Kissed By An Angel!!

I have always loved freckles, since I was a little girl and my sister had them but I didn't. I cried wanting them so my mom drew some on me with brown eye liner. Too bad they washed off. Everyone always called them beauty marks and I wanted beauty marks too. But fortunatly I was blessed to have a nice complexion that tans easily. Colton has the same complexion as me. But Emma has been blessed with fair complexion and sandy blonde hair, like her daddy. She freckles and she burns.

I love her freckles. She only has them on her face. I think they are so cute. I hope she always likes them too. She used to always tell people they're not freckles, they're beauty marks. Then one day a lady told her they were called angel kisses. Now she calls them angel kisses.

I Love Her Angel Kisses!!

Christmas Has Come and Gone!

We had a really great Christmas! We enjoyed spending time with family and lots of great food. Too much good food! We recieved really nice gifts. The kids got way too much, of course. But they seemed to be very greatful and have been content playing with their new toys and their Nintendo DS that Santa brought them. I think they are starting to get bored and are ready to go back to school. I am ready too.

I have really enjoyed the holidays, but now I'm ready for things to get back to normal. The kids are out of school this week too and Travis is off of work all week. I may be ready to pull my hair out by the end of the week. I'm going to try to stay positive and enjoy this time with my wonderful husband and my precious children! Hope you all had a great Christmas and enjoy this last week of 2009!!!

Merry Christmas

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I'm About To Lose My Mind!

I really am a homebody at heart. I love being at home and I love being here with my kids. But I have not been anywhere since Thursday. Usually I would be fine with that, except I have five kids here today. Only two of which are my own. I get a few kids off the bus everyday and I have them on days when school is closed too. So they we're here Friday, Monday and today and will be here again tomorrow and all next week.

I'm about to go crazy. They are so loud and all boys except poor little Emma. She is so left out. They all brought their snow clothes and boots to play outside all day. They were out for about 20 minutes and came inside because it was too cold. What big babies. They just wanted to come inside and drive me up the wall. Please wish me luck on keeping my sanity for the next few days and being able to feed them. I don't know how people with lots of kids do it. These kids eat more than grown men. I just wonder what I get myself into sometimes!!! They really are good kids though, I just have to remember they are kids and boys will be boys!!!!

More Snow Pics!!

I couldn't upload all the pictures that I wanted too in one post. Here are a few more random things!

I caught Cody and Chi-Chi sitting in the middle of the road this morning. I guess it was the only place that was packed down.

My hubby was "working" hard to shovel the driveway. Am I the only one that likes a man in coveralls:)

This is our snow covered grill!!

This is how the floor beside the front door looks after a day of snowy fun!!!! By the way its still there. I have no energy to tackle it tonight!!

Snow, Snow, and More Snow!!!!

We are part of the huge snow storm that slammed the East. We were expected to get up to 24 inches by tonight. I think the total we got here was around 19 inches. Thats a lot of snow. People were stranded all over the interstate for hours. Travis left work at midnight last night and made it home at four a.m. It took him four hours to drive home it normally only takes one hour. But he made it home safe and sound and didn't attempt to go today. Hopefully he will be able to make it okay tomorrow.

The chickens aren't fans of snow. I don't think they like cold feet!

Colton was tired from walking up the hill three times to sled. He had to take a break.

My little snow angel!!!


I think someone has been eating snow!!



The snowman building didn't work too good so she just jumped on it!

We didn't get to do much sledding, because it was so deep and it was hard to walk up the big hill. Our two four wheelers wouldn't go, even in four wheel drive they just spun. My parents were going to come down to ride tubes behind the four wheelers but it was just too deep for that. The kids still had fun running and jumping in the snow.

I had fun taking pictures with my new camera. It was my early Christmas present from my in-laws and I love it. It's a Nikon Coolpix S230. It's the kind that Ashton Kutcher advertises with the touch screen on the back. It's really cool and the selling point for me, its my favorite color, purple!!! Thanks Lloyd and Becky I love it.

Have We Forgotten The True Meaning Of Christmas?

It has took me a long time to get into the Christmas spirit this year. It seems like just yesterday the kids were just returning to school and now in just over a week its going to be Christmas.

We have never been ones to buy for our kids all the time. Of course they have so much and have never been without anything, but it seems the older they get the more expensive the gifts get. In the past we have only spent $100 a piece on them for Christmas and $50 for birthdays. This has always seemed like a reasonable amount. Sometimes we might spend just a little more on one than the other but they always have the same amount of gifts to open.

This year we went way over. We ended up spending around $225 a piece. I have felt so bad because they aren't going to have many presents to open and I wish we could buy them more. Then after reading different blogs tonight on handmade gifts or only spending $20 for each kid. It really made me think. Why do I stress so much about trying to get them the newest gadget that all of their friends have. I want them to know the true meaning of Christmas.

They know about the birth of Jesus. But do they truly understand the sacrifice that God made for us. He sent this baby to Earth for us. He knew that this child was perfect and only through him could we go to heaven. This child was going to go through a terrible death for you and me.

Do my kids really get it? Do I really get it?

I was so disappointed in Emma when she made out her Christmas list for "Santa". She wanted a real pony (ha, ha), a nintendo ds with girl games, a computer, an ipod, new shoes, new snow boots and gold earrings. She is only six years old. Of course I know every little girl wants a pony and I would love her to have one. But come on a computer and ipod. What made me so upset about this letter was she wrote on the bottom I want all of these things for Christmas. When I told her she couldn't get all these things for Christmas she said well Santa will bring me everything that I want. I think its time to have the "Santa" talk.

I don't want them to think that Santa will bring everything to them. I don't want them to expect everything even when they get older. I want them to be grateful for what they do have and to remember those kids that don't have anything this year. I want them to remember the kids that have a parent fighting in the war or kids that don't have any family at all. Remember all the people that have lost their homes in this bad economy. The kids that don't know where their next meal will come from or the ones that dream of a warm bed to sleep in at night.

