Ugly Old Frames...

Ok, so they weren't that old, but they were really ugly. I got them for Christmas and they had stupid sayings on them that didn't really apply anymore, so I painted them to match my bathroom. I think they turned out fantabulous! I love polka dots anyway, so they were perfect. I hope you like them too! :)

Lizzy-Lu and The Love Bug's first day...

Sam-I-Am going to Middle School...

Back To School...

OK, so I know school started like a month ago, but I really wanted to share the first day photos. Sam-I-Am started middle school this year (scary, I know). Lizzy-Lu started her last year of elementary school and the Love Bug is a second grader. I'm not even sure that I can say that I am the mother of small children anymore. So sad! :( But, I am also grateful for the fact that I can say that I had the opportunity to stay home with them while they were small. :) Anyway, I am also back to work as a sub this year. So far this school year is off to a great start. I hope the rest of the year goes as smooth.

The Love Bug's Race...

The Wet life....

I have often said that I would rather have a pool than a house. My poor kids feel the effects of my wishful dream every summer as we spend every waking hour (ok, well not that much time, but a lot of it anyway) at the pool. This summer was spent teaching swimming lessons and helping with swim team so that my kids could swim on the team. It was so much fun. We are all fifty shades darker than we started. (Yes, we used three bottles or more of sunscreen), but still. They kids have become great swimmers and I am so happy that they love it as much as I do. :)

Going to Middle School...

Having fun with the cousins at Sunsplash

So, Sam is a seventh grader now. Yes, he is in middle school. I can't believe it! I can remember when I was in middle school. I didn't think it was that long ago. Apparently, it was. :(

Anyway, he is loving it! He is growing up before my eyes. He will be 13 soon so I'm sure it will all go downhill from there. Ahhh, teenage years...

Amanda's Visit...

So last week, Amanda (my dear sister) came to visit. We had a great time. I really appreciate her and her kids. We went to Sunslash and had the best time ever. We played on her cricuit (so much fun!), went swimming, slept, ate, and just visited like crazy. I am writing this mostly to share how much fun we had, but also to let her know how much I treasured our time together. I am lucky to have a sister that would drive 16 hours form Dallas with her five kids (ages 2- 12) jsut because she thought I might need a friend. Thanks Amanda, I love you!

Fresh Start...

Wow, it has been a while since I blogged last. I know it's not because I have nothing to say, probably just not too sure how to say it. Actually, there are a lot of things going on in the world of crazy... The kids did swim team this summer ( I will write about and post pics later)...I taught swim lessons for nine weeks, yes nine, never again for that long...I went to girl's camp as the camp director...kept chickens, dogs, a cat and a garden alive all summer (which is an amazing thing for me:)... and just really enjoyed my summer. I will post pictures and updates about things in the following days. I am glad to be back. Ready for a new start. Love to you all! :)

Spring Has Sprung...

So, it has finally arrived. It has been windy, hot, cold, and weird all at the same time. It amazes me how the weather can change instantly. I love this time of year though. We have planted most of our garden and if it can survive the elements, we should end up with a nice variety of crops. If I survive the elements, it will just be nice. Happy spring to you and yours! :) (P.S. Happy birthday Amanda!)

Forgiveness...

Well, I feel like this post is "the end of an era" for me, or maybe it's the start of a new one. Who knows? Anyway, I really need to learn how to forgive a lot better than I do. I mean it's easy to forgive, but it's the getting over it part that I don't so well with. I can't seem to learn how to let things go. As a very wise person helped me realize recently, it is not my nature to make others hurt as bad as they have hurt me. She was right! Sometimes I feel so hurt and can't help feeling like the other person should pay, and then I do something to make them feel the way I do ( I am really good at paybacks)...the thing is though that after I am finished paying them back, I feel miserable. I don't want to be this person anymore.
A very good friend of mine bought me a book called, "The Peacemaker" recently. I have to admit that I have had it stashed away in a drawer so that I wouldn't have to look at it. I started to read it and then decided that I wasn't ready to forgive and forget yet, so I put it away. I just wasn't ready I guess. Anyway, I have decided that I am ready to pull the book out of hiding and start on the path to recovery:) I am ready to put old, ugly, hateful thoughts aside and move forward to feeling positive and happy again.
I have realized that only I can control my happiness and that I am not given anything I can't handle. I have so many blessings in my life and need to embrace every day with love, faith and prayer. I know that with these things comes true happiness.

Sunday

I love Sundays...mostly because it's the day we get to go to church, which I love for many reasons, but also because it's the only day I get to wear my pajamas ALL day! I love not going shopping and whatever else we do on most days, but I love Sunday afternoon naps, playing games with the fam., and whatever easy going, relaxing thing we are supposed to do. I think Sundays are my guilty pleasure. lol Just needed to share that!

Ring of Fire...

Ok, so Adam should not have picked that song, no one should. However, if it had to be done, I think it rocked! He could sing the Barney song and it would rock! That boy can sing! He needs a makeover, but I'll just close my eyes and listen.

American Idol..

So, I am watching American Idol and making a prediction. I really think that Adam Lambert should win. He is hands down better than the others and after watching last nights rendition of Micheal Jackson's music (whom I absolutely love!!!) I wanted to smack the last blonde girl (Alexis Grace) in the head for her head banging, annoying mockery of "Dirty Diana". (Such hostility, I know). Anyway, so what are your opinions on the matter? BTW>>>Kanye West is performing "Heartless" right now. He rocks!!!
Also, they added the new rule about being able to save one contestant. I think that this was such a long time coming. I feel kinda sorry though for the ones they choose not to save. :(

Over a month....

Holy cow! It's been so long since I even have time to look at my blog. I am so behind. Let's see, my sister got married and that was the last major life event. I have been studying my rear off (well it's still there), but I am really trying will all of me to pass this algebra class. I alway say that I am not a math person, but by golly I am going to make myself become one. Also, I have been subbing like no tommorrow. Which is a good thing considering I like to pay my bills. :)

So, I promise to get back on track and update this thing more often than once a month. I have been on facebook ALOT! Which is soo much fun!

The kids are doing well, they are growing like weeds. They just finished with basketball and did quite well I might add. The boys will start baseball next and we will help coach, which is always fun!

Our latest endevour is the chickens...we are raising baby chickens for eggs. Apparently, you can have chickens lay eggs without a rooster. Go figure, so that is us. I guess we really do have a funny farm now. How appropriate!

buzz....

Ok, sometimes I am amazed at kids' outlook on things. For example, I was babysitting the other day (not something I do often, but..) and the kids were outside playing. For some strange reason, we have alot of bees in our yard and the b. sitting kids questioned the Love-bug about why we had so many bee friends, The Love-bug promptly answered, " I think it's because of all the honey in my ears." Love it!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to everyone. I am so hopeful and prayerful that this year will be better for us all than the last. I am really optimistic. We have such an opportunity to get our lives in order, debts paid off or at least paid on, kids strengthened, bodies healthy and so on... If we don't want to make resolutions, mabey we can set a goal to at least do the very best each day with what we can. Happy wishes to all , I hope this is the best year yet...xoxox