I have been carrying all of my scrappin' gear around in the back of my car with me for almost two weeks now! The reason being is that mom and I made cards and I didn't know what all supplies I would need, so I just brought everything. I was also suppose to scrapbook at my sister's house in Georgia but I never got around to it. After my gear traveling over 1000 miles with me, it was time to unload and organize and possibly get better gas mileage. Hobby Lobby had 50% off on all of their organizing supplies so yesterday I purchased several rubbermaids designed specially for scrappers to aide me in my task at hand. I took over the so-called "coat" closet in the livingroom when we moved in the house and last summer I turned it into a scrappin' nook. I absolutely love it! I open the closet door when I want to scrap and close it when I am done. No mess, no hassle. I can scrap whenever I want to. And as of midnight last night, my scrappin' closet is officially organized and ready for business. I call my work my "Closet Creations".

Suprise!!!

 

(click on the collage for bigger picture)
George brought home this beautiful four month old standard poodle today. His name is Benny. He is so black, I had to use the "fill light" in photo editing just to brighten up the picture so you could see him! George had first told me about it last week while I was out of town. I strongly disagreed and did not approve. I have no time to take care and train another dog and I really didn't want that big of a dog. George talked about him a couple more times to me since then and I just didn't want to hear it. It's not in our game plan. I hate to say it, but George and the kids tag-teamed me and I didn't have a choice in the matter. The puppy is an $1800.00 dog, AKC registered and whose grandfather won the AKC/Eukannba National Championship twice. George got him for free. The previous owner signed the "title" over to us. Can you believe that? Benny has registration papers just like a car! There is alot of responsibility that comes with Benny and I told George that he was responsible, not me. He agreed and so did Forrest and Sadie to take care of all of the needs, etc. If we do keep him, I want him fixed, but George doesn't. The previous owner paid $1500.00 to have a "baby-daddy", if you know what I mean. George would like to breed him or pimp him out for slang. I do have to admit, Benny is a beautiful puppy and is so delicate and very shy in natureand he hasn't made a sound yet, even when he walks. He is afraid of Carhartt, and we all know that Carhartt isn't afraid of no one! The mighty Carhartt will definately be the dominate of the two. George is really hoping Benny will bond to Forrest. We bought Carhartt for Forrest and he happened to bond with me! At the moment, he is snuggled up to Forrest and Sadie is sleeping on the extra mattress on the floor with hopes Benny will snuggle with her too. Benny is already a part of our family whether I like it or not. Nthing I can do but love him too. I hate peer pressure!

Happy Easter

 

 

 

Happy Easter to everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Easter. Yesterday morning, the kids and I headed into town to buy some much new Sunday clothes. We spent yesterday at the Stamp's house and celebrated Easter. Since we do not spend Easter with family and do the traditional family gathering (we do that at Thanksgiving), it is very nice to feel like we belong with Cay and her family. There was about 30 people there and no time was wasted sitting around doing nothing. Forrest and Sadie rode the four-wheeler all day long. Forrest talked me into letting him take me for a ride and so I hopped on and we took off. I was a bit nervous. He kept telling me to hold on to him with both arms tighltly. I wanted to hold onto the four-wheeler! I have never put full control of my life in my son's hands before. I do have to admit he was very careful and did a great job and returned me safely. Forrest took Sadie for several rides to and it was so funny to see her hold on to him so tighly! In any other circumstnace, they would not have put themselves so close to one another! By the end of the day, Sadie had gained confidence and was riding the four-wheeler by herself. ( I wouldn't let her shift gears at all so she couldn't pick up any speed. She din't seem to mind!) We had tons of food. Cay had cooked a huge beef brique and a ham. too many side dishes to name. We had used just about every pot/pan and serving dishes she had for this feast. After dinner, the kids were able to color 5 1/2 dozen eggs. They had a blast. The eggs were hidden (plastic-filled eggs) and all the kids hunted. Forrest helped hide the eggs. It was his first time for him to not hunt them. After the hunt, we cleaned up the kitchen and were able to relax and socialize till it was time to go. We had an absolute great time. Cay's mom told me earlier in the day that Cay and I reminded me of her and her best friend of 30+ years and how she loves to watch us together. I told her that I hope our friendship lasts 30+ years. We're in it for the long run!


(Out of the 188 pictures I took, the two that I am in, my eyes were either closed or almost closed! I hate taking pictures!)

We're Back!