We need to stress the true meaning of Christmas to our children. I don't want spoiled brats that expect everything. I want them to be kind, caring and giving kids that grow up to be kind, caring, giving adults. I no longer feel bad for them only having a few presents to open, I now feel ashamed for spending too much money just to keep up with everyone else.

I think next year we should have a $50 limit for Christmas and let the kids buy gifts to donate for charity, or do something for others to give back. I want them to know the true meaning of Christmas!!!!

P.S. Don't get me wrong I have great kids that don't get new stuff a lot and don't ask a lot. I do love buying for them, but I just think we all need to take a step back and remember the real reason for the season!!!!

Finally Put The Tree Up!

Emma and I finally put the Christmas tree up today! Now I don't feel like such a scrooge. I have all of the kids Christmas presents pretty much taken care of and only a few more people to buy for. So I'm getting a little more of the Christmas spirit.

My little helper. She was really into decorating the Christmas tree this year!

This is my most special ornament. It was my dad's mothers and its really old and very fragile. I always put it close to the top of my tree and guard it with my life all Christmas. The kids aren't allowed anywhere near it. Emma thinks its really special and I told her when she gets married I will give it to her for her first tree. She said she hopes it doesn't get broke. Me too!

My beautiful Charlie Brown tree!!

The angel on the top was made by husbands grandmother!

I have no theme when it comes to decorating my tree. I just put all of the ornaments that I have on there. Most of them have been given to us since we got married and alot of them are ones that the kids have made or that have been given to them. Its so fun unwrapping ornaments and finding ones that I have forgotten about. Emma loved helping this year and you can tell she puts alot of ornaments in one area. I don't care about it being perfect anyway!

Am I the only one????

Please tell me that I'm not the only one that hasn't even started Christmas shopping. I'm sooooo bad. I really hate to shop. Well I don't hate to shop if I have lots of money and if I was say a size four and buying clothes for myself. But since I don't have lots of money and I'm a little larger than a size four I really hate to shop. Especially for Christmas.

I love my family. I have the best kids in the world (most of the time), an absolutely wonderful husband that I adore, the best parents and in laws, a fantastic sister and the sweetest, most gorgeous niece. That being said, I have no idea what to get any of these wonderful people.

I do know what we are getting the kids. But this one thing that each of them are getting cost more than we usually spend on them for Christmas. I will let you know what it is after the day, don't want to let the cat out of the bag. But since that is so high we will be spending more on them this year because I want them to have more than one little present to open. But I have no idea what else to get them. Emma is really easy to buy for. She likes anything girly and pink. Colton on the other hand is so hard to buy for and we just got finished with his birthday. He has no idea what he wants either. Everytime I ask him he says "I don't know." He told my mom he wants french toast sticks or a ham. Last year he told everyone he wanted a new mattress. People are going to think I starve my kids and make them sleep on a hard floor.

All the other people that I buy for always get what they want or need when they want or need it. What do you get people that have everything? I always feel like I never get good gifts. You know there are some people that just know the right gift to get. My aunt Wanda is like that. She always gets the coolest gifts for everyone. I have always loved getting gifts from her. I can still remember the Fashion Plates game she bought me when I was a kid. I had so much fun with it. I wish I could be more like that. Its like she puts so much thought into the gifts she gets.

I always say I'm never going to wait to the last minute again. I want to enjoy the holidays and not feel stressed. But every year I seem to wait later and later before I even start. I really need to stop doing this to myself. I always dread the holidays so bad, because of the shopping. I need to get a better attitude about and be thankful that I have wonderful people in my life to shop for. I just wish they were a little easier to shop for though!! I better start searching the web for gift ideas, I just hope I'm not too late.

Sometimes I'm Not Very Bright!

We still have about 4 inches of snow on the ground and its still really cold. It hasn't melted much at all. I went outside to do all of my wonderful farm chores such as feeding the chickens, guineas and goat and getting in firewood. Having a little mini farm is not too fun when its cold and snow on the ground.

Well my guineas and chickens were acting crazy when I went in to feed and water them. So I decided maybe they would like to get out and play in the snow for a little bit before dark. The kids were playing outside in the snow and one of them ran in and said the neighbors dog was chasing a guinea. I ran outside with bb gun in hand and seen the dog chasing the guinea through the field. There were three others up on the top of barn having a fit. I shot at him a couple times with the bb gun but it didn't do any good. He still killed one of my white guineas.

This is a different dog than the one that killed the guinea the first time I let them out. This is some sort of lab mutt. I think it might have a bit of bird dog in him too! I went to put the rest up and got all the chickens except one up and there is still three guineas out. I hope he doesn't come back but I don't think I can get the guineas or the chicken up now. I hope they don't freeze to death tonight.

Happy White Birthday Colton!!

"Hey Emma, Let's Play Snow Tackle!"

"Wee, the swings are so much funner in the snow!"

"Yum, Just don't eat the yellow snow, Colton!"


"Happy Birthday to my big nine year old"



"Do you see what I see?"

Wow I can't believe my baby boy is nine years old today! It doesn't seem possible at all. He was so upset this morning because I was going to take him and his friend to the movies and out to eat for his birthday, but couldn't go because of the snow. I told him most kids love to wake up and see snow outside especially on their birthday but he was still upset. Emma was mad too because she was going to stay with Grandma today.

They got really happy when I agreed to let them play outside for a little bit. When they came inside frozen like little ice cubes we all enjoyed a delicious cup of homemade hot cocoa. A perfect treat on a beautiful snowy winter day!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy lots of good food and time with family! Remember the ones that don't have family or friends to celebrate with this year and remember our troops and their families today.

