The Mommy Times Four

I promise to be back soon.....

2009-06-19T15:59:00.002-04:00

I know I have been a horrible blogger. We have started summer break, we went to Savannah, had Callie's birthday, the in-laws visited, and we are coming up on a deployment. I want to spend every bit of time we have left together. I will post here and there till then. I do have something big to announce I am starting another blog when the hubby leaves. A diary of sorts from my point of view as a military wife. No sugar coating, just the straight up truth. Think of it as the good, bad and the ugly of being a military family. Well I better get back to the family. Have a great weekend.

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T11:05:00.002-04:00

Today is Memorial Day and I wanted to take the time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served--and who are presently serving--our country in uniform. Also I wanted to thank my hubby for all the sacrifices he makes daily so that our daughters and I are safe. He is truly a amazing man. So I thought I would share some pictures of him.

I can't even express in words how proud I am of this man. Today I will spend the day cooking for Lane's friends who didn't leave for the four day. My way of thanking them. Happy Memorial Day!

Mother's

2009-05-10T11:34:00.004-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there. Sending lots of hugs and kisses to my momma whom I don't get to spend today with. I love you mom and we will have a you and I day out when I come in a couple weeks. To my mother in law have a great day and hopefully we see you soon. I hope you all have wonderful days!

Show Us Where You Live Friday!

2009-05-08T08:50:00.002-04:00

I have never done one of these but here we go. It is show us where you live Friday over at Kellys Korner! . This Friday just so happens to be Living rooms. I must say my living happens to be one of my favorite spots in the house. I love when it is chilly outside and we light a fire. I have a habit of switching my living room around every couple months. It isn't a huge living room but it is intimate and cozy. I hate the carpet on the stairs and plan on ripping it up and making them white washed. My favorite part of my living is my hard wood floors and the new door we just put in. I love being able to see the outside while I am inside. As you will see I have leather furniture. It is really held up with the kids. If they get dirt on it, just dust it off.

I love the way my fireplace looks on the grey wall. You will soon learn I love black, red and grey.

Told you I love red....

I have switched the living room since the last pictures. Sorry there isn't a full shot....my little ones are playing tea party.

This is everyone's favorite spot to sit when they come. It is the most comfy chair I have owned.

I wasn't going to put this one up. I want something different here but haven't found what I am looking for yet. Till I do I guess the walmart bookshelves and Target tv stand will have to do. I recently broke the other bookshelf moving the living room around.....er.

Well there you have it my living room. As I took these I noticed I really need to dust. So off I am to clean this house. Have a Happy Friday and a Wonderful Mother's Day.

Midlife Crisis......

2009-05-06T11:04:00.003-04:00

This weekend I caved and let my ten year old watch Twilight. She came home all last week talking about Edward and that her friends had got to see it. Then the first grader across the street got to watch it and that was just the icing on her take pity in me cake. So I told her Friday night Daddy, her and I would watch it together. I have never seen this kid that excited over a movie. A half and hour in I see what all the commotion is about. I am in love with a Teen Idol. I feel like a 13 year old again and I am a little ashamed to say that. After watching the movie and having dreams of being saved by night in shining armour the vampire I went to Target to get the book New Moon. I came home to tell the hubby all I want for Mother's Day is the next book in the series. I begin to read him the back and in bold letters it says " Teens will relish this new adventure". He gave me his you are kidding me look and says "Is this your midlife crisis". I looked at him and daringly said "Yes, Yes it may be". Lets face it my life as a stay at home is not the most glamorous. My days are filled with wiping butts, doing stinky laundry, and cleaning my house that seems to never stay clean. So what if I day dream that I am being saved by a handsome vampire. A little weird I must admit but hey we all have our dreams.

Busy Busy Busy....

2009-04-30T12:21:00.004-04:00

To say we have been busy around here would be putting it lightly. My house looks like it fell down the ugly tree and hit every branch. This past weekend we dove into painting our trim on the house. It was a pale country blue which reminded me of my moms kitchen a trillion years ago that had a duck motif. I hated looking at it and if you notice I never post a picture of my house. Well I am proud to post pictures now because it looks damn good if I do have to say so myself. Hard work yes but so worth it. We aren't finished yet and I have spent two days power washing the back. I am sure my mother needed meds yesterday after calling to check in with me and discovering I was on a ladder cleaning the second story. I made it down all in one piece. So without further rambling. Sorry for the before I told you I don't have any good pics of the outside of the house. You get the idea...I hope.

