Sorry, Blogger will only let me add five photos at a time. I could add a million if given the option....
Here are two others that are "favorites."
My Paris Texas ornament....
and one of my TEACHER ornaments....LOVE IT!! 
This was the weekend of Christmas trees. With the exception of Maddy and Mason's they are all up. They aren't completely DONE, but they are up. All the decorations for the house aren't out, but they are down from the attic. Here's what we have going people...We have my traditional tree. Every ornament from the time I became and adult and started buying my own ornaments, the kids ornaments, my favorite things, etc....
And last, but not least...I have officially added the cupcake tree. I could not be more proud of it. It brings me total joy to look at it. Anyone see a cupcake ornament I don't have...contact me immediately...I will drive hours upon hours for it!! :) I really want these really cool things they have at Target to accessorize the tree, but they're $3.99 a stem. I'll just have to wait for them to go on sale, because that's ridiculous!!! 
We also have the Patriotic tree, because I love red, white and blue and the USA!! I mean...come on people...I got married on the 4th of July....It's missing the red star garland stuff...but, I'll get to it. (I'll add a picture in the next post...)
We also have the front porch tree, Macy's beach themed tree (green tinsel with surfboards), and the Christmas card tree. Am I an overachiever...well, YES, I am!!!
Let me fill you in on Mason first and then I'll get to Black Friday....
Called the doctor at 9:30 on Friday morning and left a message for the nurse explaining that we were waiting on some test results on Mason. She called me back within the hour and told me they were on the doctors desk...OH, the doctor that is in Austin? YES! Oh, well could you have the OTHER doctor (the one that I don't like) review them and let us know something. Okay. They called back at about 11:30 to let me know that his blood work looks good. BUT, we still need to go to have his other tests on Monday at the hospital. So, we're going to do that. I was being the doctor today and was examining his throat and inside of his mouth. Ick!! It's gross. He has sores in his mouth. The roof of his mouth looks like a giant hickey!! Ew!! I know! But, seriously! What is wrong with this sweet little man of mine? Pray for more answers on Monday. We are so, so, so relieved that his blood work is normal at this point. That is definitely an answered prayer for us!
Okay, Black Friday shopping. I woke up at 3. ICK! I met my Mom at her hotel in Sherman by 4 and we were in Kohl's by 4:30. Then, we proceeded to wait 1 hour and 10 minutes in line for the following ridiculous items that I purchased. Ornaments (they were 60% off and they had cupcake ornaments that I didn't have), two children's Christmas Aprons (which we have already figured out will not fit Macy), and a Candy Land game for $3.99. Can you believe that I did this? But, I kept telling Mom the whole time she was obsessing about standing in line that we could be standing in line or we could be sitting in our car outside Target for an hour...so to take her pick. We stood in line. I love how when you're in a long line like that after Thanksgiving that you make friends with your line mates. It's so cool. That doesn't happen at Disneyland or anywhere else, but in line at a store the day after Thanksgiving I always meet the coolest people! So, we trucked on and headed to Target. We got there right as they were opening the doors. I guess the Target people decided to hire the Chick-Fil-A cow for their security guard for the morning and it was NOT cute. He was annoying. So, the crowd overtook him and headed in from all directions. Chaos. I think I've mentioned this before, but crowds put a panic in me like no other. I have a complete fear of getting trampled, getting closed in, not being able to get out. I always have to have an out. And today at Target, I didn't. I felt as though my throat was closing in. I am 5'3, so needless to say most people are taller than me. We were like cattle being herded back to the electronics. You could not move. I didn't have a basket to protect me and some girl behind me kept hitting me in the ankles and butt with her basket. I don't know if she was being pushed, but it was pissing me off. But on I forged for....The entire season of Sex and the City for $8.88...only to get Season 1 and Season 6-Part II. UGH!! So disappointing. We also hit Old Navy, Wal Greens, Wal Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, Michaels, and Target again...Did you guys hear about the guy who worked at Wal Mart in New Jersey who got trampled and died? See!! I tell you...it happens!!
