It's a GIRL!

...and that's what we said 11 years and 15 hours ago :) Here's some pictures of Nat opening presents yesterday and showing off her birthday outfit (not suit). Would LOVE to have ANYONE comment. Sure makes blogging more fun when people reply :)


Matt was sweet enough to make his sister a card...on his own free will (which I thought made it even sweeter!). You might be able to mak it out, but it says "...to an awesome sister..." Nat didn't see just how sweet that was, but maybe one day she will.







Here she is in all her beauty showing off her birthday outfit.



She wanted to make sure you knew that she could twirl in this skirt! She VERY proud of this outfit...if you couldn't tell!


Brayden recognized the wrapping paper right off and had no clue that it wasn't his. But sister said she wanted his help...and so away he tore!



Where'd the baby go?



Yup, he went into the bag. You never know...there could've been more goodies in there :)







Thank you for all the birthday cards, calls, emails, and wishes for our VERY special little girl that has indeed touched our lives in so many wonderful ways!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!!!

**if you wanted to know how the sleepover went...see the blog below**

The Sleepover

Well, we survived Nat's first real sleepover. We had 3 girls over. These are Nat's closest friends. I'd originally thought we could get away with one, but it's for her birthday and she didn't want to leave anyone out. Which I thought was sweet.

So I picked them all up on Friday after school and we headed to the house till Jim got home. Then we headed back to town for pizza (not for me though..I had a salad) and a movie. We saw Big Momma's House 2. It was just as cute/funny as the 1st one. 2 of the girls were up and down a lot with trips to the concessions and the restroom. Nat and Daneilla (sp?) sat thoughout the whole movie. Partway through the movie I got a sweet surprise. I was sitting at the end of the row so no one would be by the girls. So there were 2 seats inbetween me and the rest of them...I wanted to let them have their own space. Well Nat gets up and comes sits by me and takes my arm to snuggle!! I asked her if everything was ok and she said that everything was fine. She just thought I looked all lonely and wanted to sit with me. And she did for the rest of the movies while her friends did their own thing. I was so touched. I still mean something to her...even in front of friends. I must say it felt good.

After the movies we headed home and the girls got into everything they could think of. They played video games, did crafts, and makeovers...of course! I told them that I wanted them in bed around 10pm since we were gonna have to wake up early so we could go to Matt's game. Well even though I got a positive reply to that...it was after 11pm before they were actually in pjs and in the beds. Who really knows when they went to bed? But I wouldn't have expected them to do anything other than stay up talking, laughing, horsing around.

We got them up and out of the house only 15 mins behind schedule. I know Nat had fun, but it was nice to get our house back to "normal".'

This weekend we will have Nat's party (and a small cake for the baby). That should be more fun cause no kids other than mine and "maybe" some family will be coming home with us. We are looking forward to it. Today's her birthday and we'll do presents once Jim gets home. I KNOW she's ready to tear in!!

Hope you all had a great weekend and great weight loss!

It's a BOY!

Well...that's what we said one year ago yesterday. This went by way too fast for Momma! I JUST had him....didn't I? This one was supposed to take his time growing up...wasn't he? He is a sweetie and we all feel so blessed to have him in our lives!

He got to go for his 1 year check up yesterday. He got a shot, but he was a tough guy and only squeezed out one tear. The doctor said we will now take him off the Zantac and see how he does. If that goes good we'll then take him off his formula with rice in it. The last step will be to take him off his Bathanacol that he takes at night. Hopefully this will be a smooth process.

Brayden got to open his present last night and he was much more into it than at Christmas. Probably wasn't as overwhelming. He got a ball pit that he loves! And a new Leap Frog toy from Cheryl and family and he's really into that (Thank you Cheryl. I wanted to get him this toy at Christmas, but had already gone overboard so I had to stop. It is such a cool toy and has tons of activities! THANK YOU!) We also got him a pop up toy and some bath toys. Brayden was quite pleased! Here's some pictures of him in all his cuteness.



Here he is in his ball pit.



He's just so delighted that he's gonna be allowed to shred!



Nat's helped him get started on some of his presents. But it didn't take long for him to figure it out:)



Matt didn't admit it, but I think he was having as much fun as Brayden was with the new toys!



Overall...one big happy baby!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom!!