 

 

 

 

We'r back! We rolled in around 2pm this afternoon from spending time with my sister and her family in Georgia this week. We didn't do that much, but the lounge time was perfect. Forrest and Nate were inseparable and so was Sadie and Sophia. Mary Kate and I made a decision long ago that our children will have a relationship with one another since we didn't have one with our cousins growing up. All the miles and hours we have spent with each other over the years have paid off! We all got haircuts while we were there. Sad that we have to drive four hours for a cut, but MK has discovered this awesome lady at the spa last year and this was my second time to go with her. She does a great job! Sadie had her hair chopped into a beautiful stack. She walked out of the salon looking like a young lady she is becoming. Forrest got an inch cut off. He would have preferred not to have scissors to his hair at all. It's good to be back. Carhartt was so excited to see us and so was George.

Spring Break is Here!

We welcome Spring Break! I love having the week off. It's a time to rest, clean and enjoy a break from the everyday routine. This weekend was great. We spent the night with my mom and dad. My mom and I made cards and Forrest and Sadie wa able to spend some time with Grampie doing some service projects around the house. Saturday night, we went to the Becksteads for dinner. It's been awhile since we have been over and it was such an enjoyable evening. It was nice to remember how nice a family outting with friends feel when you get so busy and stay within your comfort zone. It's also nice having the "other side" pulling on you to get you out of your zone. Tomorrow, the kids and I will head out to my sister's house in Georgia for a couple of days.

Our home teacher and the missionaries came over this afternoon. He came to visit wtih Forrest and Sadie. His question to them was "What are your parents doing to teach you spiritually?" Wow! Could he be more point blank? The first words from Forrest and Sadie were "We haven't read the scriptures this week". Kids say the darndest things, don't they? I did have that same thought on my way back from mom's house Saturday but I never mentioned it to the kids. Even though it was the truth, it was so nice for the the kids to take notice! Forrest did say that he and I read a couple of days together for his Duty to God. Trust me, we have paid for not reading the scriptures together. Forrest and Sadie have been very impatient with each other and the level of arguing has gone up a degree! What a great HT we have to be so to the point and concerned about our family's spiritual welfare. He was smart to ask the kids as adults seem to "justify" the answers. So to all of you, do what you need to or your home teachers will ask your kids to point out all of your faults!

High Tea

 

 

 

 

Last night was my first Enrichment meeting ever! We celebrated RS Birthday with "High Tea." The early pioneer sisters had high tea and I thought we could too. I had a table set up with "then and now" items and pictures of Nauvoo and the Nauvoo Temple. The table clothes were out of some material I bought years ago and it sorda fit the era of 1800's. I rented tea cup/plates and had the sisters bring homemade bread and honeybutter. We made homemade hot apople cider for the "tea". While the sisters enjoyed the fruits of their labor, I quized them about the early Relief Society. I then had Jonas Harmond come in and gave a narrative about the organization of Relief Society. After that, three sisters bore their testimonies about their experience with RS and the Bishop gave some closing comments. Before we had the birthday cake, I gave a description of what the early pioneers made with "feedsack" material and then gave each sister a small feedsack with a bookmark, a color key scripture marking system on the back of the bookmark along with a pack of four highlighters to mark our scriptures. The only thing I forgot was to have a closing prayer! When the sister I had asked reminded me, I quickly rounded us up and we ended with prayer. We had 23sisters there. I love these sisters. The support they gave to me is priceless. I feel this is my home in the Fayeeteville Ward, of all places. I want to give a shout-out to my family. They helped me in so many ways. George, Forrest and Sadie provided the nursery along with being on the clean-up crew. What a successful night. The Spirit was so strong and testified of the importance of this great organization of the Relief Society.

My Resignation Letter

To whom it may conern,

As of May 23, 2008, I hereby resign from my position of physical Education K-5 teacher at East Clinton School with the Huntsville City School System. Let it be known that the decision is due to personal and family obligations. Thank you for your confidence in my employment for these eight years. I have really enjoyed my tenure with Huntsville City Schools.

What do you think? I think that after I walk it to the Board of Education at lunch time it is really official! I mean, the decision we made almost 2 years ago to bring me home was official, but it feels so much "realler", if that is a word, now more than ever! I need to get my ticker back on my blog and count down the days I have left. Usually after Spring Break, the days fly by! I am so excited to begin my next chapter in my life,(our life), to make our family stronger and to help bring us even closer to the Lord. I am amazed at all the windows of opportunity the Lord has opened for us to make this possible. It reminds me of 1 Nephi 3:7 "I will go and do the things the Lord hath commanded...save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He hath commanded them". We're not on our way to get the plates from Laban, but I promise you at times we feel the pain of Laman, Lemuel, Nephi and Sam. We're not done yet, but we do see the light at the end of the tunnel!

