Very Unusual Year...2011

It seems as if nothing was planned in 2011, it just happened. That is not a bad thing, just unusual-- because if it isn't in the planner, it usually does not happen. I feel like I have been taking lessons in humility, spontaneity, and accepting change. We have become a family that adapts well and that characteristic only makes us stronger...at least that is what they told me in college.
I am not going to list the highs or the lows of the year. No one really wants to read about that.
Just one sentence...We all made it!

Changes to Come

I have 2 days and 1 night class, a project, a final and an exit interview left of this semester. WOW!! That scares me to death and relieves me all at the same time. So much to do in so little time, and its almost over!! This semester is the last of the "in classroom as a student" time for me. I never dreamed that in my late thirties I would consider going back to college, but I have loved (almost) every minute of it. I have met some wonderful people and gained so much experience.
I start student teaching at BHS in January. Different schedule, different atmosphere, different people. I am excited to be on the other side of the desk, and nervous at the same time. May 2012, will bring graduation (there will be extensive celebration!) and decisions about what to do next. It is a little mind boggling to take all of this in....
but I would do it all again!

So much to be thankful for...

God has blessed me abundantly. I cannot begin to list everything I am thankful for. Some, top the list...
...good health, and that of my family
... extended family, who I may not see every week or even every year
... my NWA family, though not blood related--I know I can count on you
...my children, all very different. You make me very proud!
...my husband. He is my biggest cheerleader in whatever I choose to do
...the country I live in, all the freedoms it provides and those who provide it
...so many things to list, I could never cover them all

...last, but not least...that this semester is almost over!!

I won!

Many probably saw the apron I made, because I was so proud of it --I showed everyone! I won! It was a recycled cotton competition, using used t-shirts and used jeans. I took photos of the process, because I have never made anything without a pattern. I used two old t-shirts.

A Week in Review-- Very High and Very Low

So many prayers of support, guidance and praise! I am abundantly blessed!
This week has been quite a roller coaster.

• A good friend has found out that his cancer is gone. He has had a very hard time post surgery, but is CANCER FREE! My heart has been hurting for he and his wife and family.


• My step mom had her check up and is still CANCER FREE, post surgery. Her brother died this week, after a transplant. It was a long tough battle and she has been by his side. Emotional high and low for her. RIP Uncle Dennis.


• Trenton's eye exam was good!


• Hogs Win! NAIL BITER!


• Heritage Girls' Tennis State Champs!


• I completed and delivered two wedding cakes last Saturday--highs and lows all day!


• Friend Brian and his wife Cheryl welcomed a healthy girl--#7 I am amazed!!


• I was initiated into Kappa Delta Pi honor society at the U of A today! My effort is paying off!

I am not ready for this

...and neither is her daddy! This is dinner before "black and white themed" homecoming. They are adorable, but WOW am I really old enough to have a daughter going to dances, and out to dinner, and dressing like a teenager.

This smile is after all of the "rule review" we had in the car. Bobby hollers out..."remember the rules!" and I snapped the picture. Then she had to explain when they got inside the restaurant. There could be a little fun in this!

Olivia Grace

She is my middle child, and she is one of a kind! I wouldn't have it any other way. I just want to brag on her for a minute. Since we have started homeschooling, she has taken two days out of her week to do some volunteer teaching herself. She goes to the dance school and helps Ms. Laine with the two and three year olds dance class. The stories that she comes home with, are so funny! On another day, she goes to her old elementary school and volunteers in the kindergarten class. I am so proud of her for everything she does, but giving herself and her time for others makes me glow! She may just be a teacher someday, but I know she will be a great momma!

Razorbacks vs. Troy

We sat in a few places, just taking it all in. My favorite is still close to the student section. I love to watch them! You cannot see it, but the larger picture is of a kid who was wearing a rainbow bikini under his clothes. He was yelling at the other team and showing off. His attire included swim goggles and a swim ring. Strangely, this boy looked like my younger brother! Jonathan, if it was you---I expect a better photo!

Rain messed up the plans a little. No pregame fun, but it cleared off and we all had a great time. This was Parker's first game, and he got to sit with his buddy Koby. We have always made this a time for just adults, but the kids are old enough now to not fuss so much about time, and WALKING (up hill both ways! LOL), and weather. Hopefully we can make it a family event next year...because their momma would be very happy for them to all be Razorbacks some day (it's very close, and I can be there in just a few if they need me)! To make a great time even better, I hiked to the other side of the stadium to see my favorite scrapping friend...and we both forgot to take a picture! Glad to see her again!