I am head over heels in love with my front door. I have always wanted a red door. I never have to worry about people not finding my house. Look for the bright red mailbox post....lol.

We had Alexis's musical on Tuesday evening and here are the pics from that. I know Nana is dying to see her baby. She did great and during the 2 months she has been in Drama Club I have noticed a big difference in her. It did her wonders and I thanked the teacher afterwards for it.

I had spoke to soon and told the teacher I would make Lexi's costume. Well $40.00 later I was wishing I had just bought one. I of course waited till the last min. to finish it. I busted it out in 3 hours on Monday. I was pretty proud of myself because usually I would have done it Tuesday morning. I had a moment of are you kidding me when the teacher told me 5 mins before they went on stage that she found some costumes and lexi would have fit in them perfect. Really that would have been nice a week ago. I just laughed it off.

Well I am promising a better post when I am not knee deep in remodeling. Happy Thursday!

Rant and Rave.....

2009-04-22T12:44:00.003-04:00

I haven't posted for awhile and since I have a few mins here it goes. The kids had spring break last week. We went to Savannah to spend Easter with my family. The kids had a blast and I got to take some beautiful pictures of my family and the girls. I will post them later.

This time off got me thinking. I started this blog for my family and friends to keep up with us since we are far away. The more I read other blogs the more fearful I became of others reading mine. I run my sentences, I go on and on, did I spell something right, did that sound ok, the list goes on. Then it dawned on me I was letting the pressure get to me. I didn't start my blog with the intent of getting a blog award, or having 1,000 hits a day. I started it for my kids, my family, and for a mental note to myself. Sometimes it just makes you feel good to get things off your chest and write them down. I love being at home with my girls, spending time with them, doing the little things with them. I wouldn't want the responsibility of having a "Popular Blog". But that is just me.

I sometimes feel when I am reading others that this is all just high school once again. The tagging and the awards. It is like a popularity contest. I find it annoying but that is just my opinion (which is worth much I am sure). Don't get me wrong I have my favorites, but I don't read them because they are popular or because they received a blog award.

I was reading a great post earlier at Clover Lane! . I love this blog and I love that she is real. There is no sugar coating. Lets be honest motherhood can sometimes be ugly. It is the good with the bad and I love it. I read her blog and I sit here nodding my head because I feel the same way most days. Well that is my rant for today. I promise a better post later.

Bathroom Redo......

2009-04-02T07:59:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts. Nothing much is really going on with Lane gone. But joy joy he will be home Sunday. I can't wait! I have got a ton of stuff done around the house while he has been away. It seems strange but my house has been cleaner with him gone then when he is here. I got the bathroom all done and I am in love with it. I had got the girls shower curtain and accessories over a year ago and never did anything else. I decided to play of the shower curtain for inspiration. My girls love the beach. They would live there if we let them. So I decided on a bright yellow. At first I was a little scared, but with everything in there I love it. I got the idea for the prints on a scrap booking website but tinkered with it and made it my own. I love how it all turned out. And without further ado......

I found the mirror at walmart on clearance for seven bucks. I spary painted it cause it wasn't in the best shape.

The girls now have their own towels. Each girl has her own color.

This is my favorite piece of the whole bathroom and I love how it turned out. Ignore the whole I still have to patch them.....lol.

I am now starting on the kitchen table and hope to be done within a day or two. I want to be done by the time the hubby gets home. Well hope you like. Happy Thursday!

Is it April yet.....

2009-03-24T14:38:00.002-04:00

Well so far in the 8 days since Lane left I have been sick, Lexi had a earache, Taylor is sick and has pink eye and Callie has had more bad days than good. I will be so glad for the 5th to get here I might just do a happy dance or run out the door with a suitcase. He went to Washington DC the other day and they got to sight see. He said he was not impressed by the White House but the Veterans Memorial was something to see. But that is just the type of person he is. He did send me pics on my phone. They also went to Walter Reed and talked to some guys there. I know this is training he is probably enjoying but I will just be glad for him to be home. I think their next one should be in Hostile Training. I will gladly donate my house, kids, and animals for the cause. All the other wives be welcome to do the same.

