enjoying family time

I had a really good weekend with my Husband and the boys. We went Friday night after work and met Chris's cousin Shaun and his wife Candace out to eat. Then we went to their house and spent the night. The boys played the PlayStation and the guys hung out by a fire. We got up the next morning to Candace cooking us a nice breakfast. After we ate and got ready for the day we headed out side to their pond to shoot skeet. We spent the whole day out there. It was alot of fun and the boys had a really good time. We cooked out and built a fire. I even shot some skeet and Chris was happy. I don't really care to shoot but that made his day. We left that evening to head back home. I went to bed early to be sure I woke up in time for Sunday School. And I did. I truly enjoyed the lesson. It really made me think about how I want to be remembered when I do part from this life. The worship service and sermon was wonderful too. Again I was pondering on things in my life and the Lord laid somethings on me. A great day at church! After I got home I didn't do much of anything but rest. I did make some Chicken and Dumplings for dinner, washed a few loads of clothes but that was about it. I have been so busy lately I just needed some down time. Tonight we are going to bring in the New Year at BIL house with friends and family. Fireworks and a bonfire, food and fun.

Here are some pictures from this weekend:

Christmas pictures

Pictures From Christmas Eve and Day

This Video is of Dustin and Colton in a Sing off, sorry it is so dark.

We had a really full 4 days. It was fun, lots of food, playing, watching the kids, enjoying one another. This was a blessed Christmas.

I don't have many pictures. I tried to video as much as I could.

Case Of "The Don't Want To's"

This is how I feel today. It is Friday, the last working day before Christmas and half the office is on vacation. I have the don't want to's today. Boy does that make the day go by slow.

I am looking forward to being off for 4 days and spending Christmas with my kids. All of them this year. Dustin and Lauren will be home on Christmas Day. They don't go to their dad's til the day after. We are going to Chris's Cousin's house tomorrow just mainly to visit and get the deer meat he has for us and then Sunday we will be in Church. I can't wait. With all the busyness of Playoffs and Holiday work schedule we haven't been in Church in over a month. I am ready to get back. Afterwards I don't imagine we will do much, maybe cook some and make some cookies with the kids. Monday, on Christmas Eve we are all going to my In laws house and my Sister and her family are stopping by to bring the kids their presents. Then it is home to get ready for Santa. I think that if we are home in time that we might get a cake baked for Jesus' Birthday. I have been doing that the last few years to celebrate with.

I am just ready for the hustle and bustle to be over with. I am slap worn out.

Now that Christmas is here I have no clue as to what I will be threatening my children with. As of now no one should have any gifts left and only coal and switches coming from Santa. But I think that they have caught on to me and know that they are getting what their heart's desire. Dustin and Lauren want money. Well they are getting $ on top of what is under the tree and T.V.s from Santa. So with that being said Dustin is getting his Letterman jacket. We ordered it this week. The Coach (School) pays for the Jacket itself and we had to buy all the patches and pay for them to get put on. $172.00 was my cost. And to think he has 2.5 mores years of School to add more patches to it. He is really excited about getting it though and I am happy that he is able to get it as a Sophmore.
For all my family and friends out there Have yourself a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas. Remember the reason behind the season is Jesus and Give him Praise for it!

Guitar Man

My little Guitar Man

More Pictures from Grandma's

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Pictures from Last week

Christa, Lauren, Lane, Dustin, Wes, and Colton before Papaw Tatum's Funeral

Lane at my work Christmas Party

Colleen (my sister), Me, Adam (Brother), Holly (Cousin) and Grandma

Colleen, Dustin, and Lauren at Grandmas

Holly, Aunt Dixie, and Aunt Caroline at Grandmas

Aspen Dancing at Grandma's Christmas

To Grandma's we go....

