. If we ask Ben if he wants Pappy, he howls (as only a beagle can do) until we get Dad on the phone. I always call Ben the big dumb dog, but I guess you have to be pretty smart to love someone who is 1200 miles away and get excited enough to go to the phone. Matter of fact, he is sitting next to me while I type this as if he knows it is about him!! Pretty smart!! Must take after me!!

After he "talked" to Pappy tonight, we found him whining in Corey's bed, resting. I guess he is Pappy sick. Think we can get a ticket for the dog to make a visit??? It is bad enough that the kids miss Pappy & Grandma, but the dog too?!?!? Anyone got an extra sky miles you are not using???

Partying with the brothers from other mothers....

On Saturday night, Corey got to have his best buddies spend the night. It is a sleep over with boys, and a slumber party with girls. It amazes me how the same thing can have two different names. Anywho, these guys were up until after 3 am giggling like it was a bunch of girls!

Pictured, is Ben (Chris's son), Nick (Stacie aka as Rose's son) and Tyler (Kara's son). They played flash light tag outside and run around like crazy kids. Came in and did cake and presents and then headed to the family room for the rest of the night. Really to be pretty much unseen the rest of the night. They were however, not unheard.

I told Corey to pick a few friends and it really never hit me until last night, but my son picked the children of three of my closest friends. The people who I share all aspects of my life with are the friends who Corey wanted to share his special night with. I thought that was very cool. Maybe he is a little like his momma after all.

Happy Halloween

Tonight is Halloween. This is Sarah Kate and her friend Morgan. They got to see each other before we went uptown to Boo on Broadway to trick or treat. Morgan is such the rock star and Sarah Kate our geesha girl.

Corey (The dead man) and Sarah Kate in front of the house before obtaining more candy than two children need in one night. Boo on Broadway is really cool. Grove City has a "downtown" which is more mom and pop stores and such which is separated from the chain retaurants and stuff part of town. This is where the farmers markets and parades and stuff are held. All the businesses host the event and the streets are closed down and spooky music is played over the intercom. The kids love it!

Buzz and I went way out on a limb and went as our two favorite teams!! I know..mind boggling isn't it. By Friday I am so tired, that I am lucky that I got there on time. We did the whole downtown thing and then hit the neighborhood for the rest of the time.

Corey, Ben, Sarah Kate and Caitlyn all looking very cool in their costumes. I am so glad that these kids have remained friends since we have moved here. So..I hope that all of your gobblins had a great time and filled their pockets full of items that will make them hurl and teeth rot. Happy Halloween!!

Happy Birthday Corey

It is hard to believe that my boy is no longer a boy, but a young man. I am very blessed. In a day when boys are sneaking around...thinking of nothing but girls...and all the other trouble they find themselves in, he still my sweet, tenderhearted kid.

Now, I am not saying that there are not times when I want to send him off for a foreign exchange student (cause there are). But Corey is a good kid with a heart to be a helpful friend to anyone he meets. I love it when he comes home to tell me about a special needs child he helped at school. Not all 11 year olds care enough so I am lucky.

He is getting older so a big party is not planned. We are trick or treating tonight, having his special birthday meal and tomorrow night he is having some friends over for the night. He gets to go pick up his baseball bat that Pappy & Grandma, Uncle Don & Aunt Trish and Uncle Todd all got him...yes it cost enough to have that many people buy it!! Corey is very "low key" (like his dad) so this is all good with him.

After doctors telling me that I probably would not have any kids, I am very lucky to have the son I have and I thank God for him everyday. Happy Birthday Corey-boy...I love you.....

What A Weekend....

It seems as if you wait all week long for the weekend and in a blink of an eye, it is Monday again and you are wondering what you did with your time. This weekend was no exception. Anymore, every weekend is becoming that way.

