Jacob's first car

Jacob is our first child to save enough money to buy a car......of course it is not MUCH car:) A 1977 MG midget....he has great dreams of repairs!

weekends and more

Chelsea came home this weekend. Actually came home twice. A rare thing for us. She is so acclimated to school and to her “home away from home” church, it is hard to pull her away.

Sarah went to Florence to buy a turtle costume for her English Honorariun Halloween Party. It was so cute. She took Tasha with her. Tasha was tickled to death. Sarah is so good to take the girls with her when she goes places. Last night she took Seth to Walmart with her. I think of all the good memories they will have of their big sisters!

Stuart ran in a 1mile race…..ran it under 7 minutes….he was really happy. He is down to the regional and state meets in Cross Country.

Joseph and Caleb are both playing Freshman basketball.. Their games will begin in November….not very long from now! Fall is flying by!!

John is selling band fruit…anyone want some? Lol As a mother I can say that I really hate selling anything at all! But am very glad John is doing well in band, he loves it! I can actually here “music” coming from his room nowdays.

Jacob is in the middle of car negotiations. He has his heart set on a MG midget he has found. We will see how things go.

Carlton has football and soccer on the brain. Wonder what we could do to get school and studying in that same time slot in his head? Lol

Mercedez and Rosie are both adjusting to their new glasses. They look so cute! They also have a new bedroom in the “big girl” wing. They are big girls, my next big girls! And Sarah is not afraid to be by herself!

This weekend the weather has been so beautiful! The children played outside until after dark on Saturday. I wish this lovely Fall stuff would stick around!!

chicken pox shot

The chicken pox shot has been around a little while, but only one child of mine had had it: Seth. Everyone else had chicken pox (most in this house), but with Seth he actually recieved the shot (August 27, 2003 to be exact).

Today I took three to the Doctor, Jacob for a shot for poison ivy (which engulfs him the minute it touches his skin), Sarah who has a uninary track infection and Seth for the goofy little rash (bumps) he has.

Jacob got a shot, Sarah new meds and Seth has CHICKEN POX! The medical practictioner looked and him and said "Honey that looks like chicken pox!". I was shocked! It did not look a lot like chicken pox. It started on his leg and he has not run fever at all! I called the Health Dept when we got home and checked again to be sure he had the shot....she said yes he did....but likely would not run much fever and get over it quickly!

Seth gets very offended when we say he has chicken pox, he thinks the kids are calling him a chicken...lol

I suppose it is safe to say he would have had a tremendous case had we not done the shot, as it is moving right along his little body right now!!

Volleyball

Last night was Sarah's last Volleyball game. She sure has loved playing Volleyball and looks forward to next year!

Loving what I do!

If I could add a subtitle under Tasha's picture in all her sports it would always say "loving what I do!" She is such a fun athlete to watch. Sports and kids are funny always.....but some kids just love it so very much that you can see the joy on their faces....tonight I caught this of Tasha running and laughing. She just loves it!

Long Soccer Night!

I usually do not have long nights at the soccer field....at least not with all my little crew. Tonight Scott is in Knoxville (will be there for 14 days) and we had pictures at the soccer field beginning at 5....then games at 6, 7:30 and 8:00. Sarah had a volleyball game and was gone (until a few minutes ago!). So we had an early dinner, drug out our chairs and watched soccer and soccer and soccer!

Referee's

I have two referee's this fall. Caleb and Jacob are referees for our City Soccer league. They have had such a good time! Soccer ends at age 12 in our county. So they love the opportunity to still get to "play" and be part of it all:) They have really been terrific(even if I am thier mother..lol)! I took these pictures tonight.

Happiness

Why today more than ever is happiness a problem? This generation blames everything on “happiness”….I am not happy with you ….not happy with me…..not happy with anything!

So it is not surprising that our children are not learning the key .....that happiness comes from THEM! From inside. You cannot depend on others to make you happy!

A few weeks ago my little brother (lol..married and not so little anymore) brought a friend by the house. Matt had explained that his friends wife had left him. She had told the friend, “You have never made me happy, you do not make me happy and you will never make me happy!” (guess she covered it all!) I said to him “and it is your place to make her happy?” He immediately started telling me yes and that he had really tried….ugh! He (and she) missed the point!

Happiness is from within…..within each person…..it is a choice.

I tell my kids this all the time…...wish there were just more satisfied happy people to be great examples for me and mine (for that matter for the whole generation!).

PS My answer to the first question? Get God and Get Happy:)

Sandy and Cade

My little sister and her sweet guy, Cade came this morning. I really enjoyed the visit, even though we had to do errands while visiting(pick-up meds, contacts, have glasses fixed). When we got home Sandy took a few pictures of Cade and the Fall stuff.....WHAT A CUTIE!