Busy, Busy!
I have been so busy these last few days.
We had Mr. Tatum's funeral services Thursday and all went well. We ended up having to take all the kids. Lane of course had lots of questions. After it was all over he told me that "His heart was with Jesus in Heaven" and "I want to Go in a Green Box". But he really did well during the services. After we got home that evening I took the boys to the Children's Christmas Party at my job. They got to see Santa, get a gift and eat pizza. They had a really good time after a long day of confusion.
Friday I went to talk with the Dr. for a follow-up on Lanes new medicine and also took Dustin in for an ear infection. Turns out that his ear drum had ruptured from the pressure and it is hurting him pretty bad. He has had quite a few infections this year so we are going to take him to a specialist (ENT). Maybe he can treat him aggressively and get this resolved without putting tubes in his ears. The Dr. also wants to increase Lane's medicine. He started him on a very low dosage and we will be increasing every couple of weeks til we see improvement.
Today Dustin, Lauren and I went to town early to do some Christmas shopping. Boy was it crowded. But we got it done and met Chris and the Boys at Grandma's house for Christmas Gathering there. We ate, sang carols, exchanged gifts, got to visit and took lots of pictures. I will get some posted later. I got to visit with my cousin and her baby from Colorado. I haven't seen her in a few years and this was my first time to see the baby. It was nice to see them both. But now I am at work for the entire night. Usually when I have to work all night I try to get lots of rest that day, but I had no time for that today. I had too much to do. And as things are looking I will not get any rest until I get home in the morning.

honoring the fallen

Wordless Wednesday

Sorry So Late

I know that these pictures are like way over due but if you only knew all I have been going through you wouldn't even question it. These are from our trip to College Station to play on Kyle Field. This place holds over 80,000 people. It was really neat to be there, even though we aren't Aggie fans.

Going Home At Last.

I worked all day Saturday and I wasn't really busy. I had full intentions on blogging but I got caught up in some of the blogs I read every week. I was visiting and reading Kadi Prescott's blog at Seven Seeds and was drawn to a post she had. I then linked over to Boothe Farley's Blog Keeping Awake. I read the entire blog site from June til now. I was so wrapped up in it I just couldn't stop. They have recently lost their second daughter to a uncommon chromosomal abnormality, Trisomy-18 (or Edward's syndrome). It really made me look at my life with 4 healthy children and how selfish I can be. Also just how much I take for granted and then the self pity I have when my children aren't behaving just the way I want them too. Boy If you need a good reality check or just a really good cry I would suggest checking it out.
On another note I did get some shopping done on Sunday. Not all but some. Chris came home from his hunting trip with his dad also. He only got a hog no deer. It was just too hot he said. Either way he had a great time. Upon their return he found out that his Grandpa was not doing well at all. He had slipped into a coma and the nursing home had called in Hospis. I told Chris last night that it would not be much longer. And sure enough this morning before 6am we got the call. The most Godliest man I have ever known went to be with Jesus. When I woke Chris up this morning the only thing he said about it was "Well I know he is happy now, and he (Asa) has waited for this his whole life." Not sure of the funeral arrangements yet. I am sure that most of it is all taken care of and that it will just be a matter of the availability for the services.
I know that this week will be rough on Chris. He is going today to except his new job offer and find out when he can start. Then he has the tough duty of telling his boss now. He will try everything to keep him but our minds are made up. We have brought this to the Lord many times and this is what we feel he is leading us to do. Pray for our family this week for comfort and peace as week go through this tough time with a job change and the death of Asa Tatum, Chris's Grandpa.

A running fridge and half cooked bird

I left at 10:45 this morning from work, picked up Dustin from school (claiming to be sick), drove 25 miles to buy a new fridge and when I got there the young man I had been doing business with over the phone was gone.... Hello I told him what time I was coming. Fortunately there was a nice guy that was willing to help me out and did a great job at it. I am kinda excited about it but I will say that, This is not going to be my Christmas present! I always end up getting screwed like that. Not this year.