On Saturday, Buzz and I got to go to the Shoe for the day and tailgate for the Penn State game. It is always fun to be on campus on game day. Everyone is so excited and there is an O..H..I..O.. to everyone you pass. Despite the fact my beloved Buckeyes did not win, it is always fun. I even got to see friends from high school which is fun to catch up. Thanks Chris for keeping the kids and encouraging me to have more "me" time. Let us know when it is out turn to have your kids.

We got up on Sunday and went to church. After lunch, we carved the jack o lantern. Sarah Kate loves to do this. She gets her hands right in there and pulls everything out. Corey on the other hand is almost 11 and is too cool to do this family activity. I was told that if you bleach out the pumpkin, it helps to preserve it until Halloween. We'll see!! After that, I cleaned alittle inside and Buzz and the kids headed out to do leaf racking and all that great fall stuff. Before I knew it, it was time to fix dinner and go back to church.

So, once again, it is Monday and time for work. At least I found some time to make a pumpkin sheet cake and enjoy a cup of tea before bed before I had to start all over again. How many days till Friday???

things that make me smile...

I think we often take the little things in our lives for granted. When you sit in a room with your husband and it is quiet because you do not need to fill that space with talk. When you look at your kid and she has no teeth but yet her smile is as wide as the state of Texas. Or when it is a comment that you can not help but laugh at.

This week at the daycare, the kids got to participate in pumpkin carving. They were so excited to get there hands all gooey and dig out those seeds. Well, we have this little one in our two year old class and she is as smart as a tack. She misses NOTHING and knows EVERYTHING. If you don't believe me, you can ask her.

Well, in the afternoon, she was coloring and we told her her to draw a picture of the jack o lantern like we carved in the morning. She was trying to draw and had no success because she is two. Well all of a sudden she perks up and says "I can't seem to draw a jaculator". Of course I had to have her repeat it because I thought I missed something along the way. No such luck, she said it again...and again...and again... But it was so innocent, that all I could was laugh.

Everyone, her mother included has been working on correcting this name, but she continues to call it such. I told her to say pumpkin because it is easier! But once again, it is the simplest of things that can bring a smile to your face. Hope this brings one to yours as you carve your "jack o lantern" this season!

Pumpkins here,pumpkins there,pumpkins everywhere

We got up this morning to go to the Circleville Pumpkin Show. For some reason you can not call it a festival. People in Circleville will hang you over a fire if you do. Anywho, it is a pumpkin festival to me. The largest pumpkin this year was 1,410 lbs. That is alot of pie!!!

So, after the many games we played (brought home 2 fish), the pumpkin donuts, pumpkin brownie and of course for Buzz, pumpkin fudge, we were able to go pick our pumpkin from the patch. Corey found this huge pumpkin, tried to pick it up and dropped it. Well, it left this stuff on his hands that looked like poop. It was so much fun to watch him stand in the middle of this huge patch and just stare at this strange stuff on his hands. Yes, I love to laugh at my kids!! I do it often!! Needless to say, we got a nice size to carve next week!

It was a nice time this morning with just the family. Sometimes you just need those uneventful time with each other. Anyone else got their pumpkins yet????

Is life crazy or is it us??

What a week!! As you all know, I have not found my groove since going back to work. I am still trying to fit everything into my schedule as if I were a stay at home mom. That is not working out so well for me. I finally burned out and ended up with a sinus infection this week. Of course, I am sure it had nothing to do with all the kids that come into school with runny noses and coughs and then wipe their germs on you as you get a hug!?!?! Now that is sharing!!

Anyway, I guess we just need to stop and spend more time figuring out what is important. Not only to me, but to my family. I am really trying to give the kids more choices and freedom with decisions. You know, the little stuff that is big stuff to them. I need to have all my answers in advance and so this is not real easy for me, but I am trying. Why is it we need to always know WHY?? Why can not we not just say BECAUSE or WHY NOT and leave it at that.

