I can't believe June is almost over

Where did this month go? I want summer to s l o w down. I am enjoying the time off. The kids are enjoying the time off.

We are trying to find a new Church. The one we have been going to is a great Church but there are no kids. I want my kids to remember VBS like I do. I always looked forward to that week every summer. Of course there is more to it than VBS. We are just looking for something that has more to offer the kids. Today we visited one I think might work. We will visit again and see where it leads.

Being the mother to a full blown teenager has been fun lol. He has days that I just want to lock him in his room and throw away the key. Most days are good tho. I will just be happy when he gets full lol his stomach is never ending. Tonight we grilled steaks. We had baked potatoes and brown beans with them. He then ate a bowl of chicken and dumplings and a piece of cake. If he's awake he's eating something. We are now looking each other in the eyes. He's LOVING that one but I just keep reminding him no matter how big he is I will always be his mother who is older and wiser lol!!

Lauren can't get enough of the pool. I think she's really a fish. The other day we went to the pool and she came swimming up to me and said she had find a $5 bill in the deep end and couldn't get it. I went out with her and got it for her. She is forever finding money in the pool. She then eats lots of ice cream with her found treasures.

I am off to watch a movie. Everyone is on bed so I get the tv to myself. :)

13 years ago...

today I was laying in a hospital bed waiting to meet the baby I had been carrying for the past 9 months. It was not an easy labor but the end results where worth it all. My baby boy was born at 12:59 pm (11:59 pm where we live now lol) and he has kept me on my toes ever since. I can't believe it's been 13 years. I am not ready for the teenage years... the dating, the smart(er) mouth, the hormones or the 8th grade. Oh my... my baby's not a baby anymore! When did that happen?

Happy 13th Birthday Hunter, I love you!!!

A few words

I just read this http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/rare_prenatal_testing_case_rai.html on another blog. Now I am going to tell a story about "normal" babies.

Here's my story. I was born to teenage parents who weren't ready to be parents. There was nothing wrong with me but the "new" wore off and I was passed around but mainly living with my mom and her parents. Once I turned 3 the passing game got old so I went to leave with my dad's parents. Never once did I feel unloved or unwanted by them just my real parents. I am sure at 50 something they wouldn't have chosen to restart with a 3 year old but they didn't blink and I was giving a stable home for the first time in 3 years. I can remember starting school and the other kids asking why my mom was never at the parties or programs and all I could say was she didn't want me. As a child I often wondered if I did something wrong or something was wrong with me for my parents not to want me but as an adult I see that it was all in God's plan. Now as a mother I don't see how one gives birth to a baby and years later change their mind. I too was young when my son was born but I NEVER thought about not wanting him. Yes he was a "surprise" but you know what he was one of the best surprises I have ever had. Anyway today I do have a relationship with my mom but it's not the normal mother/daughter one many of my friends have with their mother's. Our relationship is sometimes rocky but I truely believe I was raised by the best people. I often feel orphaned b/c both of my grand"parents" are gone but I am thankful they were there for me when I needed them the most.

2 years today

It really doesn't seem like it's been 2 years. Some days it still feels so fresh and raw. I pass by her every time I go to town but it's still hard to stop and visit. I do more things that she did and I stop and think I can't believe I just did that... never in a million years did I ever think I would "turn in" to her. I can see it more and more tho... but the older get the prouder I am to be like her. I just hope I am half the mother she was to me.

I love and miss you everyday Mamaw! Thank you for everything you ever did for me!!

Just a quick note

Yesterday afternoon was closing ceremonies for our baseball teams. Nate had signed up to play before his accident. He walked across the field to get his trophy. She said she was holding back the tears as he walked across that field. It's just awesome! Thank You God for answering all those prayers for Nate!!

Update on Nate

I found out that Nate is coming home tomorrow!!!! He is walking and running. Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts for this beautiful miracle! I can't wait to see him out of that hospital. GOD IS AWESOME!!!! We love you Nate!! :D

100th post

I have been dreading writing this 100th post b/c nothing is really happening around here but here it goes.

Lauren and Hunter are both out of school and fighting like cats and dogs most of the time. I am grateful for them having their own bedrooms. I did see on another blog something I really need to try... she is making her kids hug for five minutes when they fight. That would kill mine.

The pool opened but the kids don't know that yet. The water is still so cold. I know they won't care and I don't plan to swim but I hate to start going so early b/c then they get tried of going. Come August the pools the only place to be here in Arkansas and even then it feels like your swimming in a warm bathtub.

We had talked about taking a vacation this summer but hubby doesn't have any vacation time left and since he's working as a conductor and not an engineer the moneys not as good. We decided to wait till next spring and try to do something big. We are going to do somethings close by throughout the summer. My sil, her kids, my kids and I are going to Wild River Country one day this month. We are aiming for the week of Hunter's birthday.

