No better...

OKAY, so I haven't gotten any better about keeping up with posts! Between schoolwork, kids, work and life...this has gone to the back burner.
However, this is shaping up to be one of the best Christmases ever!!! The kids will be here today (Meggan, Jacob & Emalyn!) and my Auntie is driving in today as well from A-town. Rachel will be here this week, and Sunday everyone will get together for Em's 1st birthday party. If only my Daddy were here, it WOULD be the best Christmas ever!!! We will have a great holiday, though, I just know it. Emalyn's FIRST CHRISTMAS will be the best!!
My hubby turned 4-1 on Sunday (the 20th). Personally, I don't think that's so old...and he's still very handsome! We ate out with our parents and had a great day. Having birthdays this close to Christmas kinda stinks, but we always try to do something special. I think there were about four others at Cafe del Rio with birthdays as well, judging from all the singing going on by the waitstaff!!!!
I will post more and get some pics up after this celebration week. In the midst of all of this celebrating Christmas - and the real meaning of it, which is the birth of Jesus, which should never get lost in all of the gift buying and running around we do!!! - remember those who have lost someone dear to them and will not be having the best holiday. It seems like here lately there has been quite a bit of death, especially among young people, and even if it has been several months, this is the first Christmas to deal with that loss. I am praying for those and lifting them up...I remember what that first holiday was like without my Daddy. You can get through it, but it is not fun or easy.
Now, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and a VERY VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS...and as I always say....HAPPY HOLLYdays!!!!!!

Thanksgiving...

is upon us! I am ready for a three-day work week, and eating too much with our family and friends on Thursday!!!

Wade and I celebrated 17 years of marriage on Saturday!!! I don't think I could've imagined staying together for this long back when we first got married, but here we are - better than ever, I suppose!! We were going to go away for the weekend, but instead decided to get rid of the kids :) and hang around the house ALONE. It was great - we spent Saturday out on the town shopping (which we never do together), then had a glass of wine and went back out for dinner and a movie. It was so nice - just to relax, not be on a schedule, enjoy each other's company.

Then Sunday the kiddos came home and it was back to the real world LOL!!!!

The kids are out of school this week, so that is one stress I'm not managing today. Wade is back to work for three days and I still have schoolwork, but I think I can make it. We were supposed to go to Nana's Thursday, but her boyfriend is having surgery so we will stay home and have everyone else come to our house. Then Friday I BOYCOTT all BLACK FRIDAY activities, and stay home and put up my Christmas decorations. The kids love it, and it will hopefully get me in the mood for the holidays this year. I am always thankful for the TRUE reason for Christmas, but it's been a very hard year. Meggan and Em and Jacob will be here Christmas Eve, so we should all have a great holiday together.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Okay...

so I haven't done very well keeping up with my posting. I have been SO busy!!! I think it's the devil's way of tearing me down. I'm determined to stop this weekend and declutter - my home and my mind.

Meggan & Emalyn are leaving tomorrow for North Carolina :( I think I might possibly have a bad weekend LOL. That baby girl is just the bomb!!! I will really miss her. I'm glad they'll be back for Christmas, though, and Jacob is ON HIS WAY HOME!!! So it's exciting times. My brother will go as far as Georgia with them, and they'll stop over at my aunt's, so maybe it won't be too bad of a drive for them. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel!

Caleb has basketball draft Saturday, so that will keep us busy for a couple of hours, but the rest I hope to spend cleaning out some closets before the holidays get here!

Morgan is going with the church youth group to watch the LUFKIN PANTHERS in their playoff game at Klein this weekend, then a little shopping time. She is excited about that!

Wade is working A LOT!!!! It IS hunting season here in East Texas, and they are having them in one after another. However, next weekend is our 17th Anniversary (!) and he'll take a day off so we can do something fun together.

My Southern Living at HOME business is still going!!! There are a couple of really good sales this month, with lots of Holiday Decorating items available, and the Hostess and Customer specials are really good. I can't wait to see what happens with the new catalog in January!!!! For now, I'm going to start getting excited about Christmas decorating soon, I just know it! You can always see my catalog online at www.southernlivingathome.com/hollyathome!

I will vow to do better about posting - since the next month I will only see Em in pictures I probably will!!!!! Have a great day!

Friday, Friday, Friday...

Can you tell I love my weekends?

It is a beautiful day here in East Texas. The clouds finally cleared out and it has cooled down quite a bit. I can not wait for an equally gorgeous weekend *fingers crossed*! Maybe I can finally get motivated to do some fall decorating.

Tonight is the Middle School dance at Caleb's school. He has a "girlfriend" who is going with him (ie. they will meet up there) and I do not think I am ready for this!!! It should be interesting - I hope they have a great time!

Here are more pictures - I'm so excited to have on of Morgan! Whose school pictures were ever this good????


My gorgeous Morgan




and here is Emalyn in one of her beautiful Etsy bows - Meggan gets quite a bit of her stuff from Etsy shops - the green brings out those big brown eyes - she's beautiful!



Wade will work the first "real" hunt of the season all weekend, so the rest of us will get stuff done around the house and hang out. I am headed to a "girls' party" tomorrow night for a friend's housewarming. I can't wait!!!! Just a couple of days off to get the laundry done and nap will be really nice!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!!!

Is it Monday again?

No, it's Tuesday, but it sure feels like Monday around here!

Since I haven't been on in awhile, you will not believe how Emalyn has grown!!!! She had her 9 month checkup yesterday, weighing in at 21 pounds. She is ALMOST walking. She is THE most beautiful baby I've ever seen (and believe me, my three children were gorgeous!!!). She is hilarious and keeps us laughing. She smiles most of the time, and is hugging and kissing everyone these days. Meggan gets her the cutest bows from different Etsy shops!

See what I mean?

I started my first actual class day yesterday at Axia College, University of Phoenix. I am taking two online courses. So far, so good. I am really enjoying the setup. I love how I can read all of my materials, then have time to answer discussion questions or write up my papers. It's much easier than the college lectures I remember back in the day! Once I get this Associate's knocked out, I'll be shooting for my BA in Marketing. Then, who knows? Maybe an MBA?????

We found out Meg & Jacob will be in Albany, GA sometime early 2010. If you have any tips/pointers/advice about living over there, send them our way. Meggan & Emalyn are ready for him to be home!!!!

Long time gone...

Sorry it's been so long!!!!! This was a crazy second half of summer...lots going on - some good, some bad - all time consuming!!!!

Fall seems to have arrived here in East Texas. We are all doing well. Wade's work schedule has cranked up, the kids are back in school full swing, and Meg & Em are still here. I am working, working, working and selling Southern Living at HOME and going back to school!!!

Yes I decided it was time. This whole "Year of turning 40" has really weighed on me. A couple of months ago I decided to get in shape (so far pretty good!) and finish that college degree. For now I am going the online route through University of Phoenix. This is only first week, but I think I will enjoy it.

I resolve to post more often!!!!!! I miss my blog reading - when I have time for it :)

Update

Thought I'd post quickly...it's been crazy and I haven't been blogging much.

Meggan and I had an Open House last night - she did Scentsy, me and my Southern Living at HOME! It was so fun - and I got to see people I haven't seen in a while! Good times!

July has been a great month for SLAH! The Summer Sale went over well!!! It's still on through July 31 so let me know if you want anything. August will bring a NEW catalog and a WONDERFUL extra for Hostesses!!!!

The family is good. Emalyn is crawling now and she is extremely mobile. Plus she pulls up on everything she can get her hands on. When she gets up there she doesn't know quite what to do with herself, so you have to watch her!!! She's so cute. Morgan and Caleb are enjoying the summer, and Wade is trying to work without having a heatstroke! For me - life is good. The last couple of weeks have brought some surprises and changes, but we are all dealing with it.

It seems like there have been a large amount of deaths and accidents among the young people in our community this summer - keep the families in your prayers. It's been really tough for a lot of people.

I'll post more soon, I promise with pictures!!!!!

Urgent Prayers are Needed

I have a friend who is 20 weeks pregnant. She started having contractions last week - is now on bed rest. Any more contractions, she will be in the hospital! The doctors just need her to try and get to 25 weeks (and beyond!). Please pray for this family and their little baby boy - it is their first child, and they are SO excited! God can work miracles when His people pray!!!

Thanks everyone!

Southern Living at HOME!!!

I am ashamed I've let almost 2 weeks go by without posting, but I'm not going to try and rehash it all. It's been pretty busy! Hubby is off this week, and hanging out with Caleb, Meg & Em. Morgan is up at Nana's hanging out for the week. I am working, alas, but I am also very excited about something - the Southern Living at HOME Summer Sale!!! Last week was a short one, and kind of crazy with the weekend of the 4th (and Meg & Jacob's anniversary, and Boyd's birthday!) so I didn't post about it on the 1st. But it is SO EXCITING!!!! You can go to my website for the updated Sale Items list at http://www.southernlivingathome.com/hollyathome.

