Who knew

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Destined

I do not know how many of you beleive in destiny or fait, but I do. This is my story of how I found the love of my life, my soul mate, the man I feel I was destined to be with.

Several years back I was going through a very rough place in my life. I had just moved back to my hometown and was looking for a job. I ended up taking a receptionist position at a local engineering firm. On my first day there my new boss was showng me around and introducing me to everyone. We got to the seocnd floor and that is where she introduced me to Michael. I was instantly drawn to him not only was he totally attractive, there was something very warm and familair feeling for me when I was around him, like we had known each other forever. Within a month we were officially an item and the rest is history.

I am so thankful to have Michael in my life. I feel like there was something bigger than us ensuring our paths would cross. Together we have created a beautiful family that fills my heart with joy. He is my rock, my strength, he loves me for who I am as I do him.

Happy Anniversary!!

Extra Extra...

What's this? Could it be? Programs, programs, everywhere. Last Friday was Cat's turn. She is in the lower school chorus and they performed "It's a wonderful life". It was a wonderful story to help remind us all of the true meaning of Christmas. I love to hear Cathy sing, she has a beautiful voice. She rehearsed every night for a good month I guess, she would be up in her room with her cd player singing along (their music teacher made them a cd of the play to practice by) needless to say she did a great job, they all did.

And last but not least was Colin's. Today was his big day. He did such a good job, I even have a little video of him dancing to the music as he was singing. All of the kids were so cute. It is amazing how well they remember all of their parts and all of the songs. Colin was a "Christmas cat". I will cherish these memories always!!!

Where do baby's come from

Hmmm.... More on that later

Last night was the preschool Christmas program at our church. Our littlest one performed "Dance like a snowflake" and "Where is Santa". It was great, I was nervous that he might be scared and start crying being up in front of all of those people. But boy was I wrong he sang he danced he was so cute it brought me to tears. I really need to get a video camera.

Scrumptiousness

I do not make homemade "meals" that often. Most nights at our house it is maccaroni, or fish sticks, or chicken nuggets and some kind of fruit (the kids love fruit). It seems by the time I make the hour long drive home and unload the car, which by the way is a huge task (it feels like everytime we go somewhere we take so much stuff we are moving), get the kids started on their homework, let the dog out, change clothes, and check the answering machine I just can't get motivated.

However, Monday night that was not the case. I decided I was gonna cook dinner. A couple of months back my grandma canned me some fresh tomatoes, and you know what goes great with tomatoes and rice. You got it "salmon cookies". What are salmon cookies you ask, well they are oh so good little fried patties of scrumptiousness. Basically all that is in them is canned salmon (I guess you could use fresh salmon if you prefer) bread, egg, and salt and pepper. Some people put onions and peppers in them, but not I. I like mine with out all that extra stuff in them, just the way my grandma taught me.

But be warned salmon cookies have a way of disappearing, at least at our house. It seems as fast as I can fry them the kids and Michael can scarf them down.

How Dumb Was I

Okay, I know we have all done it at one time or another. I am talking about sticking our big fat foot in our mouth. Today was my day. It happened when I dropped Cody off at daycare. One of Cody's teachers has been putting on weight lately. The weight is centrally located in the stomach and hip area. I have been wondering for a couple of months if she was expecting. (can you see where I am going with this)

So this morning I asked her, "When is your baby due?" "Oh baby, I am not pregnant I am just getting fat" she replied. Then my dumb butt said "Whatever you are messing with me" "Seriously" she said "I do not have any kids, I am just gaining weight you are not the first person to ask me."

At this point I really wanted to crawl in a hole. What should I say now? So I apologized mutiple times but that really didn't do any good I am sure. Moral of this story is one I already know, I knew better, you NEVER ask a women if she is pregnant.

Busy Weekend

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Ours was jam packed we started off on Wednesday night by stringing popcorn with the kids for their tree (we put them their on special tree upstairs this year full of decorations they have made) that was fun Michael was a master popcorn stringer. We have affectionately labeled it the butter tree. I bought "unsalted" no butter popcorn (so the box said) but it still has a nice fragrance :)

Thursday we started off by going to my grandmothers for lunch where the ham was outstanding and I ate waaay to much. Then we left there and went to my in-laws for dinner which also was great, I cannot get enough of the stuffing she makes and just take a look at one of the desserts we had to choose from

We had a very nice day it was great to spend time with our families, the kids always have a blast playing with their cousins.