I almost started to cry when my Mom took me back to my car to come home (at the early ripe time of 9:30). Yes, we were done by then!! My Mom is not a hugger. I can be a hugger, but I never, never, never hug my Mom. She's kind of off hands when it comes to hugging. And...my Mom hugged me. I miss her so much everyday, but we had a great Thanksgiving. Chris and I decided we will go to Houston for Christmas, but we're only going for two days.
So, there you have it...That's my story...
We have cooked, cleaned, been stuffed and are now resting. WHOA!! Thanksgiving is a lot of work for a 10-20 minute meal, huh? It was worth it. Mom was here. My brother just left after the Cowboys game. And I survived. My Mom wants to get up at 4 a.m. to shop. 4 a.m.? Why? Is it really worth it? I will go for old times sake!! But, ugh...I'm not thrilled about it. I have a list of things I'll try to get, but I'm sorry, I will not be fistfighting over a toy or movie. Get over it. I have no time for that bullcrap.
We returned to the doctor with Mason on Wednesday for a recheck. There are some issues. We will go in on Monday for a neck ultrasound. I do not at this point want to go into details of what I was told until we know more. I will just ask that you pray for Mason. Pray that he is healthy. Pray for answers. Pray for Chris and I to have peace. Chris is very upset. I am pretty upset, but Chris is overwhelmed with grief right now. But, what I can say is at this point we don't know much. We will even know more tomorrow after some more test results are returned and the doctor is going to call me from Austin (he's there for the UT/A&M game-lucky guy)!!
We have been blessed this year with so many things...our children, our health, Chris maintaining a good job for more than a year and God's presence in our life!!!
Just pray for answers and Mason! He's my boo!!
Okay, so the Mom has arrived. The charming husband has been nothing but a butt (I'm censoring it for all you people who do not believe that the church preschool director should use the word ass) since she arrived and she just isn't convinced that he's that charming!! HHHmmmm!!! ME EITHER!! Could you be on your best behavior since the mother in law is here? Could you stop nitpicking our kids to death about the fact of this, that and the other!! UGH! Driving me nuts!!
So, anyway, she's here. She went right into cleaning...this after she spent 1/2 her day on Highway 75 because a woman decided to commit suicide by jumping off of the overpass ONTO Hwy 75 a mere 10 minutes before she got there. So, freeway shut down and she just parked it there. LOVELY....
So, it's 8:16 and she's in bed. Have I mentioned that my mom has narcolepsy? She does and it has affected her quality of life for years. So, when she wants to sleep I just say, okay and go on with my night. I'll be up typing for hours now. I still believe I'm getting the flu or "something." Chris got me some Tylenol Cold medicine. It seems to have helped for now...let's hope. I have a turkey to make y'all!!!
More news on the mother eagle tomorrow....
I seriously had a straight out of a movie moment today....my Mom called..."she'll be here tomorrow!!!" HUH? What? The cleaning lady is coming Wednesday!! I still have two days to work before I can take off. HUH? Are you serious? WHAT??? So, I walk in the door and announce to Chris that his "very favorite mother-in-law" (as opposed to the other one that he has, hahaha!!) is coming TOMORROW!! Not a great way to greet him this afternoon.
So, you know she moved away and I don't get to see her that often...what am I to do? Throw everything in closets I answer!! Hide it!! Get the bleach out. I don't care where you put it, just open the container...the smell will fill the house like it is clean!! OMG...my Mommy is coming!! Tomorrow!!
Plus...I think I'm getting sick...like flu sick. Lovely, lovely, lovely. But, I did get enough energy to throw all of Macy's crap in her closet. That's a start. Oh, and out of kindness to my mother I brushed her sheets off to make sure there were no crumbs in them. I know...it's the simple things in life!!