It's crazy - some items are 80% off!!!! AND you get can still get the Customer Specials for July.

PLUS you can preview Fall items NOW! This GORGEOUS Royal Street Urn will be in the new Fall Catalog, debuting in August, but you can buy it now!

So get excited...get ready for fall...I am getting ready to BUILD MY BUSINESS! This is a great time to start yours - in this economy, we can all use extra cash. Your initial investment for SLAH is minimal - $199 for our regular Starter Kit - and if you call or email me, I can tell you how to get if for HALF of that! So check out my website, the specials and the sales - and let me know what you think!!!

Summertime!

I didn't mean to wait this long to blog again! The week has just flown by!
Last Thursday we dropped Meg & Em at the airport to head off to NC for a few days vacation. I was kind of sad to see them go - I just KNOW Emalyn will start crawling while they are there :(*
Then Morgan, Caleb and I, along with a friend each for them, took off, picked up Marion, and headed down to Galveston for a day at the beach to celebrate Caleb's 11th BIRTHDAY!
Along the way everyone was hungry, so I pulled into McD's, got everyone a hamburger/cheeseburger, $1 fries and $1 large drink - I fed 6 people for $18!!!!!!! I was SO excited!!!!
The beach looked pretty good. In fact, the bay water was bluer than I ever remember! Almost no buildings on the ocean side of Seawall were standing, but reconstruction has begun. We drove down to Stewart Beach and staked out a spot with our beach umbrellas!
The kids headed straight into the water, and I don't think the boys came out for a total of 30 minutes the whole time we were there! They had a great time on the skim boards and boogie boards. The girls buried the boys in the sand - that was great! Then they took a long walk down the beach and back.
Marion & I napped and read while keeping an eye on the kiddos - Stewart Beach is nice because there are lifeguards. It was a beautiful day - hardly a cloud in the sky.
Sadly, we had to return home that evening. It's not a hard drive, though. I was in bed by 11!!!
Friday was back to work! I met Leah for a (late) birthday lunch at Logan's - Kickin' Chicken' Salad is SO good!!!!
Saturday was Nonnie's birthday. She spent the day relaxing! I got up and went to my friend Keisha's Arbonne party. My friend Jennipher sells Arbonne as well - and I love their products!!! Then off to run a few errands, and back home to TRY and get the house in order.
Sunday was Father's Day. We met Nonnie, David, Rob-Rob and Boyd at Logan's for a lunch to celebrate Dad and Caleb and Nonnie's birthdays. It was great! Then home again to work on the house - we actually got quite a bit done! I'm so ready for my furniture to be here!
Monday was crazy! Worked all day, then did a Southern Living at HOME party for Heather. That was fun - I haven't done a home party in awhile!!! I got to meet some great people, and scheduled a couple more parties for July! YAY!! The specials really had everyone excited :D
Yesterday was back to work - kind of a crazy day. Caleb had an appointment, so I brought him on to work with me, and we didn't get there till 10 or so. Morgan locked herself out of the house, so David had to go unlock it for them. Crazy!!! Picked up dinner on the way home, and one of Morgan's friends. Everyone was SO tired - Caleb and Wade were taking naps when I arrived! I worked on my Southern Living at HOME stuff last night - should have a big fundraiser and sale coming up in July, so stay tuned!!!
Today is a pretty day so far - back to work - and it will be HOT!!! So far we're hitting up and over 100 with the heat index each day. WOOHOO SUMMER!!!! I love it!

Weekend Update

Well, it was an exciting weekend, to say the least!

Friday, I got to go to lunch with my friend Susie - she took me to Mar Teres (known around here as the Tea Room) for my birthday. That is one fabulous place to eat! We had the Luau Salad, a fairly new item I hadn't tried. It was WONDERFUL!!!! Of course I had almond tea, which I LOVE! Then a cookie for dessert. It was great.

Friday night was supposed to be a night for me to get some things done and put up around the house. I was in full swing about 9:30, when Wade called. He had stayed out after work to fish with some of his friends, was cutting bait and slid the knife right into his hand between the thumb and forefinger. NICE! He told me to get the hydrogen peroxide and super glue out! Of course, when he got home, it was not a big cut, but it was very deep. As he probably hasn't had a tetanus shot in 10 years or more, I had the bright idea that he really should go to the ER, just to be safe.

Well, needless to say, the ER was an experience! We were there for awhile before they called Wade back. There are definitely some characters in an emergency room at 11 pm.!!

We finally got home around 3 am - with a few stitches, a tetanus shot and some antibiotics.

Man, I was exhausted!
Saturday, we slept till almost 10 am! I really needed to get up and work on the house and do some grocery shopping early, but none of that happened. We all got dressed, dropped Morgan off to babysit, and the rest of us headed to Target and Sam's (With a stop in between at Hobby Lobby). Our friends The Carlisles came over for the afternoon. All the kids got in the pool, and we adults hung out having a BBQ. It was HOT!
For dessert we had a little homemade ice cream. It was delicious - and hit the spot.
Sunday Wade had to work, and the rest of us slept in (yes, we skipped church again. I know - I know!) I pretty much laid up in bed until about 2 pm - then got up and did a few loads of laundry. But most of the day I laid around - I had a pretty good sinus headache, so I probably needed the rest.
Monday was back to work for everyone. After work I ran over to WalMart with Meggan & Emalyn to pick up a few things, and decided to see about Sam's. Well, lo & behold - there was a table & chairs that I needed. Counter heighth, 8 stools, butterfly leaf, antique cherry...PERFECT! So I got my brother to come over and trade car for truck, then headed home to put it all together (RIGHT!) I think we got one chair done!
Tuesday David & I ran over to Lowe's to check out rug prices. Our new furniture should be in sometime this month, but I still don't have a big rug for the living room. I may have to break down and buy the one at the furniture store that costs $700!!! Maybe I'll check out IKEA first, though. They did have a 5x8 for only $68 that would be perfect in the dining room.
Tuesday evening Wade & I spent about 3 1/2 hours putting the legs on the table and assembling the other 7 chairs. It was kinda hard work, but SO worth it in the end! It looks great. Now if I can just get everything cleared out and get my house put together - I'll feel better!
Today it's just HOT! Not much else going on.
Tomorrow my baby boy will be 11 years old! Meggan & Em are heading to NC for a visit, so we'll be taking them to the Houston airport and heading on down to the beach! Pictures and updates will follow!

In memory of my dad...

Today, my dad would have been 70 years old. He's been gone for 3 years now. Sometimes it seems like yesterday, other times it seems like forever. He was 66 when he died, but seemed at least 10 years younger! It would've tickled him to tell people he was 49 this year!!!

I was born 2 days before my dad turned 30. That's always made our birthdays really special - and most years since I've been grown we've celebrated them together - along with my daughter Meggan (born on my birthday!) and Nonnie (June 20). Once Caleb came along (on June 18) we just started combining all these June birthdays and Father's Day for ONE BIG PARTY!!! And what a party it would be!

So the rest of us still have our birthdays together, but there's always something missing. Of course we still do Father's Day for Wade, but I miss celebrating with MY dad.

I feel like today is also a good day to celebrate my dad's life. He was such an awesome man, a great dad, a loving husband, the world's best Pa. He wasn't afraid to tell us and show us how much he loved us - and when it came to his grandkids you could DOUBLE that. He loved Jesus, and could tell you about it in such a way that no one felt uncomfortable. He believed he was here to take as many as he could back to Heaven with him. He wasn't perfect, but he did his best.

Dad, you are missed. I love you.

Life after 40...

HAHAHA that's a funny title, right? NO! I have to say though, after really dreading it leading up to THE DAY, it wasn't so bad!
When I got to work, Shanna had REALLY decorated up my office! Caution tape EVERYWHERE that said "WARNING 40th BIRTHDAY!!!!" Cute! I got a Hot Flash Fanner, a big balloon bouquet, lots of stuff with "40" on it!!! And a really cute set of turquoise/red jewelry. Thank you Shanna! The best part was the Cookie Card - that I managed to eat all by myself throughout the day!!!!

I got lots of calls & well wishes through the day. My friend Paula had asked me to lunch at Olive Garden, so I headed over there to be surprised by my friends Angela, Rhonda & Suzanne as well! Of course, Meggan came - it IS her birthday too, and Olive Garden IS her fave place to eat! She had Emalyn and Caleb with her (Morgan was babysitting Boyd, so they couldn't come)- so we had a good lunch visiting and scarfing salad, soup & breadsticks! Angela brought me a wonderful gift from her salon, Expressive Images, where my wonderful BFF Leah works and does my hair!!! I love Bare Minerals makeup!!!