Ok so I am leaving the parking lot and realize that if I don't grab lunch now that I won't get to eat. So I pulled in the DQ next door and order lunch through the drive thru for Dustin and I. I got a breaded chicken sandwich combo and he gets a triple meat and cheese burger combo. Total was over $15. While driving back my 25 miles to work I am happily eating my sandwich when I realize it is still raw in the middle. YUCK! I about threw up the rest of the way back to work. I called them and spoke to the manager told her the "deal" and also gave her my name because if I get sick. Whew, God knows what I will do if I get sick. Beings that I was so late coming back to work I didn't have time to go back to get a refund or replacement. Not that I wanted another raw chicken sandwich. So after I get back to work I started searching on eating raw chicken and what it will do to you. I have always heard not to but haven't ever tried it. I didn't know truly what would happen. I don't know if it is still my head playing games or what but my stomach is still rolling and I am afraid to fart with the fear of pooping in my pants at work. In searching the net on raw chicken I came across what looked like my sandwich. Which by the way I didn't throw away just in case I needed proof......

Well I guess I answered my own question from this mornings post of "What else is next?"

Oh and I talked to Chris earlier and another guy that they are hunting with has already shot an 8 point buck while riding on his 4-wheeler to the stand. Awe, where is the luck?

Golden Throne

Have you ever seen a Golden Throne? This is in the public restrooms on The Mountain in Canton Texas.
Since I totally missed Wordless Wednesday yesterday I still want to show the picture I was going to post.

Rain, rain go away!

When will the low black cloud lift? I feel some day’s as if I am going drown from all this rain coming down on me. Since September just about every week, we have had something going on or should I say wrong. The truck broke down - $1800 to fix, Dustin misses first day of school from poison ivy, and then he gets staph. A week later, he is put into the hospital for it. Then I get it. 2 weeks after that he gets a hernia, and then a week later has surgery for that. Lane gets pneumonia; we all have the stomach virus throughout my house. My sister has surgery on her back, which means she is going to get back on painkillers. Chris has his little hunting trip that ended in a sliced up thumb, busted back window in the brand new truck, and three tickets. My microwave goes out, sick kids, Doctor here pharmacy there. Have not even started my Christmas shopping because of catching up on late bills. Got the news about Lane that really, I was expecting but now it is just sinking in to me. We lose in the playoff games. Dustin falls busted his chin, chips a tooth, and jammed his jaw, Chris finds out that he is only getting $500 for his bonus at work and the latest is my fridge when out on me 2 nights ago that I do not have the money to fix. Now I am not sure if Chris will even get a bonus or not since, he is going to be switching jobs. Well it is not in stone yet but will be on Monday. Ok what else is next…? I have absolutely no time left at work and I have to drive 25 miles one way to buy a fridge on my lunch hour. Then Dustin is crying about being sick at school and needs to go home from school. Hello, how am I going to fit that into my hour and find something to eat also? In addition, to top this all off Chris left last night to go hunting away with his dad and will not be home until Sunday. I have to work 13 hours Saturday and shop (maybe if I have any $) on Sunday which means the kids will be home all weekend by themselves and there is no telling what will go wrong there. Oh, by the way we still owe $350 on the truck we had fixed 3 months ago. Ok when will it end?
Lord, I need a breather here. The enemy has had me under attack for too long. I need strength and rest. Help me to rejoice in you no matter what my circumstances are!

weekend update

I have so much to talk about today so forgive me if I jump around on topics.

First, We had an appt. Friday for Lane to go over his evaluation forms I sent in a couple of months ago. Right now he is a little too young to correctly diagnosis him but there is definitely something going on. Hello? I have been saying that for over 2 years. Anyway at this point we are going to keep a close watch and are leaning to Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Aggressive Behavior, or Bipolar Disorder or could be a combination of all. We are going to treat him with a mild medication for 2 weeks and see what happens. I had a really hard time talking with the Dr. I broke down, even though I was praying I wouldn't. I have been dealing with this for so long that it has really gotten me broken inside and it hurts. I am at my wits end. Just don't know what else to do. With him starting school this coming year, it really scares me.