I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. I just read a blog from my friend Tina's friend Melanie. Her son Drew was stillborn and when I checked her blog today, there he was. They had a photographer take pictures of him. It completely broke my heart. Then I felt dumb for complaining about time management or anything else that is "wrong" in my world. It makes all those little things go away..not so important anymore.

So, tonight, Sarah Kate and I are going to ice the 3 dozen sugar cookies I made this morning (because she asked me to) and tonight after she goes to bed, I am gonna spend some one on one time with Corey and be thankful that even though somethings might not have gotten done today, I get to touch each of my children and be grateful that they are tucked in their beds and that I get a chance to love on them another day.

Who says you can't go home????

Have you ever had the chance to go "home" and once you are there, realize things change more than you think?? Well, I went back to Bellaire this weekend and was lucky enough to hang out with one of my sister chicks.

Lori and I have been friends for about 24 years...gosh, it did not seem like it had been that long while we laughed and shared this weekend. It is amazing to me that I have someone in my life who knows me that well. All my secrets, all of desires,all of my mistakes and she still loves me. That is friendship. I am not saying that there have not been years when we didn't see each other or even talk for that matter, cause there were. But what is so great, is that we were able to pick up where we left off and time never changed the bond that we have always had.

My hearts desire for all of you, is that you are blessed enough to have someone in your life, like I have. Someone that will accept you for who you are, laugh at you when you need it and cry with you when your heart is broken. My mom always told me that my Aunt Pat is "her person". They have been friends for years and cherish each other for what they have brought to each others lives. I pray that Lori and I will be able to be there for each other as long as my mom and Aunt Pat have been there for each other.

I love ya girl.....

How Many Times Must I Say It???????

Interesting title huh??? I thought it approraite because it has been one of those weeks...again. Who know the ones I am talking about. Where you wish there were more hours in a day....more time to do the things you want instead of the things you have to do. Where you feel like you spend more hours taking care of things instead of people and it is never yourself. Yep, that has been my life....

Not sure if I shared with you all, but a week ago Wednesday, I was on my way home from work and my car began acting funny..smelling funny and all of a sudden not running. The problem was, I was on Interstate 71 south at rush hour..never a good time for this to happen. As I was trying to get over and off of the road, I was almost taken out by a semi that did not car if my car was dying. By the grace of God, I made it off the road.

The car was towed to Kara's per her insistence and Daniel (her husband) said he would look at it. This poor man had the car for 9 days because everytime he thought he had it, it was something else. I am very greatful for Kara and Daniel because I got the car back last night and can stop hitching a ride with Drew who I work with. I owe you big Daniel and I know you will hold this over my head.DON'T WORRY...THE SKITTLES ARE COMING!!!!!!!!!

I stressed over the car....money...bugging someone for a ride...really all the things that I should not stressed over because through the whole thing, God was providing for me and keeping me safe. I never missed a day of work and was unharmed. And yes, Kara, it could have been worse, I could have been Job. Not only did He give a great Bibe lesson for the week, He gave me the blessing of friendship that I am so greatful to have.

And once again......IT IS WHAT IT IS..............

Happy Birthday Sarah Kate

Sarah Kate turns 7 tomorrow and we had her birthday bash on Friday night. Out of all the things she wanted, she has never had a slumber party so this was the year for it.
This is the whole crowd, except for Kylie. She did not get to spend the night so she came over in the morning for breakfast. 10 girls in all...YES, I had lost my mind. They were loud, silly and full of fun. I am so glad that Sarah Kate has some pretty cool friends...

We decided to make this slumber party cake since it was the best theme. She and the girls loved it! I was glad that I can still make her happy. Tomorrow we are having her special birthday dinner (homemade pizza) and she gets to open presents from the family. Can't wait to see her face when she opens those presents!!! Happy Birthday sweet girl...You were worth the three days of labor..patosen..and emergency c-section......:)

Eating...laughing...enjoying one another.......

