We're Back!



Okay, time for confession. I started my last post last week(before our trip) and then finished it when we got back, LOL!! So, we are back from TN and had a WONDERFUL time! The cabin was beautiful. Being with my parents, sisters and their husbands and children was really exciting for me. I have such a GREAT family and I love to be with them. We stayed up late talking(you go Mom!) and just reconnected after being so busy with life. And of course, we did a little shopping. My nephews are such AWESOME boys & I'm so proud of all of them. It was time well spent making good memories for another day.



Field Trip



Another confession.......I try so hard to not be an 'over protective' mother. But when my 9 year old left for his first field trip I worried about him. He went to the Outer Banks for 3 long days. The school was going to keep parents updated via their website. Well, the first day they let us know what time they left and that they had stopped at McDonalds for breakfast and that was all. For the rest of the day. Periodically throughout the day I checked the web and was disappointed everytime. I told my hubby, "They don't love Alex like I do. Will they watch him carefully when he crosses the street? What if he is cold or has a headache? What if they don't give him enough to eat(HEHEHE-this is always the case)?" So I told Scott if I could just hear from Alex then I would be ok. Some of the kids had sent messages over the web to their friends & family. Scott told me Alex wouldn't do that, just not his thing. The very next am I got up early and checked. Still no updates. Man what is going on?!?! They need to let us know something. I get Randy and Sydni off to school, and when I'm ready to walk out the door for the office I check one more time. And the very first comment on their website was "Alex Whitehead wants everyone to know he is having fun. He enjoyed catching sea creatures in the sound the most." Then I was okay. Alex was good and I was good. And HaHa Dad, Alex did send a message! Check out the website www.burke.k12.nc.us/young/ for pictures of Alex. He had to dissect a squid. You can see on his face how much he enjoyed it, LOL!!



Now you really shouldn't fault me for worrying. I took a field trip to the Outer Banks in school. My best friend and I snuck away from the group out in the dunes and found us a water hole to splash and play in. No Kiddin!!! It was a great time! Quite sometime later we made it back to the bus and the only question the teachers asked was, "How did you girls get wet?"



So the next time one of my children are expected to go on a field trip I may let them....if I can go too.......Hehe!!

Life's Blessings

"Just one more day, Mama?" Sydni asked me when I woke her this am for school. So I told her yes, one more day before we go to Pigeon Forge for a long weekend. We are gonna have a blast!! Monday pm I got home from the office and then we were eating dinner and I was noticing how big my children are getting. And this time Syd really seemed to have grown and changed. I just stared at her. I wanted to hold her in my lap but I knew she is just too big for that (not too mention she couldn't be still for 5 seconds if her life depended on it)! So I decided I would snuggle my kids close tonight at storytime and enjoy every second..........It's funny how different they are. All so precious, so loved.

Alex

The little boy God gave us after we prayed so hard for you. 6lb 4oz premie for 4 months, but after that ............well let's just say he is no longer 'under-weight' any longer, hehehe!

One of his very first words was 'guitar' which he now plays.

Rough and tough 'all boy'.

Atheletically minded, always ready for fun, fun and more fun!

The one who wraps his arm around me in church when Daddy couldn't be there because he had to work. My 9 year old protector.

Always ready for Mommy & Daddy kisses. He also has kisses for Mamaw and Aunt Kelly.

From time to time during church will grab my hand and link his fingers with mine. Then just sits there holding my hand like it is the most natural thing in the world.

Awesome sense of humor.........laughs at loud if somethings strikes him funny, in church or anywhere. Has also been dubbed 'the class clown.'

Listens to gospel music or Odyssey every night while going to sleep.

A definite singer-sometimes, many times at home-OPERA!! LOL! If he's wearing his MP3 player get ready for a good laugh! He gives it all he's got not realizing Scott and I can hear him. It is hilarious! We always stop what we are doing and listen until he's done.

An absolute blessing from God. My firstborn son I love you with all my heart. My prayer is that you live to serve God with all that is within you. I am anxious to see how God will use you in the future.

Randy

My 8lb 6oz son. A "Miracle" baby. I was seven months pregnant when our vehicle was hit by a drunk driver. I started having problems after that, and when he was born the MD said he was a "miracle" because I had what is called placenta abruption.