Anyway...game weather was dry. Arkansas was not at their best (I hope!). We won. Tomorrow's game will tell all.

Fighting...

We have never had to deal with fist fighting until now. Parker came home crying--not because he was severely hurt, but because he thought he was going to be in trouble for socking a kid in the face.
The questions...are you ok? is he ok? were you defending yourself? what happened? did you hit him in the face or the balls? (Bobby's question-not mine)--My response to that--REALLY??
After talking to him, and a neighbor kid, we determined that he was in fact defending himself. Good!
I have told him not to take anything from these kids, some of them are bigger and if he lets them bully him once, he will be a target.
THEN...the kids mom comes to the door. She looks all of fifteen, although I don't think that is possible. She is ready to discuss and make them apologize. First you can't make a kid apologize and it mean anything. Second...did I mention that she looks like she is 15??
We met her at the door, and she probably thought we were the grandparents! LOL
She quickly lost her puffed up appearance and told me that her son was throwing a "fake" punch...and I politely told her that throwing any punch at my son was going to get a response. Bobby says that I said it like three times, but she backed down and went home. I didn't force Parker to apologize, but he did.
I told Parker that if he didn't defend himself he would be in trouble, but he did the right thing.
If you don't agree...well don't mess with my son...or his momma!

Unexpected Visitor

This is out where we are building. He was just sunning himself and chilling out.

Another List- Movies

Movies I can watch over and over...

1) RV
2) Sweet Home Alabama
3) Walk the Line
4) Lakehouse
5) Hotel for Dogs
6) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
7) Here on Earth
8) Mona Lisa Smile
9) The Blindside
10) Couples Retreat
11) Hope Floats
12) Miss Congeniality
13)Parent Trap

so it isn't a top ten...it's a top 13

Happy Birthday Parker!

My little boy has hit double digits today! It does not seem like it has been ten years. These photos are random from the last year. Parker I love you! Happy Birthday!

Julie

Today is the anniversary of the loss of my sister, Julie Kelly Jones. She is still on my mind everyday. I miss her. We could not have been more different, or looked more different. Anyone who knew us both would agree on that!
What I most remember about her, is she believed in the best in everyone. It did not matter what you said or did, she would always take up for the underdog...or maybe it was just her way of always arguing with me.
She would be so proud of her son, he has grown into a wonderful, beautiful boy.
Julie you are remembered. I love you.

The Sign Says it All

A few of my favs...

Favorite Things...

I am a list maker at heart. List for grocoeries, list of things to do today, school list, activity list, bucket list, packing list....for everything, there is a list!

Today's List ... A Few of My Favorite Things

• Packages in the mail


• Fresh Flowers


• Malibu and Coke


• Sweet tea


• Clean sheets


• iphone


• facebook


• chocolate


• my family and my friends


• Razorbacks


• italian food


• Words with Friends


• baking


• going to the movies


• school... on most days


• my stand up mixer


• a clean kitchen


• blogging and reading my friends blogs


• the color blue

Practical Parenting

This is one parenting book that I never found when my kids were little...too late now. I wonder if it comes with a recipe?

What Is It?

There will be no photos to accompany this. One, because it is gross and the second because its embarassing.
Saturday night, after all urgent care facilities have closed...we have an issue. I have developed this huge hard knot on my calf, it's red and purple, and has a spot in the middle. I am a little freaked out. So, I make a call to my nurse mom who is always on duty and send her a photo. After talking with her I am more freaked out. Is is a spider bite? Did I hit it that hard on something and not remember?
I am supposed to watch it and if it gets any bigger, go to the hospital. Out of my purse, I pull out the only thing I have...an orange SHARPIE...and I outline it in little dots and wait. Nothing major happens, it hurts, but after 45 minutes-- nothing happens. I take my trusty ambien and no longer care if it turns my whole leg purple.
This morning, I wake up to a huge purple mark on my leg with tiny BRIGHT orange freckles on it. It has turned out to be nothing major. It just hurts to touch, so I can't get the sharpie off. Fabulous. At least the temperature has dropped and I don't look like such an oddball in long pants.