After leaving the Dr. we headed to College Station for the playoff game that night. Well we lost. 35-14. It was sad and the guys were upset but it is over for this season. I look at it like this, now I can put the $$ I was spending in tickets, gas, and food to go to these games to my Christmas presents I still have to get. Speaking of which I have only bought a couple of items. Still have no idea if Santa is going to be able to afford the motorcycle and four wheeler that the boys want. We'll be getting that at the last minute.

Saturday night was Lauren's birthday party and it went well. We had about 20 kids there. Which is better for me than the almost 50 she invited. We turned the shop into a dance room. Disco ball, neon black lights, and a strobe light. And of course there had to be an injury just glad it was one of me kids and not someone elses. Dustin was dancing around and fell. Busted his chin up, chipped a tooth and jammed his jaw. He is going to be fine, but I tell ya that kid has had one heck of a school year. The rest of the party went without injury, TTL.

Sunday was a very lazy day. I slept til 11:30. That is when everyone started calling to wish Lauren Happy Birthday. She is 14. Wow. Time sure has flown by. I slept a while in the late afternoon too, since I had to go into work at 9pm. Didn't get much rest at work last night, only about an hour. And it is going to be a long day today.

Chris leaves Wednesday night for a 4 day hunting trip with his dad. I sure hope he brings home a couple of deer and even a hog would be nice. He really needs to make up for what he lost out on opening weekend. His dad killed 2 deer and a hog there last year. And they have had some good kills this season already.

Go Elf yourself or your kids

Spread the Elfin' Cheer.......

This is really cute.
Hey, I just made a total elf of myself. Check it out by clicking the link below.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9634423546

This elfin' greeting brought to you by OfficeMax®.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Cats VS Cougars

We have won the last 2 playoff games meaning we will be playing this Friday in the Regional Championship. Go Cats!!!!!

VS.

We are battling it out 3.5 hours away from here. Our team is really excited to be playing on Kyle Field. Home of the Aggies. Texas A&M in College Station. This might just be the largest football field I have been on. It holds over 80.000 people. It is doubtful that it will have that many at our game though.

Well other than Reliant Stadium in Houston which is home to the Houston Texans. But I was actually there for a Rodeo not a football game.

This might be a tough game, but that is also what we thought last week and we kicked butt. We won 49-28.

Friday will be a long day, I am starting the day with taking Lane and Lauren to the Dr for scheduled appts. Lauren needs her checkup for the medicine she takes and Lane is going to see him concerning the evaluation sheets his babysitter and I filled out over a month ago. This was actually the first appt. that they had.

Since school will be letting out early anyway I am just going to take Wes with me so we don't miss each other. While in town I will also be on the mission of finding a Disco Ball. Saturday night is Laurens Birthday party. Her first boy/girl party. We are hosting it out in the shop with loud music and funky lights. Serving Hot dogs, chips, dips and drinks. I am sure that most of the kids will just be standing there looking at each other not wanting to make a fool of them selves, in fear of it getting around school next week.

After we get back from town, we are gathering up whom ever is riding in my Tahoe and headed out. Chris's job is on the way so we will just stop by to pick him up on the way to College Station. We will have a packed car again this week. I think that there are 8 or 9 of us going together. Wish us well in our game. It will be better weather this time. Last week was rainy and cold.
The weather is going to be nice Friday night.

Houston Parade and USM game

We are back and had a wonderful time in Houston for the parade. It was a very packed week with lots of fun and people. There was 230 cheerleaders and with family, chaperone's, etc. Not too sure our total count but people from all over were there. The girls had a great time and did a great job for the parade. We had police escorts for our 11 tour bus so we got to run red lights and go down one way streets often.


Here is a video of our time there.

Then while Lauren and I were in Houston, Chris and the boys were in Mississippi for Thanksgiving. They went to the USM game on Saturday and here are some pictures of that. They got down on the field after the game and took a picture with Chris's favorite player on the team. He gave the boys his arm bands he wore in the game. Lane had his first run in with the police. He was climbing on the fence and the cop came up to him and asked him where his seat was and to get in it.