While he has been gone I decided to do some much needed cleaning. I have to keep busy with something or I sit and dwindle on the fact he isn't here. I got Tay and Callie's room all clean and finished. I still need to put their frames out. Here is the finished product.

ignore the fact that my ipod speakers in this

and the frame that has no picture in it yet

I am doing the girls bathroom right now. Other than a cute shower curtain and some accessories nothing has been done in there. It is most defiantly going to be different. I am seriously considering painting my dinning room table. It is a light oak. My kitchen is red, grey and yellow so it is not going with the scheme I have going on. I am thinking white and distressed or maybe black and distressed. I love the whole shabby chic thing but with four messy girls not happening. I try to fit it in with small pieces where I can. I ordered fabric today to recover my dinning room chairs in. It is yellow and white and I am in love with it. I will post pics when it comes in. Madyson informed me the other day that her room has not been done. She is right. We painted it brown and bought her new furniture but other that nothing. She has all my old Americana stuff from when I was into that. It fits with the whole Cowgirl thing. But she informed me she is thinking more Cowgirl Princess. I am sure HGTV has never heard of that design style. I am going to have to get creative on this one.

If you haven't noticed I have at least two projects going at a time. I swear I am ADD and they just haven't diagnosed me yet. I can't sit still for anything. I am the girl that can't watch a movie because there is something else I could be doing. Well I am off to help the kids with homework and get dinner on. Happy Tuesday!

Alexis Room

2009-03-17T08:47:00.003-04:00

It only took me forever but it is finally done. One project down one and a half to go. Here is the finished product. Her room is a little tricky as you can see it has two doors. One she doesn't use so we tried to make it less obvious. Here are the before's and after's. I can't seem to find one with all the high school musical but you get the picture....

Please ignore the turtle tank....I begged and it isn't going anywhere....

This one is for Aunt Tara and Uncle Greg.....The girls simply adore Little Man.

I can now breathe a sigh of relief that I have her room finished. Now I need to put the finishing touches on Callie and Tay's and do the girl's bathroom. Let me know what you think.

A big one......

2009-03-17T07:48:00.004-04:00

I should have posted this Sunday. My Madyson Lane turned 6 Sunday. I can't believe she is 6. It seems like yesterday when mommy's water broke at the nail salon and she made her depute about 6 hours later. She has grown into such a bright young lady. Maddy loves school, anything art, and has a amazing passion for horses. She wants to be a barrel racer when she grows up. She truly lights up our lives. So Happy Birthday Maddy! I hope you enjoyed your day.

We had about 18 kids in our house on Saturday. To say we are crazy would be putting it lightly. We had planned on having it at the horse stables but of course mother nature had other plans. So there I was Saturday morning running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I was so worried I would bore these kids to death. Surprisingly enough they entertained themselves. The girls all crowded into Maddy's room and the boys stayed downstairs and played wii. She got more gifts than any child should be allowed to. She also had a sleep over with one of the neighbor girls. Mommy will always remember you as her little chubby whubby! I love you Maddy Lane!

Sunday I got up and made special pancakes for the birthday girl. We then had to tell Nana goodbye so she could get back to Savannah. Daddy and Annie ran some errands together. I sewed a little on Lexi's pillows for her room. I still have about four more to go. Then we all settled in with some Chili's take out and watched Maddy's new movie "All roads lead home". This child has every horse movie made, No Joke. It was a good movie but I think the girls missed the whole point of it.

Monday found us saying goodbye to Daddy for 21 days. I had to answer about a hundred times where daddy was and when he would be back. I had the youngest and oldest crying at different times cause they missed him already. The first day is hell. I am not kidding. We have to get on a new routine. I am left doing everything on my own. Not to mention something always happens when daddy leaves. I have done everything, pull a toilet up to get a votive out of it, fish turds out of the garden tub 9 months pregnant, and the list goes on but you get the picture. Not to mention something always happens to me. Last time he left I fell down the stairs and cracked my tale bone, I had a bruise for 2 months. This time I am stuck with a awful cold. I can only hope today will be better. By the time I get on a new routine and we all settle in daddy will be back again. Life of a military wife.