When I got off work, we all headed over to Nonnie's, where Rob-Rob had been slaving away all day to make our birthday dinner. The awesome part was, she had downloaded recipes off of the Olive Garden website so that Meg could have an authentic OG dinner!!! The Chicken Veranese was AWESOME - better than OG! And our salad tasted exactly like an OG salad - it was the best!!! Thanks for cooking. We had a princess cupcake cake for dessert ~ Meggan picked that out!

Then, just like that, no big deal - I'm 40, Meg's 20, and the world is still turning...

Birthday Wishes...

...not for me, silly! For my oldest girl!!! While, yes, today is technically my (*GAG* 40th) birthday (which I think should qualify June 9 as some kind of National Holiday!) it also happens to be the 20th birthday of my eldest child.
So here's wishing her a Very Happy Birthday Day!!!!
It's so weird...20 years ago today I was in the hospital in labor. I totally forgot it was my birthday, because all I wanted to do was get that baby out of there!!!! LOL.
Now she has a baby of her own. Time really does fly, doesn't it?

Weekend Update...

Well, it has been a long weekend! Of course I could always use an extra day or two to myself, but I think I work harder at home than I do at my job!
Wednesday night I picked Nonnie up at work (her car was in the shop) so I got to visit for a few minutes with her. Thursday I stopped and picked up steaks on the way home, and hubby grilled for us. Steaks, salad and corn on the cob - it does not get any better than that!!! Morgan & Hannah went to a ballgame so she was out for the night.
Friday Meg & Em picked me up at lunch - we went and looked around at a furniture store here in town. I've already ordered my living room furniture, but can't seem to decide about the dining room.
We don't have a formal dining room, but I want something nicer than a typical "dinette". I really thought I wanted the counter height, but I'm not so sure anymore. So the search continues...
After work Friday I ran home and made out menus and grocery lists. Wade and the boys from Boggy Slough were treated to an appreciation dinner down at Scrappin Valley, so he was out for the evening. Caleb spent the night with a friend, so after they picked him up the girls & I headed to town!
First, of course, we headed to Target (a must for any trip the girls & I take!) Morgan got a cool new pair of sunglasses, and checked out the latest home furnishings.
Then it was over to Old Navy, where Meggan found a pair of shorts.
Stopped by Nonnie's to pick up a cooler bag, then on to Sam's Club! There's something about buying your paper towels in bulk that just makes me feel satisfied, as if I've accomplished some kind of long-term provision for my family :P I know it's dumb, but still...
Then we headed over to Wal-Mart (and you KNOW I don't like Wal-Mart). It wasn't too bad for a Friday night. We actually got everything else we needed and were out in less than an hour (miracle!) We picked up Katelynn on the way home to spend the night with Morgan.
It took me a good hour to get everything in and unpacked, but for the first time in a while the fridge & freezer are full! In fact, I don't have enough room for everything. It's time to rearrange and organize the kitchen & dining room - just not much time to get it done!
Saturday I slept until 10:00!!!! I did wake up for a few minutes around 5:30 am when Wade was getting up - they had to work the Neches River Rendezvous at Boggy Slough.
Jacob called for Meggan (YAY!) so she and Emalyn got to talk to him a couple of times today!
I got some cleaning done, then Meggan, Em & I headed over to my friend Christina's SCENTSY Open House. We picked up a warmer (early bday gift for Meg) and a couple of new scents. I love my little plug in Scentsy warmer (that I won at Bunco!) and I love the summery, coconut scents I have to go in it. Meggan's warmer is called Liberty and is perfect for the decor of a USMC family! Chasity Smith also had Homemade Gourmet, so I got a few mixes to do up. The cucumber dip is chilling in my fridge as we speak!
Then we headed home and cleaned some more! I actually got quite a bit done, considering the amount of "stuff" I'm dealing with scattered everywhere. I don't really know where to start with the whole organizing my house thing...especially since I don't have my furniture yet. It'll come together, though.
Later I dropped off Morgan & Kate at the mall, picked up Caleb and got home in time to see Wade for maybe 10 minutes (LOL). Then he & Caleb headed out to go fishing, Meggan and Emalyn left to spend the night with Nonnie, and...
LO & BEHOLD, I WAS HOME ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn't know what to do! I mean, it's such an unusual phenomenon! I did actually do some more picking up, made up my bed with fresh clean white cotton sheets (Mmmmm!) and had a clean kitchen. Then I sat down and watched most of "He's Just Not That Into You". Everyone said it was a really good movie, but it kinda depressed me!
Then I got the call to head over & pick up the girls, so we dropped Katelynn off, but took Rachel home (:) see how it always works! But I LOVE having the kids around. Of course we ran back into Target, where I picked up a glass shelf for my bathroom. It doesn't sound like much, but I was excited!
Sunday I slept until 9:30 (So wrong, I should've gotten up for church). Meg called & I ran over to church and picked her & Emalyn up (church ends at 11) so we ran over to Old Navy - ALL Men's Clothes 1/2 off!!! YAY! I scored shorts, shirts, swimsuits & flip-flops for Caleb & Wade.
Today Emalyn is 5 months old!!!!!
Then home to GET IN MY POOL - FINALLY!!!!!!!!!! Again, I was all by myself!
Wade & Caleb were fishing again, and the girls had ALL gone to the mall.
It was so great, I got in on my pool float, and just twirled around for two hours! Of course, today I'm paying for it with a bit of a burn, but it was SO relaxing and wonderful.
Then I had to go pick up Morgan & Rachel and drop them at Tori's house to swim. Came home, Wade and I grilled hamburgers, hot dogs & corn! I made some killer tater salad, and the girls all came home just in time to eat :)
Wade hung my wonderful new shelf in our bathroom, and I FINALLY got to use my Sutton Vanity Set from Southern Living at Home. I was SO excited!!! I have lots of those brown boxes sitting around just WAITING to be opened and put to use with our new furnishings!!
Now, the bad news...this was such an odd weekend. I got a call Saturday from a friend who is also on FB, asking what had happened to another friend. I wasn't sure, but further investigation led to the discovery that our friend Staci had lost her son Kyle, 17, in a car accident early Saturday morning. It is absolutely heartbreaking. Kyle just graduated last week from high school, and had such a bright future ahead. Today is the funeral, so please pray for this family. This is the hardest thing she will ever face, and it's breaking my heart that she has to go through it. Keep this family in your thoughts through the coming days.
Be back later in the week...after all, tomorrow is Meggan's 20th birthday (which means it's the big 4-0 for me!)

ABC's of Holly!

A - Age: Do I really have to answer this?
B - Bed size: Queen (like me, a queen!!)
C - Chore you hate: Cleaning house
D - Dog's name: Shiner
E - Essential start your day item: Shower & Diet Coke
F - Favorite color: RED
G - Gold or Silver: Silver
H - Height: 5'8"
I - Instruments you play: piano, flute
J - Job title: ACCOUNT MANAGER/OFFICE MANAGER
K - Kid(s): 3 wonderful children, 1 son-in-law, 1 GRAND baby girl
L - Living arrangements: with hubby & kids
M - Mom's name: Charlene
N - Nicknames: Mom, hey you
O - Overnight hospital stay: when I was 12 and had pneumonia, when I had each of the kids, twice when I had my gallbladder out, then a week later had to have my insides worked on from the hole in my liver!
P - Pet Peeve: Clutter, liars, drama, thieves, extreme liberalism, people who abuse animals and children, disrespect, I could go on and on...
Q - Quote from a movie: "I'm your huckleberry!"
R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: 1 sister, 1 brother
T - Time you wake up: anywhere from 5:30 to 6:00 am
U - Underwear: yes!
V - Vegetable you dislike: beets
W - Ways/Reasons you run late: oversleep
X - X-rays you've had: abdomen, ankle
Y - Yummy food you make: Creamy Chicken Casserole
Z - Zoo animals you like: the otters are my favorite

Now its your turn! Copy and paste to your blog so everyone gets to know a little bit more about you!

Weekend Update (even if it is Midweek!)

Since last Wednesday, there's been a lot going on! I've got to get better at blogging daily!!!

Last week ended up okay - Thursday we headed over to Old Navy, Target & WalMart. I love Old Navy (great deals on the kids' stuff!) and Caleb bought his first pair of "men's" shorts. They're always out of size 16 boys, but he can wear the smallest men's size, and he's so tall it really doesn't matter. Of course I know they cost more, but hey, Old Navy always has a great sale. Morgan picked up a cute skirt & pair of shoes for a birthday party on Friday, so they were both happy. We also found the CUTEST flowered dress with a hat to match - all on clearance! It doesn't get any better than that!

Friday night we were invited out to eat with some good friends. After dropping Morgan off at Loren's party, we headed over to The Beach for dinner. It's a fairly new restaurant/club here in town. The food was okay, the company was great! We all headed back to the house to visit for awhile afterwards. The "boys" all rode in one car, us "girls" in the other. Seeing Keith & Wade rocking out to 80's hair bands in a minivan was priceless - we all laughed so hard we almost wet our pants!

