Wednesday, May 30, 2012

B-U-S-Y!

Well, I'm up to my ears with cleaning!
Hard to do with the kids home.
I've also started packing.
Also hard to do with the kids home.
But it's gotta get done.
We need to be out of here in four weeks.
We will put our belongings into storage for four weeks while we bunk at Mimi's house!
Family of five + dog + fish @ Mimi's = prayers needed, ha!
Then, July 30th...the big move back!
I have a few special events coming up to blog about,
but aside from those, blog posts may be few and far between, not sure.
But keep checkin' in.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

20 years

20 years...that's a really long time!How can it be that I've been without my mommy for 20 YEARS!?
Sometimes it doesn't seem like it's been that long, yet sometimes it seems like it's been forever!
I miss her! I miss what was and what could've been. 20 years deserves a good long post! Not for people reading, but for my kids when they're older to read. That's really what my blog is for anyway.

Some people who didn't know her, have no idea what they missed. She was funny. Always smiling. Loved her kids, her family, and her friends. She had lots of friends. Cindy and Molly being her best! Loved to dance. Any type, especially country! Loved country music (can't hear a Patsy Cline song without thinking of her). Loved rodeos and cowboys. Loved watching old movies (especially musicals). Loved to cook. Loved Casa Ole' (pretty sure that's where my kids get it from). Loved the lake. She always had a good time. She also had a temper. Her nickname, Queenie. She had a hard short life. But she kept on going. She did what she could with what she had. Isn't that what we all do? No one should judge unless you walked in her shoes.

I know she's in Heaven. A few months before she passed, she said she wasn't afraid to die. A pastor would come visit with her at the hospital. I have her Bible. It was definately used.

I use to collect angels. I have tons and tons. I started collecting them the month she passed away. All because my friend's grandmother told me that my mom was an angel in Heaven. I felt like they represented her and by having them around me, she was around me. As the years went on, I realized that was not the case. She's around me reguardless of any objects. So a few years ago, when we packed up for our first hurricane evacuation, Anthony made sure, along with my pictures, those angels were to be very safe and get in the car with us! Once we returned home, I decided to leave them packed away. I didn't need them anymore. I KNOW she's around me. I have lots of daily reminders. THREE of them being Austin, Tyler, and Carli. Austin looks like my brother Shawn when he was little and  he looks just like my mom, cute. Tyler totally has my mom's eyes, dark and full of soul. Something I didn't even realize until my aunt Terry pointed it out a while back. Carli, oh my Carli Michelle, has my mom's personality...DRAMATIC! She also has her name. CARLA MICHELLE! And my kids are all a little goofy too like her too.

I remember being sad on this day every year, really sad. I no longer am. It's a day my mom passed away, yes. But here's what:  Every year when I would get a new calendar, I would write everyone's birthdays on it and May 29th, I would draw a sad face. As if I wasn't going to remember what that day was. Like I was also telling myself, "okay, today is the day mom died, so you will be very sad all day!". Then one day not too long ago, it hit me, I should be sad and happy on any day of the year, when I feel like it. I don't want a day on the calendar to dictate my feelings. I also know where she is and I know I'll see her again. I don't want to be selfish and want her here, when I KNOW she's happy, healthy, and whole in Heaven and that's exactly the way it should be!

"Remember me with smiles and laughter For that's the way I'll remember you all
If you can only remember me with tears
Then don't remember me at all.-author unknown"

This quote was on a piece of paper in her Bible. I put "autor unknown", BUT it says it's from Laura Ingles Wilder. I remember that episode of Little House on the Prairie and it wouldn't surprise me if that's where my mom heard it. We would watch that together.

So, on this day, 20 years ago, my amazing mommy, left to go to Heaven.
She was 34. I was 18. My brothers were 13 and 11.
I miss her. I love her!
And I can guarantee, she loved everyone too! With her whole heart!


Friday, May 25, 2012

BIG NEWS!

Some of you may already know.
We've known for some time now.
We are moving back!
Nope, you're not reading an old post from October 2010!
Crazy, I know. 
We always knew that there may be a chance that we would go back, when we moved here to our hometown. That's part of the reason we rented our house there and we are renting ourselves, here.
As our time was/is approaching for our lease here to be up, we came together as a family and talked about what we wanted and what would be best. Around that time, my friend who's renting our home, let us know that they would need something a little easier for their work commutes. So, that made our decision a little easier. It was unanimous that we move back to the the land of the pears!
 It'll be during the summer!
Of course I'll keep you posted!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Last Day of School!

Today was the last day of school! Where did the school year go?! It just flew by!
There are NO pictures of my kiddos on this last day, like I usually do.
Tyler was not havin' it. Austin was running late. Carli said she didn't feel good.
In fact, I brough her home early because she threw up! She didn't even get to enjoy her class picnic or say good bye to her friends! What a way to end the school year/start the summer!

The kids all had a VERY good school year! Great teachers, friends, lots of "firsts", fun times!
Wonderful memories!
They each grew so much; not just physically, but mentally!
We have a busy summer ahead with our 10th, 9th, and 1st graders, which I'm sure will go by fast as well!
Here we goooo....

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

My lil' Kindergarten Graduate!