My sister

 

I just love this picture of my sister Mary Kate. She is the best sister anyone could have, so please do not be jealous that I have her as my sister. She is so awesome. She is caring and very unselfish. She is a wonderful sister, mother, wife and daughter. She serves unselfishly. She puts herself last. For the ones who know her, you know that I speak the truth. She survived all the years of me pouncing her. Growing up, I really don't remember having a relationship with her. I had a one-way relationship and that was with myself. I was very selfish. But as soon as I married George and moved out, I called home everyday, several times a day for years. Mary kate became my very best friend and she still is today.. She has loved me when I was down in the gutter and she helped picked me up and she loves me for who I am today unconditionally. Before I dropped Verizon last month, we talked every morning on the phone on my way to work and then on my way back home. And when we hung up, we always say, "I love you" When we are out of school, her house is our destination. We love how our children have a relationship with each other. We didn't know any of our cousins, so we are breaking the cycle together. I would have a void to fill if she wasn't in my life. I thank my Heavenly Father for her everyday. I just hope that I return just a little of what she gives to me. I love you Mary Kate!

Snow Day

 
Forrest is making something really special for Sadie! Sadie! Where are you? I have something for you! Come and get it!
 
Sadie is attempting to make a snow angel...Notice there is more green grass than snow!
 
Forrest thought it was a clever idea to use the rack to scrape the snow off the roof. Some snow did make it into his hands, but the rest went inside his jacket! Brr!
 
This is one side of the front yard with a "dusting" of snow on the ground. As I am blogging at this moment, the ice is melting and the snow is disappearing. I am waiting for the day when we get 6-8" of snow and ice and the whole North Alabama is shut down for a couple of weeks like it did with the ice storm of 1985. Does anyone remember that?

Book Tag

I was tagged by Amy. I think this is interesting to see what we all read. So here is how it works.

1. Pick up the nearest book (that has at least 123 pages)
2. Turn to page 123
3. Find the 5th sentence
4. Post the next 3 sentences
5. Tag 5 other people

Book of Mormon, page 123, 5th verse (each verse is a sentence)
12 "And now I, Jacob, spake many more things unto the people of Nephi, warning them against fornication and lasciviousness, and every kind of sin, telling them the awful concesquences of them.

Wow! of all pages and of all sentences! I now tag Mary Kate, Granny, Rachel, Kim, and Chris

My Favorite Room

 

 

 

This is what our livingroom looks like today. I love to come home to a clean house. I absolutely adore our livingroom. In a couple of months, it'll be a year since we put in our hardwood floors in the livingroom and hallway and let me tell you, I covet them everyday! Covet is such a harsh word, so I'll replace it with admire. I admire them everyday. Even when the room is trashed, the floors are fantastic in my eyes! Maybe it because we had to save to get them and we put our blood, sweat and tears into putting them in ourselves that makes it so personable to me (George too). I also love the natural light that comes through the windows. The floors reflect the sunlight that makes for a nice shine. If I could, I'd have a house made of only windows. It makes me feel so good, like I could take on the world! I've told you my favorite room, tell me about yours!

Time for Wife Swap!

I have been waiting all week for my favorite show Wife Swap. I just love it! I love to see how other people live thier lives and how they raise their children. Well, gotta go, Sadie just informed me it's 7:00 and time for Wife Swap!

Sadie's "ME" Quilt

 

 

Sadie just finished her project quilt about herself. It was alot of fun to help her As Sadie typed out her information on the computer, I was punching holes and putting brads in the corners of the cardstock. I refuse to use glue! We printed out some pictures that went along with each quilt square. Sadie loves to do projects. My favorite square was about her "favorite place to be" and her answer was home. It brought tears to my eyes! She is so excited to show off her quilt tomorrow. I can't wait to see the big fat 100 for her grade!

R.I.P. Snouzer

We discovered that our very talented hamster Snouzer was on the loose again. We fiured that he would surface as he did last time. Thinking back, I do remember Carhartt acting very frisky in the pantry and he was sniffing up a storm. I didn't think anything about it until Sadie said the haster was missing. George and I went to the Temple yesterday and when we came back, the first thing out of Sadie's mouth was "We found Snouzer!" I asked her where and she said under the church pew. I headed over to his cage when I heard Sadie say, "He's dead". My heart stopped. Somehow Carhartt found had him and wrestled with him to the point Snouzer told Carhartt "I'm outta here. Beat you to heaven!". Our famiy has lost a beautiful hamster. He was so friendly and would roll over so you could rub his belly when he was aleep. When we got him, along with Carhartt, we knew we were opening our hearts to a heart break in the time of death. It's just a risk we are willing to take to have the joy these little critters give to us. To Snouzer: Save us a seat in Heaven!"