Know Stellan's Mommy that we were praying for? Her little box was at the top of my page and now we have the miracle button...well...I'm doing this for her!!! She is having a contest...A Fryday contest....
My top three text messages of the day are.....drum roll please....
"Remember that self-control is a way of worshipping the Lord and that He works all things out for the good at all times (no matter how we may feel about things). I will pray for fruit to come from all the incredible sowing you have done. Call me later. Luv ya!!"
"True strength comes from believing in who you are!!!"
"Don't quit...negotiate"
Thanks guys for your encouraging words...um...texts...
So, another day, another bit of drama. I had a face to face tonight with the Pastor (my boss), the Pastors wife (who sometimes thinks shes my boss), the head of the preschool committee (who I wish was my boss) and myself...
There are so many issues that I don't even know where to begin. Again, I have decided to stay with the preschool. For now. Without listing my resume of what I have accomplished at the school, I will ask...at what cost? The cost of my marriage (which is always somewhat shaky), my childrens youth, my mental health?
I love, love, love the preschool. I am so proud of it, but I'm so over the crap. I know with so many jobs there is crap...but there sure is a lot of it there (and not just in the potty training room! Hahahaha!!).
So, continue to pray for me. I have a "plan." In my head...a plan. A six month plan...six months...six months....May 2009. We'll chat. I'll let you in on my "plan."
We had our board meeting tonight. It was heated. It was 2 1/2 hours long. I survived. I'm too tired to say anything more than...for this moment, I have decided to stay at the preschool. Not sure what my future holds, but I will continue to look to my Lord for guidance and to you...my friends (you're my friends, right) for support and kind words and advice and PRAYER!! I know that you...Kathryn...Jenn...Whitney read this and have a lot of things to say...and I promise I will return calls and emails soon. I'm just so consumed with this right now...I'm surviving. Not much more than that.
Also, wanted to mention...yesterday I spent 5 1/2 hours with Mason at the doctors office/hospital/x-rays...For those of you that don't know, Mason was a preemie. Underdeveloped lungs...always has had breathing issues. So, I've really had a concern about asthma for a long time. We have always been with the same pediatrician's office. Never had a different doctor. So, every time Mason gets sick (which is often) we hear...Sinus infection...Omnicef....$35.00. Okay, so now our doctor has an associate that we had to see for Maddy's well visit and I was so impressed with him that Mason saw him yesterday because our other two visits in a month with the doctor we've always seen didn't seem to be getting the job done. So, six weeks with a cough...double sinus infection, double ear infections...needs a tonsillectomy ASAP, pneumonia and we FINALLY got a diagnosis of asthma. Thank God! We needed that. He needed that. I had set aside $249.00 yesterday for a Wii for the kids Christmas gift. I spent $35.00 on our copay, $94.39 on our prescriptions, $25.00 on gifts at Target because I have mothers guilt that he's so sick and $37.89 on gas for the trip...so I'll start saving for another Wii pretty soon.
He slept better last night than he has in six weeks. We did a chest xray yesterday, he has a little spot of pneumonia, but nothing major. He did two breathing treatments at the office, got a Rocephin shot, started an antibiotic at home for five days, we are doing a steroid "burst" for three days and he is now on an inhaler 4 times a day until we can get it under control and nightly allergy medicine. Yes, I have THAT kid. But, as long as he starts to feel better, I am thankful. So thankful...
So, MY FRIENDS...bear with me. I'll be back to "normal" soon. What is my "normal?"
Love you all!!!
Macy and I both loved the archery portion of our trip...Wanted to share those pictures, too!!
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Macy looking like a pro...
Look at the concentration in that face!!!