Then Meggan and I went to Wal-Mart (YES I went to Walmart) about 10:30 to get some formula and kill time before picking up Morgan at midnight. It was interesting, to say the least, to be in Wal-Mart at that time of night. Let's just say, I am getting OLD! Of course there were lots of graduations around tonight, so people were out after those as well. Speaking of that -

Congratulations to Zayne (Central HS), Mark (Corsicana HS) and all the other 2009 Grads out there!!!!

Then picked up Morgan and a couple of extra friends to spend the night & headed home.

Saturday I tried to sleep in, but Wade had to work, so I got on up around 7:00 and started cleaning house. Rob-Rob was doing her yard sale, so we headed over there to see if she needed help. Dave came over and helped me load our old refrigerator to head to the dump.

After we got home, I headed over to the ball field to help with Red Sox concession stand duty. It's a good thing I went~ Wes was there alone working it!

Headed home, back to town (to exchange pool filters), then home again to finish setting up the pool. I call it our ghetto pool, since it's the fill up, raise up kind - but it's 4' deep and I'm cool with it!!! I love summer and water...it's my backyard oasis LOL! I spent the rest of the night watering plants and watching the Women's Softball College World Series. ('Bama was my favorite to win, or at least ANY SEC school - NOT a Pac10 school again!) Ryan came over to spend the night with Morgan, so I got to visit with her mom for a few minutes. I never have pics of Morgan, so I thought I'd put this one on!

Sunday we got up and spent the ENTIRE day going back and forth to storage - clearing out the storage building for GOOD!!! We got the last load (my piano) out around 6:00 pm. It was HOT! The kids helped early on, then we left them in the pool while we went back and forth. Grampa and Pat had to help us for the piano with a low trailer. But HEY we got it all in. Then the kids, Wade & I made a line and hauled it all in the house.
I know one thing - we have TOO MANY "THINGS"!!!!! So begins the process of cleaning out and throwing away.

We also stopped by Home Depot & I picked up lantana for the back yard, and some stepping stones for the pool. That made it look a little bit better, but there's a long way to go out there!

Monday morning was HARD to get up, but I managed. After all, it was JUNE 1!!! Can you believe it? June already.

That evening were baseball closing ceremonies - Caleb & I headed over for that. They all got their trophies and we headed home. One of the coaches told Caleb he had the best batting average in the whole league - YAY CALEB!!! He hit the fence this year, so it was a good one. Of course, apparently not good enough for the AllStar Team (HUH?) but that's just a mom griping! I don't think Caleb even cares :)

Next week is baseball camp, and we're excited about that. Caleb loves sports, and he's definitely athletic. Now to develop that talent!!!

Yesterday was a long day! My whole body hurt from all that moving!!! We did get to take it easy last night, though, and just hang out eating taco salad & watching the last game of the WCWS (BOO! Washington) Florida just couldn't pull it out. Oh well...NEXT YEAR!

I've been reading the Left Behind book series again. I decided to start at the beginning and read them, considering they don't sound so far-fetched to me anymore! I mean, who would've thought, even a year ago, that we'd be where we are today?!? Referred to as a Muslim nation by our President, an economy that is dying, government ownership of private car companies! It's so crazy!! But the world IS uncertain; therefore, you should only trust in God, who is certain. Part of my problem with President Obama is that he tells the citizens of this country that the government will take care of them. So wrong! And who are our elected officials who let this go on? Someone really needs to step up. I am looking forward to more TEA parties on July 4!! I mean, in an economy where unemployment is on the rise, and our President is preaching to all of US about conserving energy and how we can't drive our SUVs, eat all that we want, keep our AC on 72 degrees, etc. etc. and expect the rest of the world to look to us to set examples... then why is it OK for him to use OUR taxpayer money to take HIS wife on a date to NYC that ends up costing US around $50,000???? That's not rhetoric - you can look up the actual costs - it's HAPPENING! There are people in this country who can not afford to take their wife out for a steak dinner right now, THANKS TO DECISIONS MADE BY OUR GOVERNMENT, and they are flying around for dinner and a show? THAT'S not being a good example!!!

And my anger is directed at almost EVERYONE in the Washington government setup - Republicans and Democrats alike!!! Most politicians are the same, no matter what party, out for power and personal gain at OUR expense. And we keep electing them!!!!!!!!!!

There was a lot of news over the weekend, and I missed it until Monday. Mainly, the murder of Dr. George Tiller, the abortion doctor from Kansas. Now, I've read many blogs from both sides about this, and some of them are horrendous! Many liberals are blaming ALL conservatives who oppose abortion (HELLO? WE ALL pulled the trigger?) Many conservatives are saying he got what he deserved. Both of those views are SO WRONG!

First of all, Dr. Tiller was in violation of the law when he performed late-term abortions AFTER they had been outlawed. So all of you PROCHOICE (who's choice? I always say. Where is the baby's choice?) PEOPLE can just get over the whole "he isn't doing anything wrong, abortion's legal" argument. And if he WASN'T doing anything wrong, why did the Kansas governor need to lie about how much money he had donated to her? All of that being said, this lunatic - who, SUPRISE! - is not a NORMAL conservative ProLifer - was so wrong in what he did that I cannot emphasize it enough! Dr. Tiller has to answer to God in the end, no matter what! That's where justice comes in. So many things on this earth are just not FAIR - but if we all got what we truly deserve, we'd all burn in hell, cause we're all sinners. God's grace is what saves us. Who knows, given the chance, Dr. Tiller might've made that decision somewhere down the road and been a great warrior for God. Now we'll never know.

And these lunatic truly extremists do NOT represent the majority of conservative Americans. Do the Muslim extremists represent all of the Muslims in the USA? I hope not. Do they all agree with the shooting at the Little Rock Recruiter's Station? Or that a young man serving in our US Army was killed by him? Simply because he hates America (his native country) and what we are doing? Where is the national condemnation for him? Where is the word domestic terrorist here? Because THAT IS WHAT HE IS!!! And he had plans to kill more - he was just stopped too soon. Of course, the media would rather tell you about how FOX radio hosts are the reason Dr. Tiller was killed. LUDICROUS! Since when do we as Americans TOLERATE these actions???

I'm off my soapbox for awhile, but these things affect ALL of us! If you think they do not, pay attention! All of the hidden taxes add up, and they affect YOU - in your food, your gas, your car, your electricity, it goes on and on and on...

VOTE FOR US - AMERICANS - NEXT TIME!!!

Loooooong Weekend Update

WHEW! What a weekend!
Thursday evening was crazy! I got my hair cut (a little shorter!) and finished picking out our furniture at Castleberrys. I LOVE it! I'll post pics when we get it. Then we finished hauling stuff out of storage for the Yard Sale.
Friday was a pretty day, with not MUCH threat of rain. The kids & Aunt Rob-Rob worked the Yard Sale so I could go to work. They had quite a bit of traffic and the kids made a little spending money. After work, we headed BACK to storage to pick up the rest of what we had that I decided I might as well sell. Morgan was hanging out with Rachel at the pool & the mall, so Meggan, Caleb, Emalyn & I went to Sonic for dinner.
Saturday was an EARLY day. Wade had to work, so he got me up and I started hauling the Yard Sale stuff out again. Leah came over to help me, and Rob-Rob and Boyd came soon after. We didn't have a lot of people - I assumed being a holiday weekend, or maybe because there were LOTS of yard sales going on around town. It kept sprinkling on us and threatening rain, so we finally covered it all up with a tarp and ended the sale.
I went in and took a nap! I needed it! Then we got up and worked on halfway putting the house together. I tell you, I was TIRED!!!!
Sunday morning I slept in and didn't get up when the alarm went off, so I didn't make it to church. I spent the whole day clearing out, organizing and trying to clean up around the house. We watched a movie, Eagle Eye, that I hadn't seen - it was really good! Then the kids & I headed to town for groceries. They spent their money at Old Navy, then we hit Wal-Mart for groceries (I HATE WallyWorld). We headed over to Sam's and picked up Wade's Father's Day gift a bit early, but they have a grill he's been wanting for awhile, so we went ahead and got it. He was SO excited! When we got home, he put it together AND cooked on it for us!!!!
Monday I got up and did the rest of my errands early - hit Target and Castleberrys (to finalize my order) and went home to finish up laundry. It was kind of a lazy day for us, and I appreciated having the day off, but I always remember what Memorial Day is actually for - to remember those who sacrificed for our freedoms!!! With Jacob out on a MEU it is even more important to our family this year. He is able to email Meggan some, and is doing okay.
Meggan took Emalyn back to the dr. and switched her meds to Zantac. It seems to be helping ,as she is eating First Foods and sleeping through the night now sometimes.
Monday night Wade grilled hamburgers and had some strawberry shortcake that was yummy!
Then about 10:30, we realized that the temp reading on our refrigerator was up to 55 degrees! OH MY! We threw away milk and other perishables, and put the items that survived in coolers covered in ice. It was a late night!
Tuesday was back to work, and Morgan babysat for a friend. I spent the day working and shopping online for a new fridge. I found one YAY! at Home Depot - it is so pretty. An LG and it's Titanium, so fingerprints don't really show, but it looks like stainless. We had to pick it up ourselves to get it last night, but we got it in there after MUCH work and worry - I won't even go into it.
Due to the refrigerator pickup, we also missed 1/2 of Caleb's last ballgame. Apparently he had a hit that got him to first, but it was not a great game - we got beat 16 - 0!!!! That was bad. It's okay though, he really had fun, and baseball is now Caleb's favorite sport YAY ME!!!!!
Charlotte got some great pics of him this season, too.
So it was a late night, and my knee is really bothering me, but maybe over the next couple of weeks I can get some furniture in and feel like I've halfway restored some sanity in my home!
ALSO - be looking for my Southern Living at Home ad in the Journey Market. Journey is a magazine for women (online at tjmag.com) and has some great articles/info. It is also published here locally. I'm excited to see if I book any parties from my ad!
Have a great week - it's Wednesday already, so I'm looking forward to Friday and putting up our ghetto pool!!!!