Happy Birthday Mom! I would've posted this yesterday (on her actual birthday), but we had the pleasent suprise of having Mom and Dad stay with us this weekend.

Anyway, I just wanted to post a blog to let Mom know that we are all just so blessed to have you in our lives. You are one amazing, incredible, loving, compassionate woman. And you know this about her within the 1st 5 mins (or less) of meeting her.

We love you Mom and thank you for everything that you do and have done for all of us...thank you for being YOU!

Love you bunches, heaps, and piles :)

Basketball, walking, and a curl

Matt had his first game yesterday and he (and all the boys) did great. It was a complete blow out. The final score was 48 to 30 and I think we actually had more points than 48, but the score keepers arm was getting tired :) I'll let Jim tell the rest of the story in his blog.

























It's offical, he's got a curl :)






















Here's a shot of him walking to Nat. Like I said, he's just everywhere now!


























Here's a cute shot of the boys just hanging out today.























Hope you all had a great weekend and welcome home Mom and Dad :)

So proud!

I'm so proud of my kids for many reasons. For instance, both kids came home yestrerday with all A report cards! And even after have A-B report cards last 6 weeks (which I think is awesome also) they were both able to get their semester averages up to all A's also! Nat got a Chili's gift certificate and Matt got 2 award papers (All A's and perfect attendance) and he got to pick something from the award bucket. I just love it!!

Matt (and Jim) will have their 1st b-ball game tommorrow. I'm really excited since I don't get to go to his practices. I could go, but I'd just have to fight Brayden the whole time. I'll take picutres for sure and try to post by Monday.

Nat will be going to stay with Granny for a day or 2 in her new house. We'll be going up there tonight and she's gonna cook us dinner. She'd originally asked to come up to the local cafe and have fried catfish, but Jim told her of our semi restricted diet so she's gonna cook baked chicken.

Brayden's just walking so much now it almost unreal. I know it was time for him to do so, but I just can't believe he's almost a year. His new trick for the week is that he's learned to stack blocks. I am really impressed.

Hope you all have a great weekend and good luck to all those who are dieting/exercising. I hope we ALL drop in our wieght!

Jolie Update

I talked to Jolie's mommy today and she said that everything was going great! She said she was in surgury for less than 30 mins and she woke up really quick. She said that she was grumpy...can you blame her?!?

They will take her back for a check up in 2 weeks and that their main thing to watch for is infection. But eveything is good now and I thnak those who had her in your prayers!

Say a prayer for Jolie

If you are comfortable, please say a prayer for little Jolie today. Jolie is Jim's cousin's 3 month old (2 days shy anyway) baby girl. I won't elaborate about her medical condition in respect of her parents, but she has to have surgury today which means going under anesthia(sp?). The surgury (from what her Mom told me) should go very smoothly and she should recover just fine. But this is still a scary thing for parents to have to go thru, so I know your prayers would be appreciated.

When I hear from her parents I post a small segment about her recovery.

Thank you and love you all!

Big Walking and other stuff

I reported a while back that Brayden had taking some steps. Well he'd really lost interest since crawling is just so much faster. And he'd only ever walk to you if you had something of interest. Well now he's at the point where he'll just stand up and start walking...and it is so cool. If you're familiar with my living room...last night he walked from the edge of my ottoman to about 2 ft. from the tv. He was doing so good and then he looked back to see if we were watching (and of course I was with tears and all) and he started laughing and snorting...and bonk...Baby fall down. He laughed for a minute and then he was POed! And this sparked a very heated fit. Not sure who he was mad at or if it was the situation...but he was ticked. Arms and legs flailing to the point that he knocked himself over and...yup... that ticked him off some more. We are slowly finding out that Brayden (as sweet and cute as he is) has a short fuse. Hum?? WHERE could that come from :) Of course, he is cutting 2 molars and a cuspid right now so I can understand where some of the irritation is coming from.

Nat and Matt are still off for Christmas and will go back on Monday. Usually they are ready to go back, but Santa and everyone was so good to them that I don't think they're ready to leave all their goodies.

Nat started back to art class yesterday and she was very happy to go back. She was needing an outlet for all her artistic energy. She'd be making me something almost everyday...mosaic art, soap,...koolaid... what ever she thought she could make she was making it.