We are waiting for report cards... they aren't going to be mailed till the 5th. Hunter goofed off the 1st semester and worked his butt off the last nine weeks so we don't know if he made it out of 7th or not. He made 2 100's on his semester tests so we know he can do it... it's his want to that bites!

Lauren was on the Honor Roll all year. Hunter says it's easier in the 2nd grade but even back then he didn't give it his all. I hope that she will always love school b/c it sure makes things better. Hunter HATES it and it makes the school year hellish!

Jenny got a picture of Nate standing up outside the hospital last week. How awesome is that! What a wonderful God!!

I also can't believe it's been 2 years almost since this...http://brandyb.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/shes-gone/

Well I am going to run outside and play with the kids. See you later.

It's OVER..

I didn't think this day would get here but it finally did. Summer break is here... thank you Lord! Lauren's last day was the 20th but Hunter had to take 3 semester tests so he didn't get done till yesterday.

Today Lauren and I went to Benton to sell some clothes at Simon Says... love that store! If you leave close to there you really need to check them out. After we were done there we hit Old Navy. 50% off anything already on sale!! Man I love Old Navy. After that we went to Park Plaza and hit some stores there. Met up with a friend and her girls and shopped and then ate lunch. While the older girls were finishing eating we took the little ones to the candy store. OMG can you believe I paid $11 for M&M's!!! Never ever again will we go to that candy store!

Well I must run and feed the dogs. They are all barking letting me know it's dinner time lol. :)

Nate

Yesterday the 2nd and 3rd graders got to go to Chuck E Cheese's for their AR award trip. Mary, Jenny and I rode together and after we were done at Chuck E Cheese's we decided to take the kids by Arkansas Children's Hospital to see Nate. We had heard he was doing so well and when we walked in... he said hello to each of the kids and called them by their names. He still has a long road to travel to be back to his old self but he is doing awesome! We didn't get to stay long because he had to go to therapy but I am glad the kids got to see him in person. His mom said they are talking like he will be there about 4 more weeks. God is AWESOME!! I got this picture of them together... a few others stopped by to visit too. Keep praying for our little fighter Nate!

A night to remember

Yesterday was one of the best days I have ever had. 2 very good friends (Mary and Jenny) and I went to see Kenny Chesney in concert. We decided to leave around 11 am so we could hit the mall and eat before it started at 7:30. Mary's brother and wife went too and got a hotel room so around 5:00 we went to get ready. After we got dressed we were going to eat but as we drove by Alltel we decided we should go ahead and park so we did. Jenny is the best and made us shirts with KSSN (an awesome radio station giving away back stage passes and upgrades) on them. So we parked and found the KSSN truck and started looking for their people. When we found them they commented on our shirts and then gave us meet and greets for Miranda Lambert!!!! Holy cow we were on cloud nine! After we were done we waited around the meet and greet to see if we could get back to see Kenny. We couldn't get back to see him BUT we did get passes to the Sandbar which is next to the stage! We each got to touch his hand! After the concert was over we rolled through Burger King and came home. Here are some pictures of our night out... enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope each of you have a wonderful relaxing day. :)

Update on Nate

Nate, Has moved outta ICU, into his own room. And Today he Gave a Thumbs up and Smiled! GOD IS WONDERFUL!!! Nate is such a TROOPER!!!! Keep Fighting Nate!!!..And he no long has tubes and stuff....just a Feeding tube! :) :) :)

They were getting ready to move Nate to the rehab floor. He is going to have speech, occupational, and physical therapy twice a day..He will be back before we know it. Keep going Nate......We Love You

I finally joined facebook so I could find out more on Nate. I pulled this info off there. Keep praying for this sweetie pie.

I may have..

lost my mind. If you have been reading older posts you know we have a dachshund named Lady Bug. She had puppies back in March. We have decided to keep the only girl that lived. So now we have 5 beagles and 2 dachshunds. Yes I am crazy... I know! I just couldn't sell her and Vince fell for her too and of course the kids wanted to keep all of them. Now we need names. We have Blue, Red, Grady, John, Henry and Lady Bug so what do y'all think? She's black and tan and she will be small. Please help us out. Lauren says Princess and Hunter says Honey (we had a black and tan named that when he was a baby) and I haven't a clue. I counting on y'all, please don't make me cry! :)

Update on Nate

I talked to someone last night that had talked to Nate's dad. The dad told her they were watching his brain injuries but they were going to start lessening the sedation to see how he handled it. They are focusing on his brain right now and will fix his pelvis later. Sorry for the break in updates but I haven't heard anything.

Please pray for his brain injuries, his doctors, the family, friends and for Brandon the truck driver.

Update on Nate

They found out Nate's pelvis is broken. He's been such a little fighter. He's still sedated and his vitals are still great. The swelling in his head hasn't gotten any worse. Let's keep those prayers going for this little guy and for Brandon.