I'm getting ready to go to our second Thanksgiving meal and we will have another with my family tomorrow. I love this time of year, getting to spend time with all of my loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Is It Friday the 13th Again!

I decided to tackle my mountain of laundry (that I have been avoiding all week) this morning. Well it didn't happen. I loaded my washing machine full of dirty clothes and turned the dial and pulled it out and nothing...nada..zip. It didn't make a sound, no water, no humming, nothing at all. I checked the breaker, I made sure it is plugged in and the water is turned on. Still nothing. Now all I can do is wait for Travis to get up and see if he can do anything to it. I so do not want to have to buy a new washing machine now so close to Christmas. I did run it yesterday and it worked fine. I sure hope its nothing major:( I need the Maytag man now!

Piles of Fun!!!

The kids made some leaf piles a few weeks ago and had a blast playing in them with Chi-chi. It was almost dark outside so the pictures are really dark. Its amazing how leaves can be so much fun!!!

I Love Netflix!!

We have been getting Netflix for about a year now and really love them. We watch a lot of movies and used to pay a lot of money to rent them at the video store. We not only save money with Netflix but we don't even have to leave the house.

But it just got even better. We have a Playstation 3, so we were able to get a disc that you play in the playstation and are able to watch the movies that you can play instantly on your computer. Its really neat you just pick the movies that are available for play instantly, which is mainly older movies and not so popular ones or tv shows and then we can watch them on our 42" hd tv instead of my tiny computer screen. Now I can watch Desperate Housewives whenever I want. Yay!!

Just thought I would give that little plug for Netflix. I have a feeling we will be watching lots of movies this winter. Have a great Friday!!

This Makes Me Happy!

Oh so Happy! My faith has been restored in my chickens. I was beginning think they didn't like me or their home, because they hardly ever lay. I average 2 eggs a week from my older hens that my mom gave me. I got my first pullet egg on Tuesday. I'm sure everyone in the neighborhood heard me scream with excitement.

This was what I got Wednesday. One white pullet, one brown pullet egg and a green egg from one of my older hens. Look at how small the pullet eggs are.

The size difference is really amazing.

Tuesday I got one brown pullet egg, Wednesday I got a brown and white one, and Thursday I got one white one. I hope they keep on laying. I'm so proud. They were out all day Wednesday and actually went back to the nest boxes and laid. My old hens just lay them in the yard when they are out. I'm so happy. It really stinks feeding chickens and never getting anything in return. I have a feeling four old ladies will be seeing the end of their days pretty soon. I just can't afford to keep feeding them if I only get one egg a week from them. Chickens are so fun!

Weird Dream!

Have you ever had a dream so vivid that you think it is real. I did last night. I woke up this morning convinced that this really happened. It wasn't a good dream either, like winning the lottery or something.

I dreamed or dreamt (not exactly sure the correct English for that), that I got my first speeding ticket. Oh it was horrible. I got pulled over by a mean lady cop, riding a motorcycle and I was only going 5 miles over the speed limit, but it was in a construction zone, but there was no construction going on. I cried when she came to the window and she yelled at me, "Don't cry, crying won't make it go away." She was like a mean warden or old maid school teacher. When she told me how fast I was going, I said I thought you were allowed to go 5 miles over and she yelled at me again. I was so upset. To top it off the fine I had to pay was over $300.

I woke up this morning scared to death wondering how I was going to tell my husband that I got a speeding ticket and was going to have to pay $300 not mention make our insurance go up. It took me a few minutes to realize it was all a dream.

I think I will drive a little slower today. I don't want that dream to come true!

I Have a New Blog!

I have started on a new journey in my life. I am trying to lose weight. I am changing the way I eat and exercising a lot more. I have created a new blog to document my progress. I will still keep this blog going, but will put info on my weight loss journey on my new one. I hope you will check it out at http://cemommygettinskinny.blogspot.com

H1N1 Vaccine!

Yesterday my kids came home with papers about the h1n1 vaccine. They are giving these at school for free. I read over all the info that came with it and decided to go ahead and let my kids get it. I sent the papers back today. They are planned for sometime next week.

Now I'm really not sure. I was on Facebook and a lot of people were saying they weren't going to allow their kids to get it because of all the side effects. I'm just really confused now. My kids have always been very healthy other than Emma has had two asthma attacks that she had to use a breathing machine for. But other than that she has only had two ear infections and Colton has only had strep throat once. They haven't been on a lot of antibiotics or anything. They've never had a regular flu shot either.

I want to know what do you all think? I just keep thinking, what if they ended up catching the virus and getting deathly ill, how would I ever live with myself if I didn't get them the vaccine. Then I also wonder if this is just a government ploy to scare people and if the news is making it seem much worse than it really is. I asked our doctor about it a couple months ago and all he could say was he recommended the regular one and wasn't sure about the H1n1.

I know this is never any easy decision and people are so mixed on their believes of any vaccines. My kids have had every recommended vaccine and are perfectly healthy. Now I'm just not sure.

Where Did Fall Go????

Burr! The time has come to start building those wonderful old fires again. Today the temperature has dropped since this morning and is only in the upper 30's. Yuck! I'm not ready for winter. I don't like having to build fires and all the mess that comes along with it.

Tonight I made a nice, warm and comforting supper. We had homemade beef vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches and a wonderful blueberry oat dessert with butter pecan ice cream. The one good thing about cold weather is enjoying all the wonderful comfort foods that warm you from inside out!!

It's Been A Great Weekend!

I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family! The kids and I spent all day yesterday with my parents and all day today with Travis' parents. We really are lucky to live so close to our parents and have such a great relationship with all of them. My kids are so very lucky to have their grandparents in their lives.

