Conference Title Game

Last night was the big championship game. The girls played St. Paul's for the conference title. It was a very very close game all night. Over half the girls didn't even get to play in the game, but they won 28-25. They remained undefeated for the season. I couldn't have been happier for my daughter. She was beaming from ear to ear. She is growing up so much and learning the ups and downs of life so much better than I did at her age. She gave a speech at the end of the game thanking the coach. It may seem that it was no big deal, but for my quiet laid back child it speaks volumes. I couldn't be prouder. (The first picture is her getting her blue ribbon, the second is of the team, and the last one Maddie took after the game.)

Brandon's Game

Brandon won his game against Edison the other night. Yeah!! Looking around the crowd the faces and names were different, but the people were the same. Meaning that you could still tell the difference between who was from Milan and who was from Berlin Heights. Two kids were thrown out of the game for fighting (throwing punches) one from our team and one from theirs. A valuable lesson was learned from that. The coach was able to take what happened a teach the boys the price you pay when it comes to fighting. I liked the way the coach handled it with the boys.

Brandon's game Sunday was a close win 35-34 against keystone. This was a conference game and the first conference win. Brandon didn't get to play a lot, but again his heart isn't in this sport he has fun with it, but doesn't put all he has into it. For Bub it is more of a social thing I think.

Dial up Valley

Pooh and her family spent the weekend moving into their new house. She is very excited. The move however has caused a concern for her...the internet. She can not get service at her new place, because she's just out of reach of everyone who provides service. The only thing they are willing to give her is dial up service. For those of you who still have dial up God Bless you for the rest of us that have faster connection it would be hard to go back to dial up. At this time Pooh is still trying to work on someone to extend their service area to her new place until she accomplishes this I'll try to keep everyone posted. (If anyone can accomplish this it will be Pooh)

The Specialist

Today was Madeline's first appointment with the specialist. Most children with vocal cord dysfunction see a speech therapist to work with their breathing not my Maddie. She sees a behavioral mental health therapist. Why you may ask? Well I did ask this question today, and here is the response I got. He is the one who trained the other speech therapists in our area with the breathing techniques, and will help her deal with some of the stress that accompanies her sports. He also specializes in sports medicine. I was still a little leery right up until Maddie started understanding him and he started speaking her language. Most of the doctors Maddie has seen hasn't understood how hard the kids today are playing their sport....this doctor did. Since there are sometimes other things that can accompany the VCD he went over everything all over again with us. According to him there is a connection with gastric reflux and VCD which Maddie didn't appear to have. One of the other things had to do with sleep. I'm not sure what the connection is but I guess there can be one. She seem to be good in that area, however I wasn't able to answer all the questions he asked because I guess I'm not as attentive as I should be while she is sleeping. I have to watch her and let him know next time. She did one breathing exercise with him that was where she pushed against his hands as hard as she could. I've watched her do this many times with her brother, friends, family, etc, and I never noticed it. SHE HOLDS HER BREATH. He had her breathe out while she tried this again, it took her several times to accomplish this. When she did she almost knocked him over his chair. He said how did that feel? She answered I have more power, and that she did. She wanted to try it again to make sure she was doing it right. This time the doctor planted his feet. That was the medical side of the visit. I will post later on the funny ha-ha's of the visit.

Her First Game Back

Last night was Maddie's first night back in the swing of the game. She played all 4 quarters, and even scored 2. They finished out their season undefeated, and have conference tournaments this weekend and next week. She did really really well last night. She had less breathing problems last night than she has had all season. She had one real heavy bout in the 4th quarter, but was able to get the breathing under control. From what Maddie says she was doing fine, but got elbowed in the back pretty hard and it kinda knocked the wind out of her. Luckily there was a foul called at the same time by another girl and Maddie used that time to really catch her breath. It seems that she is having a lot easier time managing her breathing now than when she was on all that medicine for asthma. One day at a time.

A New Phase

Brandon is in this whole thing of new phases. One of the new things he's doing is boycotting getting his picture taken. I have very few pictures of Bub recently. I finally was able to get this one only because of Grandmother Payne. I told Bub I needed a recent picture of him to post on the blog to prove to Grandmother Payne he is doing well. He finally said okay, and this was obviously the best he could give me. I can't wait for this particular phase to be over.