The grandmother's funeral is this morning so keep the family in your thoughts.

Sorry I didn't update after school yesterday but I didn't hear anything till late last night. Unless something majorly changes I probably won't know anything until Monday. I do work again so I will run to the Elem. and check on him. Thank you all for helping through prayer. God is amazing.

Update on Nate

When I asked about Nate this morning I was told he was the same. So just keep praying for his brain and abdominal injuries.

This was in our weekly newspaper. http://www.clevelandcountyherald.com/news3.htm

Renee is does suck that a seat beat could do so much damage. They are there to protect us. They were hit very hard tho.

I would also like for us to pray for the truck driver Brandon. He was only 33 years old and he will relive this forever. He was so upset over the wreak that he just kept repeating "I tried to stop but I couldn't".

Update on Nate

This morning I walked Lauren to her class so I could sit in when they came to talk to the kids about Nate. The counselor came in and told them what happened and asked if they had any questions. Some did but most just listened. I have been asking about Nate all day and finally after school got an update on him.

They have him sedated b/c he had a rough night. He has a blood clot in his brain that they are hoping they can fix with meds. His abdomen has major damage from the seat belt. He has been stable and his vitals have been good this afternoon. I will update again after school tomorrow unless something changes.

Please keep praying for this beautiful little guy. I am very grateful to each and every one of you as I am sure the family is!

PLEASE READ THIS..

and help this family out. A little boy (Nate) in the 2nd grade here at Woodlawn was in a bad car accident this afternoon. His grandmother was killed and he is in serious condition. He has been taking to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Please pray for him and his family.

I had him in art today. He was so proud of the Mother's Day card he had made his mom. My daughter was in the same Kindergarten class with Nate. His step sister is in the same class Lauren's in now.

The grandmother and Nate were on their way to the school to pick up his step sister and his older brother from after school tutoring. They pulled out in front of a log truck and the grandmother died instantly. Nate has been gone a few times. Please keep this family and the community in your thoughts and pass this along if you wouldn't mind. Thank You!

Falling so far behind

I don't know how any of you girls do it. I am so far behind with the housework it isn't even funny anymore. I have been working everyday the last 2 weeks and I am PRAYING for a break next week. Yeah the money will be super nice come payday but I am so TRIED and cranky. Now I know how Lauren (baby girl) feels when she's oh so whiny. I will try to remember that when she gets that way.

Then Vince (hubby) says he's thinking about laying off tomorrow night. Hello I have been busting my butt and taking EVERY call from the school so we can go somewhere this summer! Then he says "you wanna switch?" Will do buddy boy. I will ride the choo choo train to Dexter and then get a free hotel room and sit back, relax, catch up on missed sleep, and eat out while you go to the school and work then come home and keep up with house stuff and kids homework, baths, and feed them all before Lauren's 8 o'clock bedtime. Tell me where to sign on the dotted line. Oh and hurry before the bags under my eyes get bigger and darker.

I wanna know why I can't just say "oh it will be there tomorrow and go to bed at night"? I can't do it I have tried but I lay there thinking about what needs to be done and had I done it I would stop thinking about it already. Like right now my eyeballs are on FIRE but here I sit reading and writing waiting for the clothes to finish drying. It's just CRAZY!!! My body quit hours ago but not my pretty little head. One of you can stick me with a pin because I'm done! ;)

26 more days till summer!!

This weekend has been a little busy for us. Friday after school the kids and I left for Conway. My nephew's birthday party was Sat. and we always go the night before and stay. Friday night we took the kids roller skating. I did leave my sil with the kids for a hour so I could run to Kohl's and look for a shirt to wear to the Kenny concert. I found a shirt and a pair of black Sketchers on sale for $18.00. After I got back to the skating rink I let my sil and 4 year old niece go home. My baby girl LOVES to skate so I decided to stay and let her do that. Around 10 my nephew fell so I decided that was a great time to head out. Once we got to the house I needed to go to Wal-Mart so her and I left the kids with her hubby and we headed to Wally's. We got what we needed and went back to her house and finally the kids, her and I went to bed around 2 am. Sat. morning we got up, ate donuts, got ready for the party and waited for everyone to get there. After it was over the kids and I headed back home. We pulled into our driveway at 7:00. Of course I am to anal so I had to unpack, wash clothes, run the vacuum, clean the bathroom and get the kids in bed before I could sit down and relax. I got into bed around 11:30 last night. We all slept in this morning.

This afternoon the kids, hubby and I went over to my mom's house for a fish fry. My uncle and his youngest daughter came in from Kansas for a few days. So my other uncle, his wife and kids, my aunt, her hubby and kids, my Mamaw B and us were all together and we had a great time visiting and eating. My aunt took some pictures of my family so I am going to post one. We weren't really dressed for pictures but oh well. Enjoy!