Our mom's group at church got together last week for a pot luck after church. The best thing is that as Baptist, we did not have to wait to long after church to eat (haha)Just kidding, the best thing was being together with our families and enjoying one another. Our group is very busy with playgroups, bible study, family get togthers, mom's nights in and out without the family..all kinds of good stuff!
This is my wacky friend Liane. I can call her that and she would agree with me so it is all good. I love her because even when things suck, she will bring a smile to your face and tell you some crazy story and just seems to make everything ok. Love ya girl.....
We had about 50-60 people that day and I loved to se everyone mingle and laugh..share recipes. Oh man, Lindsay had the best recipe..I need to add a spot on my blog for my favorite reipes...Lindsays oriental salad would so be there......Mandy looks like she is having a brain fart...which is probably correct..she is known for those.....
This is our sweet Abigail. Her mom Jill is one of my friends and Abby really needed to know she would be blogged so here you go girl. Gottta love that smile!!!!!!!!

Jack left his box for wheels........

This is our little buddy from across the street, Jack. He was riding his bike last week when the bike decided to go one way and Jack went another. Needless to say, he is now sporting some serious wheels.
At least he has some style about him. He got to pick Scarlet and Gray in honor of our beloved Buckeyes. Maybe they need Jack to help them out. After that game on Saturday night, he could not hurt...oh well, that is another blog.......
Corey, Noah, Kylie invited him over to hang out and pass the ball. I can say this much, the kids on our street are good kids and they care about one another. We are lucky to have the neighbors we have. The only thing that would make it better is if Chris would move over here.....HINT!!!!!
Poor Sarah Kate, she has been so upset and worried over Jack's injury. She is such a little mother hen. At last today, she got to sign the cast. All is well in the free world now. Only a few more weeks and Jack will be back in action..........

He knows what we need.........

As you all know, I went back to work a few weeks ago. It has been a big adjustment for me. I am the person who tries to fit in a few more hours to the 24 we get a day because I find myself getting into more than one person should.
The biggest complaint I have had is the commute I have...35 minutes to work...35 minutes home (if I am lucky). But the biggest complaint has become the biggest blessing. I now look forward to this time during my day. I turn on The River..praise God..pray and really turn over whatever harbors burden on my heart to God at that time. If you have ever driven on 71,270,670 and 315 all in the same day, you understand this. (haha)
So, I guess what I am saying, is that whenever you are dreading something, open your eyes and your heart to the bigger picture. God can bless even the biggest things that irritate us.

A House Full of Kids......

As you can see, Sarah Kate had company last night!! One of the benefits of working north of the city is that I can bring Stven and Ella home with me on Friday nights. Ella had a rough time at the OSU tailgate last Saturday, so Buzz and I decided to save her and let her stay with us for this weeks game. This is our two girls snuggling in my bed last night.....
Corey decided to get up this morning and spend the day at The horseshoe" for the game against OU. Of course, he had to wear his WVU stuff!! He was so excited to go and hang out with all the kids. I am sure he will have a great time. It was so sweet this morning, I heard Steven give a hug yawn and Corey replied "What's wrong buddy...are you tired?" it is so sweet because there are alot of years between them, but Corey loves to spend time with him.
This is my friend Anita. I know you all have read about her, but this is her first picture on the blog. Now you can put a face with a name. She is Steven and Ella's momma! I am glad that I was able to give her a night to relax and get the things done she needed to do for today's game with ease. That's what friends are for!!
And this is our first introduction of our new "Chillog". He/She will be making its appearance sometime mid February. I am praying it is a boy.....Ella really needs it to be a boy despite the fact that she says she wants a girl. I am just excited that boy or girl, it will be a part of my life.

Saved By Grace.....