Busy Week Ahead

The week ahead is quite a busy one for us. We have practices and games every single day this week. Madeline starts a new semester in school which means some new classes for her. She also has Basketball Conference games starting Saturday and running into next week. (A very big deal) She has her appointment this week in Cleveland for her breathing. Brandon has an extra game thrown into this week against my school I attended as a kid (big deal for me). He is still very actively involved in his student counsel recycling project. Plus he is still working on his play for music class. (He finally has a part so this is the only reason he ever tells me about the play.) I'll try to keep everyone informed how the week is going, but I may get a little behind on the blog this week.

Saying Farewell

We said good bye to the family hamster this weekend. Peach passed away Saturday. The kids took it a little hard. Brandon instantly called Grami. When he was finished talking I was talking to mom and mom was relating to losing her fish last weekend. I was trying to console mom a little on her fish and said something about the fish out loud. That caused my children to go into a melt down because they had no idea about Grami's fish. (It was horrible timing on my part.)They did seem to recover but we will not be consoling by bring in another animal.

After Many Sports...Mom Makes A Mistake

We do sports year round. Both children do their own sports year round. I drive each child to practices all year and their games. I think that my car is on automatic pilot to the school. After all these years and thousands of practices later....I messed up. I have calendars set up in almost every room to remind me of all the practices, games, non school days, extra activities, and so on. Yesterday we all got ready for Brandon's 3:00 game at Firelands. When we arrived there was Brandon's team leaving the court for half time. I couldn't believe that I was an hour late for his game. I was mortified. Brandon was a little salty at me. The coach was very understandable and we were fortunate that the coach still gave Brandon some playing time. It messed with me for the rest of the day. This morning I am ready to move on and stop apologizing for my one mistake in thirteen years with the kids sport schedules.

Grocery Shopping

This happens to be a cake that was at our Easter dinner last year, but I thought I'd post it for today's topic. Now moving on to today's pressing topic....grocery shopping. I grocery shop different than anyone I know. I go to the meat market, farm market, a discount store Marc's or Aldi's I rotate these two stores each payday, and Walmart if anything else is needed. I have reached the point that everything I froze from the garden this summer is gone (mental note bigger garden next year). My children's appetites are bigger now than ever before. My kids refuse to buy the school hot lunch everyday, but Brandon is wanting to start buying the hot breakfast they serve at school or Mom can whip him up one before school. They do prefer a homemade meal over fast food, but if it is not provided exactly when they want it they will start to devour my kitchen. Brian's run is currently at a dorm for overnight stay instead of a hotel so he packs a huge huge lunch type cooler for the road. All this being said it has led to a bigger grocery bill. I have tried and tried to cut the corners I can. Brandon refusing to eat red meat still has made some meals impossible pasta is also off his picky eaters list and always has been. Brandon lives off of vegetables so I can't cut back at the farm market. I have been able to buy enough meat for the month under $100 by buying half cuts of pork. Watching sales and buying some items in bulk has helped a lot in the over all grocery crunch. A gallon of milk is over $3, and as I've noticed this weekend a dozen eggs is almost $2 (organic $3). We grocery shop as an entire family, and teach the kids some buying tricks and how to deter some from impulse buying (I hope this may one day help them, but who ever knows). Brian and Maddie always carry the groceries in, and Bub and me put all the groceries away. As Maddie carried some bags in yesterday she dropped the eggs....I cried....Bub threw up....and Brian told me to 'get it together' (a phrase Wendy uses all the time). I apologized to the family, and tried to analyze myself. Sometimes when you try so hard something as simple as a broken egg carton, spilled milk, or the mayo being left out over night will send a person to the edge. Sometimes a good deep breath is enough to be able to pull yourself together. Pooh has been giving me this advice for some time, but only recently have I actually been using it.

What Brandon Has Been Up To

You all may be wondering what Bub has been up to lately. He has been really focusing on maintaining his 4.0 average, and has been trying basketball for the first time. He has really enjoyed Brian being home this last week and a half. He is a lot more settled down lately. He even tried watermelon, and a orange this week. We can officially add those two foods on his picky food list now. Yeah!! He has been a big help and seems to be changing into a somewhat more mature ten year old.

