It's the little things.....

Well, we finally got a break in the weather today (it has been raining off and on for two days) and the kids decided they wanted to walk down to the playground for a while. It is nice living so close to the school that we can do this more than we do.

We got there and and of course Sarah Kate found a few little girls to run and play with (she has never met a stranger) and Corey and I hung out on the swings. For a while, we were swinging next to each other in complete silence. With Corey, you can do this. He does not require you to talk the way Sarah Kate does. He just likes to know you are there.

Corey then began telling me about this spelling game he learned in class this year and we decided to play. It was so great to spend this time with him. Laughing and enjoying each other without me being too "embarrassing" for him.

So many times, parents think they have to go do the big stuff..spend lots of money..buy your kids stuff to show how much you care, but in reality, it is the little things that they remember and are grateful that you do for them. Thanks Corey for spending time and giving me the greatest gift, your love and attention....

Got to love a quote....

Well, I was changing out my quotes and decided to "mix it up alittle". I was changing them and as I was, it made my think of most of my "Sister-chicks". It is so cool that of each of my new quotes, I could add one of their names next to it. I am sure that by now, you know how much I value each and every one of these ladies and they make my life so much richer.

Some I talk to everyday...some every few days, and some an email here and there. But no matter what, they are always close at heart and I do not know what I would do without them. They make me laugh...they help me cry...and they help me most importantly, get even (just kidding). ...NOT!

So, check out the new quotes and my friends who remind me of how much fun life truly is!!

Got Tagged!!!

Well, my friend Tina "tagged me" on her blog so here you go. You may learn more than you really wanted to.

What I was doing 10 years ago???
I was living in Fort Myers and working at McGregor Baptist Church in the evenings while I worked for Lee County Schools during the day.

My Favorite Snack????
I guess cereal. I try not to snack so this is a hard one for me.

Five things on my to-do list for today???
1. laundry..as always
2. mop floors
3. go swimming
4. call Amy
5. finish knitting the purse for my mom

Five jobs I have had in the past:
1. mental health professional
2. daycare worker
3. daycare director
4. worked with autisic children
5. mary kay salesperson

Five places I have lived:
1. Bellaire, Ohio
2. Fort Myers, Florida
3. Lehigh Acres, Florida
4. Grove City, Ohio
5. I AM NEVER MOVING AGAIN>>>>>>>>

Five random things you don't know about me:
1. I HATE belly buttons
2. I have been divorced
3. I put pepper on everything I eat
4. I want a tattoo
5. I love sappy books

Five Things I would want if Iwere deserted on an island:
1. a constant fire
2. lots of books
3. lots of wine
4. music
5. the protection of God

What would I do if I became a billionaire??
I would become debt free. Then my family would become debt free. I would set up foundations for those less fortunate so that the money I invested wold continue to grow to reach many people who need help.

So, there you have it. Some you might have known...some might surprise you. Hopefully in the end, you still love me......

Relay for Life.....

Today was the end of relay for life for 2008. It was a great event and as a team we raised almost 3,000. Grove City chapter raised over 121,000. It was a blast for the adults as well as the kids. This is my dad sporting his Survivor shirt. They had a dinner for all cancer survivors and they all wore this shirt as they opened with a lap as a team. It was very emotional and encouraging to know that people can fight this disease.

This is part of Team Mitchell. The Insurance company that Kara works for sponsored our team. We all left today with great ideas on how to improve our efforts for next year and are excited to work on projects throughout the year to raise more money for the cause.
This is my dad and Kevin, our teams Miss Relay. Although I thought he looked great, he came in 4th. Buzz said he woold do it next year so I am excited to see him all hairy in the dress!! That should be awesome and as a wife, make me proud!!
This is me and my BFF Rose (Stacie). She works for Discover card and participated on their team. She did however diss me at 5 am to walk laps with me. She can make it up to me next year! She walked from 9-10 pm, so I guess I can let her slide...NOT!!

Dad is holding a luminary. Each team sold them to be placed around the track in a candle lit service. Over 1,000 were sold. My brother Todd bought this one in honor of dad.

We are still accepting donations through August for this year. If anyone is interested, please contact me and I can give you the address on how to donate.

A visit with Uncle Don

Well guys, it has been a busy week. Unlce Don, (my brother) was in town for a football at OSU. It has been almost two years since the kids have seen him so they had a great time trying to beat him up in the yard!!

Unlce Don shows Sarah Kate and Corey how to put someone in a head lock and fish hook, all at the same time. Now I call that mulit-tasking!! They miss him so much so were excited to have some time with him..even if only for one night.
This is Emory and Mac. They play football for my brother at Fort Myers High. They attended the camp as well. Sarah Kate loved having them here with us and the boys were so sweet to the kids. Corey thought he was big stuff that they came to his game that night.
I hope the next visit will be for longer and not so long in between.

Nothing is as we think it should be....

It amazes me how things change from day to day. The weather is always unpredictable. Hot one day and then your wearing a sweater the next. Friends are talking to you...next thing you know, they are not. People enter and exit your life all the time. Everything always changes.