It was a great morning for us as a family. Buzz and Sarah Kate both got baptised. Buzz had been as a baby so he decided it was time to get it on the right side of his salvation. This is something I had been praying for so I am very excited.Pastor Neal is so sweet and he asked me how long he needed to hold Buzz down...I said just until we see the bubbles stop!! Just kidding!! I am so glad to be a part of this church family.
This is my sweet angel. She has been so excited since VBS to do this and her first words as she came up was "I get to start my new life now". She loves Jesus and that brings tears to my eyes...

This has lit a fire under Corey and now he has decided to attend the next baptism meeting on Saturday and now he wants to go forward on Sunday to be baptised. What a wonderful week when your family is on fire for the Lord.....

Working 9-5......

Well, I am really working 8:30-4:30, but when you add commute times, it is 7:45-5:15. For those of you who are not good in math...it is a long day. Then you get to figure in all the other things I have going on in my life....it is a really long day. I do love my job and the people I work with are wonderful.
Corey started 5th grade this week. I can hardly believe that my son will be 11 years old. It seems like yesterday that Buzz was almost ready to pass out when they held up the after birth in the delivery room (my doctor had a great sense of humor). I have alot of mixed emotions. Happy to see him grow and know what good kid he is and sad to know that someday soon, my house will be very quiet. Well, quiet once SK is out of the house!!
SarahKate will begin 2nd grade tomorrow. I feel like she was never really a baby. When your child can say "new shoes" at 18 months everytime you pass a Target, you know they are gonna be a "LuLu"..hence the nickname..thanks Miss Glendora!! She is extremely excited and I am thankful knowing that I can go to work and she will have an awesome day because she loves her teacher and will have days being taught and loved!
So, for all you mom's out there, I hope that I am not the only feeling this way this week. Hope your kids are happy, healthy and excited about what the new school year will bring.....

Things I am Greatful for......

Today was my first day of working since moving to Ohio. Well, maybe I should say my first day of working outside the home. For those of you who know me well, I work all the time since my butt has a hard time sitting still. I really did enjoy it and am looking forward to what the future holds.

As I was driving home, I was able to think of other things (except the traffic that may send me off the deep end.) I began to think of all the things that I am greatful for....here it goes:
1. That my friends and family were spared any real damage from TS Fay.
2. That my sister chick Kara is back on her feet after being ill.
3. That Anita is doing well and carrying a healthy baby.
4. That I know I can call Chris or Stacie for whatever I might need today...or any day.
5. That my kids are being well taken care of by Becky.
6. That Buzz is feeling better and it is able to work.
7. That I am able to stay in contact with those I love through this blog.
But most importantly, that I am washed in the blood of the lamb and without Him, all of the above would not be possible.

I just want you all to know how much I love you and how thankful I am to what you bring to my life.....

Camping with Friends....

This weekend, our family and three other families all went camping at Deercreek. These are only 6 of the kids, the other two were not at the site when the picture was taken. The kids really had a blast. They got to experience freedom around the campground which they all thought was very cool. Thank goodness for walkie-talkies. They fished, took walks, rented banana bikes (new experience for me riding these crazy bikes),swam in the lake, played hide and go seek.....they were all beat by this morning when we left....
This is me and my friend Kara. As you can see, she loves "my boyfriend" too and this is what brought us together. Yeah Peyton!!! Can't wait for the season to start!!! The ladies all got into the habit of walking after meals. Don't always let Kara lead..you never know where she will take you (haha)...too much cold medicine!?!?
Me and my hubby chilling out after a long day. The ladies took the girls and Nick to the lake and the guys all went to the dam fishing. We went through 3 dozen night crawlers this weekend!! Serious fishing.
This is our friends Jim and Jayne. They have two boys Alex and Nick and we met them through baseball. Michelle and Matt also came, but had to leave camp to take the girls to cheering so they were not around when the camera came out. Jim made the best brauts!! the onions were great! Makes me greatful that we are all getting togther next weekend for mexican night!
Benjamin stayed home because I did not want to hear him howl at every rabbit so thanks to Chris and Stac for loving on him and taking care of his needs while we were gone. He will be going next time!!