Little Miss Maddie Rae

Madeline went back to practice tonight for the first time since I pulled her out right before Christmas. She's been practicing ball handling, and her shots, but hasn't "participated" in practice. Since her vocal cord diagnosis on Monday I was still worried a little about her participating before she has even had one appt. teaching her breathing exercises to help correct this problem. She voiced her wanting to get back in the game before Conference tournament at the end of the month. They gave Maddie ONE emergency kind of breathing technique to use in a pinch if she needed it before her "official" appt. with the specialist. She used it a few times during practice, but said that this was by far the best practice she had ever had. I was still confused why she could do so well without knowing none of the breathing exercises yet. She said to me, "mom I knew I wasn't going to die from lack of air." She also said that she didn't feel like she was in a fog anymore. This is all still a mystery to me, and I still have so many questions to ask the doctor, but I will say my daughter is breathing and not turning colors anymore. And for that I am thankful.

Chubby Girls Everywhere Take A Bow

Oh yes it was one of those kind of days!! Being "fluffy" as Brandon calls it sometimes will take a hit on your self esteem. In this instance it was about being overweight in the eyes of the gyno was some of my female problems. Now it bothered me for a few days, but as I do so well I picked myself back up and treaded on. Today the gyno APOLOGIZED for blaming my female problems on weight. Can you say, "yeah that's what I thought". He went over my surgery results, and told me how remarkable I was healing. When he asked me how I was doing I told him fine except for my hormones feel like they've been in a jar and shook and are finally starting to settle back down to the bottom. He laughed and said that was an excellent example of how it feels after this type of surgery, and asked me if he could use that to define for other patients what it would be like. I said of course you can. All in all a good visit, but I did feel like it was a giant step for chubby girls one in all not to be stereotyped by the medical world.

The Power Of The Magic Wand

This is Sienna and her very special vanity she got for Christmas. The really cool thing about this particular vanity is the "magic wand" that can open the drawers. You can't get them open without the magic wand.

Now I don't have a magic wand that makes things all better in my world, but sometimes I feel like I'm expected to wave one to fix my families requests. Since I'm getting back to myself more everyday, yesterday was the day that I waved my magic wand and headed to the middle school. I was able to brave the snow get Maddie to school set up and talk to two teachers, one coach (by note only), one vice principal, and left a message for one guidance counselor all before 11 am. This in itself is pretty spectacular, because it seems that when dealing with the school it takes a least a week to get that much accomplished. I also was able to get Maddie's appt. set up, and put a phone call into my school.(I'm waiting on my diploma)

I know that I'm not the only one out there that feels like somedays you need a magic wand to accomplish the day to day tasks of the family. So here's wishing to all of you that your magic wands have enough juice left in them to make it through your day.

Cleveland Trip

Yes I know the pictures could be a whole lot clearer, but from the car view this is the best I got. The first picture is the electric sign at Jacob's Field that shows the new name that was just announced last week PROGRESSIVE FIELD. This was a huge big deal to the sports fans in my house. Jacob's Field is the baseball park of the Cleveland Indians that my family love. On the other side of the park they were taking down the old sign and putting up the new one, Brandon was very happy to get to see this being done. The other picture is of Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavs that is plastered across a building. This is Madeline's favorite basketball player next to Shaq....again a huge deal for my sports family. It was very cold today and slightly snowing so walking around Cleveland today was out of the question for us. We did go to the West Side Market that was fabulous. This place has FRESH food to buy such as your veggies, meat, bakery, cheeses, herbs, coffee, breads, and of course candy. It was really nice for all of us, we got some things that we needed, and some items that we never get but always wanted to. My special purchase was a fresh pineapple I've never had pineapple unless it came out of a can. This was the sweetest thing I've ever tasted. The gentlemen even showed me how to cut it without hurting myself. (I've tried a coconut before and had the hardest time in the world getting into it). Overall it was a good day.

It's Not Asthma

Today was Madeline's big exercise test at Rainbow's Baby & Children's Hospital. It is officially confirmed by the doctor calling me at home that she does not have asthma!!!! Yeah!! What she does have though is a vocal cord dysfunction that is a somewhat rare disorder that effects the way the vocal cords open and close during breathing especially when there is deeper breathing such as exercise, singing, etc. Madeline's vocal cords close during exercise instead of opening the way they are suppose to. She still has little air going through when she has one of these attacks and doesn't drop below a 90% lung capacity. Which is excellent. The treatment for this is to retrain her to breathe. Sounds simple enough, however there are only a few doctors that treat this in the US, we are fortunate to have one of those doctors in Cleveland. So when I start complaining about traveling to Cleveland again remind me it could be LA. That means no more pills, no more steroids, no more inhalers....just learning to breathe. It sounds so easy we all do it everyday, but imagine being able to take in deep breaths and enjoy fresh air the way our body is meant to. Imagine your child struggling to do this for 13 years. You travel where they can help her. You jump the insurance hoops to help her. You follow her each and every step of the journey, because you love her. Every mother says they would die for their child (Pooh's post states this as well), but what a mother is willing to go through for her child is a remarkable love that is undeniable. We don't look for praise, we don't look for glory, we do it so our child can be the best God has intended them to be, we do it because we love them more than ourselves.