I am writing this because a friend came to me on Wednesday with terrific news (another post for another time) and I could not even bring myself to say how happy I was for her. I stood there with my mouth open in disbelief. For those of you who know me, this is a major thing because I always have a comment for everything.

I guess just because this was such a shock, I cold not put my arms around her and give her the comfort and love and reassurance of what a wonderful event this will be. Life is this way. As soon as the road straightens, a bend throws us around another turn and we stand there wondering what in the world happened. But what if we did not have these turns????What if it was the same old thing everyday?? Would we not be bored?? Of course we would. We need these turn of events to keep life fun and exciting..this is what it is all about.

So, to my friend..I know you are reading...I love you....I am happy for you...and you will get through this and be so happy and fullfilled and very blessed at the end of this new direction in your life. I am,as always ,here for you........

Me and my Pappy......

Well guys, it has been a crazy week in our home. pappy and Grandma came up from Florida and we have gone non-stop all week. Corey loves it when Pappy is here cause they pass baseball..take the dog for a walk..and spend as much together as possible. I hate it that his pappy lives so far from him.
Corey had a game on Monday and of course after playing a game, Corey needed Pappy to pass with him in the yard.
I love it that these two are as close as they are. I pray that as Corey gets older, he never forgets his time with dad. When dad is in Ft. Myers, he calls him every night to discuss sports and what happens in his day. It is so sweet!!
Of course, do not forget Benjamin! he hawled forever when he saw Pappy and has not left his side if possible. Buzz wanted to take him for a walk the other night and Ben would not go until Pappy got his shoes on and took him out. Hope he dosen't get too use to it cause he will only be here three more weeks!!

Losing one of my own......

Well, I know the saying, Everything good thing comes to an end, my end has come. Thursday was my last day with Ella Grace. Her mom, Anita, has decided to leave the school in which Sarah Kate attends and will be taking Ella with her next year which means I am out of the picture.

This is a great opportunity for Anita and I am so happy for her, I just wished I still would have my baby love with me everyday next school year.

It is amazing how much you can love a child, even when they are not yours. At any point during the day, you can find her on my lap reading abook....coloring in "our" special book..or just plain giving me some love....whether I deserve it or not. It is so cool that she is the one person, whom I can do wrong in her eyes. We love to make homemade pie crust......her sitting her dupa on my counter..singing to the radio..and asking if she can eat whatever is left over in the bowl. Or after I had my surgery, she would throw the clothes in the washer for me because Icould not bend over. Or pulling her chair to the sink to help me wash dishes. I hope that she remembers as much about me as I remember about her.

So this is it Gracie...time to be a big girl...take on the new Preschool with all the determination we know you have...and grow into that strong personality and be the wonderful child that God has created you to be. I love you..........

Clap on...Clap out....

Today was Corey's last day of school at JC Sommer Elementary. It was both sad and exciting. Sad because he has become so fond of this school and adapted so well after moving so far from everything and everyone he had ever known.
The whole school lined up (along with parents) and "clapped out" all the fourth graders as they left the school. Some kids cheered, others cried. As you can see, Corey did pretty well. He loves J.C., but is excited to go to Park Street next fall.
Here is Corey with his partner in crime Kyle. Mrs. Cottrell, their teacher, joined them for one last picture.
Change is sometimes scary, but I think these kids are secure enough in themselves to accept change with open minds. It doesn't hurt that they have slushies at lunch time to look forward to!! Intermediate School...here they come!!

I'm getting too old for this stuff....

We had a crazy weekend. The PGA tour was in town this week and Buzz and I got to spend all day Sunday watching all the golf that his little heart desired. It truly is fun and I love to go with him. Thanks to Daniel (aka Danielle) and Kara for hooking us up with the tickets!!

Buzz, Jason and Corey all went on Saturday to watch the tournament and had a great time. When they got home, we loaded up the car and spent the night at Pappy Stan's. This is the father of my friend Anita. He has 13 acres of land up in Marysville. It was filled with 16 tents and around 50 people saturday night. He has a pond stocked with huge catfish (Corey fished until 1:30 am), dirt bikes,play equipment,bikes of every kind...it was so much fun! We had a huge camp fire and made smores and spent an evening with a bunch of friends. The kids had a blast and had to be hosed down on Sunday because of the amount of dirt on their bodies. I am sure as a child, you remember, the amount of dirt determined how much fun you had!!

So after about 4 hours of sleep, Buzz and I got ready (thanks Anita for keeping the kids on Sunday) and went to the Memorial Tourney. Needless to say, after 9 miles of walking, I am so burnt and so tired, that I have decided I can not handle that much action in such a short period of time. But it is worth it when you get to be with people you love and have fun with.

So Pappy Stan, thanks for a great time, but next year, do it on an uneventful weekend!! I needed more time to recup!! We all loved it and are counting the time until we get to come back up!! Thank God for our Pappy's!!