Yesterday we went with my parents to pick up black walnuts at a farm that my dads boss owns. We had fun, especially when some horses came running through the field towards us and me and the kids bolted for the truck. We're such chickens! The kids loved being able to ride on the back of the truck through the cow pasture and Colton loved getting off the truck and opening the gates.

After that we left and went to an Amish community near by. It was so neat. The kids loved to see the horse and buggies riding along the rode. We got to go see one of the Amish families dairy goat farms and they milks sixty goats twice a day by hand! He also showed us the cheese barn where they make the goat cheese. It was all a lot fun!! Such a good experience for the kids.

Today we went to my in-laws. They just got back from vacation in the Dominican Republic for a week. They showed us the pictures and it looked really nice. We enjoyed a nice lunch with them and the kids played outside all day then me and Emma went with my mother in law to Wal Mart. We picked up a pizza and went back and ate supper there too. We all had a great time!

It was a wonderful weekend, just wish Travis didn't have to work so he could enjoy it with us! We truly are very blessed and love our family very much!! Thanks guys for all the wonderful things you do for us and all the great memories you make for the kids!!!

A Cold, Rainy Saturday!

Today has been just nasty! It has poured down rain all day. I had a girl scout training meeting today and when I got back home around 3:30 my power was out again! I was so upset. The kids were with my in laws, Travis was at work and my parents were at their rental house near the lake for their anniversary. I thought I would go crazy! But it came on in about an hour. Thank goodness!

What would most women do when they have a Saturday to theirselves? Maybe go shopping or eating out with friends, do a manicure and pedicure, watch chick flicks or read a good book! Not this chick. I watched Football!!! I love the Virginia Tech Hokies!!! They kicked Miami Hurricanes butt. I sure was glad the power came on so I could watch it. Am I the only woman that watches football when she doesn't have too? By the way VT is the only team I like to watch at anytime!

I So Could Not Be Amish!

I Love the Amish way of life. I have always thought it would be such a wonderful life. I still do.

But after being without electricity for 6 hours last night I don't think I could be Amish. Our power went out around 5:00 and didn't come on til 11:30. The kids and I left here around 6:00 and went to my moms and didn't come home until around 9:00 and still had no power. Its so hard to go to bed without no noise at all. It was way to quiet no refrigerator running, no air conditioner humming, no fish tank gurgling. Its amazing how you get so used to all of these sounds and have such a hard time sleeping without them. Not to mention it was way too dark. I like it to be dark when I sleep, but its never as dark as it is when the power is out. There was no lights from clocks or fish tanks or nightlights. Kind of creapy.

But when the power came on I knew it. We had left lights on in every room so it was lit up like a Christmas tree.

I'm sure I would still love the Amish life, if I could watch some tv here and there and have daily doses of computer time and have a nice hot shower everyday. Then I would be just fine. And as long as its not too dark and quiet at night!

Future Cheerleader!!

Emma had her first Cheerleading Camp today at the High School. She was so excited about this. She actually chose to go to this over a birthday party for her cousin at Chuck E. Cheese. Colton wasn't as thrilled about not getting to go to the party, but he got to go coon hunting tonight, so he was okay with it.

It was for all the elementary schools in our county and there were 97 girls there ages K-7. They had such a good time. It was all day from 9-4:30. They had a performance for the parents at 4:30. It was so cute to watch all the groups and see what they learned. Of course most of them still have a ways to go, but they did great!

Emma had an absolute ball. She's the one in the light pink shorts on the front row in both of these pictures. She really got into the dance. Especially the shaking the hips part. Thats probably not a good thing! At least she had a great time and hope she continues to like cheerleading! She's such a girly girl!!

Maybe one day she will cheer for the Floyd County Buffaloes and then move on to the Virginia Tech Hokies! The Hokies had a great, but very intense game today. Go Hokies!!!

I Have Free Range Chickens!

Today I was brave and decided to let my chickens out to free range! I figured they would be fine since the dogs no longer mess with the guineas. Well the chickens loved it. The guineas on the other hand weren't very friendly to them. They started beating up the rooster immediately. They eventually got on more friendly terms and everyone seemed to get along. The chickens went up just fine, but my well trained guineas that always go up at night ended up roosting on top of the chicken run. Crazy things!!

I hope to start letting them out everyday at least for a few hours!

"3 of my beautiful buff orripingtons"
"Taken right before the guineas attacked the rooster"

We Remember 9-11-01

Dear Garden,

I am writing to you to apologize for the neglect I have shown you over the summer. I know its a little too late now. Especially considering its turning fall and cold weather will be here really soon. I have no excuse for my actions at all. But I will try to explain. You see I started out on a really good track. I had someone come with a tiller attachment on their tractor and till up your nice rich soil. Then on the first nice warm day in May, me and the kids spent the whole day planting seeds and plants and picking up rocks. I was off to a really good start.

Then the rain came, and came, and came for days. I was really starting to feel like Noah. When it would stop raining it was way too muddy! (Not that I mind mud, never mind I don't like mud much at all). Then it got hot. I mean come on do you expect me to pull weeds with sweat dripping off of my brow. So the weeds grew and grew and grew and grew and grew some more. All the while I was inside enjoying the nice air condition or hanging out at the pool or lake.

I realized it was a little out of control when I could no longer find any plants do to weeds. So I got out the weedeater and knocked down all those weeds. It was starting to look okay again. I replanted somethings that didn't come up the first time or that was lost in the weeds I chopped up with the weedeater. It looked good for a very brief time. Then I got hot, tired and lazy again.

I must say that I do appreciated all the wonderful potatoes, corn and cherry tomatoes that you provided for us this year. I'm truly sorry for my actions. Not only were you neglected but my pantry is not going to be as full this winter. It still will have a lot in there though because my parents did not neglect their garden, as I did you. They shared lots of wonderful veggies with our family and I'm very appreciated.