She is now officially a 1st GRADER!
She had her awards today.
Each class had their own awards ceremony in their classroom, which was surely nice!
Carli's teacher does "Candy Bar Awards"!
Carli received the "Almond Joy Award" because she's always such a JOY to have around!
Pretty cute, huh?!
The next couple of pictures are blurry, not sure why?
 After they received their awards, we watched a video of their whole year.
It was wonderful and of course, I cried. Not a whole lot, but I cried.
I love this picture of Carli and her teacher!
She was such a blessing!
Just what Carli needed to help her blossom this year.
Precious lady! 
We left school early and went for ice cream, Carli's favorite thing!
I can not believe tomorrow is the last day of school!
They have a very fun day planned!


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Love these!

Again, Mrs. K sends me more great pics of my Austin!
I love these!



Monday, May 21, 2012

Sunday, May 20, 2012

8th Grade Grad!

He graduated 8th grade!
YAY TYLER!
When we sat down in the auditorium, the Principal
 (who happens to have been mine and Anthony's Spanish teacher in high school)
began to speak and one thing she said stuck in my head!
 It was something about them being the senior class of 2016...
WOA! WHAT?!
HOLD ON!
That's in FOUR YEARS!
You mean to tell me, that I only have four more years with my Tyler!?!
NO WAY!
Can't be!
Other moms have said that the high school years really fly by!
Oh NO!
That's when it hit me.
My sweet Boo Boo Bear just didn't get promoted to another grade,
He graduated from middle school.
He's no longer a little boy.
He's going into the ninth grade...HIGH SCHOOL!
(Tyler and his Coach)
TYLER, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!
CONGRATULATIONS!
We LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!!
***OOOH...In case you didn't know, Tyler was voted "CUTEST BOY IN 8th GRADE!***
                           

Friday, May 18, 2012

Tyler's Spring Choir Concert

Tyler had his final choir concert of the school year.
His last middle school choir concert!
The next time this boy is singin' with a school choir, he'll be in high school!
The girls LOVE their Tyler!
He's got a sweet group of friends!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Whew..what a birthDAY!

 Miss Carli's birthday started out with sprinkled doughnuts and "Happy Birthday" singing!'
She opened one present, a quick picture of the new SIX year old, then it was off to school.



She LOVES posing! My Lord, help me!
 Next up, lunch brought to school.
 Then at the end of the day at school, CUPCAKES!
And Austin brought home this for her! All of his class made this! THANK YOU Ashley!
My heart melted! She was beaming!
 There was an outfit change and off to Chuck E. Cheese for her big party!
 Again with the posing!
 She was not havin' the ticket blaster, so big brother to the rescue! Thank you Tyler!

 She had and absolutely fantastic time!
I wish I would've gotten pictures of all of the party goers,
 but it of course was crazy in there
 and no one was going to be still long enough for a picture!
Most of her class was there and some cousins too.
Not bad for a Wednesday night!
She's always wanted a party there.
Odd, since she dislikes the mouse!
I'm so happy we decided to do it there!
My 6 year old and her Chuck E. Cheese balloon, on our way home.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARLI!

She fit so itty bitty in her carseat.
6lbs. 1oz.
The littlest of my children.
A dainty, sweet,beautiful baby girl!
We knew we were having a girl.
But the day she was born, we were in shock that we actually had a little girl!
She is still dainty (at times).
Still sweet (at times).
Still very beautiful!
And sometimes, we look at her and can't believe we have a little girl!
She sure keeps us on our toes!
She is AMAZING!
Today, we celebrate HER! SIX YEARS AGO,
she brought a wonderful world of pink (and sparkle) into our lives!
HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY CARLI!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Austin's Picnic

Well it was fun in the sun rain for Austin's Special Olympic's picnic today.
He sure loves his buddies and his teachers!
Mrs.K, Mr.G, and Mrs.J = AWESOME!!!

He came home with his track trophy!
He is SO proud! 



Monday, May 14, 2012

A whole lot of Charlie Boy

Because he's part of our family...just like another child,
our lil' puppy love gets a post all to himself, loaded with pics! Ha!
We've become obsessed with this dog!
He's just too stinkin' cute!
He's such a smart boy!
He's such a good good boy!!
Big time snuggler!
Loves to be held and carried!!
Takes turns sleeping with all of us at night.

 He's extremely friendly! He's never met a stranger!
He demands every one's attention! He will make you pet him or hold him if you set foot in this house.
It's quite ridiculous!
 Loves playing outside.
He takes a toy out there when he does and will bring it in when he's done.
 Figures he should be able to go in the car every time we do!
Huh, who are we kidding, the majority of the time, he goes in the car with us!
 He does really well on walks! Sadly, with my feet problems lately, we haven't been going.
We will very soon!
 Waits at the window in the morning and we he sees Austin's bus pull up,
 he runs to us jumping and then to the front door.

 He also waits there in the afternoon for Austin.
 He knows which entrance everyone comes through during the day and even when it's time for them to come in. Yes, he's sitting on my sofa table, on top of my blog book!

 Bless his heart, he gets dressed up a lot by Carli!
 He hides sometimes, so that he can get a decent nap in...away from Carli.
If Anthony is on the recliner...so is Charlie!


 He even has his own "baby" This stuffed fox that he's had since the day we got him. He drags it everywhere and you see he even sleeps with it!
 Look at that tail waggin'!
He begs ALOT!
Likes to lay and look out the window...for the neighbor's cat!
He's so much FUN!

 We are so happy to have him! We all love him to pieces!