Well I must get going the laundry fairy doesn't seem to be coming.

Happy St. Patricks Day to everyone and a very Happy 30th Birthday to that wonderful hubby of mine.

I am back....

2009-03-09T08:08:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the delay. I have been knee deep in projects around the house. I often find myself redoing one room and starting another while I am at it. I like to think of it as multi tasking but it doesn't work like that with me. I promise by the end of this week I will post pictures of my last two projects.

Now about my weekend in Savannah. I had a wonderful time seeing my family. I went Saturday morning and got my hair done. It is the first time I have had highlights in years. I must admit it felt good to be pampered even if it was for just a couple hours. My sister and mom had me a cookout with lots of my favorite foods. It was yummy. I also got another cake from Coldstone. We didn't get to eat it till the next morning but more on the later. My best friend made it over and I might be able to forgive her someday for not bringing my boy to see me. All in all I can say I was very very spoiled for my birthday. Between my hubby, kids, and family that is. Thanks you guys I can't think of a better way to spend my 30th than with all of you. Well maybe a tropical getaway but that isn't happening.

Now the best part of my birthday. I don't know if I have mentioned before but my brother and sister in law were expecting a boy March 6. We had all joked that my nephew would make his depute either on my birthday or my party. Well he did indeed make his depute on Saturday. I must say he is the most precious little man I have ever seen. It brought tears to my eyes to see my baby brother a daddy. I say baby brother but he is 25. But to my sister and I he will always be our baby. I am not going to post pictures of mommy as she would kill me. She claims she didn't look good enough for pictures. After labor who does, but I will respect her wishes. I can't think of a better present than this little man.

I plan on going back down in two weeks. I can't wait to see him again, well and his mommy and daddy. My sister just got a new apartment and I want to see it. I made a Easter basket for my niece Jayden,one for little man, and Damien too. If you haven't noticed I simply adore my nieces and nephews. I have adopted my girlfriends son as mine too. I don't get to see them all as much as I would like. I shower them with little gifts so they remember me "wink".

Well my house is screaming at me to finish my half done projects. Till next time.....have a great Monday!

The dreaded day.........

2009-02-27T08:37:00.003-05:00

Well my 30th Birthday passed and I can't say I feel any different than I did a week ago. I had dreaded this day since I was a child. Now that it has passed I don't feel so bad about it. As a matter of fact I feel pretty good. Of course it helped to have my wonderful hubby and four beautiful daughters with me. My day went something like this........

I spent the morning taking Callie to one of these.....

Then picked up Taylor from Daddy's work......

We went here for a little retail therapy.....

When the hubby and older girls got home we had some of this....

My favorite, hey I am a simple girl....

And they bought me the best cake from here.....

Then I settled in to watch.......

In front of this.....

I had a wonderful day all in all. We are traveling to Savannah this evening for my birthday party at my parents. Hey a girl only turns 30 once! I might as well live it up while I can. My next big day won't be for 20 years. I will post when I get back with lots of pictures. Including one of my new makeover. I decided for my 30th I need a new look. So suspense it will be for 3 days. Have a great weekend!

Out of the mouth of babes.....

2009-02-24T08:41:00.005-05:00

So yesterday I took Madyson, Callie and Taylor with me to Target. Have I mentioned how much I heart Target? Well if not I just did. I could live in there. I always find the most amazing things, then I stalk the place till they clearance it. Sorry that has nothing to do with my story so on I go.

So here we are going through the store and I hear a conversation that Callie and Maddy are having. It went something like this.

Callie: Do we have a grandma?

Maddy: Yes, we also have one in heaven.

Callie: Heaven, where is heaven?

Maddy: It is way up in the sky with the angels.

Callie: Is she sick why is she in the sky?

Maddy: She was but now she is in heaven.

Callie: I don't even know where heaven is?

Maddy: It must be far away because we don't get to see her.

It was the most precious thing. I have tried and tried to explain heaven to the girls. At their young age they just don't understand. It also made me sad that they never got to know my grandmother and what a wonderful person she was.

