Have I ever told you that....

I'm a blog failure...

2010-06-16T20:13:00.001-05:00

I mean really? I think all these amazing things that I really should be writing down. Why don't I? Oh yeahhhhhh, life....it happens everyday! Dammit!! Okay, I'll try harder....tomorrow....

Once upon a time...

2010-03-20T06:13:00.003-05:00

There was a girl named Buffy. She only wanted what was best for her kids...

Who said life was going to be so hard? I know all the sayings..."God only gives you what you can handle." What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....This too shall pass. It is what it is....

I get it, I get it. It still sucks. The kids are doing exceptionally well. Maddy probably is doing the worst. She misses her Daddy. I don't know that she understands completely what is going on. But, she does understand that he doesn't live here anymore. Mason is calmer, happier, much more relaxed. Macy is just Macy. She's like me, she rolls with the punches....Oh look, another "saying."

I never thought this would be so agonizing on the inside. I was so sure of what was going on and what was best for us, and I still know those things, but I question myself about every 10 minutes.

Last Friday night was a doozy of a night for me. I've deleted my facebook acct. See, I have met someone. A very nice someone. And we are now friends on facebook. So, I guess all that online flirting just send one of my 455 friends over the edge. So much to the point that this person decided it would be okay to print off...hhhmmmm, about 50 pages of my status', comments, etc. as well as this person that I've met...his updates, etc. and provide them to Chris in a restaurant parking lot. Drama much? I think that because this person is not involved in my daily life...they didn't know we had divorced and they truly thought they were blowing the cover on this horrid affair I was having via facebook. Seriously? Really? Because I'm stupid and going to do that. It still didn't fair well for Chris. I think it was the very moment when he understood....IT'S OVER. Buffy has moved on. It absolutely broke his heart. And instead of crying and all the other stuff girls do...he lost it. Absolutely LOST it. Now, with that being said, the crying has begun. The begging on my front porch. Emails. So sad. Pathetic. And I really can only say....five years to late. And now I have the guilt that it's over. When it really should be him, but it's me....because I always just wanted what was best for my kids. And then I think about the last five years and realize...this is whats best for my kids...

Hhhhhmmmmmmmmmm. Life is a pain in the ass sometimes. I want that to be a quote.

I have so much to tell you.....

2010-03-01T05:27:00.002-06:00

I feel like I'm ready to be back. It's been a bumpy few months, but I'm feeling better now. Chris and I are headed for a divorce. I hate to even say the words out loud because it's like admitting to everyone....YES! I'm a failure AGAIN. I'm not good at marriage. With that being said, maybe marriage just isn't good at me. LOL.

I have been blessed through the Christmas season by so many good friends and so many good things. At the same time, I lost people in my lives that I thought were my friends and turned out....just weren't.

Kids are okay. Maddy just got over a 3 week stay in a great pink cast due to a Maddy jumping off the bed incident. (It's a trundle...long story). She's been quite clingy. Mason has turned out to be super successful at school (yes, I know it's kindergarten) and Macy is just being Macy. Perfect as always. I have found her fault though...a clean room. UGH. She's starting to get that little stinging, mean teenage sarcasm. Like...."You're wearing that?" I need to nominate you for WHAT NOT TO WEAR. Lovely. Thanks.

I feel like the next four seasons are going to be the best in my life. 2009 brought A LOT of changes in my life. I left my "dream job." I made it through a possible foreclosure. Lost friends, gained friends, lost husband....meaning he just wasn't for me anymore. 2010 is my recovery period. It's all about finding happiness and keeping my kids happy. We are well on our way.

Welcome to 2010....Buffy style. Happy, upbeat style....Four Seasons style. LOVE IT.

Six months.

2009-10-17T16:41:00.006-05:00

It's been six months since I last posted. So much has happened. So much is happening. I'll tell you more. In time. The last thing I wrote about that was so heavy on my heart has resolved itself. My Mom. She lives in the next town over from me now. Shocking isn't it? That something can come that full circle? It did! I love knowing shes that close. I don't see her everday and thats okay, but she's there. Chris is unemployed AGAIN. That has not made our lives easy. We are surviving. The preschool inhouse is still going VERY well. I'm happy with that situation. I'm blessed by the parents that are trusting me with their kids. I'm blessed my children, my friends. So much to say....I'll say it in time.

WOW!!

2009-05-16T08:49:00.001-05:00

It's been over a month since I last posted an update. I guess that's my blog sabatical! There has been so much going on. I'll update this weekend, I promise!! As for this moment, I don't have time!! I'm trying to get my kiddos out the door for DONUT Saturday. This is our tradition and Daddy is working today, so I have to take over. I'm going out of town tonight for a "mental break" from my life. I'll return Sunday night....

