Aunt Poohie Express

Here is a photo of the "Aunt Poohie Express" (the name Bub gave it). This has become a staple word in our house. (I don't think a mini van has ever got so much attention) We use it as a reminder in the morning that the Aunt Poohie Express will be here in ten minutes. We use it as an encouragement at bedtime. We now even know what happens on the Aunt Poohie Express on the way to school. The Aunt Poohie Express runs Monday through Thursday (Sienna's preschool days). Pooh offered to pick Bub up on the way to school instead of him riding the bus on preschool days. He loves it!! He has even tried to convince Aunt Poohie to enroll Sienna in an extra day of preschool on Fridays (she said absolutely not). If you look closely at the picture you can see Lola. (an added bonus to the Aunt Poohie Express) This is just another part of the adventure in our world.

World Series

My house is full of sports, if the kids aren't playing sports their watching sports. Home town teams are special for the obvious reasons. Brian is a huge sports fan and has passed that love on to the children. Now in case you haven't been following the baseball postseason the Indians are doing well. There was a drawing kinda like a lottery to see who would win a chance at purchasing world series tickets. This has to be the one thing that I win in life. (sigh) I win the opportunity to PURCHASE these tickets. A great opportunity yes indeed, a once in a lifetime memory of course. Oh did I forget to mention these tickets start at $100 a piece. We are a simple family with financial struggles, and the entertainment budget is pizza and a movie every two weeks not world series tickets. It's a nice thought, but I think that's where the dream ends this year.

P.S. The picture was a wallpaper image from the official indians.com website.

Anger

Have you ever had an angry day? I'm sure you have. I've been on a small mission lately to try a little self improvement. This is an area in myself that needs a little attention.

I have been noticing in myself that when I get angry it is hard for me to bounce back. For example if I have a bad walmart experience and I continue to talk about it to friends and family that anger seems to keep growing. I want to change that about myself.

When someone intentionally or unintentionally hurts my feelings I instantly lash out. Sometimes it's best to just ignore things, but I've been bottling things up for years. It's starting to effect me.

Sometimes an angry day turns into angry days for me. Not to mention once I'm angry about one thing I have a shorter fuse about getting angry quicker with other things. There are certain things that I actually stay angry about for years. I can't continue to let these things grow within me. Today I'm forgiving all of the hurt and pain others have caused me, and taking responsibility for my own anger. Today will be a fresh start AGAIN for me, and just maybe today will be different.

Sierra-This Post is for you

Sierra has not been approving of the photos I've used lately, so I'm hoping that she will enjoy these.

A Shot of Self Esteem

Okay let's study this picture throughout this post as I will be referencing it. And yes I have over blogged today.

Normally on my chubby girl posts I give you funny ha-ha's, tonight I'm giving you facts first.

1. Fact one this chubby girl (in the picture) has big ears.
2. Fact two this chubby girl's nose is way bigger than her friends.
3. Fact three this chubby girl doesn't always smell the best.
4. Fact four this chubby girl isn't the fastest runner.
5. Fact five this chubby girl is so big she has to have special scales just to get a weight.

This chubby girl is one of the most beautiful animals in all the land. Children want to be around her always. Men try to hunt her for the rare ivory she has. Her children are photographed and loved by all. This chubby girl walks proud because she knows she's just that damn good.

There is a lesson here, but you have to be able to see it on your own. Bottom line love yourself.

The Queen of the Life Party

My sister.....you won't ever meet another person that is more fun than her. No matter what we do we always have a good time together (at least from my point of view). She is full of life! She's a straight shooter she tells you like it is no candy coating with her. Everyone thinks when their kids are little that they work hard. She truly does work that hard. Her kids have schedules that is followed daily. She uses her imagination just as hard when playing with her kids. She not only goes out of her way to make sure that her kids have good memories of events and things that they do, she makes sure she has good memories of those events too. Her laughter is contagious and when you are around her you can't help but laugh too. I appreciate ya Pooh and I love ya.

Heart of Gold

Here's to my mom with her heart of gold. Mom's intentions are always good even if her delivery is off sometimes. She knows me way too well sometimes. I haven't been the nicest person today a little grouchy I suppose, and my mom & sister loved me through it anyway. I really appreciate that from the bottom of my heart. My mom is one of the hardest workers I've ever seen, she loves with her whole heart, and she believes in her family with everything she has. Thank you mom for being who you are, and believing in me even when I can't see it myself. I love sooo very much Mom.

Mamaw

I truly love this picture of my Mamaw. She is happy here that is a true smile not a posed one. For all of you who have been worried about Mamaw being mad at me for the last blog entry and not making me any of her good cooking this blog is for you. She made me my favorite today--goolosh (I know spell check is going to have a field day with that word). My Mamaw is a forgiving woman, a patient woman, a kind woman, a loving woman, and a strong woman. I am proud to be part of her bloodline. I love you Mamaw.

Here Come The Boys

I finally got my picture of just the boys (with the help of mom capturing the moment for me). I love this picture of the two of them. I can not begin to tell you how happy Brandon was when Aunt Poohie had a boy. This finally meant that he wasn't alone in the girl kingdom. He has been patiently waiting for Levi to get big enough to play with him. Levi is starting to get there early than I expected. It's really cool to see how the newest member of the kids fit in the mix.