I do realize you have some very rich and beautiful soil, that can grow anything. I am not making promises about next year, because we kind of know how they turn out. But I can tell you I will try to do better next year and make you the most gorgeous garden on my little dirt road. I do have a favor to ask of you. Could you please get rid of some of the rocks over the winter. I know not a simple task, but it sure would make my life much easier come next May. In the meantime have a nice winters nap and come back strong next year!! (Maybe just less rocks and weeds though)

Sincerly,

Lazy Gardener

Ten Years Ago Today...

In front of all my family and friends I said "I Do", to the man of my dreams! The years have flew by, its so hard to believe that it has been ten already. Of course some days it seems like a lifetime, yet other it seems like just yesterday.

We were just young pups when we married. I was eighteen right out of high school and he was nineteen. There was alot of things that we didn't know (but thought we did), but the one thing we did know was that we loved each other more than anything else. It didn't matter if we didn't have much money or a college education all we wanted was to be together forever.

Our wedding was beautiful. It was what you would call a shot gun wedding! I was pregnant, but we were already engaged planning to get married the following year. My mom made my beautiful wedding dress, the bridesmaid and maid of honor dresses and the flower girl dresses. They were all very beautiful. My grandmother in law made all of the flower arrangements including my gorgeous bouquet. My mother in law did lots of planning and helping of all the details for the big day. They all paid for everything and worked very hard planning a wonderful day for us in just one month. It was incredible how everything came together and was so great! It wasn't a fancy $40,000 event with expensive photographers, d.j's and dancing or catered meals. But that doesn't matter it was still the absolute best day of my life (except for the birth of my babies).

We have been through lots of hard times in these ten years. The night we came home from our honeymoon I had a miscarriage. This was very hard for us. Even though we were young and hadn't planned a baby we were still very upset and couldn't understand why this happened. Just six months after our marriage Travis was hurt very bad in an accident at work. The doctors said it was a miracle that he lived and doesn't suffer permanent damage, other than some scars. He had a very serious head trauma and could have easily been killed or paralyzed. He was out of work for six weeks.

He has also had several broken bones, including breaking his collar bone at Emma's second birthday party. He was showing off on his four wheeler and flipped it over. He broke his collar bone in three places and had to have a metal rod and screws put in. The doctor said it was the worst collar bone break he had ever seen. For some reason when he gets hurt he likes to do it right. He was out of work for about two months that time.

We have went through job losses and changes, financial problems, and family illnesses and deaths. But through all the hard times we have had many, many more good times. Including having two beautiful, healthy babies. The first time I seen Travis hold our first child I fell in love with him all over again. It's amazing how this big, strong, hard working man became so sweet and loving to this tiny little baby. He is an incredible father. I wish he was able to spend more time with the kids, but we know that the hours he works at his job are for his family. He sacrifices so much so that I can be the stay at home wife and mother that I always dreamed of being!

I can honestly say that I love my husband more today than I did ten years ago! He is my rock, my best friend. I can't imagine my life without him and pray that I never have to! I have learned that marriage isn't easy. It's one of the hardest things in life. There are days when we have to work extra hard just to be nice to each other. We don't always see eye to eye and aren't always happy and smiling, but you must learn patience and selflessness. If people think they are going to get married and live happily ever after like a fairy tale they better not get married. But if you realize that it is a lot of hard work, compassion and understanding, and that the good days will most likely out weigh the bad then it is the most amazing thing you could ever do.

I love my husband so much and wish he was off tonight and able spend our anniversary together. But we celebrated Wednesday with an incredible night at Mt Lake.

Happy Anniversary honey! Here's to many, many more years together.

Leslie

(Sorry for such a long post)

Mountain Lake Trip!

We got back from Mt. Lake today and yes, Amanda, I did have the time of my life. Like that old Dirty Dancing song says.

It was a very nice and relaxing night away with my hubby. The food was good and our cabin was great. Of course I left my camera at home. We didn't realize until we got there, I thought he got it, he thought I got it. The gift shop was sold out of disposable cameras too.

It was so fun to go to a place and look around and say thats just like the movie. It's very sad though because the lake is almost completely dried up. Last year it was completely dry now it is two thirds full but still looks very bad.

We tried Mt biking yesterday afternoon. That was a joke. First of all I haven't been on a bicycle since I was about 12 and so I was scared too death. I almost wrecked a couple of times. But it was very hard and it was hot and way up in the mountains so it was very hilly. We only rode for about 15 minutes and I told Travis if he was wanting any romance from me later on we better quit, because I was about to die. I'm incredibly out of shape, but I think the altitude had something to do with it too, it was so hard to breath. We walked around the lake and sat on the
porch of our cabin and relaxed. It was so nice to just relax and enjoy each others company.

I got two shirts one of them says "Nobody puts Baby in the corner". I had to have it because that is my favorite line in the movie. We had a great time and hope to make this a yearly anniversary tradition:)

Have I ever mentioned Dirty Dancing is my Favorite Movie?

Well it is! My absolute favorite movie of all time. And guess what! I'm going to Mountain Lake where Dirty Dancing was filmed some twenty years ago. I'm so excited about it. We are going tomorrow and just spending one night.

Friday is our 10 year wedding anniversay! Wow so hard to believe!!!! Anyway Travis has to work every weekend and doesn't have any vacation days left so tomorrow is the only time we can go. His parents gave us money to go somewhere for a night and my parents are keeping the kids. We really appreciate it because it has been at least a year since we have had a night out and 10 years since we have went anywhere by ourselves. Mt Lake is only about an hour away from here. We are really looking forward to a night away in a nice romantic cabin and having dinner in a fancy restaurant.

Now Travis is worried I will be wanting to go there all the time. He's probably right. I sure wish we could have been able to go this weekend because its a Dirty Dancing weekend. That would have been so fun. Maybe next year.