At one month old his bilirubin went up dangerously high and he had to be admitted to the hospital. The MD's started running tests and at one point were thinking he had been born without a liver. His condition was critical and we prayed so hard that God would touch our baby and leave him with us. Everytime our heart goes back to that time we are again overwhelmed at God's goodness by healing Randy. Once again the MD's word was "miracle". "He was such a sick baby and now he is healthy."

Academically minded and gifted. Constantly looking for a challenge of the mind. Always reading, drawing, or creating something. Has already has some of his art work framed and purchased. (All proceeds go to the mission fields of course). LOL~!

Tenderhearted and kind. Every week when he earns "prizes" for good behavior at school he always picks out something for his brother and sister-never himself.

Music lover as well, taking lessons in both fiddle and piano.

Another one of my protectors. He is always looking out for Mom. If he can see me and know that I am okay, he is okay.

Tolerates affection. Will allow Mommy kisses to the cheeks, but not too many.

When asked what he wants to do with his life he answers simply, "I want to be a preacher." And I have told him nothing could please Mommy more. Another one of my absolute blessings & I love you with all my heart, my sweet Randy.

Sydni

My 9lb 7oz 'dainty' little girl we prayed for after our two boys. Okay, not dainty but little girl none-the-less. I have to admit I wouldn't change a thing.

My rough and tough tomboy.

Academic and athletic. She is a good blend of both her brothers.

Fun loving and easy going. Loves having a good time.

Antaginizes her brothers!! And our dog, Kelsey~LOL!!

Learning piano ("like Daddy").

A little spoiled, but she is the only granddaughter on my side and after 7 grandsons, what can I say?! Not too mention she has her Daddy wrapped tightly around that pinky finger. She knows it too!

Always eager to give Mommy and Daddy affection. To all her family. And Casey.

My little Hershey, you are another absolute blessing and I love you with all my heart. I hope you keep that 'free spirit' through all of lifes trials. Serve God first, then be happy.

Oh to be a Kid..........

Okay, this week my family got the stomach bug. Alex was sick Saturday pm. Didn't make it to the bathroom, but that's okay. Thats what Moms are for, right?! Alex felt great Sunday am so we all went to church. Monday pm Randy starts vomiting.........again we didn't make it to the bathroom, but that's okay, right???? Well, Mommy and Daddy start feeling bad the same night. So Tuesday through-out the day Mommy and Daddy are lying around-sick and Randy is up playing-sick. We would hear him in the living room singing to the top of his lungs, sometimes running and jumping, and then we would hear him run to the bathroom and be sick(thank God he started making it). I would be listening to him and just wonder-wow! I love this that my kids are so resilient. Sometimes, many times I wish I could be a kid again.............

Randy was back at school the next day, happy, chipper, excited to be back at it. I went back to work today (two days later), dragging a little, but makin' it none the less, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too Young for a Valentine.....Oh Yeah!!

My little precious princess Sydni. When she started school the first week she came home and said she had FOUR boyfriends. But that she didn't like them, they liked her. So Mommy and Daddy had to explain that "These boys at school are not like your brothers.
You don't hug them.
You don't hold their hand.
And you never, ever kiss them."
Sydni laughs and says, "That's funny. I don't do that. They just like me."

So the next time I volunteer in Syd's class I met all 'her friends.' Then when it's time to leave I'm holding Sydni's hand while we're walking out and one of the boys says, "Bye Sydni. I love you." Ok, no harm done. That's sweet.

Yesterday she came home with a brown stuffed teddy bear with a heart in the middle that said 'Luv You.' Her very first 'Valentine.' How sweet?? She also got a 'pink watch.' But thats ok, b/c it was a prize out of a cereal box. The little boy didn't want a girls watch so he gave it to Sydni, LOL!!!

My question: Is a 5 year old too young to receive a Valentine?
My answer: I think it would be super sweet if her Dad or brothers wanted to buy her something. My Dad always bought us girls a Valentine(thanks Daddy!). But, five year old children.............in my opinion really need to be encouraged to build friendships. And thats it.

What do you think?????????