Matt will start back to basketball practice next week and I think their 1st game is the 14th. Jim says they only have 6 games. So if anyone who reads this was interested in going to a game, they'll be on Saturdays starting the 14th.

And also, here's an open invitation to ANYONE who'd like to come celebrate Brayden's 1st birthday and Nat's 11th. Don't know what we'll do...probably a party somewhere for Nat and something small at the house for the baby. But we'll do it Feb. 4th. More details later. ANY and EVERYONE is welcome and I have PLENTY of room for anyone to stay. We'd love to have ya!

Sh*ts & Giggles

Yup, that's right sh*ts and giggles..

Anyone who knows my parents, know this phrase. Well my parents are one day into their vacations and are already having their fair share of them :)

Yesterday Dad calls to tell me this story...
As they were ready to go to bed they kept hearing a radio. Nothing loud, but enough to bug them since the "rule" at the park was no noise after 10pm. ALL night this went on...even into the next morning. They were pretty ticked at this time and Dad was ready to lay into someone. Then when the went outside, the noise wasn't there...it was only when they were in the trailer...hummm. Then it became quite clear who the culprit was ;)~~ Dad said that over the weekend a little gremlin (quite possibly a grandchild) found a way to turn the display off on their camper's radio and had turned on the music just enough so they could hear it. This is when the had their sh*ts and giggles. After all night of getting ticked off...

Gotta love them pollacks (sp?)!

Happy Campers

I can definately say that the kids...and myself...are happy campers. We were all spoiled quite nicely this christmas. My sweet hubby got me some beautiful pearl earrings to match my new pearl necklace from my parents. I also got a chimanea (sp?), the Christmas with the Cranks DVD (funny stuff!), the 8th season of Friends (a MUST have), and Bath and Body Works stuff (the best)! I'd really love to fire up the chimanea every night, but with a state wide burn ban...and 2 grass fire's within view in the past 2 days...I'm a little leary.

Our Christmas holidays will wrap up this weekend with Kay and James on Friday, Gary, Kim and kids on Friday night, and my family on Saturday. We are really looking forward to getting to see everyone.

It has been a wonderful holiday season for us and we are so blessed.

Sorry it's short, but some one is NOT a happy camper being placed int he play pen while I try to type this. I'll try to write more later. Hope you all had a GREAT Christmas and have a very fun New Year!

Wow!

Well I was floored today! As I mentioned a few blogs back, I do contract work on the side for some guys that I used to work with that started their own business. My blog at that time was mostly complaining about how I don't have enough hours in the day to try to do it all. But it's good, quick money..hell what money isn't good, right? Anyway, I just finished a very time consuming project and was really looking forward to this check. As I opened it I saw a sticky note on it...and it was covering the amount. The note says that they really appreciate all that I've done for them and that this check was for the hours I worked + a bouns!! I was stunned! I didn't expect this at all. It was such a wonderful suprise.

So...guess I'll contime to find the hours I need to get er done :)

Christmas tree and Brayden's 1st snow

Here's a few pics of the kids decorating the Christmas tree.
















This was Matt's year to get to put the angel on the tree.
















Yesterday we had our first ice/snow storm. The kids begged me to let them go outside...how could I say no?!?














This is a shot out Brayden's window (looking East).















Brayden didn't get to partake in the snow adventure with the big kids. But he did get to stay inside and be all cute :)

Uh-oh...

As you all know, I get to work from home and keep Brayden with me all day. 99% of the time this a pure joy. 1% (some days more) of the time it is kinda difficult..especially since he became mobile. Its worked out really well because I have him fenced off to only go into the living room and my office. I have been really concerned how the Christmas tree arrangement would work since it goes behind the couch. Well I bought this HUGE baby "corral" and I can fence off the tree. I was so focused on keeping him fenced off from the tree this morning that I forgot to close 2 doors...the one to his room and the one to Matt's bathroom. How did I come to discover this??? Well I could hear him oohhing and aahhing and being completely pleased. I "thought" that he was watching his favorite show Blue's Clues. Those are the typical sounds that he makes when he watches his show. But then...there was splashing... It took a second for that sound to process in my mind and sink in before I screamed..."OH NO..." Yup, he was playing in the toilet water! Ugh! All I can say is thank goodness it was flushed. He was having the time of his life and I was mortified! He's all scrubbed down now and I learned my lesson :)

Now on to a short update... Brayden is now waving bye-bye. He doesn't actually do it to anyone or on cue. He does it while he's eating. I guess it's bye-bye to the grub?!? He took a step to me on Saturday night, but nothing since then. It's getting close.