Happy Fall Ya'll

Yesterday we "created" our Fall arrangement in the yard. Hay, flowers and pumpkins; the kids really love it (mom and dad too)! We took a few picture of the "helpers". My hay moving big boys had already left for church when we took pictures:)

The Incredible Hook

We do not “celebrate” Halloween. We do love Fall. While I, personally, do not really think that dressing my kiddos up as tootsie rolls and M&M’s , walking house to house to visit is a sin……I do acknowledge that many people feel it is wrong. Halloween is not really like it was when I was a kid….things have changed. In our community this is a big issues among some. So we choose to not “celebrate” , although my children would tell you that we have a big party….and it would be true….for years we have joined with my good friend and her family to have games and fun on Halloween(I am sure I will post pictures and blog about it later). The kids do not miss out …..they have lots of fun. As to the fun of dressing up? My children dress-up year around….they eat candy year around…..

This picture is of my goofy guy Seth, he found the “Incredible Hook” (as he would say) at the dig store

silliness

You know that saying "A face only a mother could love"? Sometimes we take pictures of the kids and I think "good grief!" this is a picture only a mother could love:) My boys are always being silly!

Knee socks

I love the little plaid skirts and the knee socks that have come back into style! But I was wondering if the made garters for knee socks?? LOL I took this picture of the girls a couple of Sundays ago and laughed when I looked at later. I remember my mother telling me to "pull up your socks" and think that I may need to spend some time doing the same thing:)

Painted Nails

Sunday afternoon Grannie worked on and painted Sarah's fingernails. The little girls watched in awe (as clipping and cleaning are about the extent of my nail care). Grannie finished Sarah's nails and all the little girls were lined up. Sarah (being Sarah) told Grannie to "run"! But Grannie did not and my little girls were tickled to death! Bright red fingernails were worn by all, none of which will last as long as the memories of Grannies love!

where's my sign?

Caleb was grating cheese at Grannie and Pa's this weekend. It was the first time I think he has ever used a grater (as big girls are usually fighting for the honor). Grannie makes the most wonderful macaroni and cheese in the world! After grating without mishap Caleb began licking the cheese off the grater (of course I watched! Not only watched but took a picture!). Never occured to me to talk about the "direction" to lick! Needless to say, he grated the top of his tongue! I did not take a picture of that:) A great lesson in grating was learned....lol

Papa's creek

Summer is leaving and with it some neat memories! We had our second family reunion at my Dad's farm this August. The creek being the centerpoint (as always) for my kids. Dad has a pool, a basketball court and tons of places to run and play....but the creek gets us all. Adults love to watch it and my kids love to play in it! It really does not matter the saeson to them. They would spend all Fall in it....and Winter and Spring....it is always cold (as it is spring fed). These pictures were taken in August. I get tickled at the ones that just sit right down in that cold running water and play:) It is mostly slate bottom and slick as can be....very rarely do any of my children leave the creek without wet pants:)

Mr Rogers

Shock of the week. Did you know that Mr Rogers was a Navy SEAL?? Can you believe that? He was an expert at hand to hand combat! He wore long sleeves to cover the tatoos on his arms!

I have no problem what-so-ever with the Navy or with SEALS or with protecting others or tatoos. But have a hard time relating it to Mr. Rogers.

It sure does make me think that we all have it within our power to change our lives, for the better or worst. What a change Mr Rogers made! Perhaps an easy one after seeing hard things. Mr Rogers came home from war to become a Preacher and then to use his influence to help young children. Literally generations of children know his name and love him, this quiet spoken man.

It's not fair

Do you ever wonder about the fairness of life? I was talking to Caleb last week. He had pushed a little brother who was bothering another child. Somewhere in the conversation he spouted the "it's not fair" phrase. I told him he should really be glad life was NOT fair...otherwise he would have a ton of big brothers who yelled and fussed at him! Fairness is a doubled edged sword! A definite be careful what you ask for kind of thing!

Moon Shoes

Remember when they first came out with these shoes? Lillian Vernon sold them for $39 (and that was years ago!). We found these at the "dig store" last week and the kids have had so much fun! Victoria never stood for more than 4 seconds, even though Tasha tried to show her how:) All in All, the "moon walking" has been a funny site!

A Salty Pillow

Ryan came out of Bible class yesterday morning and told me that God turned a woman into a "salty pillow". I told him that she was turned into a pillar of salt....he said "NOPE" and held up a little pouch of salt the teacher had made for each child....lol....looked just like a pillow!

Cade

This is my nephew Cade. He is the cutest little guy!! Blue has never been bluer than in his pretty blue eyes. He is going to be a big brother first of next year! My sister and her husband, Chad are wonderful parents! Cade is a reflection of thier love and parenting. He is smart and funny. Today Sandy was asking him his "Bible questions" I think he has 24 he knows...and of course he knows all his colors (even black and white!). He is not even two!

One of those days!

Today was just one of those days.

I received my first call from Caleb at 7:45. He was at school and forgot all his basketball practice clothes. I explained to him that I prepared for the day and was dropping everyone off...headed FHU to see Chelsea....I did not think it was too much to expect him to get him ready. Thankfully Sarah was still at home and took them for me.