My grandmother was the heart of our family. A woman who worked hard all her life for what little she had but always tried to help those less fortunate. She loved to cook and everything was homemade. Whenever I was sick she would make me peach cobbler. Because come on people warm peach cobbler makes everything better. She loved to sew and even had a small sewing business that she sat up at flea markets. I can remember many a time her letting people buy stuff and pay as they could. I used to sit as child on her bed and watch her sew for hours. That is where my love for sewing came from. I remember all while growing her talking about my sisters long blond hair. Little did I know I would get a beautiful blond just like my sister. I think she secretly had something to do with that....wink. She loved roses and her favorite color was red....you see why my house has red through out it now. I wish I would have asked more questions and spent more time with her. I wish my daughters could know first hand what a loving person she was. I know this doesn't do her justice as I could never put into words what a truly remarkable woman she was. I feel honored to have called her Grandma.

Just pics .....

2009-02-17T11:54:00.002-05:00

This is just going to be pics from the weekend!

Little things keep them occupied!

Realizing it is a camera in your purse....priceless!

Necklace for 10 years!

Hollister sweatshirt from Nanny!

Hollister coat from mommy and daddy!

Ignore the fact my kids are showing their butts.....

10 years ago today.....

2009-02-17T10:47:00.003-05:00

I received this beautiful girl. I can't believe it has been a decade already. I remember like it was yesterday. The day she was born, first steps, first words, her first day of school. She has turned into such a beautiful young lady. Alexis has a heart of gold. She loves her little sisters and helps out when daddy is called away. She loves animals, cries when the humane society commercials come on, loves fashion and design, hates to read (don't know where that came from), loves music and movies, and she has brought all of us so much happiness over the years. So Happy Birthday Alexis Nicole, Mommy and Daddy love you very much!

We had her birthday party on Saturday at the bowling alley. This is what she wanted so mommy and daddy obliged. Plus that means I don't have 20 screaming kids in my house. She loved it and everyone had a blast. She got to spend time with a couple of her friends so she was a happy girl. My mom, sister and niece drove up from Georgia to attend. It was nice having them here for the day to help out. One of our good friends (and our best man at our wedding) brought his wife and their two precious girls. After the party we all went to our favorite Mexican restaurant to eat. It was great to catch up with them also. Alexis had another birthday party to attend on Sunday. It was a busy weekend and I was exhausted by Sunday evening. I guess that is what being parents is all about.

I learned a very valuable lesson this weekend. Don't start something if you ever plan on stopping. I will explain. I am the mommy that has always made my kids cakes for their birthdays. This has even carried over to nieces and nephews. I was going to go Friday night and just buy some cute cupcakes for Lexi's party. She threw a fit like I was cancelling Christmas. I guess store bought cupcakes just aren't the same as homemade ones. It must be that love we sprinkle in them.

the cupcakes I stayed up late baking......

I am trying to get Alexis's room done today. We will see how that goes. I will post pics of hers and the little ones when I am done. I am excited to see it finished. I painted her antique iron bed yesterday. I was so petrified to paint it because it was my great grandmothers. I must admit it looks beautiful. I am unsure if great grandma or grandma would approve of the black but I love it.

Well I must get busy. Sorry if this is all over the place. I wanted to get pics up so the family could see them.

Till next time,
Chas

Happy Birthday Taylor!

2009-02-08T08:46:00.002-05:00

I had every intention of posting this yesterday. A mysterious fever has come over our house. After Taylor's party on Saturday Madyson got a really high fever and it is just now breaking. Then yesterday after spending the day outside in 70 degree weather Taylor came down with the same thing. I just took every ones again and now Callie has a fever. Looks like I am going to be stuck in the house for a few days with sick babies. Anywho enough about sickness lets talk Birthday Girl!

Taylor turned three yesterday. I am sad to see my baby growing up as I know she is probably my last. But she has turned into such a beautiful child. She is always making us laugh. Her outlook on everything is so different from her sisters. She is very easy going, layed back like her daddy, gets her feelings hurt easily just like mommy, and is full happiness. I love the way she dances or bounces to where she is going. Her obsession with Dora the Explorer is a little scary but she has learned lots of things from that girl. So in case mommy didn't tell you enough the last two days Happy Birthday baby girl.

We started off Saturday by taking her to Red Robin. This is one of the girl's favorite places to eat. I have to admit there food is delious. Kent my husbands best friend and the girls Honorary Uncle met us there. The girls just adore him and I think he is pretty smitten about them too.