Natalie is just going out of her mind since we STILL haven't gone to see the new Harry Potter. I've promised her that we will go, just not exactly sure when yet. Still no sports yet. Sign ups for softball will be in January sometime. For now it's art only and she's just loving it!

Matthew is counting the days till his next b-ball practice. He told me last night "Mom, just 2 more days..." This being out of the blue I said "just 2 more days till what buddy?". He replied quite enthused "Just 2 more days till practice!"

Gotta run. Hope you all have a great week!

My big fat Pollock mouth

I have a dear friend that put up a post that she has since had to delete. I hate that this had to happen and I really hate that she might have had to delete it cause of me. It was about how many retailers are going to discontinue with "Merry Christmas" and go with "Happy Holidays". Kim was very sweet in saying that she first got upset cause "he's the reason for the season" and that is seemed like we slowly but surely are getting away from that year by year. She then stated that she put some thought into and started thinking that we (Christians) aren't the only ones celebrating a holiday this time of year and that other religions are getting "left out" but saying the term "Merry Christmas". So she then felt bad by having her first negative feeling about this whole retailer ordeal.

Well...me and my big mouth felt we need to give her some backing. I probably didn't say things as eloquently as I should of, but I was a little fired up by a comment someone left her (that I took as negative towards her and Christians). I stated that "facts are facts and Christ was born and that's why we have this holiday...Period". Welll....yeah...I know...we're "supposed" to try to stay away from religion and politics..yadda-yadda. But, you know what?? It's just gotten to when almost everytime you turn around someone's trying to take out another reference of/to God from our schools, government,...MONEY! It's just getting nuts and I truly feel that this is gonna lead to a major downfall for our country.

Nothing I've mentioned is "News". And people have gotten fired up over religion (or lack there of) for ages. But today it involved my friend. A genuinely GREAT, LOVING person and that really hit home. She was just trying sweetly to touch on a topic and it backfired...possibly, probably because of me. And sweetie, I'm sorry. Most of the time when I think I'm doing what's best by "defending" a loved one...what I'm really doing is making an ass out of myself...Oops :0 This was not my intent.

Nat's tree/Matt's Robot/Big Baby Standing

Here's a quick blog to display just a few of my children's talents.



Matt worked a very long time on this robot. He said he's been working on it since my birthday. He (and we) are very proud of it :)




I told you about Nat starting her tree...well here it is. This is just amazing! I cannot believe MY child is this talented!!




I told you the baby was standing... well, here he is in all his cuteness. And I attached a couple more just to display his talent of being cute :)






Hope you all have a great weekend!

I need more hours in the day...

Ack...sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day. It has just been really busy at my 8-5 job (S&S) since we are so shorthanded. I have been doing the job of 4-5 people for months now since we have had such a horrible turnover lately. They hire 3 people and it's like 2-3 weeks later they are gone for one reason or another. So my "light" days are a thing of the past. And the 2 guys that left S&S to start their own business have been really doing awesome, but since there's only the 2 of them they are really needing help...so I've been doing contract for them also. It's quick easy money, but I typically can't work on that stuff till after 5. Plus the daily chores that need to be done around the house. Needless to say that's the reason for me not blogging so much. Right now I "should" be working on a house plan that I'm doing on the side...but, I really need some chill time.

And things are just gonna continue to get crazier. Matt will be starting Little Dribblers soon and he and Jim will be gone 1-2 times a week + we'll all be going to games. And there's all the fun of Christmas travel coming up. That will all start on Dec. 10 - the 1st of the year. Don't get me wrong...I love Christmas time and I LOVE spending time with all my family. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I just want so hard to try to make time for all that I need to do and again...there's just not enough hours in the day. But you know what? I bet I could make myself this nuts even if I didn't work. I think that this is all self inflicted. I want to have time to chill, but most of the time when I do get the time...I find laundry to do or floors to sweep..yadda, yadda. And Jim helps...don't get me wrong there either.

I know I have been blessed with a wonderful life and I wouldn't want things any other way....well except winning the lotto :) Sorry if this came off as b-tching. I guess I was just explaining my blog absence lately. I'll do better..later gators...

