Trying to get it together

We have been so busy the last couple of months. Sometimes I feel like I will never have it together. I'm not even sure that it is possible to have it completely together anyway:) Time has a way of flying by me and I'm never sure where it went. However I will try to give a brief update. In November we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary, Job's 5th birthday and Elise's 1st birthday. Brice and I went Christmas shopping for our anniversary. This has become our tradition. I guess we figure it is the perfect time to shop for the kids and celebrate our marriage. Truth of the matter is it is one of the few times that we actually have a sitter for all three children.

Job turned 5 on Nov.16 and Elise was 1 on Nov.20. We had small parties for both of them. They turned out great! Job had a campout in our living room. He invited a few friends to stay the night and we set up a tent in the living room. We had pizza, popcorn and movies. So much fun! Elise had a butterfly party. A few little girls came by to help her celebrate. She was so cute. I had a Saturday morning party with butterfly cupcakes and juice. Then everyone made their own butterfly shirts to keep. Brice made all the little ones wings and I made the antennae. This was a lot of fun! I definitely think that parties can be made to be more memorable when they are smaller. The kids really enjoyed themselves. I am posting a few pics of the events.

It's that time again...

I guess this is as good of a way as any to get back into the swing of things.

Tagged !!
It is that time again...

RULES
1- Post Rules on Your Blog
2-Answer the Six "8" Items
3-Let Each Person Know They Have Been Tagged by Leaving Them A Comment


8 Favorite Shows
1. Law and Order:SVU
2. ER
3. Today Show
4. Local News (this is rather depressing)
5. Antique Road Show (I can't believe I'm admitting to this)
6. Oprah
7. That is about it...we have only the basic cable
8.


8 Things I did Yesterday
1. Mommy Duties
2. Took a nap
3. Talked to Tasha on the phone
4. Went to church
5. Got onto Facebook… I’m addicted more to that than myspace now (Me too!)
6. Cleaned the house
7. Planned the rest of the week's schooling
8. Drank a cup of green tea

8 Thinks I look forward to
1. Christmas
2. Thanksgiving
3. Elise's first birthday party on Saturday
4. getting back on track
5. my tooth to stop hurting
6. the kid's Christmas programs
7. Brice having so many days off in the near future
8. Picking my pictures up on Friday

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Sampan
2. Filling Station
3. Francesco's
4. Outwest
5. Mi Pueblo
6. Chick Fil-A
7. Carraba's
8. Arigato

8 Things on My Wish List
1. Wii Fit
2. Massage
3. Nicer Camera
4. my house to stay straight for 24 hours
5. patience
6. new faucet for the kitchen sink
7. a girls' night
8. another date night

8 People to Tag
1. Anyone who wants to do it
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Happy 6th Birthday, CoyBoy!!!

September 21st my Coy turned six years old. I can remember so vividly when I was holding him in my arms. How time flies by!!! He is growing up so quickly. He is not a toddler anymore but a little boy. All the baby likeness has left his face. Each passing day as I drop him off to school I am reminded of the urgency to genuinely cherish our blessings. Lord, Thank You!!! Coy, I love you to the moon and back!

I know it's been a while

Well where to begin.....
First off Coy started kindergarten to my dismay. We started homeschooling and I loved it! He only for about the first two or three days then he began begging me to go to school. I guess it was really hard for him since he had been to preschool for the last three years. He wanted to be with other children. Brice and I decided that if we were going to give public school a shot better now than later. Anyway Coy adores school and so far he is flourishing. I still get really sad sometimes though. I do want to give Anna a special thank you for being so kind and generous with your advice. I am still inspired by her creativity, determination and patience.

Last week we went to Disney World! This was a spur of the moment trip. We were suppose to go to Emerald Isle but Hanna ruined that one, so thanks to one of my best buds we went to Florida. A dear friend has a condo there and was so generous to let us stay there. We arrived in Orlando on Thursday, went to SeaWorld Friday and Magic Kingdom on Saturday. It was so much fun! I really enjoyed Sea World but Magic Kingdom was the BEST! The excitement in Coy and Job was truly unforgettable. Coy was so excited to meet Mickey and he even gave him a kiss. When the park was closing, Brice turned the stroller around and let the boys have one last look at Cinderella's Castle. I looked at them and Coy had a tear running down his cheek. He told us that it was a "most special day." I have to admit that I cried a little on the long trek to the car. I just love to see my children happy! Here is a slide show of our trip. Just to warn you there are a lot of pictures. Oh and if you are wondering why Elise isn't in them my Mom went with us. This was such a blessing because it was so hot and I don't think my little princess would have made it. Thanks Mom!