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T17:18:00.001-05:00

Happy Easter to all! It's been a pretty uneventful day around here....I cooked lunch. A traditional Easter feast....Ham, mashed potatoes, corn, Mac and cheese, and rolls...Skipped the salad...with....my ex-husband and kids. Chris had to work and Darin is family, so he came over and enjoyed lunch with us....

I have a plethora of things to say. I want to tell you about BFW and how awesome it truly was. I want to tell you how sad I am that I still have not talked to my Mom and how this is weighing sooo heavily on my chest, almost like someone standing on top of it to the point that I can't breath...but, I'm trying to clean and get my work done today in anticiptation of another great week. Everything is going well here as far as my little preschool goes. Looks like I will continue it for the time being...

And so I leave you for now....

He has risen!!!

Still no word....

2009-04-01T21:10:00.002-05:00

I've sent my apology to my Mom, I emailed it because she won't take my calls to hear it person to person. I have texted her numerous times, including today after a call from my brother telling me she had quit her new job in Houston telling her I was worried about her and to please call me and that I loved her. Chris has now told me to lay off. He told me she obviously needs time. The weird thing is, normally this would have me all in a tizzy....and I'm good. I'm calm. I miss her. So much. I really do. But, I know that she loves me too much and my kids too much to allow this to go on forever. Next weekend is Easter. I guess she won't be coming. I'm sad, but moving forward.

This weekend is my BFW. (Best Friends Weekend). You may recall my trip last year with Kathryn (Khaki) to Canton. I am so excited that this is becoming an annual event...We're looking forward to low key dinners, pedicures, movies, book stores, no kids (sorry-true), no husbands and each other! She is one of my oldest friends....I know I've told the story before, but she has been my friend since 1994. Freshman year at ETSU! She is amazing. And we, for the most part were polar opposites in college. As we have aged, I think that we have a lot more in common than we did then, but she is my rock. I can call her in the middle of the night and she will give me awesome advice. OR I may not talk to her for weeks and when she calls, it's like I talked to her minutes before. We've been through a bunch of crap together. Too much crap. But, we've done it together and I am a better person for having her in my life. I am super duper excited about this weekend. So, Canton carts are out and ready to roll!!

Pray for me. All of your messages on Facebook, texts, email have really helped me get through this with my Mom. I'm sad, but I know it will all work out.

~Buffy

Mom versus Dad....

2009-03-25T09:39:00.003-05:00

Okay, I screwed up. Big time. This will include a huge back story of which the details may be a little bit out of order. I was born to a Mom and a Dad. They had me when they were both 20. (Had gotten married at 18). I saw my Dad until I was 5. At which time, I was adopted by my stepfather who raised me until he and my Mom were divorced when I was a sophomore in high school. At this point, my REAL DAD came back into our lives and my parents tried to reconcile. Didn't work. Back to California my Dad went. My Mom then met my stepdad that she was married to until a few years ago and is now living with again, but not married to. I think. Anyway....a few years back my Dad contacted me again. We had been in and out of touch for years. Actually for a lot of different reasons, my anger, his absence just because, etc. So, we finally reconnected after the birth of my son and things have been going well since. Well, except that I was lying to my Mom the entire time about the relationship. I was "protecting" her. I didn't want her to think I loved her any less because I loved my father. Crazy, I know. She didn't know I went to California for 14 days to see my Dad. My children were told to sssshhhhhh...keep quiet. (I know!! I'm an awful mother). My kids LOVE my Dad. He is the best "Grandpal." I didn't want her to be hurt.

Well, this Saturday I sent a picture of Maddy to my Mom and my Dad in the SAME TEXT!! Somehow my Dad replied to all with the comment of...Kitty Kat (Maddy's nickname) looks like you did at that age and a perfect mix of you and your Mom. A sweet comment. But, my Mom somehow wasn't impressed. So, she forwarded me his message...as if to say....I know. She will now not return my texts, phone calls, Macy's phone calls, etc. I have decided that she will need time to deal with this. I cannot apologize for loving my Dad any longer. I love him. I didn't pick him...she did. I'm sorry that she is hurt by him. I'm sorry that he screwed up. But, he's my Dad. And that's obviously not changing.

So, that's the story...any advice???

The bad KAT!

2009-03-16T16:03:00.004-05:00

This cute little girl is the reason that I'm going gray at 33.