Mamaw is here

Mamaw is finally here. We are so excited to have her here. I've missed her so much. I love talking with my Mamaw. There is a special place for grandparents and their grandchildren. I was afraid I wouldn't get any pictures of her (she is a lot like me trying to avoid the camera), so I had mom and Maddie get around her while she was on the phone. (She wasn't overly thrilled about that) I'm not going to bombard her this time about making my favorite dishes while she is here. (I did drop a few hints yesterday though) No matter how many times she shows me how to make something it just never turns out the same when I try it on my own.

Just the girls

I didn't have a picture of just the girls....so of course I needed one. I don't have a picture of just the boys either, and I tried to get one the other day....the boys didn't happen. Levi had places to explore, and Brandon was busy holding down the couch.

The girls are so very different, but love each other so much. Take the phone for instance....Maddie can't stand to talk on the phone. Sierra loves the phone, and Sienna says what she needs to say and then hangs up whether you want to or not. Sienna is the only one of the three of them that has an imagination, and that's not just because she is three. The other two didn't have nearly the imagination that Sienna does. Maddie is the tomboy of the three. Sierra loves girly things, but can hang with the boys. Sienna is the girly girl she will come unglued to see a bug anywhere near her. The one thing that is the same about the three is their love for music. They sing and dance together every chance they get.

Day at Aunt Shell's

Today I got to keep my nieces and nephew for a few hours while Pooh went to pick up Mamaw & Papaw from the airport. I'm not gonna lie I'm a little tired, but we all had a great time. Maddie was a huge huge help with Levi, and Sienna ran with the big dogs today (Sierra & Bub). Surprisingly they included her, didn't fight with her, and showed her the ropes of trying to fly under the Aunt Shell radar. We went outside on a nature walk which we all learned a little something new. The grapes on the vines are much sweeter at Aunt Shell's than in the store. Sienna acted like every time she found a grape it was an Easter egg, excited for everyone she found. We continued on to the apple tree which Sierra climbed by herself. She loves that apple tree almost as much as Maddie does. Then we went to the hickory tree where Maddie showed me and the kids how to get the nut out inside the hull. Levi laughed every time Maddie opened one. (don't ask me why it was so funny) We walked back to the pond where Sienna said, "wow". It's a whole new world through the eyes of a child.

We then started to prepare for dinner, I took my time and let my nieces help. (my two just don't find it as fun as my nieces do) Levi made his way quickly to the fridge where he talked to the food inside and had a smile bigger than you could imagine. The kids worked as a whole unit today and I couldn't be prouder of all of them.

Cousins

Here's the two oldest. My oldest daughter, and Pooh's oldest daughter. These two share a lot of similarities, such as, they both have more of an easy going outlook on life for the most part. (By the way Sierra love your new hair cut) .

Wendy and me have raised our children together, meaning the kids are around each other all the time. (and let me mention they all think it should still be more) They feel for one another no matter the ages. Example if Levi or Sienna has a bad day my two wants to know why and what happened and what's being done to comfort them, etc. That bond is even more intensified with Sierra. Brandon and Sierra go to the same school so there is more of a protect mode there. Last year Madeline was at the school with them and Sierra was having a go around with an older girl on the bus. Madeline didn't hesitate letting the girl know Sierra was family and to leave her alone. I thank God for the bond our family has.

All this being said I have to mention my own cousins. Right now there is a family member who is very ill. My mom, my cousin Shawna, and myself went to visit him yesterday. My heart was heavy for my cousin Danielle. I haven't seen Danielle for awhile, and 15 years before awhile, but my heart was still attached to her after all these years. Yes we've all changed somewhat, and our lives are on their own paths, but there is something about being with your cousins that pauses time for a bit. I love ya guys always have and always will.

Chubby Girl Part 3

Back by popular demand...the continuing list of the do's and don't of chubby girls:


1. For self esteem reasons alone a chubby girl should not eat ho-ho's while driving.

2. Chubby girls should leave the sweat pants at home (this bears repeating). If you don't believe me let your niece take a picture of how you look from the back in those sweat pants...then maybe you'll listen to me and leave those things at home.

3. If you are in a verbal confrontation with your chubby girl friend and bring up her weight issues....lets just say you should think twice before doing this.

4. Chubby girls please listen hear....DO NOT get on a treadmill before you have been properly trained.

5. Before you start blaming gravity, adjust the straps...bras need adjusted more than just the day you bought them.

6. With halloween coming up I thought I'd mention this.....just because you are a chubby girl doesn't mean you have to wear the pumpkin, eight ball, snowflake, or candy corn costumes this does not compliment anyone.

7. Keeping point number 6 in mind also stay away from the genie in the bottle, belly dancer, and french maid costumes.

As always love yourself, be proud of who you are, and believe in yourself.

Harvest Sky

This is a picture that Maddie took of the sky the other night. We've been waiting to see the harvest moon, but I don't know if we missed it or we should still be waiting. I think the orange sky is a beautiful sight to behold. The kids and I love to watch for different changes in the sky, clouds, and stars. Taking pictures of the night sky I still have not mastered, but we are still working on it.