A Day Well Spent

Why is it that on my only day off I still wake up early? Last night before bed I thought, I am going to sleep in tomorrow and I can't wait!!! Then, I still wake up before 8 am. That is way too early for a Saturday....but that's okay because I have lots to do on Saturdays. So I got up.

Then, Scott decided he wanted to take the whole family to breakfast at Abele's Restaurant. So we all got ready in about 5 minutes (that set a record) and we were out the door. When we had finished eating Scott planned to take us to the park to walk off the breakfast we had just eaten.(ha, ha). Halfway through our 2 mile walk we start across a bridge and my hubby lets go of my hand, takes out his pocketknife, gives me a grin and then starts carving a heart with our initials on the side of the bridge. Now, you have to admit, that is just good...............

Then Scott decided to let the kids play at the park while we sat on a bench and watched. The sun was shining, my family was together and I found myself very thankful. All those things I had planned for the day (laundry, mopping, vacuuming, grocery shopping)just kinda took second place and that was fine by me.

Now if I could just get my pile of dirty laundry to magically disappear......................

My Girls

Okay, I've been persuaded. Some friends of mine have been encouraging me to start blogging again. I have always enjoyed it, I've just been so busy......but I finally agreed to get together with some of 'my girls' and update my blog and get started again. Well, 'my girls' and I planned a night to let our kids play while we played on the computer. 'The girls' were playing on the computer and I ended up playing with the kids (7 in all). Before I knew it the hour had gotten late and I needed to get my kids home and in bed for school the next day, not too mention I needed to get some laundry done before bed. So, 'the girls' decided they would work on my blog w/o me, LOL! The next morning you can imagine my uncontrollable laughter when I saw what they had come up with. The only thing I gave them to go on was my favorite song, "In Better Hands." So, if you've read 'About Me' or 'View my Profile', just keep in mind 'the girls' came up with that insanity. But I liked it so much I decided to leave it. Every time I see it I have to laugh! Thanks Kelly & Faith- You guys(gals)are two of the BEST! Thanks for the good times and the laughter!!!!!!!!!!!!but more importantly thanks for everytime you have prayed for me b/c you knew I needed it!

On that subject, I've had someone who from time to time will give me a call leave a message to the effect "I was thinking about you today. I hope you are having a good day. I love you and I'm praying for ya. If you ever need me, you just call me. No matter what I'll help in any way I can." Several times this person has called and left me these messages. You can't imagine what that has meant to me and I love you for it! You know who you are (a crazy lady w/an awesome sense of humor that makes everybody laugh, whose initials are R.S.) .........


My Song

"In Better Hands." I was in the van on the way to church one Sunday and that song came on the radio. Normally, we don't even listen to the radio on the way to church, but this particular am that song was playing. It was just for me. In my opinion, it's not about death but life in Christ. "It's hard to stand on shifting sand, it's hard to shine in the shadows of the night" yeah, know what you're saying "You can't be freed, if you don't reach for help; And you can't love if you don't love yourself" true, true. Here it comes, " But there is hope when my faith runs out" Why? Cause I give it all back to you God so I'll be "in better Hands now." Yeah!!!!!!!


My Family

So, my three children are in school and loving it........Alex will be 10 yrs next month and is in 4th grade. Randy just turned 8 yrs and is in 2nd grade. Sydni, 6 yrs next month kept her 'pinky promise' that she would not cry on the first day of kindergarten. This past Tuesday their school reserved the skating rink for those who had met their reading goals. The kids had a great time. Scott and I laughed a whole lot while we watched. It's amazing how they can fall down and practically 'jump' back up and not be hurt in the least. Sydni even told me, "Mama, don't worry, we won't get hurt." The last time we went skating Scott actually skated...........well, he tried. LOL! I tried not to laugh........really.............it was just so funny! There's just something so comical about a man on skates trying to prepare himself for that inevitable fall. Love You, Honey! Scott and I have been married 13.5 years. One hundred thirty five years!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! Actually, thirteen and a half. It really is true that 'life is as a vapor' ya know? Today is quickly on the way to yesterday. And yesterday is gone forever but in memory. I am thankful for all the good times. They are inspirations. And I'm thankful for the not-so-good times. They are stepping stones to better tomorrows.

Until tomorrow..............