Today's Topic

Do you know who this is? He is a 2008 presidential candidate. This happens to be 2008 for those of you still getting use to the year change. This is the one topic that up until this very post I don't ever talk about...politics. I have no problem defending my religious views but my political views I don't speak about. One of the main reasons I keep quiet is because I don't know enough about politics, and as soon as I think I can speak my mind the party changes or the candidate does something I have no idea why they did that etc. As I get older and I think about the problems in the world and know prayer is the only answer, I think about better, wiser chooses in our leadership. I encourage each of us to take a little time and learn a little about this years candidates. There is all kinds of different sites to learn a little, and read a little about. Here is a quick site that I found that gives a quick overview, http://www.politicnow.com/pages/2008-Canidates.html. The picture is part of the profile in the new york timesJan. 13, 2008 online issue by photographer McNew/Getty Images.

I Can't Help My Self

I've started this particular post several times and over the course of the last few days keep deleting it, but the time has come for me just to face Pooh's wrath and post it. I have talked to most of you over the duration of the last week, and everyone is asking what Pooh's up to. Normally it is a family taboo to air business that is not your own, but I'm walking out on a wire here and venturing carefully. Pooh Bear is busy being a great mom right now, and taking care of her children that has been sick. She stays equipped with lysol and the doctor on speed dial these days.

Hallmark Calendar Day

(Picture is from an email I recently received. It saves as clip art which there seems to be all kinds of free clip art sites...interesting item to know.) Anyhow, moving on to the topic of today's post. Valentine's Day or as I refer to it as Hallmark Calendar Day. We do not celebrate this holiday, occasionally Brian has fallen under advertisement pressure and purchased a card, but overall we do not partake in this holiday. You will notice in the stores they move from one holiday to the next trying to move merchandise. Brandon has always loved to exchange cards with his classmates, and Maddie has always got a kick out of the hearts that have sayings on them. This year two days before my surgery I purchased window clings that said I love you and stuff on them. Why you may ask? I guess saying I love you should come all year long, and if a couple window clings helps me to remember to say it a little more often to the people I truly love that is a good thing. Take a little time this Hallmark Calendar season and say I love you a couple more times than usual to the ones you love.

Where Is My Clothes?

Being in comfy clothes for three days has me wondering where my regular clothes are? I tried to put regular clothes on today. I can tell you I was able to get my big girl jeans on, but they won't last past the pain medication wearing off. Sometimes to make yourself feel better you will make the sacrifice to put them on for a few hours. Later this evening I may even try to put my contacts in. Anyhow, I thought this lovely Garfield picture summed up how I've been feeling. A little groggy, frumpy, and needing caffeine. I'm still glowing yellow from the iodine, but parts of it are starting to come off. Being a chubby girl and having your body painted in florescent yellow dye is definitely not chubby girl flattering, but I'm surviving. For all of you complaining about getting dressed and getting ready everyday take a moment and be thankful that you can get into your clothes, and you're not glowing in the dark.

The Love Of A Pet

I'm not a huge pet person, but I do love my cat. Her name is Kit Kat, and I let the kids get her to serve a purpose...catch mice. Something happened though she became more than a mouse catcher she became part of the family. Maddie picked her out last year from a farm with thousands (or so it seemed) of cats. She looked horrible. With lots of love and care she really evolved into a beautiful cat. She doesn't meow unless her food dish is low, or you are opening a can of tuna. She has never had an accident in the house. She catches mice. She's a keeper. She also has this one very special gift if any one of the family is sick she refuses to leave their side. It's almost like she can smell sickness or something. Well this morning I was having a hard time. I didn't tell anyone that I was feeling bad. Brian knew instantly when he seen the cat curled up on my hip that I wasn't doing so hot. The cat didn't leave my side all day. She is remarkable.