This is Kara's sweet little Emma. Buzz was barking at her so she would run and hide behind the cooler till he walked far enough away from her then she would run after him and try to bite him on the ankles!! Too cute!! We love Emma Sue!!

Well guys, it was a great weekend and we are so thankful to have such great friends to share it with! Makes me excited about all of us, plus Chris and family,Stacie & Nick and Scott and family all getting togther next weekend. Looks like I better get rest this week!!

Give Chris What Is Do.......

For those of you who do not know, this is my friend Chris. When we moved to Grove-tucky, she and her family were our next door neighbors. We hated that house we rented, but we are so thankful for the friends we made in Chris and yes, even John.

Chris was upset when I posted the new book info and the thanks I gave Stacie and did not mention that Chris gives me all her trash mags when she is done reading them. Not that I really care about who is doing who, but they make the time go so much faster at 6 am when you are on the eliptical!

So thank you to my weird and wacky friend. You do make my life so much more interesting and I will miss our afternoons of drinking tea and making fun of Buzz. But we have Saturdays of Buckeye football to yell, scream and pace about my living room...Go bucks....

Look at me Miss Stacie

Although you can not see them, Sarah Kate has her skates on and she spent most of the day on them practicing in front of our house. This is special because my BFF Rose (AKA Stacie) took SK skating on Sunday and she ended up in tears because she was so afraid. She has mastered walking and turning around, next comes speed. We are going camping this weekend so she wants to be ready to skate at the camp ground.
This is her saying "YES" after she balanced herself and kept from falling. She really thinks she is all that now...
This is Sk and her buddy Julia. They took turns most of the day skating and helping each other stand up in the skates! That's what friends are for!! So Stac, she will be ready for skate america next time around!!!

Garden full of veggies......

This past spring I decided to plant a garden once again. Last year, I had some tomatoes and that was about all. As you can see, my pumpkin has decided to grow and the kids have been so excited about having it for halloween. I hope it is still good by then......
Here is my pride and joy...my green peppers.....for those of you who eat these things, I am excited they grew because they are so expensive at the store. Look pappy....wouldn't they make great stuffed peppers????
Here are my salsa peppers! We have gotten about a dozen off the plant so far and I have been able to make salsa for myself and share with my neighbor. Between her herbs and my peppers, we are able to have some great treats!
Here are my first of MANY tomatoes to turn red. When they come in, it will be crazy. Right now, I have at least 25 green tomatoes...with a bunch of buds to start. Looks like I will be busy canning!! Don't worry Pappy, we can make chilli when you come....
Here is a view of the chaos of my garden. Between the three tomatoe plants..four if you include the one that came up on its own (which has three small tomaotes Dad) and the vines of the pumpkins...it is a daily chore to go out there and mess with it. But to tell you the truth, I love it and am very thankful for the food and the relaxation it gives me to go out and do. So, Pappy, thanks for the attention you gave to the garden while you were here...sorry you won't be here to reap all the benefits. Next year, we need to plan a later trip to Ohio.....

Party with the Champions......

Last night was the Mets team party at Coach Scott's house. Everyone was able to make it except Jaxon and Drillion. The kids had a great time. I believe the adults did too!! It was so cool this year because all of the parents got along great and have actually spent alot of time with each other outside of baseball activites. This weekend, five families are all going camping together...CAN'T WAIT!!!!!
This was Casey, Corey and Sarah Kate all with water guns in the back yard. Scott has a great back yard for a party and the kids took advantage of all the space.
Finally, all the kids sat and listened as the coaches spoke about the season...
Here is Coach Scott discussing best moments of the season......guess he kept the water gun in case they got out of line!!
This was the gift the parents got for Scott. He was thrown out of a game because he questioned a terrible call by an ump and all he said was "You've got to be kidding me"...hence why he got the shirt!!! Coach George looking on got a huge laugh out of it!!
Great season guys!!!