Yard Sales & Sunshine

It has been the most beautiful few days of weather here in East Texas!!! Cool in the mornings, sunny ALL day long - I love this kind of weather. I hate being cooped up inside during the day, but I AM thankful to have a job!!!
Getting ready for this Yard Sale has been a chore. I work full-time, so I haven't been able to work on the house or yard sale during the day. Maybe I can pull it all together tonight! We'll see...the storage building HAS to be emptied out, so I'll head over there after work and start on that. Most of it is sorted, it's just a matter of getting it to the house now. Hopefully other people will benefit from what I am getting rid of - most of it is good stuff, I've just decided I don't need it all!
I also hope the sunshine holds - I hear rumors of a rainy weekend. Monday is a holiday, so it will give me time to recover.
Speaking of Monday - please remember those who sacrificed for our freedoms! Freedoms we are gradually letting slip away every day...I just pray that they didn't all die in vain. And keep those serving now in your prayers...they do a big job for little pay, not much thanks, and have families who love and miss them!
So come on by the yard sale this Fri & Sat...see what goodies await. You might even see some Southern Living at Home if you look hard!!!!

I'm not good at thinking up witty blog titles, so I may go without from now on, other than Weekend Updates.
You'll see the button for April Rose on here - go to her site, read her blog, hear her story. It is truly inspiring - God is so good!
I am reading "The Shack" and it is very eye -opening. I'm not sure I agree with the whole portrayal of God as a woman, but then again, who's to say? I love the (new to me) concept that we will always be learning and seeking, because I had never thought of it that way. When you're little, you think you'll know it all when you get to Heaven. Now I know, it will be an ever, ever learning process. That is really cool - because there you can ask Jesus Himself any questions you have!
We had a baseball game last night - Caleb hit several times. I'm so proud of him for hitting well this year. Morgan is playing this summer - hopefully with a local team. She is excited about playing through the summer.
Caleb and Morgan both are at their LAST day of school today - WOOHOO!!!
Then we'll spend the rest of the week getting ready for the Yard Sale FRIDAY and Saturday!
I'm off to look for furniture this week as well. I found some of my inspiration books in storage over the weekend, so now I have a place to start. I just hope I can find something locally!
Once I get it all done, I can put up pictures.
I hope to be getting some Southern Living at Home parties going soon as well - my home will definitely be a display case! I think I've purged everything NOT SLAH already!!!! My inspiration in my living room is my Gail Pittman Bountiful Platter - red with some yellow, blue & green in it. It's BEAUTIFUL! With my Compatible Cream walls, the red really pops. Maybe I can get Nonnie & Aunt J to go with me before J goes back to GA. I may need some advice!
Well, back to the grind...see you later...

Weekend Update...

There's my boy...swinging away (thanks Charlotte for a great action shot!) We had ballgames Fri & Sat ... Caleb had several good hits, but the best was the one on Saturday that HIT THE CENTER FIELD FENCE!!!! Everyone was So excited!!!
It was a long, long weekend that I needed to be longer. Thursday Aunt Jama drove in from Georgia with Tillie & KitKat, so we headed over to eat dinner at Nonnie's with them, and celebrate RobRob's birthday with cupcakes.
Friday evening was baseball, then I let the girls talk me into going to Wal-Mart (if you know me, you know I HATE HATE HATE going to Wal-Mart) to buy a few groceries. It was after 11:00 when we got home, but I had a great new comfortable bed to drop into! Emalyn wasn't feeling too good, so she had a rough night.
Saturday was more baseball, in between shuttling kids and trying to bring SOME semblence of order to our home. There are still boxes to be unpacked and more items to bring out for the yard sale, but until we make a decision about furniture, it will look undone. Hopefully that will be accomplished this week, and I can get my space all done up. I spent ALL day Saturday trying to do laundry and unpack boxes - we have to get everything out of storage by a specific date.
Sunday Emalyn and I took a quick trip to the store (she had been up ALL night crying, so we let her mama sleep). The kids both went to church, and I skipped again to finish unpacking. I know, I know...I've got to stop that!!! Marion was in town, so we headed over to storage and tried to sort through more. We did fill several boxes with "trash", and lots more for the sale, so this week we will get it all brought over for the weekend Yard Sale. Needless to say, I was TIRED after all of this.
Today has been right back to work! Caleb had an appt, so I had to run out and pick him up, then pick Morgan up early from school. Tomorrow is their last day YAYAYAYAYAY!!! so they're taking exams today.
Thank GOODNESS, the Consolidated guys were there hooking up cable and internet. Everyone in my family was having withdrawals. Personally, I thought it was kind of nice :) I have plenty to do without sitting in front of the computer or TV.
I'll get pictures up as soon as I get some decorating done - before and after HA! More baseball tonight...last day of school tomorrow...YAYAYAYAY!!!! (did I say YAY!?)

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sis today...(that's me & her with Dad). I won't tell her age, but I hope it's a very good day for Rob-Rob!!!
I love you.

Random Thoughts

I just had some random thoughts today...about life in general, moving into a new home, SLAH, blogs I've read, the state our country is in...
I have always loved to read and write, but never thought of myself as "creative" (and still don't). This blog is just an outlet for what I'm thinking, when I have time to post, and to keep family and friends up to date on what's going on with our family. Heck, I'm not sure anyone ever even reads it!!! But it's like a diary of sorts, which I've never been good at keeping up with :)
So if you DO read it, please enjoy.
Here is Caleb's ball team (the RedSox). Our coaches are SO great - Caleb is the tallest kid in the photo (3rd from right)! They've had a lot of fun this year. Thanks Wes and Cody and everyone else who helps!

We are slowly getting settled in to our home. The phone man was out yesterday - I got a little perturbed that he was there running new lines and hooking up our landline, but they can't come out till next Monday with cable and internet. HUH? He's already here - why can't he do it all? But what do I know...the rep told me he was only there to test the lines, but lo and behold, we had phone service when he left! Anyway, I got over it until I missed AI last night >:( Then I was a little upset, but maybe I can catch it on youtube?
Speaking of the house, I am feeling SO unsettled these days. It's weird, because we moved back from South Texas SO fast, and had to throw everything in storage, that I've lived without most of my own belongings for a year and a half. Going through it all now I realize, I have WAY TOO MUCH CRAP!!! And some of those things I used to LOVE and just HAD to have...I don't want them anymore!!!!! Sad, isn't it? But things truly are not what is important in life. That being said, I do love the decorating blogs I read, and I LOVE having a warm, inviting pretty home. It may be awhile before I get back to having that...but I'm working on it. I have found lots of Southern Living at Home items I haven't gotten to use before. That was exciting!
So I will be having a yard sale March 22-23 to get rid of this stuff. There should be some nice things in there, because if I don't LOVE LOVE LOVE it, it's gone. Make way for new!

These are my new plates that should be here any day now.This is one of the products you can get for FREE in May!!!I'm REALLY excited about getting the house together enough to host a Monthly Open House for Southern Living at Home. That should be fun!!! I love sharing the products and ideas. So stay tuned in for that info coming soon...

I read LOTS of other blogs, and reading one only leads to reading another...I mentioned Kayleigh Freeman the other day. Kayleigh's story breaks my heart, and I know there are many similar stories out there. When you say your prayers today, please keep all of these hurting families in them. There is a lot of hurt and sadness in the world, but God is great and HE is bigger than all of it!!! If you can remember that, it keeps things in perspective.