Madeline Is Having Fun

Midterms are getting ready to come up for Maddie, plus the end of the quarter so there is a lot of pressure on her from school. She is keeping score at the basketball games till she is released back on the team. She is finally starting to be able to juggle all the activities without losing her patience. Not only is she achieving that, but she starting to take things in stride, and is having fun with her life. I'm super proud of her for accomplishing this task. It is not an easy one, and even as an adult I still have to struggle myself to accomplish it. Way to go Maddie Rae!!

Brandon scored a basket

Tonight was Brandon's second game since making the 5th grade basketball team. Basketball isn't the sport that he's passionate about, but I encouraged him to go out anyway. I feel if you get your kids involved in things it keeps them off the video games and out of a little trouble. He doesn't do real well with this sport, but he tries. He scored a basket tonight!! He said it surprised him a little. He has been doing really well with daddy being in charge, and I'm real proud of him!

To Each His Own

Picture was from an email I recently received you can also find these statues in stores everywhere.

Okay moving on to the post..."To Each His Own". This particular topic would be referring to the undergarments we each choose to wear. My motto is clearly that everyone should wear whatever they want, however I do feel a need to defend my choices.

Recently my mom was having a discussion at my Aunt Doris's with the regular Sunday morning crowd when the discussion about underwear came up. To make the story short my mom volunteered the information that yes even Michelle wears thong underwear. I do, but that's not the point. I wear them because they make me feel pretty, I wear them because there is no panty line, I wear them because I want to. Thong underwear isn't a taboo or dirty thing...it's just underwear. I'm not 16 anymore I don't go around showing people my underwear....it's just about me and my underwear nothing more nothing less. All of this being said my mom did suggest that I should where hospital appropriate underwear for my surgery. I asked her what kind those was. Basically it was something that covered everything no feeling pretty about them kind. After surgery I have to admit she was absolutely right. Full covering everything underwear is hospital appropriate. After surgery I just wanted to be covered and needed everything I could get. All that defending, and she ends up being 100% right about this particular area.

Everything is still a bit foggy

This is another picture from Christmas. I have noticed a theme lately of "me" posts. I'm sorry about that, but I'm going on anyhow.

Perhaps it's the medication, or just me but I've noticed some moments from the surgery that makes me say..."um". And of course I thought I'd share them with you.

1. Hospital appropriate underwear= clean non damaged underwear. Mom disagrees she led me down the path to purchase new ones. I will say I'm glad she did, don't know why but I felt better about having new ones after the surgery.
2. My attitude=happy. Not the case the second I walked into the hospital. Why you may ask? I have no idea. I carried a chip on my shoulder the first blood draw. When I didn't have a chip on my shoulder I was crying. Why....I don't know. Every experience my sister has with the hospital she is laughing and gitty. Obviously just one more difference between us.
3. The phrase I Love You= something I say maybe once a day to my loved ones. Surgery day and today it seems to be the phrase I use all day. I think I'm begining to scare my family just a little.
4. Shower Time = 30 minutes. Not the case today. It took me an hour and a half just to shower and another hour and a half to get dressed and change bandages. Total was 3 hours!!! Not to mention that but I even had to call Brian in for help. I didn't even need his help after childbirth, but one minor surgery that the doctor said I should be back to myself in just a couple days I need shower assistance. Why did I need his help? I had so so so much iodine all over my body in places they didn't even do surgery I needed some help. It's still not all off!!
5. Nap Time= My favorite. Again now that I should be resting I'm finding it difficult. I'm not sleeping more than 2 hours at a time, and I'm finding it difficult to just sit on the couch now. Normally I would love an excuse to sit on the couch.

I know I've rambled on a bit today, but that's okay in my book. Have a good day everyone.

The Surgery

Today was surgery day it all went okay. A huge thank you goes out to my mom today for putting up with me and all my mood swings. She really did go above and beyond. Thank you mom!!

The surgery consisted of a laproscopy, hysterscopy, d&c, and an ablation. The two scopy's was just a look around and evaluating my female organs. The d&c I consider a good solid flush, the ablation was the actual burning of the uterus lining. They also drained a cyst, removed more endometrosis, and observed that my uterus was enlarged. (the spelling is off on a lot of these words, but due to my level of exhaustion I'm not looking them up right now) The doctor actually had colored pictures of everything. I can't wait to see them, I'm curious to see inner pictures of my stuff. Mom got to see them today I don't think she was that impressed. I'm doing pretty good I'm real sore, tired, and was a little emotional all day, but overall better than I expected. Thank you everyone for your love and prayers! I know prayer makes a difference, and I appreciate it. (Mamaw I know you were praying for me today, thank you)