And oh, what a week it was...five days actually. I lived. I survived. It wasn't quite as quiet as I had expected, but it was so pretty. It was a great week for Macy and I. I survived without coffee. I survived without my computer. And I took my phone, but kept it on silent...I don't have a watch people. I have a phone to tell me what time it is!! Now, by Friday I told Ms. Ruth...my feet are really pissed at my butt and thighs right now!! But, I did it. I don't know what I'll do when it's time for Mason and Maddy to go...I'll be so much older...just kidding..I'll be there with bells on. It was such an AWESOME week!
So here's a review of my week...which I'm sure will bore you to death...
Day #1...Arrive at Camp Goddard. Two hour drive from here near Ardmore, Oklahoma. It pouring. Our luggage gets dumped in the pouring rain and we get locked out of our cabin with our luggage. I get assigned 8 girls. I only actually know four of them. Macy and Sydney cry because we don't get Erin. The girls are a mix of several different personalities, but all seem to be GREAT girls. I am happy. Lunch is served. Food was soooo good. Shocking. We head for a two hour Scavenger hunt. That was exhausting. Rest in the cabin. Movie night for all the groups together. Showers for 8 girls...1 bathroom. Lovely. Lights out by 10. I slept so good.
Day #2. Breakfast...yummy. We are separated into three groups. We were group B. Two other schools groups hike with us. 24 kids total. Three counselors. One male group. One female group and us. First Hike-man and water. We hike up a dried up waterfall. So pretty and slippery. Second hike...Man and the Environment...again...long hike. Lunch. (I feel like all I did was eat and walk, eat and walk). Arts and crafts. Snake man came to show the kids snakes and let them touch them. I waited outside for them. Thank you very much. Do the shower and bed thing all over again...EXCEPT...I didn't sleep. UGH.
Day #3. Eat. Geology...go hunt for fossils. That was fun. Boating...Canoeing. Forgot I knew how to do that. Had a GREAT time. Eat..AGAIN!! Cross country hike. 2 1/2 mile hike. It was beautiful. We were warned by the other groups for three days how hard it was, etc. etc. I got midway through it and said to the other counselors...have we gotten to the hard part yet? Because I'll tell you what is hard...two toddlers in strollers at Disneyland in July. That's hard. I got a laugh!! Game night for the kids. I got two hours to myself. I took a HOT shower for the first time all week and finished Tori Spelling's book. She cracks me up! Bed.
Day #4. Eat.eat.eat.eat. I swear I ate more in 5 days than I have in a month. Today was fishing, archery, science experiments and food, food, food. I shot the bear target in the butt!! Go ME!! I was so excited. We had a skit night. We did the skit that I did when I went to 6th grade camp. It was hilarious. We didn't win Best girls Cabin, but we did come in second which I was so proud of out of 21 groups. We lost to my friend Ruth's cabin. It came down to cabin checks and anyone who knows the two of us knows shes the better housekeeper...so I was still proud of my girls.
Day #5. Clean up, pack and head home. Oh, but you still have two meals you have to eat before you can leave.
I seriously have been home 24 hours now and haven't eaten once. Got coffee. But, no thanks on the food.
Now, about work. I've prayed a lot. I've thought about a lot of things. I have talked to the person that is going to take over as committee chair for the school. I think that if we can negotiate some things as far as my freedom to make decisions and BE THE DIRECTOR, I'm good. I am not a businesswoman. I am a kid lover. I can't imagine leaving all my hard work behind. So, we have a meeting Tuesday night. Let's hope things go well. Because I really am at the point that if it doesn't I will be done. That night. But, I have a really, really good feeling about it and pray that God will watch out for me and my family...but, I already know he will..in whatever happens.
And as promised...here are some pictures. Can you see the happiness in my face? Even I can. I love my Macy. I figure this is one of the last times I'll be cool enough to hang out with her for a week....
So, I made it through the weekend. I actually got all my tapes done...with the exception of one. I am packed. Macy is packed. We're ready...AND ta da...it's pouring outside. UGH. That stinks! But, it will be fine...I packed cards...we'll be fine.