Insomnia vs. Ambien

Many people have had a good laugh at my expense this week, but that is OK...because I am finally sleeping. My family has been telling me about crazy things I have been doing this week, since I am trying this new drug. I have decided to tell on myself, because it is funny, and just in case you get some freakish text from me in the night you will know I am medicated.
The first night, sitting in bed with my tea and my book. I am told that I was looking all over for my drink, so Bobby helped me find it (in my hand) and sit up to take a drink. After he took it out my hand, took his hand off my back and I fell straight back into the bed-sound asleep.
Night two, my daughter is standing at the end of the bed talking to me, and I am certain that there are two of her. To prove it, I use my phone to take a photo of her and shocked to see that one of her is invisable in my photo. She then convinces me that I need to turn the phone around to take the photo...so I do. Lo and behold she tells me the next morning and yes, there is a picture of her and another of me, eyes wide open taking a photo of myself.
Night three, my friend ordered a cake from me for her anniversary that was delivered that day. I wanted to know how it was and remember thinking I would contact her the next day. I texted her a few messages that I found the next day...sorry D! LOL
Last night, I sit up in the bed and ask how we got home...but we had not actually gone anywhere.

My phone is always with me, I have a teenager, a husband that is sometimes out of town, and an extended family that I am available to almost all of the time. My business is also tied to this number. I spend quiet a bit of time in the car waiting to pick someone up or waiting for something to start. During this time I have become an addict of Words with Friends on my phone. I have 20 games going right now, (only because that is all that it allows) and when the the "ding" goes off that someone has played...my first instinct is to check it!
I tell you all of this to tell you last night after my wonderful sleeping drug, Bobby tried to take my phone. I told him that I couldn't give it up, because my Words with Friends (friends) would play without me.
I am sleeping finally... and right now that is what matters! I hope you got a little giggle from this!

Thanks! I appreciate you all!

I appreciate all of the calls and text from you all since yesterday. Really, I am fine! My post yesterday about, "you must be kidding" was based on frustration because of this fine notice on my car when I got out of school yesterday...for parking in the wrong direction! Seriously, I am not kidding. $20 for parking in the wrong direction in a parking lot. So everything is fine, no worries...except I am a little hacked at the U of A right now. I am glad that I have so many people that care!

Venting...

so if you don't want to read about it, close this now.

Here is my vent... do not pretend to listen to what I say if you are not listening. There is nothing more frustrating than telling someone EXACTLY what you want or expect, only to be disappointed. If you are one of these people and don't realize it....think about it! Some of you do not even know who you are. This includes many people that I have come in contact with recently. I do not believe that I should have to lower my expectations so that I am not disappointed by you. My expectations of each individual are different and I am very tired of saying what I mean only to have it ignored.

Stepping off my soapbox, sorry if you have been offended....but you shouldn't be if you were not one of these people. If you are offended...this was probably intended for you.

I know all of these people this is intended for, do not read my little blog...but I feel better. :)

The Birds and the Bees

This is what is chasing us off the back porch...not what you were expecting?? ...and it's actually wasp.

I don't care so much about the wasp issue, but made a cool discovery in one of my hanging plants this week. Tiny little eggs in a nest built into the side of one of my house plants. The mother bird has flew at me a few times, and I am not going to bother her, but I can't wait to see her babies!

Promotion Sunday @ Southside

Olivia, Bailey and Rylee...class of 2017

All of the kiddos going to the front to move forward!

Olivia's hands top right on the orange wall

Kennedy's hands a few years ago






Promotion Sunday is a big deal for all the kids, but nothing compares to promoting from the elementary to the youth group. Livi Grace promoted today, and she was very excited. This "rite of passage" is marked by our teens, by gathering in the handprint room and marking your spot on the wall.

I love a schedule...but this may be a bit much!

Signs that school has started! Dinner table covered with books...and a large sweet tea!

At one time in my life, I was a very spontaneous person....really, I was! My life now does not allow much unplanned activity. I like that I know where, and when, and how it is all coming together each week. My planner looks like scribbles in a coloring book to the ordinary eye...but a mom would know my short hand version of appts., orders, lessons, practices, doctors appts., and classes to list a few.

I have felt a little overwhelmed for a few weeks, but I am getting a handle on it, I think.

The oldest child's schedule for high school and tennis practice and games is pretty stable, unless you add in sleepovers, rainouts, and various other activities.

Olivia and Parker are my homeschoolers, and their schedule, while flexible, depends on me to prepare, adding in extra curriculars and lesson plans, many ortho appointments, and field trips.

My 18 hours this semester is spread over two days, allowing for homeschooling and my homework...but little else on those two LONG days that I am away.

School, along with a business that took off much faster than I thought, DEMANDS a schedule. So, if I don't call you back immediately (or text) like I have always done...don't be offended, your on the list being worked into the schedule! I promise!