Prayer and Thankfulness

For those of you that will please pray for our safety during our trip. Lauren and I, Chris and the Boys, and also Dustin. We will all be separated during this holiday week and doing our own things. Please pray for us while we are apart and traveling on the road. Thanks!

Since I am leaving out of town for Thanksgiving I wanted to write a few things that I am thankful for:

1. First, that I am a born again Christian and I will be with my God one day in heaven.

2. For 4 beautiful and healthy children

3. My Husband that has endured a lot during our marriage but is still sticking out with me and Loves me dearly.

4. My extended family. I don't always get to see you but please know that I pray for you all on a daily basis.

5. Of being able to know and remember my Great Grandparents and have some fond memories.

6. Of being having my Grand parents around into my adulthood so that my children could know and remember their Great Grandparents.

7. For all the things that the Lord has truly blessed me with that I take for granted daily.

8. For my true friends that have been around a long time. 3 special ones that I don't get to see very much but have lots of memories with. And the fact that I still call them my Best Friends. Angela, Jennifer, and Allison

9. For my Church Family that I have gotten close too, shared a lot of my hard times with and know that it is all safe with them.

10. Lastly but certainly not least of all, Having 26 wonderful years of memories with my beloved mother and knowing that she left this world happy and content. And mostly because I will be able to see her again one day in heaven.

Although I am very Thankful for many other things, these might just have to be the Top 10.

Love to you all and Happy Thanksgiving!

Time for the Parade

Well Lauren and I (and another cheerleader from school) are leaving out Tues. at noon. We are so excited and ready, well almost. Still lots to pack. I am ready for the break. All though we will be busy it will be nice to get away from here. Home, work, hustle and bustle of my daily hectic life. Our schedule is going to be pretty full. Lauren is not looking forward to the late nights and early mornings. Especially Thanksgiving Day when we have to be loaded on the bus for the parade at 6:30 in the morning. Boy that is going to be an early morning.
Since we will not be here for Thanksgiving I wanted to wish every one a great one.

I am going to miss the traditional being with the family and pigging out on our favorite foods but this will be worth it for her chance to be in the parade. We will have a Thanksgiving Dinner but it will be buffet style with only certain items from the hotel. So it won't be our favorites. (or home cooked)
I will have lots of pictures to share and I am sure lots of fun things we did.

Tuesday night we have a Mexican buffet dinner and meeting for me and a practice as a group for the girls. Then early Wed. morn Breakfast Buffet, off on the bus to NASA, then to shop at the Galleria, (Lauren is looking forward to this), then back to the hotel to get ready to go by bus to Tin Hall Ranch for BBQ dinner, dancing and entertainment. When we leave there they are taking us straight down town for an on site practice. We are not due back to the hotel til 11 p.m. Which by the way is the J W Marriott right by the Galleria.
The next morning is going to come early...... get up, get ready, down stairs for breakfast and load the bus at 6:30 am. Whew...... Lauren is going to be a wee bit grouchy that morning. I'll have to get her to drink a cup of coffee with breakfast. The Parade starts moving at 8:45. After it is over it is back on the bus to the hotel for our Holiday Dinner. Then really we have the afternoon to do what ever. I think we are going to try to go Ice skating if the mall is opened. That evening we are going after dinner to the lighting of Downtown Houston Festivities. That will be it really. We leave Friday morning!

Go Cats!

God really does have a sense of humor.
This could have been caught by someone who doesn't know the Lord, but God will use it for his Glory. That is what he does!

On another note Lane and I were taking pictures of each other being really goofy last night and this is what we got on camera.

Now for the pictures he took of me:

Speaking of being goofy. We had our first Playoff Game Saturday Night (note my shirt in the above picture) and we won 24-14. Here are a group of Dustin's buddy's supporting the team.