Which, of course, applies to the state our country is in. It can be a little overwhelming and scary at times, but I try to remember, our government is NOT who you should depend on - GOD is!!! So even when it seems like the whole world has gone crazy...God is in control. But I wonder what people are thinking! Do you really think Nancy Pelosi knows what's best for us? Or any of the other radicals in Washington? It's about having power...and that isn't good for any of "us" in America. When illegal immigrants and terrorists have more rights than US citizens - people should get angry! When you are being taxed at every turn (not just your income taxes either, there are hidden taxes everywhere) and yet no one is accountable for how that money is spent - you should ask WHY? As long as there is sin in this world, there will be inequality, but we do not have to stand by and allow it to expand. And I'm not a "radical, right-wing extremist" - unless you believe the new government definition! I'm not a "teabagger" (I had to look this one up after the tea parties, which I did not get to attend, but really wanted to - and was highly offended that supposedly intelligent liberals had to resort to THAT sort of namecalling and rudeness), I believe even unborn babies have the unalienable right to life, and the right to CHOOSE happens BEFORE conception, I believe in freedom of religion - EVERYWHERE - in schools, in my home, and anywhere I want to practice it, I believe in the 2nd amendment, and I do NOT believe that legal gun ownership promotes gun crimes, I believe people are people, and that racism is wrong, and I believe that PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY and RESPECT AND COURTESY for others are what is lacking and causing the downfall in our society today.

NOW I'm off my soapbox for today...randomness prevails!!!

Weekend update...

Well, moving is complete! Okay, not completely complete, but all the big stuff is in our house! We still have lots of stuff to go through...and pay attention everyone in Lufkin, TEXAS - I am having a yard sale MAY 23!!!! So get ready for it...come by for some great deals!
It was a long week...every night we did a little packing, and the movers came Friday for Nonnie's stuff. She is already settling in to her new home - it is beautiful!
Hubby & I spent all day Saturday and Sunday moving our furniture and belongings from storage to home. I can only apologize to the neighbors for the pile out front...it will be gone soon :) Everyone is settling in nicely, though. Caleb & Morgan have pretty much gotten their bedrooms set up, and Meggan and Emalyn have a nice big area of their own.
We got a new bed (LOVE IT!) from Nonnie, so at least we are sleeping well at night! I can tell this will be an ongoing process of sorting and rearranging, though. We have so many things we had forgotten about in storage.
We also found out that since we purchased the home from my mom, we DO NOT qualify for the First Time Homebuyers' Tax Credit. That was quite a letdown! $8000 would have gone far in updating the house and fencing in our big yard. Oh well - thanks a lot IRS AND Pres. Obama. That's why you should never put your trust in our government. God will provide our needs!
School is winding down...hopefully both my kids will get out next week on the Flexible Year plan. Keeping my fingers crossed! We are ready to be done with school for a few months.
Meg & Em are doing well...Jacob leaves from VA this week, so we are keeping him in our prayers.
Caleb is still playing baseball and Morgan will be playing softball all summer, so it never really stops! Hopefully we'll get the pool up in the next week or so and we can hang out in the back yard - our OWN back yard YAY!!!
Even though we're all tired and it's been hard work, it's worth it. It's so nice to have our own home again.
In sad news, Kayleigh Freeman's family is mourning their loss today. I just cried and cried when I read the blog...such a testament to God's faithfulness to us and His care of us. Pray for them...times will be hard. Such a sweet little baby girl ~ free from pain now.
I thank God every day for my children, and now my granddaughter, and I am thankful for all of them, even when they drive me crazy! I love them all so much!

Southern Living at Home and Weekend Updates...all in one post

Short post today!
First, Southern Living at Home...May is a GREAT month to be a Hostess or Customer! We have FREE gifts available for parties over $250 or Customers who purchase $29.95 or more!!! Of course the great Customer & Hostess specials for May are available as well! You can see ALL the May info at www.southernlivingathome.com/hollyathome. On the home front, we spent most of the weekend packing boxes and helping Nonnie get ready to move. There were some crazy strong storms that blew through early Sunday morning, and many in East Texas were without power for most of the day. We just lost cable and internet, but Hey, That's bad enough!!!
We got to close on the house yesterday, so we will be moving in over the next week or so. Get ready to see pictures soon.
Have a great week!!!

Southern Living at Home Great Gifts Sale

If you love Southern Living at Home, don't forget tomorrow is the LAST DAY of our April Great Gifts Sale!!!
Great savings on many items - and if you spend $29.95 or more you can add any or all of the April Customer Specials!!!
Don't miss it - see my website - www.southernlivingathome.com/hollyathome. Text, email or call me with your order

Mid-Week Update

I know my blogging is pretty random...that's how I roll !!!
Monday was Jacob's birthday, which we celebrated with a fish fry and a big Chocolate-Caramel cake. It was SO good! We all stayed up late, enjoying our last visit for awhile.
Tuesday morning Meggan and Emalyn took Jacob to the airport. Rob-Rob drove them so she could help with Emalyn. OF COURSE, Delta Airlines made Jacob PAY to check his 2 extra bags since he didn't have his orders with him. The attendant was rude, and I swear I will be making many many complaints to them. I will NEVER fly Delta again - it is so ridiculous that the very men/women who keep our country safe have to pay to transport all their gear across country to do their job!!! Meggan said there was a young man in the Army going as well, and they made him pay. It's not just the $40 to me - it's the attitude the attendants had!
But he got off and landed safely in North Carolina, where he will spend the next few days getting ready to head out.
Meggan & Rob-Rob went to IKEA and Babies R Us, with a stop in to Ulta for our quarterly beauty supplies!
Morgan had a morning appt, then back to school. It rained and rained, so Wade didn't have much to do at work, and picked up the kiddos from school. He has a busy weekend coming up at work!
I left work and stopped in at the Women's Expo the Lufkin Daily News sponsors at the Civic Center. There were lots of booths for women's wellness, health and a few shopping/fun booths. I did pick up a beautiful plant for my porch for only $12!!! I was excited!!
Then home to try to corral the place. We found out the house closing will probably be Monday (it is now for sure Monday) so we are trying to help Nonnie get packed and ready to move into HER new home.
Today was pretty typical - Meggan took Emalyn to the dr. today. She weighs 13 lbs - she's getting so big - and can start on baby veggies and rice cereal (which you know we've done the rice cereal already). YAY!
Tomorrow is TAKS testing for Caleb and Morgan, so they have to get lots of rest tonight. Uncle David is also on the last leg of his journey driving in from Minnesota and should be here soon!
With all this swine flu, it's getting kind of scary. They've cancelled or put off a lot of UIL activities, and a child died in Texas today - the first U.S. death. It's so sad - and it scares me to think what could be coming. Everyone be careful out there - cover your mouth and wash your hands OFTEN!
Happy Wednesday!

Weekend Update and More Craziness...

Okay, it's been almost a week since last post, and a pretty crazy one! I know the Gonzalez family was here then, and we are a HOUSE FULL! Nonnie is packing her things to move, we should close on her house within the next week, then she'll move into her pretty new home, and we'll settle into our new home (Nonnie & Pa's OLD home!)
Last week was pretty normal, mostly just work and school. The Rodeo came to town, and the kids got to go on Thursday night for free (thanks Marilyn!). They had a ball! We kept Emalyn and she was really good. She went to bed early, so it wasn't too too hard!
I went to Urgent Doc Thursday and had my head examined (LOL). Mostly allergies and sinus stuff, but I got a shot and a Z-pack, so I was hoping to feel better soon.
Friday night Meggan, Jacob & Emalyn took Caleb for his game - the Red Sox lost but hey, you can't win 'em all!!! Caleb really wanted Jacob to see him play, so they got their wish. Emalyn LOVES baseball. Meme will make her an Astros fan yet!
I went to Carthage with 3 other moms to see the Hudson Lady Hornets play their last game of the 2008-2009 season. Our JV girls won 15-1 (I think) so it was great! Coach Eby had them rotate through the field after each batter since we were up so high. The girls were laughing and having a great time! Some of them played positions they haven't played since t-ball!!!
Afterward we ate at the Jalapeno Tree in Carthage. It was really good, and it was really late when we all got home! The girls were a little sad about the last game of the season, but there's always next year! I had a great time with Kim, Cindy and Paige!!
Saturday was sleep in (I still have this awful head cold/allergy stuff hanging on) then Nana and Garland came over. They had come in from Corsicana for the day. Nana, Janice, Morgan, Meggan, Emalyn and I all went to the Spring Market (Jr. League presents it) at the Civic Center. There were some great booths set up in there. We got to see Uncle Aleck, and ran into several friends we haven't seen in awhile. Nana did some shopping for the girls, and we checked out all the cute home decor and clothing available. There were some REALLY cute things!
The kids all went back to the rodeo Saturday night, and we babysat Emalyn. She went to sleep early on, but woke up and cried and cried and cried! Finally Gramps & I drove up and down the road with her, and she fell sound asleep! I think all the changes, formula changes (we put her on a Hypoallergenic Formula to help with all the spitting up) and moving around have her a little disconnected. When she's happy though, she is SO happy. However, Wade did point out to me that we were too old to have babies - believe me, I KNOW IT!
Sunday morning was Emalyn's dedication at church. This is her before we headed out, in her beautiful dress and bow.
Here is Jacob getting ready to go. He looked very handsome in his uniform.
Here is the whole Gonzalez family...aren't they beautiful? (And I'd say that even if they weren't mine ;) Then Gramps and Emalyn had to check out the flowers...
I'll post dedication pics later...it was very sweet. Of course, we had to have a wardrobe change before it happened...remember, with babies, expect the unexpected!!!
Then we headed over to Cafe Del Rio for lunch...to celebrate the dedication and, of course, Jacob turning 21 (today actually). Since he was technically only 20 until Monday, no margarita :( But lunch was great!