Fortunately, Bobby is backing me up on the homeschool front, helping with the constant demands to be here, there, or somewhere else, and staying in town for awhile, and I can't thank him enough!!

Rogers Heritage Flight Night

Bad photo, but this is Braden King #2

Turner Horton, here on crutches.
Kennedy is 5th one from the left.

What an awesome way to celebrate all of the student athletes!

Boys and girls tennis teams are represented here.

Ok, all of the the captions scattered, so it is kind of a puzzle... Go War Eagles!

Oklahoma Aquarium Trip

Our first official field trip...and boy did they have fun! The boys all enjoyed each others company and Olivia was a good sport being the only girl. They have an amazing shark "walk through" and tons of different ways that the kids can interact with the animals. These photos show Olivia and Parker both taking part in the hands on experience. What a great science class!

Kennedy's First Day of High School

So today I am equally excited and sad. She is growing up before my eyes and I cannot control how fast it is happening! Watch out Heritage High---she make take you by storm! Good luck Kennedy!

Have you ever...

Have you ever looked at where you are and wondered how you got to this point? Why are we given something only to have it taken away? Yes, I am aware that this is not a happy, smiley family post with cute photos of the kids. Sometimes, we just need to reflect...and today is my day.

It has been a very emotional couple of days. Kennedy is starting high school, and I just keep asking myself if that is possible?? I am excited for her, and at the same time, I realize that she is going to be gone in four years. Wow, the pressure to get everything in that I wanted to do with her and remember to tell her everything I want to be sure that she knows.

Pondering another point, I am turning a nice "round" number in a few weeks. It is going to happen whether I like it or not...but I don't like it. I don't have to, it isn't required. Am I where I wanted to be at this age? I don't know. I think I have forgotten what I wanted, but I have learned to be happy where I am. I think that comes with age. That may be the one "up" side.

My sister has been gone for eleven years. I still think about her everyday . Our birthdays our coming, and we always celebrated together growing up, because they were only two days apart. I hated that then, but would give anything for it now. It does get easier in a way, but she is still gone. It is still hard to talk about. Today marks the day that she went in a coma. I was so fortunate to have spent the day before with her. There is so much more I would have said if I had known that we would not get another day. But, if she could hear me, I gave her an ear full for the six weeks she lay there. It does make me smile to remember some of the things I said to her, trying to get her to wake up. God gave me more sisters, I am very blessed. I love them all. God gave me Kameron to remind me of his mother. He is a funny sweet boy and she would be so proud of him! I still wonder why? I also wonder if I have the right to question God. I know I don't, but I do.

Life can become so overwhelming with both good and bad. This is where I am sitting. I am overwhelmed at everything going on around me. I am at a point that I can see my college graduation! May 2012...very excited. I have made it to 40 (well almost!). I have a wonderful husband that wants me to be happy. My kids are not delinquents (so far). I have a million reasons to be thrilled with my life. So why does this time of year always make me bipolar? Seriously, some days I know my family thinks I am. There is just so much change going on in my life. Maybe that is age too...not liking change. The house, education, my business and just life in general is spinning around me and my personality says, "get a grip, and take control of this."
I like control, or feeling as if I am on top of things. I am aware that I am not the one in control, but he let's me think I am sometimes ;) ...and then I get a subtle reminder that HE is in charge. Maybe that is what this is....a time to remember that I can do anything through him and he will take care of the details. Maybe I just need to be medicated...who knows.

I also wonder why things happen when they do? I have heard that there is a reason for everything, but as you have read, I question that. Why do things come at the most unexpected time- some to make you smile and some to make you question and some to just become another issue to deal with. Do our paths in life really cross at certain times on purpose?

I have talked to God about all of this...I will get back to you on what he says.

Dance!

Olivia is the dancer in the family...trained that is. Parker is always busting out moves, but it's totally freestyle--TOTALLY. This photo is post recital with her cul de sac friends. We have moved, but all of these girls were in her dance class and also our neighbors. Olivia is the one in green, her friends are from left: Katie, Anna and Kirstyn.

Let's try this again!

I keep thinking I am going to make myself make time for blogging, and then I don't. Summer is here (even though it does not FEEL like summer outside), my school is out and I should be able to take on this simple task...stay tuned!

Le Chocolate Feast

We have started a yearly girl's trip to this Feast, it is yummy and for a good cause. Many different establishments provided samples of their products for tasting and all proceeds go for breast cancer.