Friday

Boring title I know, but I really don't have much to report. I actually should be working, but I have the "don't wannas".

Took the baby back for his 3 month check up on his drifting eye problem. Things look good enough that we can still put off putting him in glasses, THANK GOD! The doctor still isn't sure what direction his eyes are gonna take and he said that's just how it is with baby's. Their little bodies are constantly changing and they can't tell ya much ..yet :) But things are good and I just have a felling he'll out grow it. His milestone for the week is standing on his own (without holding on to anything)! He's in to Stage 3 foods & loves biter bisquits(sp?)

Well Matt has once again had a good week at school and got the A/B honor roll. We are very proud of him and how much his behavior has changed at school! Him and Nat have been playing everyday afterschool with Bobby's old GI Joe stuff. It's so nice that they have something they can play and get along! Matt made Jim's day ysterday when he decided to start throwing around the football. Jim has waited a long time for this and was adament not to push the kids into any sport! So happy day for Dad :)

Nat's also doing great in school. She's also on the A/B honor roll. She's currently working on a tree in art class and I'm very anxious to see it! She said that this artwork will go to Granny Berryman. Nat has (for the time being) changed her mind about getting a horse and has really taken an interest in riding Matt's old 4-wheeler. So those to have a fun time riding back and forth to the pond most every day.

I will be heading out this weekend to to the first of many shopping trips for Christmas. I hope to be a little more organized and a little less frazzeled(sp?) We'll see...it's my goal :)

Oh my...

I've always known that I am truely blessed to have the parents I have. ANY of my siblings will say the same. These are two remarkable people. And for anyone who knows their story, their background, their up bringing...you know that my parents should NOT be the awesome people that they are. My Dad should be a "leaver" and my Mom should be an "alchie". Niether one should be the openly loving, caring, generous people that they are. I mean they'll just floor you...they just floor me. And I realize this as I get older and can truely appreciate what they have done/continue to do. I (like so many of us) went thru an awful stage where I didn't think that they knew much and thought I was pulling the wool over their eyes. OH NO...they knew! And you know what?? They still love me after that horrible stage in my life. Heck, Mom tries to tell me that she doesn't even remember that. I do! And I will forever kick myself in my butt for being like that.

What prompted me to put this "down on paper" was the unbelieveable thing that they recently did for me. As you all know, we were robbed and and most all of you know (cause I think I've mentioned it over a zillion times now), the bastard took my pearls. This just levelled me! As most of you know, it was my b-day on Friday. My parents came and stayed the weekend with us. Which that in itself is a gift! I really is. Well, they thought it necessary to bring me a gift. They handed me a large box and as I unwrap and open it ...ugh...tring to hold back the tears here....there is a smaller box inside that says Grader Jewelers...oh shit (any one of you by now knows by know where this is going). Yeah, the box contains a FULL stand of pearls. I AM FLOORED. ABOLUTELY FLOORED!! I just absolutely could not hold back the tears. You can't find the words to say at that moment...hell, I'm having a hard time with it now. All I could say was "thank you, thank you, thank you" and "this was too much".

These are my parents. The most unbelievable people I know. I love you guys...not cause of the gift(s), just you...I just love you! You guys are just unreal and I'm just so freaking blessed. I wish I could've put this into better, more eloquent words..but you just take my breath away! I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Birthday Loot

I wanted to share the gifts that my sweet family got for my birthday. You've seent he picture to the left already, but you haven't seen it framed. Jim did all by himself! And the new picture to the right! The pictures are awesome and so is the framework!! Matt also had some art work that I framed up and gave to myself :) I love them all!! I also got the dvd of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Bo Bice's single cd, Gwenn Stephani's new cd, and the 1st season of The Amazing Race...which will be a gift to all members of my family :)

I was also presented with a funny card and a rice crispy square with a candle. It was a very sweet presentation and I am very blessed to have sucha a terrific and loving little family!

Thank you guys. Thank you Jim!! I love you :)

Also, thank you Billy for being so sweet to do a blog for me. You are a super-d-duper big brother and I love you too!! Thank you Mom and Dad for calling and singing me Happy Birthday...I loved it! Beth thank you for the funny b-day ecard. Karen - thank you for the very sweet ecard! I love you all so much and again..I'm just so blessed.