Dustin is 2nd string for Varsity so he didn't' get any playing time this game. But we play again this week and there is a good chance of him playing then. If you can't tell which one he is from the hair, try #50. Still not sure what day the game will be but they should find out today.

God threw a Monkey Wrench

I had the Thanksgiving holidays all planned out. Lauren and I are leaving Tuesday afternoon for The Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade. We will be there all week long and there was no sense in coming home Friday to turn right back on Sunday morning to go to get Dustin from his dad's house. So I price lined a room near there for Friday & Saturday night. They were suppose to go to Lake Tahoe for the week but for some reason that trip was cancelled. Any how, Chris and the boys will be at his parents for Thursday and leave Friday morning to go to Mississippi for the weekend. He wants to take the boys to the USM home game on Saturday. So everyone was going their different directions for the holiday. Which honestly is not me to plan something like that but Lauren had the opportunity to be in the Parade with the UCA All Star Team and she wanted to do it. The trip alone cost $1214.00 for the both of us and it is non-refundable. So we are both going regardless of what happens. But now is the dilemma of H.S. Football Playoffs. We play Saturday and I really think there is a good chance of us winning considering we have already played and won against this team this year. Sorry Jen. But if they do win that means that they will play again next weekend and will have practice all week. So now Dustin will be making a change of plans. The only problem is we have to wait til Sat. to see what they will be.
This is the part that drives me crazy. I can't stand to have every thing lined out and then something or someone throw a wrench into my stuff.
Since I have already price lined and paid for my nonrefundable hotel room for 2 nights, will be out that money and will be coming back home from Houston on Friday. We will be going probably a few hours away for the game on Saturday and who knows where Dustin will get to eat a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday. Poor guy! He told me last night, that it didn't matter if he was home by himself, He even said he would cook for himself....... so sad. He doesn't want to intrude on any of his friends for their family time traditions. Although I am sure there are plenty that would love to have him.. There is noway he can go with me and he doesn't want to go down to Chris's parents cause then he will be missing practice that day.
Oh Why do things have to get messed up after I have put so much time and thought into it.
Well one thing I have learned is this is not my plans for things, it is Gods planning and timing. He knows the whole picture. He knows what all is going to be going on and happening. I don't, we all don't. It is God's wrench that gets thrown into my plans. That is the problem a lot of the time. We have our plans made and totally forgot to consult God on them. The Lord has it all lined out for next week already. I will just have to go with the flow and deal with it. I will be posting about our trip on Monday and then when we get home. Since I don't have a laptop. Unless I can use a PC at the Hotel.

Need a word today!!!!

Have you every been in need of a word from God. I have been that way all week long.

During the day at work I have been listening to Beth Moore archives on Life Today
and I just got in the mail today the teaching I treated my self to from Joyce Meyer. Hey they were on sale.

And

I am so need of revival. So I am hoping to do a little bit of it on my own. Just getting a good word from the lord through some really great servants. And trying to keep my eyes focused on Jesus.

I usually listen to teachings on CD when I am in the car for a long drive, But I have listened to all that I have over and over. I was in need of something fresh.

Besides life has been so hectic lately that I am just so worn out I really need a refresher. So I am going to be soaking up Joyce and Beth and then next week while Lauren and I are gone to Houston for the Parade I will be so refreshed and I can relax there.

I will let you in on that on a soon to come post.

I am so blessed!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

My Boxers

Well Chris told me I really need to consider getting rid of Lacey. I have only had her since August. She came from my best friend's sister because she was moving into an apt. I have 4 other boxers and she is trying to fit in and it has not worked well with my oldest female. They just don't get along. But she does fine with my 2, 6month old pups and my 2yr old male. They are always fighting and I am really afraid Lacey might really hurt Sammie. She isn't near as strong and she is down with her hip right now too. So I listed her today on the internet and I have had 2 inquires already but I am going to be picky some I can already tell.
I have talked a little about my babies on here but here are some pictures.

veterans day observed