On Friday afternoon we went and got our Christmas tree. It was raining but that didn't stop us. We go to a local Christmas tree farm to pick our tree which is always alot of fun, it is amazing how much smaller they look in a big open field versus when they are in your living room. Michael put the tree up that night (ask him how much fun that was) and we decorated it Saturday morning.

Happy Turkey Day

Just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Its Like Magic

As many of you know our family just went through the grueling process of building a house. Our daughter was asked recently what her favorite thing about her new house was, and this was her reply. "Well, we have this tube upstairs and you put your dirty clothes down it and then they come back to your room clean."

I bet ya'll didn't know that Michael and I had installed a magic laundry chute.

Pow Wow

This past Friday I went to our son's school for their Thanksgiving Pow Wow. The kindergarten really put on a great show. I was so proud. Below is a video of one of the songs they performed for us. The quality is not that great (I was using a regular digital camera) hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Chicken Pop

"Mama you have a chicken pop". This is what I was told by my five year old as I was brushing his teeth this morning. "That is not a chicken pop baby, it is a pimple" was my reply. I guess if I am gonna have my flaws pointed out that was a sweet innocent way of hearing it. Gotta love him.



Can you see the chicken pop?

The Big Green Monster

What is the brig green monster you ask? The answer is jealousy.

As most of you know I am a working mother. Sometimes I question if it is the right decision. Are my children missing out? Am I missing out? Am I a good mother?

I should not complain I have been very fortunate. I was able to stay home for the first year of our daughters life, and then when Colin was born I was able to bring him to work with me the entire first year (yes I have an awesome boss) and with my third I was even able to bring him with me for the first six months (again same awesome boss).

I am very grateful for that fact. But there are those days when I am jealous. There are days that I long to be a stay at home mom, to have that much time to devote to my family.

Get your game on

Can you say proud Mama, that would be me. Our daughter plays many different sports, but she seems to love soccer the most and over the past couple of years has played both in the spring and the fall. The fall season just ended and last night they had their end of season party. At the party her coach handed out awards and pictured above is Cathy's "Best All Around Player". Way to go Cat!!!

The Sweetest Sound

Yesterday was Sunday and thus we went to church. While the church has a nursery up to age four, I choose to keep all three children with me and yes while most Sundays I am constantly saying shhh we have to be quiet yesterday that was not the case and I experienced something wonderful.

During the opening hymn as I was standing and singing I looked down at Cody to make sure he was behaving and there he was sitting in the pew holding his hymnal in his lap (upside down and on the wrong page) singing the most beautiful song. I have no idea what he was singing as he was making up the words as he went, but I do know that it touched my heart. I know that it made me take a step back and remember all that I have been blessed with in my life, how thankful I am for my children and how very much I love them.

Vacation Family Style

We recently went on a vacation with my parents to Myrtle Beach, SC. We had such a good time; it was wonderful to get away from reality for a few days and to get to spend some quality time with family. While we were there we visited the Ripley Aquarium, the NASCAR Speed Park, The Carolina Opry, and The Dixie Stampede, went to the beach for a walk, and went to the “Boardwalk” which was really fun. There were all kinds of shops and restaurants and carnival rides. In the middle of it all was a huge pond full of fish and ducks for the kids to feed. Below are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. Thanks Mama and Daddy for inviting us, we had a great time.

Today is a Day...

To sit back and pay respect to all those who have lost their lives for us to enjoy our many freedoms. Thank you to all of the men and women who have served and are currently in harms way. God Bless You.

Holy Schmoly

Have you ever come face to face with someone or something that terrifies you? Well I did, yesterday evening I was on my backporch picking up the kids toys, there was a towel laying on the ground, the one we use to dry our dogs paws in the morning. I lifted the towel to hang it over the back of the chair and there he was, a baby RATTLESNAKE.





I like to had a heart attack, I dropped the towel screaming and ran inside locking the door behind me (as if the snake could open the door). The kids were in a panic "Mama, what's wrong", "There's a snake" I said "We have to go get daddy". The kids and I loaded up in the van (leaving the house through the front door) and headed down the street to get my husband (who was doing some survey work). Michael followed us home and went straight to the garage to get the hoe. By this time the snake had moved and was up on the brick on the side of the house. My husband pinned him to the wall with the hoe in one hand and preceded to chop off his head with the shovel in the other. Ahhh my hero! Thank you baby.



P.S. The rattlesnake pictured is not the one from yesterday, I was much to afraid to go back outside and take a picture. I found this one on the internet and added it for visual impact.