I have a specific prayer request if you will bless me while I am gone by praying for me. Pray for peace. Pray for MY peace. I am really at a crossroads in my life. For those of you that are my friends that are also parents at my school...please don't freak, BUT, I've grown weary. I'm tired. I'm starting consider this career path. I took this job because I honestly had never been "called" by the Lord to do anything. And for the first time in my life I truly believed that God was calling me to do this job. And I did it and I have done it and I am burnt out. More than anything I'm tired of the petty crap that goes along with it. The nitpicky crap. Tired of never being "off." Tired of getting calls at 4:30 on a Sunday about a W4. PICK, PICK, PICK, PICK. If it's my idea, it's not a good idea, never mind that we have over 125 kids in our little preschool. Never mind that for the most part...things run smoothly everyday. Never mind all that. Let's pick on Buffy. Buffy is really, really tired. So, because I have 5 days of (semi) quiet I promised my Mom and Chris that I would reflect on my future there. There are other opportunities for me. The best one is that I could just do my medical transcription from home and stay with the kids all day. But, I have to say it....MY KIDS LOVE THEIR SCHOOL. They would want to go there everyday. So, I'll pro/con it to death this week just like I've done everything else in my life and maybe God will send me an answer.
I am excited about this week with Macy. I'll post Friday or Saturday.
Till then...Just tell everyone I'm at Rehab...hahahaaaaa!!
So, I have told you before that I employee some great college kids. They are so much smarter and laid back than I was in college. But, anyway...one of my boys asked me where I was going for a week and I explained to him...camp...with my 5th grader...yada, yada, yada. I then added the part about no cell phone...no computer...no Starbucks and he seriously says..."Oh, so you're going to rehab?" HUH? No! I'm not going to rehab...I'm really going to camp...He says, "No, you're going to Western Civilations form of Detox Rehab program." GREATNESS! He cracks me up. I would have never thought of something so witty! Anyway, so we're packing...still packing. I've been trying to get my dictation done before I go. Would have helped if I hadn't picked up 8 tapes yesterday! YIKES. I have three left as of right this moment. I also had our last soccer game today. And we had a party at McDonalds for our AWESOME little soccer team. Can you say winning season? Won 8, Lost 1 and Tied 1. We rock!! I will scan the pictures and post them! IN TWO WEEKS!!....SEE BECAUSE I'M GOING TO REHAB!! That freaking cracks me up. I better stop saying it though...people at church will begin to believe it. I need a quiet place, I need a quiet place. I'll write tomorrow before I leave...I gotta go do some tree huggin!!
Dawn Alesha Cole Horning
June 10, 1970 - November 4, 2008
Dawn Alesha Cole Horning was born in Tulsa, OK June 10, 1970. She departed this life Nov. 4, 2008 after a seven-year battle with cancer. Her courage and strength, despite the obstacles placed in her path these past few years, are a testimony to all who knew and loved her.
She graduated from Ft. Smith Christian High School in 1988. She graduated with honors from Cameron University, Lawton, OK in 1993. She taught 4th grade at Lamar Elementary, Denison, TX from 1997-2000. At that time she made the second most important decision in her life-to be stay-at-home Mom. Her most important decision was accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. The time she got to spend with her sons is what sustained her throughout her illness.
She is survived by two sons, William Hughes Horning and Luke Gabriel Horning; parents Howard and Carole Hughes, Madill, OK and Linda Carson, Ft. Smith, AR; Godparents Suzanne Smart and John Schoell, Oklahoma City, OK; brother and sister-in-law John and Renee Hughes, Lewisville, TX; aunts and uncles John and Dorothy Holloway, Ft. Supply, OK; Lloyd and Cathy Hughes, Madill, OK; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, David A. Cole, Ft Smith, AR.
A Celebration of Dawn Alesha’s life will be held at Little City Baptist Church, Little City, OK on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 at 11:00 AM with Brother Ron Robertson and Dr. John Schoell officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Little City Baptist Church, RR2, Box 85, Madill, OK 73446.
Brown’s Funeral Service, Durant and Texoma Cremation Service are handling the arrangements.
View the image gallery
Facts
Born: June 10, 1970
Place of Birth: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Death: November 4, 2008
Place of Death: Sherman, Texas
Occupation: Mom
Survivors
William Hughes Horning, Son
Luke Gabriel Horning, Son
Carole Hughes, Mother
Howard Hughes, Father
Linda Carson, Mother
Suzanne Smart, Godparent
John Schoell, Godparent
John Hughes and wife Renee, Brother
John Holloway and wife Dorothy, Aunt and Uncle
Lloyd Hughes and wife Cathy, Aunt and Uncle
Many other relatives and friends
Preceded in Death By
David A. Cole, Father
Services
Celebration of Life
Saturday November 15, 2008, 11:00 AM at Little City Baptist Church
Click for Map and Directions
My friend Dawn lost her battle yesterday with cancer. She was by far one of the funniest, honest, truly authentic women I have ever known in my life. We shared a love of wine, laughing, and of all things...crayons. I will forever treasure the thank you note that she wrote me in crayon with a picture of us holding hands. I had truly hoped to walk the 3 day this year with Dawn, but we didn't iron out the details. I saw her when I returned from California in July. Our kids played together at Chuck E. Cheese and we talked and talked and talked. I loved her. Have you ever met someone that you have to just hug everytime you saw them. She kissed me hello the first time we ever met. I thought it was weird. But, after one night of girl talk..I knew it was just Dawn. I never told her hello or goodbye after that without kissing her on the cheek. Love your friends. Honor them. Honor their children. I will honor her by getting a mammogram SOON and forever telling anyone who wishes to listen how awesome a human being she was. I am sad. I chose not to visit Dawn in the hospital the last 16 days. I couldn't. I did not want to see the funniest person I had ever known like that. I chose to remember the Dawn that made me laugh until I peed my pants. Her boys were blessed to have her as their mother. She treasured them more than she treasured anything else!
Another friend from Sherman...Julie Sharp is battling Hodgkins Lymphoma. She is currently at the hospital for a 5 day round of chemo. She has a 6 month old and a 2 year old. We both went to TAMU-Commerce. She is the sweetest, giving, God loving girl. Pray for her!!
We had the most fun on Halloween this year. I had the "day off" for inservice. My very good friend...supermom came and taught my teachers some wonderful things. Thank you SUPER MOM!! I have a gift for you. Will catch up with you on Monday!! I love you and your kids! I had the privilege of going to Macy's awards assembly at her school where she received every award except perfect attendance...darn sinus infection and fever. She also was recognized for her performance on last years TAKS test. I am so proud of her. I am her room mom again this year...YIPPEE!! I made it 6 years as room mom. Couldn't be prouder of that, either!! So, I got to go to her class party. We then loaded up and headed to Frisco. We owed Maddy a trip to Build a Bear for her birthday in September and we just couldn't leave Mason out. So, Macy helped the kids get their animals stuffed and "washed" and dressed. We had fun. The mall in Frisco was dead. We trick or treated there and met our friends the Brands for dinner at the food court. We went to Darin's neighborhood to trick or treat. (YES! I realize it's weird that my ex-husband and I are friends, but it works for us)!!! He lives in a dead end cul-de-sac on Lake Lewisville. There were no cars, just golf carts and wagons. Our kids had a blast.
Today has been a busy Saturday, too. I have been working on switching the kids seasons clothing. It's always a beating for me. We had a soccer game today. We have such a great little team. They are aggressive, which works for us. We have only lost one game, tied one, and won the rest.. Not bad for my first coaching endeavor, huh? New wood floors were laid in our 2 year old area the last two days so I have the job of moving the furniture back into the classrooms before Sunday school tomorrow. JOY!
I hope each of you had a great Halloween. Enjoy my pics!!