Chubby Girls....Part (we'll say) 10

I've noticed some things over the holidays that I couldn't wait to share on the blog. Mom can't stand my chubby girl posts, but she knew she was going to be a part of it. Mom you know I love you with all my heart and soul, but I must share the story. It was a very very windy day, and mom & Maddie were at the good old walmart. Mom told Maddie to go to the truck, and she did. Mom was putting the cart back into the cart holder. (Mom worries about carts running into other vechiles (i know the spelling isnt right spell check won't even touch it) (especially on windy days) As mom was trying with all her might to get that cart to the cart holder she was afraid that she was honestly going to get blown away. By the time she made it back to the truck she thought that the wind was going to take her off her feet. Now mom tells me this story with all seriousness. I let mom know that if she would eat a stinking ho ho or ding dong once in awhile she would not have to fear the wind blowing her away. As a chubby girl I do not fear the wind blowing me away nor when I was out on the same day I didn't fear it. I proudly walked around in my cut off jean shorts in the middle of December knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt I was not going to be knocked down from the wind. This has led me to today's list of proud chubby girl moments:

1. Chubby girls don't fear the wind.
2. A chubby girl knows what isle the hostess products are in. (Unlike others we wont mention no names)
3. Maybe its just me, but a chubby girl is very cautious when dieting with a nonchubby girl.
4. A chubby girl has her own fashion style. Every chubby girl does whether she knows it or not.
5. No matter if your chubby or not do not I repeat do not dress like your teenagers.

As always love yourself like you deserve to be loved, and let nothing change that.

Coolest Mom I Know....Me

Yes, I know I have a little bit of self confidence there in the title. Moving on to the reason for the post. I have finished my classes for medical billing/coding, and am now awaiting my scores. YEAH!! Since I now have a touch of time on my hands I decided to do some reading before my surgery on Monday. I was expecting to gain insight from some wise author as my fellow bloggers have. This did not happen. The book was about things cool moms should know, and obviously be able to do. I will highlight some of the finer points along with my own take on them.

1. Cool point number one: Study the two major meteor showers, and watch a shooting star with you child. As I was sitting in the parking lot waiting for Bub last night I seen a little light in the sky. I hadn't studied the meteor showers yet, but I thought I'd give it a try. I said all excited like a cool mom would, "Hey Mad, make a wish it's a shooting star" Maddie said all teenager like, "Mom I'll make a wish, but that light up there moving slow and blinking is just a plane." This idea of mine may have worked if the child was younger.
2. Cool point number two: The book tries to teach us mothers how to catch and throw while being cool in the eyes of our kids. If you know a thing about me you know I can't catch or throw. But I thought why not try to learn. As I asked my kids to play catch with me my only son said to me, "okay mom I'll try to teach you, but I can't promise you that you'll learn how in just one trip off the couch." That wasn't the worst of it. The entire family thought they should gather around to try and see mom catch. Did I catch? Not that day. Let's think about this shall we.....in order to learn how to catch one must be willing to stand there and let another individual throw objects at us till we time it out and catch. This is why I never learned. Again this idea may have worked if I was dealing with younger children.
3. Cool point number three: teach your children to listen to their cat (with illustration). I'm not kidding. My kids know when the cat is hissing that she is not happy. My kids know when the cats but is higher in the air than her head to get out of her direct line of vision. Again possibly if they were younger this would be good advice.

Now what I walked away from out of this book was if you are going to try and be cool with your kids do it when they are young. Bottom line as they get older is if your cool your letting them do what they want, if you are uncool you are trying to guide them through life. All I can hope for is to be "alright". My main job at this point is to help guide them, try not to screw them up to bad, and help them be happy with themselves as they find their own inner qualities they want to hold on to.

Happy New Years!!!

Happy 2008!!! It's a new year, new beginning, new adventures, and new joys. Every year on New Years I write each of my kids a letter regarding the previous year, seal it, and put it in the keep sakes tub. I don't do resolutions on new years mainly because I never keep them past the 10th of Jan. All Christmas decorations come down that aren't already down. All calendars are filled out and put up. That's my new years traditions. Happy New Year everyone, make this year a year to remember!!

The Lost Picture

I have looked for this picture for two or three years now. I seen it in a picture of us when we were little hanging on the wall. Neither one of my parents knew where it was. When we went to dad's he said he wanted me to look at this picture he thinks he may have found the picture I was looking for. Sure enough there it was. He let me take it.