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Make a Smilebox slideshow

A Quick One

Tomorrow I will start officially homeschooling. I still have so much to do to prepare. Most likley I will not sleep a wink tonight. I am nervous and excited. The boys are excited too! They just came down stairs with any and every excuse of why they shouldn't sleep in their beds. Job informed me that he has "bed bugs." If he really knew what bed bugs were I seriously doubt he would still have them. Coy says that he can't sleep because the ceiling fan sounds like it is going to fall out. Anyway of course I CAVE everytime since Brice works nights. This house is buzzing with excitement!! I can't wait to learn along with my children. May God bless this life experience as he has so richly many others....

25 Random Things

Okay so I am going to take the plunge with Torie and Anna. Here are 25 random things you may or may not know about me.

1. I love to sleep on a cold pillow. I will turn my pillow often so to accomplish this.

2. I once attended Winston-Salem State University for 6 weeks in the nursing program but withdrew after being asked to leave micro biology lab.

3. I changed my major 6 times before graduating with a degree in human services from Gardner Webb.

4. When I eat M&Ms I have to eat them in a pattern. I always will end with one of each color.

5. I dread waking up in the mornings. I could probably sleep all day if that was allowed.

6. Brice and I met while I was working at Stratford BBQ. I asked him for his number.

7. I have to make myself read.

8. I don't like cordial cherries.

9. I had a tonsillectomy when I was 12.

10. I am always overdue with my pregnancies. Each time they have scheduled me for induction and I go on my own the night before, I think it is subconscious or something.

11. My favorite TV show is Law and Order SVU.

12. I can listen to Dave Matthews Band anytime of day.

13. My biggest pet peeve is when clothes stick out of drawers. No matter where I am I have to push the clothes in and close the drawer.

14. I had a dream to name Job before I even knew I was having a boy.

15. I over analyze everything and will worry myself to death over the hypothetical. Sometimes I will think back on conversations days later and wonder if I should not have said something.

16. I still get really excited about Christmas. I am like a child and will stay up the whole night in anticipation.

17. I don't like to put away laundry. Washing and folding is fine though.

18. I coached the JV soccer team at West Stokes the first year the school was opened.

19. I went to school at some point with all of my closest friends.

20. I eat peanut butter and crackers in my vegetable soup.

21. One day i would like to be a foster parent.

22. I am anxious and nervous about homeschooling which is no news to some of you.

23. I cannot sleep in complete darkness or silence.

24. I often take the long way home to relax and take in the beauty where I live.

25. I pray whenever I hear sirens.

How in the world did Grandma do it??

Our time in GA visiting my dad and Amye was well worth it. Very relaxing. The kids had a great time at the aquarium and we were able to catch up with my long time friend, Monica. Coy and Job love Monca (as Job refers to her.) She is a firefighter/EMT and let the kids come visit her at the station one day. That was a hit but unprepared Mom forgot spare batteries for the camera :( I did get some pictures of our aquarium trip and swimming one day.

Big Fish!!!

Waiting for Papa to park
The dreaded lion fish
Clown Fish in Anemone

Little Whiz Kid
Thanks Mon..I never get to be in the picture.

Joberoo

CoyBoy

Now to the title. Our garden has been plentiful and for that we are truly blessed. However with all the canning, freezing, pickling and preserve making I have to wonder how in the world my Grandma did it. I mean it is such hard work to garden on top of the daily grind. I am learning to cope and some days we all have to let go of our tendency for perfection. I do know that I truly admire and respect my Grandma and Mom for all their diligent work. Without their example I would be lost in this menagerie of green beans, cukes and squash. Here are a few snap shot of our progress.

Our First Watermelon!!

These three pictures I have added of the children just because I love them so dearly and each is a wonderful representation of their present behaviors and dispositions.
Cookie Monster

Cool Cat
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Mama Please