Then home for a nap.

Wade, Jacob, Morgan and Caleb all then headed out to Boggy to do some target shooting. Morgan, Emalyn, Nonnie and I hung around the house to do some more packing.

We got quite a bit accomplished this weekend considering how much activity was going on!!!

I know one thing, there will be a HUGE yard sale going on at my house sometime in May. DETAILS COMING SOON!!!

Jacob is celebrating the big 21 today! He & Meg will go out tonight, since he flies to NC tomorrow. Wade is doing a fish fry this evening. It should be fun! Keep Jacob and Meggan in your prayers as they endure this 7 month deployment! I am always praying for the safety of our troops and for their families!

This week will be TAKS testing at school, so not many extracurricular activities. I promise to get pictures of Morgan and Caleb posted soon!

Craziness...

Well, I can't tell you how happy I am to have miss Emalyn in my home...that baby is the sweetest, smiliest baby I have ever seen!! And she LOVES Meme!!! Okay, she really really loves her Daddy and Mommy, but I know she loves me. We are going to have so much fun! Last night we all went to Morgan's game in Diboll (GO LADY HORNETS) that we had to makeup from Friday. Morgan got to play 1st base part of the game, but Emalyn cried everytime the crowd clapped and yelled! She doesn't really like loud noises :)

Today she and Meg are out with Aunt Rob-Rob, and tonight we have another game in Hudson, and tomorrow the Angelina County Benefit Rodeo kicks off!

Keep the little Gonzalez family in you prayers - Jacob has to leave April 28th to go back to NC, then will head out to the Middle East somewhere. I'm glad the girls will be here with us, but it will be hard for them to see him go for 6 months or more...so be thinking about them during their 2nd deployment...and all of our other men and women in the Military!

Crazy Week and TEA parties

It was a busy long week!!! Ball practice and house appraisal on Monday, then Morgan and Caleb BOTH had ballgames Tuesday night.
Thursday Meggan, Jacob, Emalyn and Ice arrived from North Carolina (via Atlanta!)!!!!! They were SO tired, but we are SO happy they got here safe and sound!

Friday should've been more ballgames, but the rain came down! It rained and rained and rained...but it was kinda nice to have a night off and listen to the sound of it.

Wednesday, also known as tax day, was also known this year as Tea Party Day! This is my blog, so you will find various and sundry posts from me - political, religious, family, business - whatever I feel like writing about! We did not get to attend the Tea Party in Nacogdoches, but they had about 2200 people - which is a lot on the downtown square in the Oldest Town in Texas! We did watch the coverage on TV, but I sure wish I could've gone...and taken my kids. I have lots of opinions about our government, the current AND past administrations, and the reaction to these Tea Parties, which I will post about later...all I will say here is I had to go look up teabagger to see what it meant after all the cracks on MSNBC and CNN - it is NOT nice!!!

Also, I do not consider myself uneducated, redneck, rascist OR stupid!!!! I am beginning to doubt my Republican party affiliation (and I'm definitely not a Dem)!! I think we need to create a NEW party - the party of COMMON FREAKING SENSE! That party I would join!!

Anyway, the Gonzalez headed to Freer on Friday (got out ahead of the rain) so Nonnie and I hit Sam's Club on Saturday. I guess we got in just in time for the deluge to happen while we were inside! It rained about 4 inches in 2 hours in East Texas - it was crazy!!! Roads were flooded and our back yard had a new creek running through it - that hasn't happened in YEARS! But then the sun came out and the rest of Saturday was pretty nice. We were still getting some things done to the house and working around there.

Sunday we all slept in and were heathens - I always feel bad when I miss church, but we have really been pushing ourselves the past couple of weeks - Caleb spent Saturday night with his cousin, and we spent Sunday afternoon cleaning up and helping get things ready for the big kids to come back. They returned late Sunday, and we all got ready for another week...

Whew...what a weekend UPDATE...

What a weekend!
First of all - I hope you all had a Happy Easter! The true meaning of Easter is so real and dear to me - we went to church and had a family dinner at my sister's. Good food, family and the promise of eternal life...who could ask for more!
It was a busy, busy weekend for us - we painted two bathrooms, put down a new floor in one, and did a thorough Spring Cleaning! It was so great to get it done, but I was SO exhausted!!!
My kiddos will be here this week, so I'm excited!!!

Heading into Easter Weekend...

It seems like it's been a long week (and it's only Thursday)...

Monday was Caleb's first day back over at HMS and he is doing great so far. He was glad to be back with his friends. The Red Sox had a ballgame, which we won 14-2, and Caleb had a great hit in the game, so it was all good. Nonnie got home from Austin. Wade wasn't feeling well again, and stayed home from work - that doesn't happen often, so I know he was sick!

The game was COLD and WINDY, but we had blankets and wrapped up. However, it probably didn't help Morgan's sinus/allergy stuff.

Tuesday was crazy! I had to take Morgan to the doctor so he could tell her what I knew- her allergies are acting up again. But she listens to him about her medicine, so hopefully she'll be better soon. Being out in the wind at practice/games, and this 32 degrees one day, 80 the next is killing us all! Then to work, then I picked Caleb up at school, where they had TAKS testing all day, and we headed to Rusk for Morgan's ballgame. JV won 1-0, but Varsity got beat 3-0. Oh well...what can you say? It wasn't quite as cold as we thought it would be, but I was prepared just in case!

Tuesday was also Emalyn Rae Gonzalez's 3 month birthday!!!!! I can't wait till she gets here!

Yesterday was a "normal" day, picked up Caleb and headed to baseball practice. Wade got Morgan and we all had an evening "in". Nonnie got in and we watched the AI Results show - no big surprise there!!! It was a beautiful, beautiful day - 80 degrees and sunny!

Today has been cloudy and kinda "blah" all day - it's cooler and windy, so I know the rain is coming. Caleb has a ballgame tonight. Morgan doesn't have to travel, as Jasper doesn't have a JV softball team.
Everyone else in our home gets to sleep in tomorrow, as it is Good Friday. I will be here, working away :).

Easter Weekend is such a wonderful time to reflect upon renewal and sacrifice. What Jesus did for us should not be taken lightly. In an age when so many people are not hearing the truth, we really should make more of an effort to live it (something I fail at miserably) so that when the end comes, there are no regrets, no "what-ifs". We will KNOW where we are headed! Thank you Jesus that you know we are ALL a work in progress! and Thank you Father for the gift of eternal life that you gave us through your Son.

Have a Blessed Easter everyone!!

Weekend Update...

It was a BUSY BUSY weekend, but much was accomplished! (This is my beautiful geranium up close)

Friday night was Lady Hornet vs. Huntington Lady Red Devils Softball - a record crowd at Hudson. The JV game was kinda sad (we got beat 9-0) since Morgan didn't get to play. Then the Varsity game was pretty much a nailbiter. I worked concessions through most of it, but by the end of the 9th they shut it down, and the game went into 10 innings tied 0-0. Top of the 10th, Huntington scored 3. THREE! OMG - and then we were up and just couldn't hit. Oh well...I hated to see it end that way. It was a late night!
Then home, to try and get some rest! Caleb, Wade & Nonnie were there with pizza for our late dinner.

Saturday morning we were up early (OK I consider 7 am early on a weekend morning!) Morgan had a hair appt with Leah (going back to blonde!) and Wade & I were headed to Lowe's for stuff for the house. Morgan got her hair done - it's beautiful! - and a quick run into Target and... Three hours later...

back home and getting ready for Caleb's first "real" ballgame.

Thursday night they had a scrimmage against a Diboll team, but this was Opening Day for Hudson Diamond Sports. At the scrimmage, Caleb hit one TO the fence...almost over. I was holding my breath there for a minute!!! So this game was 3-2 final score (yes, we lost :() but it was a good game. Caleb had a walk and a hit, so it was ok. There were some glitches in the game (ump called 3 outs one inning when there were only 2 outs, bad calls both ways...)

We went down and watched some of the other kids playing on other fields - there were people EVERYWHERE for opening day. It was pretty windy, but a beautiful, beautiful day!