They came to our table and sang to Taylor. At first she was just tickled then it became scary. Although she did get a free ice cream sundae out of it which made my little baby happy.

After eating we came back home and had cake and ice cream. Her daddy spent over a hour decorating before we left and made sure it looked perfect for the birthday girl. She was thoroughly surprised. Our neighbors brought their kids over and ate and opened presents. Taylor was so cute opening everything up. She made us laugh several times that night.

Now I just got to do Lexi's next weekend, my husband better have mine on the 25th....wink. Then I have Maddy's on March 15th and her daddy's on the 17th. I then get a break till June. We seem to be all clustered together.

This weekend I did manage to do some early spring cleaning. I got the laundry room all organized. We took advantage of the beautiful weather yesterday and cleaned out the garage. I cleaned out my sewing desk (huge task). Now all I got to do is organize the bedrooms and I am done. I do have another project I have started. It is Alexis's room and I will be presenting it on her birthday. I have lived with High School Musical long enough and I need to do something with it. I made her a hook yesterday and showed it to her as a hint. I took a old hook I had and covered it with scrapbook paper, added a sticker, and ribbon. I was pretty proud of myself.

Thank goodness she is still at that age to where she thinks everything I do is grand (97% of the time). I think that is all for now. I am going to close with some of the cute things that have came out of my children's mouths the past few days.

Taylor: I love dora

Maddy: Where is dora from?

Lexi: I think Las Vegas.

Mommy: Lexi what language does dora speak?

Lexi: Ohhh, maybe Mexico or Spain.

I am thinking we need to open our kids eyes to different cultures.

Taylor: Jay Jay is coming.

Callie: Not today the next day (this is what she says to everything "after the next day")

Taylor: Where is Jay Jay?

Callie: I think she is in China.

Taylor: Jay Jay lives in China?

Callie: Yep!

Jay Jay is my niece. I had to explain to the girls that china is far far away and Jay Jay lives in Savannah, Ga with Aunt Honesty silly girls. Maybe geography classes wouldn't hurt either.

Madyson.....

2009-02-06T10:36:00.003-05:00

I know the Grandparents are anxiously awaiting the pics of Maddy. So without further delay....

All together I think there were ten kids from Kindergarten and First Grade. They all received the Writing Guild award. Maddy was so cute up there (yes I am partial). We are so very very proud of her.

Sorry for the poor quality of the pics. The hubby's camera is a good one but the lighting wasn't the greatest. That super duper man I married 7 years ago went and got my birthday present yesterday after the awards. The most beautiful camera I have ever seen. I can't wait to use it this weekend. This is better than any diamond he could ever buy me and alot cheaper too.

Peace and Quiet....well almost

2009-02-04T13:07:00.004-05:00

I finally have 10 mins to myself while the girls are playing. I feel like I am still recuperating from last week. We had a very busy week. Callie and I both had appointments. The older girls got their report cards. Saturday we took the girls to the movies. In between all that I managed to finish putting together my living room and putting together the younger girl's room.

Callie had another appt. today and we have a list of resources and things we need to fill out. It is a little overwhelming but I know it is going to help her. Today's visit didn't go as well. Callie was very aggravated from the get go. She didn't want to be there and asked to go home about every 10 mins. We did manage to get referrals so I guess it was worth it in the end.

I had a appointment last week. I am not afraid to say I go talk to a psychologist. It is great to have someone to go to who isn't personally involved. I have anxiety which tends to trigger my OCD. Usually I am able to manage it pretty well. I am the girl who survived a 8 month deployment, I should be able to handle this. Although lately that hasn't been the case and felt maybe I should go back on my medicine. Let me stress I hate taking a pill everyday to feel better, it drives me nuts. But my Dr. asked me a question that got me thinking "Why are you punishing yourself". At first I thought she was nuts, but then I thought about it and she was right. So I am back to taking what I call my Happy Pill and things seem to be under control.

The girls got their report cards on Thursday. Alexis our oldest is my animal loving, where her heart on her sleeve, needs to be pushed to get good grades child. Her teacher had been stressing that she was having trouble and had me scared she was going to fail. I am picturing F's on her report card. She managed to get all B's and a C+ in reading. The C+ is due to that darn AR program that I can't stand. Why happened to the way we were educated. Where have the book reports and essay's gone. Seriously, was the way we were educated so horrible. I hope I am not the only parent who feels this way. I was relieved that it wasn't as bad as I thought but stressed she needs to always do her best. Hopefully we get through the rest of the year with few hurdles. She did manage to get a perfect attendance award.

Madyson on the other hand is the exact opposite. She is our very independent, art and horse loving , drama queen. This child is gifted. I am not just saying this because she is mine. Everything comes easy for her. She is far more mature than Alexis was at this age. She received all good grades and received a Writing Guild award. They are having a award ceremony tomorrow and I am going. My hubby laughed and said I was acting like she won the Noble Peace Prize. For Kindergarten she did....lol. We are extremely proud of both girls.

Saturday we decided to take the girls to the movies. We are afraid it would overwhelm Callie but figured we wouldn't know till we tried. She made it through the whole movie. I did have to cover her ears a couple times. She asked to go home about a dozen times but we made it. The girls loved the movie and I managed to sneak a few pics of them for the grandparents.

Taylor our "baby" is turning 3 this weekend. I can't believe my baby is going to be a big girl. It makes me sad and I wrestle with the fact she is the last. If I could convince the hubby and won the lottery I would have ten kids. We are going to throw her a little party Sunday and she will celebrate with everyone else on her big sissy's day on the 14th. I will have to do a 3 year photo shoot with her : ) Just another excuse for pictures. Maybe I can convince the hubby to get my birthday present early. A nice big beautiful Cannon would be nice right now.

I did manage to get my living room done and pictures hung. I love the new grey(I will never admit that to the hubby). The pictures don't do the room justice and Yes, I love red, black and grey....brave I know.

I haven't had a chance to get a pic of the girls room. If they haven't destroyed it already I will get some and post them. I am so tickled with the way it turned out. Sorry if I am rambling. I know my sentences run and I go on and on. That would be me in a nut shell. Well my house is calling me and I am sure my girls are missing momma.

Why do the weekends destroy my house?

2009-02-02T13:51:00.003-05:00

I am knee deep in a massive cleaning. I don't have time for a regular post and I know my mother in law is waiting on pics I promised. Here are some of the girls yesterday before our day out. I hope this ties you over till a little bit later.

In a perfect world........

2009-01-28T09:16:00.007-05:00

The fact is we don't live in a perfect world. Things happen whether we fill we deserve them or not. I spent much of this month anticipating my 4 year olds appt. with Dr. J. For everyone that doesn't know us personally I am going to back up and fill you in before I tell you about my not so fabulous week.

Callie is our 4 year old. She is shy, quite, and usually keeps to herself. Now to my mothers out there you are thinking the perfect child what is wrong with this chic. I have known since she was about two that she wasn't like my other three. I am perfectly aware that every child is different, I am a mommy to four I get that. She doesn't do things the way we do things. She laughs when someone is hurt, she doesn't cry when she is hurt, she doesn't feel pain, rarely makes eye contact, doesn't usually play with other children and the list goes on forever. I have lived with this nightmare for 2 1/2 years knowing something is wrong and I couldn't fix it. My precious daughter whom I loved way before she was born has never looked at me and said the words I love you, she will say it when I tell her first. I don't get hugs or kisses unless I initiate it and sometimes even then it might not happen. In August she started Pre-K and things got worse. My sweet child turned into this angry, hostile, unhappy child. I took her in screaming and crying every morning, in the evening she was so mad she would become physically violent and retreat to her room. The mental toll it took on me forced me to withdraw her. I was told by so many people in my family that I should have just left her there. The mommy in me said something isn't right. I finally got her a appt for the 26th of Jan. (our 7th anniversary) with a child Psychiatrist. I sat for a month and half waiting. During this month I can't tell you the number of people that thought I was crazy. I have never felt so alone in my life. But I am so blessed to have a best friend that has walked beside me through this whole thing in fact sometimes carrying me. I could never repay her for the hours she has spent listening and comforting my fears. Thank you Jenn!