Go to http://mtnlakehotel.com/ and check it out. We will be staying in the Chesterfield, it's a one bedroom cottage. I can't wait until tomorrow! I'll tell you all about it when we get back!!

They're Gone Again...

The kiddos just boarded the big ole yellow cheese wagon, singing "Hi-ho, Hi-ho off to school we go!" No that's what mommy was singing. Wow what a difference a year makes! Last year I was sobbing at this time because it was my babies first day of school, this year I'm breathing a sigh of relief. I love them and miss them, but the piece and quiet for a few hours will be sooooo nice!

I hope they have a fantastic day and I'm looking forward to hearing allll about it this evening:) After my ears have had a chance to rest today!!

They're Back!!!!

My kiddos made it back yesterday!! I was so happy to see them. I can't believe how much I missed them. I was really bored because my mom had other things going on all weekend and I wasn't feeling all that well and didn't go with her. It's suprising how quiet this house can be!




I guess I need to get used to the quiet because they will be back in school on Thursday. I can't believe this summer is gone. It seems like we didn't have any summer at all. I guess it rained so much at the beginning and it never got really hot here. We didn't do a whole lot other than our vacation and went to the pool and the lake a few times.

So it's all getting ready to start again. Packing lunches, homework, forcing kids to go bed early and get up early. Oh the good ole school days!!!!!

A Weekend Alone!

I'm totally beside myself. My kids have been with my in-laws since Wednesday night. They went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and won't be home until Sunday. Of course after having them here everyday for the summer I was in need of a little break. But I must admit I really miss them. I have never been away from them more than two nights in a row, so this is new to me. Travis is working all weekend too. I will be spending lots of time at my moms house...that's nothing new. That's my favorite place to be when I'm not here.

Mom and I made peach preserves and peach pie filling to freeze yesterday. The pie filling recipe came from http://farmersdaughterct.wordpress.com . It was really easy to make and taste great by itself. I'm sure it will be great in a pie. I love peaches. My grandma brought us a bushel from their tree. I'm glad they were free, because they are so expensive now.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!!

Fun at the lake!

We had a very fun day at the lake yesterday! It was around 90 degrees and the water felt GREAT!!! We rode on my parents boat. They pulled us all around on the tube and it was so much fun! Wish I had some pics, but of course I don't. But you can check out my moms blog for a picture of the kids on the tube http://www.sunnymorningfarm.com/ . I sure hope we get to go again before the weather gets cold. It's awesome!!

School Shopping...Ugh

Yesterday my mom and I took the kids school shopping. It is tax free weekend here in VA so I decided to take advantage of that this year. Overall it wasn't terribly crowded. I just get so aggrevated with the amount of stuff that we have to buy for back to school. Colton didn't need near as much as Emma. They need things like 10 glue sticks, 3 bottles of glue, a red, blue, and yellow three prong folder with two pockets in plastic (Walmart does not have these). You have to get only Crayola brand crayons and markers and only Elmers glue. Come on does it matter that much which brand of crayon it is.

I understand how hard it is for teachers and I think they need all the help they can get. But where is our tax dollars going. I mean we have to supply tissues, soap and paper towels for the classes. I think we should just pay $20 or so at the beginning of the year and they get exactly the right amount of things that is needed. I felt like I was on a wild goose chase in Wal Mart trying to find some of these things.

We went to the outlet stores that aren't far from our house. There are only a few stores still there. I got the kids new shoes from the Reebok outlet for under $30 for two pairs. They were so excited to get brand new tennis shoes, because they only get new ones for back to school, unless they grow out of them sooner. I like a good quality shoe that will last a long time, but don't want to pay a fortune for them.

I also treated myself. We went to the Kitchen Collection store. I love that store or any kitchen store for that matter. I got me a new Kitchen Aid mixer. No its not the big fancy stand ones that I drool over everytime I see them. I would love to have one but not enough room or money for it. I got the 7 speed hand mixer. I think I will really love it. My mom has both the Kitchen Aid stand and hand mixer and loves both of them.

I have to go now and find something to make so I can use my new mixer...YAY!

Homemade Wednesday!

Yesterday I was in a cooking mood. I wanted to use what I had and not have to make any special trips to the store. For lunch I made two homemade pepperoni pizzas. We had enough leftover to have pizza for supper too. Then I made a homemade chocolate pie for dessert. It was heavenly. I even made my own homemade pie crust, which was my first ever attempt at pie crust. It turned out really good. Not beautiful but good!!

I would have taken some pics but camera batteries are dead. Of course. I dream of a new fancy camera like my mother and father in laws or my sisters. They all are so neat and take fabulous pictures. Mine takes great pictures when it works. The rechargable batteries keep dying, I guess I need new ones. The only bad thing about it is it takes forever to flash and if your trying to take a picture of a kid or animal they move before you can get it taken. I have taken so many pictures of the back of kids heads and animal butts!

Anyway I don't know how I got started on cameras. I had a great day cooking from scratch and learning some great new recipes. Both of my recipes come from http://www.allrecipes.com/ . I love that website, they have some great recipes and I love all the helpful reviews. The pie was chocolate cream pie II and the crust was easy to remember pie crust. Both of them were extremely easy and tasted great.

A giveaway!

Head over to prairieflowerfarm.blogspot.com and check out the great giveaway for this adorable clothespin bag! I think it is so cute and would love to have it. Be sure to enter! By the way she has new baby guineas!!!!!

Guinea Update!

I still have 8 guineas, for now! I couldn't get one to go in the coop tonight and its roosting in a tree. Hopefully it will be okay til tomorrow.

I tell you these things are going to make me get gray hair! I have been so stressed the last few days, trying to keep my babies happy. Then today when we got home from our family reunion we found a dead chicken in the chicken run. I have no idea what happened to her, but I'm really sad. She didn't look like anything had gotten a hold of her. Maybe it was just old age. She was our favorite one and will be missed....R.I.P. Big White Hen (we never got around to naming her).

Guineas!

Yesterday I finally got brave enough to open the guinea door to let them free range. They are about 8 weeks old or a little older so it was getting time. Well it took them several hours before they got brave enough to come out.

I was like a new mommy running to check on her baby every few minutes. I was even outside in the pouring down rain to check on them. But I guess I wasn't a good enough mommy. Because after they came out one came up missing. I looked and looked and finally found it in the driveway being chewed on by the neighbors stupid Jack Russell dog. I was furious, I ran the dog off and checked on the guinea, but it was too late. I was so upset. I took the guinea and threw out in the field with the pine trees, not even thinking that this would be a bad idea. That was a huge mistake. Cody and Chi-chi found it and ate it. Now they are chasing the guineas.

Last night I got all of them up but two. Then my dad came down to help get the last two up and Chi-chi chased one and nearly caught it, but it flew off. I think its roosting in a big tree up in the field behind our house, but not sure.

Yesterday morning I had ten guineas, this morning I have eight:( I'm so sad! We put a shock collar on Chi-chi so we can break her. We run the Jack Russell off anytime he comes into the yard. But that dog has been such a nuisance for a while now. His owners don't even care that he never stays at his house. He is here the majority of the time eating our dogs food, chewing everything up, getting on top of vehicles and digging everywhere. We have no idea what to do about this dog. We don't know the neighbors, but they don't seem like very nice people. We just want the dog gone. He no longer is wearing any collar either, so its like they don't want him either. I know that he's a purebred Jack Russell and they are expensive dogs and usually really good dogs. I just wish he would go home and leave my guineas alone. I hope I don't lose anymore!!!

A Great Birthday!!

I had a wonderful birthday yesterday! My niece planned me a suprise party at my parents house. My mom made a fabulous meal and a delicous red velvet cake!!!! It was all soooo good!

I got some really nice gifts. My sister and niece got me a really cute primitive stichery picture. My mom got me a big prim start to put on my chicken coop and a cute prim picture. I loved everything that I got and had such a good time with my family!!

Thank you guys! Your the best!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Well tomorrow is my official birthday!! I will be 28. Wow I can't believe it. I'm almost 30...yikes. I feel old.

But anyway, we went out with my in-laws last night to celebrate. We have a tradition of going to Red Lobster to celebrate any birthday in our family. It's really nice that they take us out for a meal there every few months because we could never afford to eat there on our own. Thanks Becky and Lloyd it was delicious as usual!!!

They also gave me $100 and a very cute VA Tech shirt. So after we ate we went and looked at exercise bikes. I have been wanting one for awhile. I really need to get in shape. I would have liked to have a treadmill instead but they are all so large and we didn't want something to take up too much room. So we ended up getting a really nice bike at Play it Again Sports. We looked at new ones at Dick's Sporting Goods and they were more expensive and not as good quality. The one I ended up with is a Vision Fitness E3100. It is used, but you can tell very little. We got it for $250 and they retail for $800-1200 now. It's a really nice bike and very quiet, you can't even hear it.

I used it for 15 minutes last night and felt like I was dying. I only burned 50 of the 50,000 calories that I ate at Red Lobster:( Then I got up this morning at 6:30 and used it for 10 minutes. My legs were a little sore from last night and I didn't want to get so sore that I couldn't walk. I hope to be able to use it twice a day for about 30 minutes each time. I'm really excited about it and hope that I can stay dedicated to it.

I need to make some lifestyle changes. I want to get the weight off of me before I hit 30 because I know its much harder the older you get. Not that 30 is old, but I just want to get in shape before I'm 30. I need to change my eating habits and the whole families. We need to cut back on the sugar and white flour and processed foods. I want to go one step at a time so we don't totally get burned out and sick of it. I'm not saying diet though. I just want to be healthy!!!

Four Words.....

WHEN DOES SCHOOL START????

My kids have been driving me nuts today! They can't stop fighting or picking on each other. It didn't help that it rained half of the day so they were stuck inside. Overall they have been great this summer, but we haven't been at home a lot. They were bored out of their minds today and I had too much to do around the house to play with them. But they did help me clean house and break beans, inbetween fighting and bugging the crap out of each other.

Now my sweet little angels are playing cards in their room "together" and have been for an hour. Why couldn't they have done this during the day when Dad wasn't here? I do love my kids more than anything, but they drive me crazy at times!!!

I have to find some fun rainy day games and activities to keep them from getting bored, because it looks like rain is in the forecast all week. Any ideas?

Sick of TV!

Tonight the kids and I have been trying to find something decent on tv to watch. Thats almost impossible. I get so tired of paying for satellite service every month and having nothing to watch. We finally ended up watching Hee Haw on RFD channel. Its so funny. I remember watching it as a kid, my kids don't like it as much as I did.

I am so sick of kids shows. They get on my nerves so bad. My kids aren't into cartoon shows anymore. Now all they like is Suite Life of Zack and Cody, I Carly and Hannah Montana. I have had enough of it and am going to start limiting tv time again. Emma doesn't watch much, but Colton would sit there all day if I let him. I think I will go crazy if I here these dumb shows again!

I would cancel satellite if I could, but Travis would freak. He isn't here much, but when he is he wants to watch tv. So I guess I have to get stricter with the kids and myself about watching it!

We're Home!!!

Well we made it home this afternoon at about 2:30. It's so good to be home!!! I like going on vacation, but boy do I like to come home! There was no R&R on this vacation. It was all go, go, go the whole week. I guess we will have time to relax when the kids are grown and out of the house.