Then we headed home to start putting in our laundry room door. Okay, it's actually a storage room now, but it will be my laundry room when all is said and done. We got it all in by last night (well, WE technically is Wade) and it looks great!

We ended up making another trip to Home Depot & Lowe's for some new cabinet hardware for the kitchen, but I found just what I was looking for at HD~ and at a great price too!

Nonnie & I started scrubbing a couple of doors while we took off the old hardware, and before you knew it, we were hard at work. It's amazing what a difference it makes - a good cleaning and the new hardware looks pretty good! There's a lot of cosmetic stuff I'd like to change, but for now it'll work. This is the new knob:

This is a new pull on the old cabinets that will have to stay for awhile. You see the countertops? That's the first thing I want to change!

Sunday morning we were off to church for Palm Sunday. This was our third visit to Crossroads, and I do like it. It's a smaller church, but very nice. There seem to be a lot of young people there as well.

After church we headed home to finish up the projects we had started. In the midst of laundry and cleaning, Caleb was mowing and Morgan was helping out, and a lawnmower blade got bent, so back to Lowe's. They know us on sight by now. Of course, they didn't have the blades I needed, but I got a few plants and some other stuff. Over to Target (of course) for some cleaning products, and back home to finish up.

One of my "annuals" I planted last year that showed back up this year - Strawberry Parfait dianthus. I love it!
New clematis that I got - the flowers are HUGE and gorgeous. Wade cut me some switchcane to make climbing poles for it.

Wade wasn't feeling well this weekend, even though he got the door done, by last night he was really feeling bad. Nonnie was headed to Austin yesterday, so she'll be back tonight. We got the laundry half done, and bedrooms organized for the week, so hopefully we are prepared for a busy one. I believe we have something scheduled every night this week!!! Friday there is no school, and it will be a welcome break!

Jacob, Meggan & Emalyn will be here around the 15th, and we can't wait. They had Family Day at Camp LeJeune Saturday, and Emalyn got her picture made with the Easter Bunny. She was screaming her head off! So here's one of her pictures from the weekend (with her friend, Peyton). They look like dolls!!!!

What a Whiner!

Okay, I was reading my last blog, and I realized, what a whiner I am! So I can only hope you'll forgive me for that!

You see two buttons on my page - pray for Stellan and pray for Kayleigh. These are two babies whose moms were told they would never make it, and yet continue to defy man's odds! Only by the grace of God!!! Read their stories, and pray for them and their families. What a testimony to the fact that we are a person from the day of conception - and God does NOT make mistakes!

They are two of MANY out there who are struggling with REAL issues...disease, sickness, sadness, loss, financial hardship, loneliness... the list goes on, but it's not overwhelming because God is in control! Reading what they are going through reminded me...

it's not so bad around here! Praise God! So here's a list of what I should be thankful for...

Hubby and I have jobs

We are buying a home

My kids are healthy, talented, intelligent and beautiful

My granddaughter is a blessing

My son-in-law defends our freedom

I have more than I need

I have awesome friends

I have a wonderful family

I can go to church and read a Bible whenever I want (how many of us take this for granted? I do!)

And many more...

Life isn't always easy, but we weren't promised easy! And most of the hard is from our own doings! God loves us and wants all the best for us - I believe that!

I'm also not trying to diminish what some of us DO go through - financial hardships are tough and stressful, when our kids misbehave it is SO hard, when we don't feel good, life isn't fun...

but remember... look around, there is always someone going through something worse - praying for them can help put our own situation into perspective!

Have a blessed Friday and an awesome weekend!!!

Hard Days...

Have you ever had a couple of hard days... when you know things aren't really that bad, but stuff just piles on, you're busy, and you're stressing? That would describe my week so far...
but I KNOW it's just a "feeling". And as Joyce Meyer always says, feelings will get you nowhere!
Monday was just busy, busy. Morgan's team had a game in Center, which I drove over for. She didn't get to play, so she was disappointed, and we lost the game (and Varsity as well) so we were ALL disappointed. It was a late night, and we were TIRED!
Yesterday was a FULL day at work. I had to leave mid-morning to take Caleb for a checkup with his dr. Caleb will be 11 in June - and since November he has grown 6 inches and gained 19 lbs!!!! My baby is 5'6"!!!!!! OMG!!!!! It's so unbelievable to me that he has grown so quickly! He's complained of some aches and pains, but apparently that is normal for growing boys. However, the doc DID see some curvature in his spine. Now for some people that is no big deal, but in our family, scoliosis is something we keep an eye on. Nonnie has it, I have it, and apparently have passed it on to all 3 kids! Meggan had a 57 degree curve, and at 15 had to have a spinal fusion to correct hers. Morgan's is mild, and hopefully will never progress. Now, it has shown up in Caleb - likely due to the fast rate of growth these past few months. We did a quick x-ray of his spine, and the dr. will keep an eye on it through the coming years. Of course, between waiting an hour and a half to see the doc for 5 minutes, then waiting on the x-ray, I was gone for 4 hours!!!!!
At any rate, my children and their bodies are in God's hands and not going to be a worry for me!!!!! (I said it, and I believe it!)
We are still on the quest to upgrade our family plan with AT&T - the phones we want are NEVER in stock in the store. Then I spent a total of about 3 hours on the phone being bounced from one dept. to another, trying to upgrade one line with a phone Morgan wants. That didn't work out so well, and I was pretty much done with them after that.
Then I headed out to the school for Morgan's Tuesday night ballgame - at which she didn't play yet again. More disappointment, and quite frankly, it's hard to understand why some of these girls work really hard and don't get a chance to hit or play for the team. Who knows...my attitude wasn't the greatest after the afternoon I had had. I pay $4 to walk in our home park, to watch my daughter's teammates play, to then WORK in the concession stand for Booster Club? It just wasn't my day!
I did manage to get MOST of the paperwork complete for the house loan, though. Nonnie has found a new home, and she is ready to go... so as soon as we wrap it all up, we will be homeowners at last, and Nonnie will settle in to a beautiful new home.
The kids will be here in just two weeks - YAY! Did I mention I miss Emalyn?
Today has been a crazy one... first of the month and all that. But it will get better...it's Humpday and I'm halfway through it, church is tonight, and payday is almost here!
Have a GREAT BLESSED week everyone - JOY in EVERYTHING!!!!

Weekend Update...

It was a busy weekend, but we got a lot accomplished! Morgan's ballgame was rained out Friday night, so it was nice to have a relaxing night in. We had homemade tacos for dinner (yum) and all went to bed early!

Up Saturday to get my hair did...I'll post a pic later...but I LOVE LOVE LOVE my hair! Thank you, Leah! It's a great job, as usual. Caleb had a scrimmage game, so Wade took him to that. He pitched a few, and got a couple of hits! It was good practice.

Then we were off to view some houses with Nonnie, and run errands. STILL couldn't get our phones at the AT&T store, but everyone was very nice there. It was a beautiful day - windy and cold - but beautiful blue skies. Gotta love it!

Morgan was off with a friend to go bowling and spend the night, so Wade and I headed back to Lowe's for the evening - pricing some things we'll need on the "honey-do" list for the house. Picked up a few groceries and headed home to hang out and watch TV.

Red Envelope Day!

I have done some volunteer work for a local non-profit here called the Pregnancy H.E.L.P. Center - my wonderful friend, Paula, is the director. Helping people know about and get the facts about abortion and the alternatives available is very close to my heart. Babies are SO wonderful - and we all know God created us every one. Even babies who don't make it to "birth" are still a creation of our all-knowing and loving God. So to see young (or older) women struggle with that decision is heartbreaking - and knowing what they will go through if they choose the wrong option - is even MORE heart-wrenching. Almost anyone who knows me knows that is a choice I had to make at 19 - and thank GOD I chose to give life. I knew it was the right thing to do then, but now that my Meggan is 19, and has a baby of her own - I can't imagine life without them.

I am so thankful that there are organizations out there and people like Paula who have a true passion and calling to get this information and help out there - in a loving way, to women who are in crisis or hurting, and who need the help.

I had never heard of "Red Envelope Day" - but I saw this over on Shannon's blog at Bless Our Nest (one of many wonderful blogs I follow)... check out this link that tells about it - get your own red envelope, and join in the day to bring awareness - that these are pre-born people who have no voice without us:

http://thedavisfamilynwa.blogspot.com/2009/03/red-envelopes.html

Sunday we went to church at CrossRoads, then out to lunch with Grandpa & Pat. Then it was home to work in the yard - it looks GREAT, if I do say so! The flowers are blooming, spring is definitely almost here. I will even have pics soon...

Meggan & Jacob are excited about coming to Texas. We are NOT excited about Jacob having to leave, but I'm glad they are coming. Emalyn is getting so big!!!! They will be here while the Angelina County Rodeo is going on, and for Jacob's birthday. Hopefully we'll have more visitors, as Nonnie has a surgery coming up.

Here's the pic of the weekend: