Happy Halloween!!

What a great holiday. Next to Christmas, this is my favorite holiday. And I think my kids share my views. Greg and I went to an adult party this past weekend and here are pics of all our costumes. Vincent missed out on trick or treating this year. He mis-behaved and that was his punishment. Times like those are when I hate being a parent. It broke my heart when he started crying but we had to teach him that he just can't do things and not expect to have consequences. Anyway, they were still cute in their costumes. Michael went trick or tricking with a friend and had a sleep over. Can't wait to hear about it tomorrow morning.

Please keep in touch! Make the "Jump"...it's fun!

A friend of mine just posted a new post on her blog talking about her enjoyment when she finds out that someone has been reading her blog and keeping up with her life - a friend that she doesn't even speak with on a regular basis. I know what she is talking about. We live so far away from most of our family and friends and it is hard to keep up with everyone's life. It really feels good to find out when someone is interested and following my blog. Of course, this works the other way, too. I would love for my family and friends to "jump on the blog wagon" and put their posts our there so I can keep up with THEIR lives.

Please give it a try. It is SO EASY. If I can do it, anyone can!! If you are only mildly familiar with computers, you can do it. I will help you and assist you if you need it. Just let me know. I would LOVE to keep up with what's going on in your life. And I definitely always have something to report in mine.

Love to ALL my family and friends.

The Random 7

I've been tagged by http://peculiarsmith.blogspot.com/
Seven random things about me:

1. I am addicted to books. Used to be shoes (well, I'm still addicted to shoes, but my feet and back can't take it anymore and neither can my pocketbook... so, it's books now). I can not go into a bookstore without buying a book or spending, at least, an hour roaming around.
2. I love scary movies and during October around Halloween, that's all I want to watch! Of course, I have to watch them alone because Greg won't watch them with me.
3. I am a vitamin freak. I take about 15-20 vitamins a day.
4. I used to model (a LONG time ago). Didn't ever do anything big but it was a great learning and development experience.
5. I love animals. If Greg would let me, I'd have all kinds of critters just like Elli Mae. I'm still working on him... I especially love the Big cats.
6. I love to cross-stitch. That, and cooking are the only real domestic qualities about me.
7. I love surprises - both giving them and getting them.

Out of the mouths of babes...

As Art Linkletter and Bill Cosby have said...."Kids say the darnedest things!" Last night, I was reading the boys a couple of books. While reading one about Clifford's 1st Halloween, I mixed up the words and said dog instead of ghost. After I turned the page, Vince said, "Mommy, you can't read very good. You said 'littlest dog' instead of 'littlest ghost'." Then, Michael said, "No, maybe mommy's just so old that she can't see the words." Oh my gosh! I about busted a gut!! It was so funny!! I was LMAO! They can say things like that so innocently. Then this morning, after Greg had helped me colored my hair back to it's normal color last night (actually, he did it all...he's so great!) Michael saw me and told me he liked my blond hair better but I was still beautiful and he gave me a hug. Moments like that just make my day.

Rock Your World!

We have been in the engraved rock business for about a year now. It's been going pretty good. Just trying to get our name out in our community and the surrounding areas. But we recently took an order for a rock that hopefully will catch people's eye when they drive by the owner's property which is right off I-70. It turned out really cool and we are really proud of it. We hope there are lots more orders for these kinds of designs. They are great for advertising.

We have grass!!!!

We have spent the last 2 1/2 years working on our yard, pond and pasture. We were so excited when we got everything done and could put down grass seed. We did it right in time, too. It has rained several times since we got it done. I was so excited the other day when I looked out the window and saw GREEN! Maybe by this time next year I can write about the house being completed...ha

My strong boys

Michael has gotten on a workout kick. Which is good. I would like for all of us as a family to workout together. Maybe then we would all stick with it. I was downstairs tonight trying to find 10 measly minutes to get some crunches in. Of course, as soon as I disappeared, I heard..."Mommy...mommy". Greg temporarily took care of the "Mommy, mommy" and when I got my crunches done and came upstairs I found Michael and Vince into my dumb bells. They were so cute. Check out the video of Michael. He was doing so many reps that he was having trouble lifting the weight...it was hilarious!!!

Remember the important things

I have struggled with my life for the past 4-5 years. Whether it's been with my weight after having children or the lack of freedom we have now because of the children or trying to finish our dream home that is still in progress after 3 years. When I'm down and depressed or exhausted and frustrated, God tries to talk to me and show me things. These times are when he likes to test me. And, believe me, he tests me A LOT! I guess I'm just not getting it yet. Maybe someday I will. But when the situation is over, whatever it might be, I sit back and open my eyes and ears and think about what God is trying to tell me. He keep testing me because I keep failing the tests. He's trying to tell me to trust him and to concentrate on the things that matter and to realize that I don't have control over my life, He does. I'm slowing learning that. But for a controlling A-type personality, it can be difficult at times. But one thing I do know is that He is there for me always and has proven it again and again. He has intervened SO many times to make my life easier, happier and more meaningful. He has given me a great life and a great family and I love Him and them so very much.

Day off??

The kids were out of school today. So, after I got a few things done around the house in the morning we all went to the park. They played and had so much fun. They love to go on the merry-go-round that I can push them on. They rode it so much (mommy pushing it...whew!) that Michael started getting a tummy ache from getting dizzy. ha. After playing for about an hour we went to Pizza Hut to use their coupons for the Book It! program from school where they read a certain amount of books (or have mom or dad read the books to them) and they get a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. They ate so good that I told them we'd go to Dairy Queen for ice cream. By this time, I can see Vince's eyes starting to droop. He was getting tired. But, NO, they don't want to take naps...ha. Sunday, after church, we all went out for lunch in Tipton and told them that we were all going to go home and take afternoon naps (Sunday naps are great!). They whined and said, "We're not tired. I don't want to take a nap". When we left to go home, both boys were asleep before we got out of the Tipton city limits. And for those of you that are familiar with Tipton, that's about 5 minutes. We put them to bed when we got home and they slept for 2 more hours.

Anyway, back to my story... when we got home from Dairy Queen, the boys helped with some yard work and pick up around the yard and then they chilled for the rest of the afternoon/evening. It was a nice day. I was worn out by the time I went to bed. I always am when the kids are home with me. I have a very good friend that has adopted 3 little girls and is staying at home with them (right, Rebecca...?) and I think I'M tired??...

You have to cherish the moments and make time for those special days. They won't be young forever. Pretty soon they'll be hanging out with friends and going on dates and you'll never see them. I know I need to stop and cherish these days more often and not worry so much about whether the laundry is done or the dishes are put away or whatever else I think needs to be done. My boys have to come first.

SOLD!!

I sold my first house a few weeks ago. I was so excited. The people I sold it to actually moved here from Alaska. I've got another one under contract now and a lot of lookers out there. The market sucks right now but I'm confident that it will get better next year.

I am NOT old!

All I was trying to do was work out. I am almost 50 years old and have vowed to myself that I'm not going to be the typical female going thru menopause that gains weight and doesn't do anything about it. I wasn't 1 minute into my workout (warming up jogging in place) when I heard a LOUD pop and I went to my knees in excruciating pain. I immediately started crying (NOT because of the pain but because I knew that this injury would hinder me from working out for a while). I called Greg. Poor guy...I was crying hysterically. He didn't know what to do and I barely got out what had happened to me. Looking back now, it's kind of comical. I'm still upset but we'll get through it. I haven't ever had a problem with my age but getting closer to 50 has slowed down my metabolism and made me realize the reality and that I need to do something to counteract it. Luckily, I didn't break anything but I have to go see a pediatrist. Turns out I have some extra bones in my heal, several bone spures and 2 of my bones connecting to my little toe are fused together. Go figure.... Don't know what caused the popping noise and I can't put ANY weight on it. So, I'm hobbling around on my crutches trying to still take care of my family. The boys helped me make their lunches this morning. They are so great!! I really am blessed even with a bum foot. Like Greg said...God never gives us more than we can handle. Thank goodness!

Soccerman

I have never played soccer. The only thing I know about soccer is that you are supposed to kick the ball down to the other end and try to make it in the goal. That is the limit of my soccer knowledge. But, now I am a "soccer mom". At least, for the next couple of months. We had already put Michael in wrestling and baseball. But Vince hadn't been old enough to do anything other than swimming lessons. He had been talking about soccer for a year. We said, "Ok we'll try it out". Not sure if he's going to be a great soccer player someday but for now he's having fun. We just need to work on his attention span....ha.

And, yes, that's Vince with his shirt up over his head. Like I said...we'll give it a try...