While waiting on Chelsea at college I backed up and my cell phone fell off the dash and straight into my coke! Immediate death for the cell phone. Called Scott (from Chelsea's phone), who was traveling but with phone, and let him know I was phone less an hour from home.

I had a great visit with Chelsea! What a fun girl she is! And we went by my little sisters to leave a little tykes car for her little guy Cade. Got to visit with her for about an hour .....looked at ultrasound pictures of my new nephew to be:)

Dropped Chelsea back at school and headed home. Drove straight to school to pick up. Ryan got into the can with a hole in the middle of his tongue!! He jumped off the swing and bit through (nearly through) his tongue! yikes!! Of course I was not "reachable"! Thankfully my Dad was and offered to come and get him....but Ry was fine(aside from the hole).

After an afternoon of football, volleyball game and cross country meet (which I did not get to see all of) I sat at the soccer fields with my "biggest and oldest" team. Sadly our coach has struggled with my two toughies all year. Scott or I HAVE to be at all the games. Sam and Zack love to play....and in truth do alright on the field. But have "mouth" problems and "obeying" problems and cannot sit down and cannot leave the coach alone. At the end of the game the coach came over to me in tears....she cannot deal with them. Did I mention they yelled at her dd and made her cry (the daughter was our goalie and we lost by one goal). She kept telling me how they behave and asking "do you know what I am talking about?" Oh yes...BTDT. After we got home we talked to Sam and Zack. They cannot play anymore this year. Makes me sad but, this is not a paid coaching position and they have driven the woman to the edge. She cried! At one point during the game she came to me....across the field from her and said Zack would not listen, I told her to send him to me (she had tried that and he said NO). I calmly told her to tell Zack he could come to me or I could come and get him....his choice. He jumped right up and came. Wish the coach could have made it....but I do understand. I sure hope these guys learn their lesson!!

Bedtime came with talks of respecting others property and rooms....as in "Get in your bed and stay out of everyone elses room!" I wonder sometimes if there really are people who have all their kids jump into bed and go to sleep ....I mean does it really happen that way?? I have ONE guy who does this....don't you think I should surely have more than one?? lol

Discovery House

We all love getting to go to Murfreesboro and visit Scott's parents (AKA Grannie and Pa). Grannie has a wonderful membership to the Discovery House that lets her take grandchildren:) We visited with her this summer. I was just thinking about how much fun we all had....we are headed that way this weekend (for our Fall Break)! The kids are really looking forward to the trip! Me too:)

Open House

Sometimes I think we must have a neon light in the front yard that says "OPEN HOUSE". I am so very very thankful that our addtions are finished and I have room to spread out. Most thankful that once again I have my kids seperated by sex and age. My big boys can have friends over and I know that the only people on thier wing is them! No one is allowed in places they don't have bedrooms without my permission.

Last week someone knocked on the door at 9pm. Scott answered it to a young guy (high school) who said, "hey, can I stay over tonight?" He had been at football and walked to our house (about 2 miles from the school). He said "I got lost a couple of times, some of those roads are dark and scary!" Would scare me to death to have my child out like that! I asked if he had clothes? He laughed and told me he had all kinds of stuff in his locker at school!

A few nights ago another young guy called Scott (he has before and he always asks for Scott, a very respectful young guy!)and asked if he could come for the night. Scott said sure and then he said "Can you come and get me?" Scott did. Same guy walked into the driveway the next evening (his house is a couple of miles from ours) and said can I come in?

I have children who have had much loss in thier lives. BUT they have a home, they have a family that loves them, they have security and so very much hope!

Scott says that some of these kids that come our way for a day or two or three at a time are "The real heros", they are the ones who are making it(and pretty successfully) without help. The two guys I mentioned have the BEST attitudes! They are funny kids who just love hanging out (and eating) at my house.

I thank God for my blessings and my ability to share!

What kids think

The last few days have carried some particularly funny things for me. I can really get tickled at the way the kids say things, or what they think! Rosie has been driving me crazy with the phrase "up on"....as in, can I get up on the computer (to which I always reply "No Rosie you are to big to get on top on my computer!"). Scott and laugh and have no idea where it comes from. Well, we do have an idea (school) but not a person.

We have had kids play football for years, my little ones sat through endless hours of football games and yet some still are clueless about what they are doing on the field! We dropped Carlton off at football practice Tuesday and while driving away Rosie was watching the team practice,saw the coach blow his whistle and she turned to the other little girls beside her to explain,"When they blow the whistle it means ATTACK!" lol I guess it looks that way:) But no funnier than Carlton who is PLAYING football! He told Scott and I at supper night before last that he would be "playing second SPRING offense" on Saturday. I said Really? Second Spring? Yep he replied. Scott, who has really really been working with Carlton and his vocabulary said "I think you mean 'string offense'!" Carlton nodded at Scott and said "That sounds right" rofl! Guess it did! KIDS! I love them!