We went to Busch Gardens two days and to Water Country one day. It was fun and the kids loved it. Emma was able to ride her first big rollercoaster this time, the big bad wolf. She loved it. I sat beside her on the first ride and I put my hand across her lap to hold her and she said I'm okay leave me alone. Both of the kids love rollercoasters and would fuss at me for screaming. I love them too, but I still scream everytime I ride one. Colton and Travis rode the Lochness Monster at least 15 times. Colton loved it!!


Wouldn't you know that I didn't take my camera anywhere. I didn't want to keep up with it in Busch Gardens. We usually get a stroller but the kids are bigger and don't need one, so we wanted the least amount to keep up with as possible. This is the only picture that I took and I used my cell phone. I am really upset with myself for that, but we still have some great memories!!

Getting ready for Vacation!!

We will be leaving for vacation tomorrow:) I have lots to do today to get ready, but we are so excited. We are going to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg VA. We are staying four nights. We will probably go to Busch Gardens two days and Water Country one day, but I guess we will see how tired we all are.

I really hope Emma is feeling better. She has had a cold the past few days and yesterday she started having trouble breathing. She has mild asthma and sometimes it acts up when she gets a cold. I gave her two breathing treatments yesterday and that helped. Hopefully she will not need anymore, but I'm taking the nebulizer machine with me, just in case.

The kids are so excited and can't hardly. I hope its not extremely hot and crowded. I will see you all when we get back!! Have a great July 4th!!!!!

VBS Week!!

We have had Vacation Bible School at our church this week. My mother-in-law and I are teaching the 7 and 8 year olds. We have had between 13-19 kids in our class every night. Let me just say they have way too much energy! They are sweet kids, but some of them are so wild, they just wear me out. I wish I could bottle their energy up and take it every day!!!

We have had such a good turn out each night for all the age groups. The best news so far is one girl accepted Christ last night!!! That is exactly why we do it and it makes it all worth while!!! I pray that we do the best job that we can to spread the word of God to these young ones. I have really enjoyed Bible School this year and so have my kids. Friday night is the closing program, looking forward to that!!

More animals on our homestead!!

"Smokey playing peek-a-boo under the chicken coop!"
"Cody is such a good and faithful dog"

"This is Travis' favorite chicken, we need to name her!"

"Wow those babies sure are growing fast"

"The camara flash totally freaked them out, but everything freaks them out!"

Here's the new member of the homestead!!!

Meet Sammy, the new addition to our little homestead!

Well he's not exactly ours, he's just a loaner goat from my mom and dad! They very generously have allowed him to come to our house for awhile to eat down the tall grass in the field. I was able to convince Travis that we needed him after I killed a snake last week, which was the second one that we've already killed this year. Yuck! We both hate snakes and they are coming from the tall grass, so we needed something to eat it. I hope Sammy does a good job!!

"Isn't he just the cutest little thing"

"He's been kind of sad, he's never been away from his mommy before! Hope we can make him happy!!!"

We have a new addition to our little homestead!! Pictures are coming soon!!!!!!

Summer Fun!

The kids have officially been out of school for one week and one day now. So far they are being pretty good other than asking for snacks fifty times a day and fighting. We have already been having fun on my parents boat:) Its so much fun! The kids love jumping off the boat and swimming around in the lake. You can check out pics at my moms blog www.sunnymorningfarm.blogspot.com .

Next week we start Vacation Bible School at church. That is always a fun but a very busy and tiring week. Then we will be going on vacation July 1 thru July 5. This year we are going to Busch Gardens and Splash Country in Williamsburg, VA. The kids are so excited they love roller coasters and all the rides at amusement parks. We are excited just to get away and to go somewhere different. I found us a very cheap motel from cheaptickets.com, I'm just crossing my fingers that its not a major dump. We have our expectations set pretty low, so hopefully we will not be disappointed. We just need a place to sleep as our days will be filled so we can't see paying a ton of money for a nice hotel. We got the hotel half price through cheaptickets hopefully its worth it.

We set our little 3 feet deep pool up last night and have been filling it up today. The kids really want to get in it but its raining again, imagine that! My garden looks like a jungle, its either too rainy or too hot to work in it. I guess I'm going to have to just do it and stop waiting for the perfect weather or we want have anything this year.

Well that's just whats going on around here! Hope everyone has a great week!!!

Blog help!

I need help with this dumb blog! I have no idea what I did but all of my stuff that was on the side is now on the bottom of the page. I took my background off because I thought that was what was causing it, but that didn't work. I have tried every template that blogger has and it still isn't right. I can't figure it out and I don't like it being at the bottom of the page. If any of you computer savy people know what I can do please let me know. Thank You!!

She Really is Growing UP!!

Just 3 days after her 6th birthday Emma lost her first tooth! She was so excited! Then the next day she lost her second one. But she really isn't snaggle toothed because her permanent teeth had already came in behind the baby teeth. Colton's did the same thing on the bottom. They are so crooked right now, I am seeing braces in the future for both of them:(

Colton was really jealous because he is 8 and only lost one tooth on his own and 2 pulled from the dentist. He better get busy or sis is going to catch up with him! But they can wait a little bit, the tooth fairy is broke at the moment!!!

Boy + Dog = True Love Forever

Meet Smokey!! This is Colton's new coon dog. Now that he's into hunting he had to have his own dog! He sure did pick a cute one! Smokey is an English Blue Tick. Colton loves him so much and he plays with him all day!! I think he seems tempered like Colton. So far he is really easy going and doesn't bark much, he's so sweet!

Look at those big feet!!!

Could that boy get any happier?

Chi-chi is jealous she's not the new dog on the block anymore!!!

Happy Late Birthday Emma!!!

My baby turned 6 on June 4th:( It's sad that my babies growing so fast! But she is so happy to be a six year old now! We celebrated her birthday with a small party on Friday with family and a few of her friends from school!

Here she is showing off one of her many presents!

Blowing out her candle!

The butterfly cake I made for her!

Taking a swing at the pinata!