Seriously!?!?!?

Time flies when you are having fun! I just got on to see someone else's blog and realized It has been over a year since I last blogged. My baby was heading off to Kindergarten. WOW, has it been a year and a half? He's now almost half a year into first grade and my little one is 3 years old . Let's see, I'm not even gonna try to remember it all, but a major summation would be CRAZY! My dad passed away Jan. 31'st 2010. Truly one of the worst days of my life. Fred had surgery for a hernia the next day. Within a few months he went to school, retrained for a new job that turned out to not be "legit", and was unemployed until YESTERDAY. I started my own business "ForeverSmiles Photography" and have loved every moment of it! I have a new website up and running www.foreversmilesphoto.com if your interested in checking out my work. Besides that, let's see, thanks to my inlaws, we took a very excited 3 year old and 7 year old to Disney World for Christmas. It was a magical trip for the whole family. Fred's parents, sister, and friend, along with us four and my mom had a fantastic time! Christopher wants to live there and Caleb wants to "go back to Disney World RIGHT NOW!". The day after we got back, i had "the rest of the story" as far as my hysterectomy goes. In other words, the doctor removed my last ovary and tons of scar tissue and adhesions. Much worse than I ever anticipated and I am still recovering, but happy to say, I am feeling better each day! My mom received her 5 year award at work just last night and I was able to go and celebrate with her. I am chairing an event at Christopher's School this next month and continue to volunteer in his class. I am also the media coordinator at our church, as well as the Children's music coordinator, where we just hired a FANTASTIC new pastor. I think that brings me up to date, except to say that as we start this new year, I am going to do much better at my blogging. I am HUNGRY for God's word and have started a new bible study and am just loving learning how to be a better Child of God! It's amazing the miracles that occur when we strive to line up with God's word... I've seen it and i'm living it! I can't wait to share with anyone who wants to read the blessings in my life!! Night for now, or should I say morning since it's 2am.!!!!! More blogs to come.....

I blinked AGAIN!

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged, but evidently I have blinked AGAIN; My baby headed off to Kindergarten this morning!!! It seems just like yesterday, that he was a 5 lb 13 oz. baby and now, WHAT.... He went to school! I have received a couple of updates through the day from friends who are there that he is having a GREAT day. Like I expected anything else? He is such an amazing child.... he adjusts to his surroundings and always goes with the flow. I am so proud! He is insisting that he ride the bus this year, but I flatly said "NO!" to it this morning. My baby was NOT going off to school and me not walk him in, hug him bye, etc... so we compromised. He is riding the bus home today... t-minus 1 hour and 15 minutes and counting. Brownies are in the oven, cold milk ready to pour... I can't wait to hear about his first day! Off for now, the little one is demanding some attention... I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me, as we tackle MANY firsts this year!

15 Years

Today, my wonderful hubby and I celebrate 15 years of wedded bliss! Hmmmm, wedded bliss? Well, maybe not every day, but YEAH! God blessed me with an amazing man. He is a considerate, loving, patient, hard-working, did I mention patient, caring, sensitive, dedicated, and did I forget to mention PATIENT husband. He is my best friend, my lover, my confidant, my rock! He's also the world's best daddy to our two gorgeous sons. Thank you God for creating him just for me. I love you Fred!

Best Friends

I always thought, having a best friend was a "girly" thing. Seems I was wrong. As you will see evidenced by the pictures I am posting, Christopher now has a "Best Buddy"! Growing up, I always had friends. I always had close friends , and I always had a best friend. However, we were never "exclusive". We didn't shut others out of our friendship, we didn't exclude people from our activities, we just knew we could always count on each other. AND.... to this day, we are still just as close, and still know we can count on each other. Our lives have gone in two totally separate directions. Her kids are older, mine are younger. She's doing the middle school/high school thing, choosing classes, school trips, boy scouts, etc.... while mine are just heading off to school, starting sports, saying their first words, etc.... Even so, we remain close. There is a bond, that cannot be broken. We both have other friends, even very close friends, but... WE JUST KNOW !!!!
I'm so glad Christopher has found that kind of friendship. Zachary and Christopher are two of the most amazing boys I know and they have a "love" for each other that brings tears to my eyes. They don't see color, they don't see barriers, they just see the opportunity to be there for one another. This year they are in the same class. They may not always be, but one things for sure, they'll stay close! Even when they "fight" (thank God for boys, one minute their hitting, the next their hugging) they always say "I'm sorry Buddy", and move on. In such a mean world, it is a refreshing sight!!!! God bless these two sweet children, and God bless my dear sweet, BEST FRIEND FOREVER, Daphene... Love ya girl!!!

Blogging

I try, honestly I do! But look at the time I'm blogging, 12:09 AM!!!!!! With the recent events in this family, life has not been condusive (sp?) to blogging- it just isn't. The madness has officially started.... My 5 year old discovered he is a social butterfly (or is that dragonfly for boys?). He has discovered a new friend (his best friend in the whole word mommy!) that lives only four doors up. Zachary would be the appendage on Christopher's right hip. They are inseperable. In addition, we have started t-ball. Not only are they playing t-ball together (like they would have been torn apart for that), they have enlisted a tight group of friends to play with them (Landon, Brooke, Ryan, and Makai). What a fun group they are- I can't wait till games start! This weekend alone, we had t-ball practice, a birthday party, neighborhood easter egg hunt, and cookout, then Easter Sunday with church, dinner at grandparents, another easter egg hunt, and then of course playing with Zachary (like you thought he'd miss a day). Where does that leave Caleb you may ask. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING! At 18 months old, he is discovering the world, somedays faster than we'd like. When Christopher takes off up the road on his bike, whom do you think is following as fast as his little Fred Flintstone legs will follow... That's right- CALEB! Fortunately, Zachary (the bestest friend) has a little sister who is absolutely an angel and loves Caleb, and vice versa. Amber and Caleb have quite a time playing together too. Temper tantrums for this not even two year old are not a daily event, but more than likely an hourly event. I'm told this is normal... REALLY? OMG, we are setting boundaries minute by minute and he's testing them second by second. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing! Life is hectic, chaotic, crazy and downright fun and happy!!!!! Did I imagine life as a mother of two would be like this.... NEVER... it's so much better than I could have ever begun to think up. I LOVE THIS PHASE! Am I exhausted? You bet! Is my life full of exclamation points, YEP! Do I love it? You better believe it!!!!!!!!!

A Christmas Wish

With only a few hours to go until Christmas, I decided to take my friends advice and "chill-out". Instead of stressing, I have enjoyed the past few hours just spending time with my boys and making new Christmas memories with them. To name a few things, we have had fun baking cookies for Santa, visiting daddy at work, visiting with Great PawPaw, wrapping a few last minute gifts, and my favorite... making Peppermint Bark. Christopher so enjoyed crushing peppermints. He got to get some of his energy out by taking the bag outside and "beating the peppermints to pieces mommy". :) It was a lot of fun! He has sung Christmas carols all day long, and Caleb just thinks it is GREAT... He has danced and danced and danced. I'm sure tomorrow will be TONS of fun.... I can't wait!!!! Here's a wish to all my family and friends: I pray you all have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy Healthy New Year! God bless you all.

Thought provoking!

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'
This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life Is a Gift
Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.