The morning of I was so scared because I thought she would just blow me off like the Doctors before her had. I was immediately impressed with Dr. J. She managed to make Callie comfortable with her within 20 mins. I am thinking this woman is a Saint. After a hour of her talking to Callie then myself she told me that she felt Callie had PDD-NOS and Sensory Integration Disorder. She said if we had trouble getting Callie the help she needs then she would label her with Autisim. Due to her being high functioning and on the lower spectrum we are going to see how everything goes first . We see her again next week. I would have loved to have came home and said you were right I am crazy. I immediately had a overwhelming feeling that this was going to be a long road ahead.

The hardest part is dealing the ignorance of others because they are not educated on Autism. I have had comments such as "so she doesn't have Autism", "what is the cure", and the one that makes just down right angry "she just needs her butt busted". If I thought for one minute a swat on her hind end would fix this believe me I would. The truth is it isn't going to. It is going to take the patience and understanding of all of us to help Callie through the challenges she is going to face.

So this has been my week so far. I am doing better now but Monday was hard. I look at Callie and have this overwhelming urge to protect her from the ingnorance of others. It has opened my eyes to many things. Yesterday I came home and found a little precious moments box on my front steps. Jenn had told me she was sending me my birthday gift. I opened it and immediately tears fell. It is almost like she for seen what life was going to bring me on Monday and sent me the most perfect gift ever. It is called "I'm there for you rain or shine" and it couldn't be more true. Again thank you Jenn for loving my family and I like your own. I love you!

I know this one is all over the place and I noticed I tend to run my sentences....he he I guess you could say I am a rambler. I apologize and Mom2 here are some pics for you!

Lane and I going to dinner for our Anniversary!

Maddy and I in our new glasses!

My Callie!

Tay looking like a angel sleeping!

Lexi and Kenzie having a sleepover!

Snowed in again....

2009-01-21T11:53:00.021-05:00

Here I sit again snowed in with four kids but I am minus the husband. God love him but after being shut in these four walls with him for 5 days I was ready for him to go back to work. We did manage to get our living room, Callie and Tay's room, and the upstairs repainted while he was off so that was a plus. Just for future reference painting and football don't mix. On Sunday we decided to paint the living room (I will put pics up when everything is hung) while football of all things are on. While I was busy painting the other walls a darker grey he was in charge of the "red wall". I look around and there are paint runs going down the wall and it looked as though I had let the four year old loose with the paint brush. I immediately fired him from paint duty until his beloved football was off. I will say that the new colors look amazing.

Yesterday we let the girls out to play in the snow. My three younger daughters had never had the experience of playing in it. It was a fun to watch minus the sub zero temperatures. Our youngest immediately ran out and upon noticing the white stuff falling from the sky did what any 2 year old would do stuck her tongue out to get a taste. I assume it was yummy because every picture after that was with her tongue out. After coming in and warming up I had promised the girls I would make them ice cream out of the snow like my Grandma would make for me when I was a little girl. They thought this was the biggest treat of all and even Daddy ate some of the yummy goodness. I will close with some pics of the fun yesterday.

P.S. Madyson our middle daughter is very bright for her age and something funny is always flying out of this kids mouth. Sometimes we just look at each other and ask where does she get it from and yesterday was no different. The girls had found hair glitter and I quickly told them it would be going bye bye so there was no mess. In typical Madyson fashion she says " but daddy gets to wear his Army glitter" where does she come up with this stuff. I guess she thinks the war paint as I call it is glitter. She is just too funny.

The freak snow storm that wasn't suppose to be....

2009-01-20T09:32:00.001-05:00

I had hopes of starting this by telling you a little about myself but due to the fact that I am now snowed in with four kids and my husband that will have to wait for another day. I live in the south it isn't suppose to snow, much less stick to the ground. But waking up this morning I had flash backs. For those of you that know me I grew up in Indiana my whole life, I am use to snow. But it is crazy how living in the south for 7 years will change you. If it gets below 40 degrees here I am not leaving the house. I don't like the cold at all. Let's not even get started on the fact that the whole city shuts down if snow flurries just so happen to be in the forcast. To say they are not prepared would be saying it lightly. So due to the long weekend that we already had I am now on day 5 of being shut in with my lovely family. I am now doing my I hope it reaches 40 tomorrow dance and crossing my fingers for the snow to disappear. I hope all my family gets a kick out of the snow pics........more to come later when the girls go out.