She is also the reason Chris is going bald at 33.

Because as cute as she is and as much as everyone ooohhhsss and awwwwwwwss over her...she will give Chris and I a run for our money more than all our kids combined!! She is something else. And we love her...very, very, very much. She is also the reason I will never...I repeat never...have another child. If she had been my first she would have been my last!!!

Trust and knowing who your friends are....

2009-03-15T14:29:00.003-05:00

I have always been "green." So green that in high school my boyfriend referred to someone else as green and I asked what that meant. I am naive to a fault. Sometimes I think it is a great feature to have and other times I think it is a fault. I found out today by accident that since December I was being lied to by three people that I had the utmost respect for and confidence in. The type of people that "had my back." When actually, the whole time they were undermining me. I don't get it. As much as I am moving forward with my life, it's hard not to reflect and think about what I could have done, what I should have done....etc, etc. With all of that being said, I am happier than I have been in years. I am so good. I love my kids. I even love my husband a little more these days. I feel "carefree." In the last two weeks Chris and I have talked more, laughed more, spent more time together...

Last weekend was our trip to Houston. This weekend our friends the Mann's stayed with us two nights. We ate out and had a great time!! I love Misty. We can't wait for the Summer to come so we can head to Paris and swim with the kids!

In closing, I really want everyone to know that I am so grateful for my friends. I have better friends than I ever knew could exist. Friends that really do "have my back." Without naming real names....The B's, The G's, The D's, The S's, The S's, The S's, The E's, The S's, The T's, The M's and the B's. These families and friends have rallied around me like I never expected. They have loved me, they have helped me, they are so supportive. I am beyond blessed!!

My fellow blog sister....

2009-03-11T12:41:00.001-05:00

Corey asked me to post a link to her site.....She is an inspiration to all who know her and to those who think they do!! :) She is one of my favorite people!!! She rocks!!

Hope you can help her out...I will be!!

Hhhmmmm....

2009-03-09T18:42:00.003-05:00

So much to say. I went to see my Mom this weekend. We had the best time. Lots of bargain shopping...lots of laughing.

Started my Monday out with a very happy disposition and then I got an email that upset me. I love email. I would rather use email. But, sometimes it just sucks. I can't tell whether this email intended to sound as ugly as it did, so I had a friend read it. She said....delete it. That person is not your friend. Which makes me sad. Very sad. I could explain and explain, but I just want to move on. So, I am.

I'll post some pictures of my kids later. We are gearing up for a big night of Dancing with the Stars. I didn't watch last season, but I'm excited about this seasons cast....AND now I have the time to watch it, which is even better.

Have a great week. I'll try to post pics tomorrow!!

Fancy Nancy....

2009-03-06T09:03:00.004-06:00

Macy's school has this awesome day every year where the kids dress as their favorite book characters....

This year she chose...Fancy Nancy....Another one of my favorites was Choclatina...She's so silly!!!

No words...only smiles....

2009-03-05T19:31:00.001-06:00

Have I mentioned that I have the MOST amazing girlfriends ever?

I gained weight!

2009-03-04T07:22:00.001-06:00

I'm just putting it out there for the world (5 people who read this blog) to see. I gained .8 of a pound this week. That is point eight. Not quite a pound. I also ate brisket, baked beans, LOTS of potato salad, two cheeseburgers from McDonalds and a Large french fry, 3 margaritas....and I'm sure so much more than I'm remembering the past four days. My friend Shannon suggested I just write in my WW journal....BLEW IT!! Okay, so...I start over today.

And I have so much more to tell you...I'm doing GREAT. I'm happy. Clear headed. Things are going wonderfully around here.

We are all going to Houston this weekend to see my MOM. I'm excited.

Will post pictures soon of what I did this weekend!! You will be amazed!!

My week...

2009-02-28T00:02:00.001-06:00

This week has been very trying for me. I have to say that I was definitely given the strength by God to get through it. But, I was also held up by angels here on earth. This week I made *one* of the most difficult decisions in my life by walking away from a job that I truly wanted to stay at. Unfortunately, I was forced to leave due to things I could no longer control. For years, I have felt that I needed to be strong for my family financially and hold us all together by making sure our mortgage was paid. Well, for whatever reason, Monday night I decided (Chris helped decide) that I was done. I guess God figured out how we were going to pay our mortage and I resigned from a job that was more than a job. It was my life. It was what I thought about nonstop for 7 years. I walked away on Monday and have not gone back. Don't think this was an easy decision for me. It wasn't. I agonized over it. I still am. I am sad that I will not see my kids everyday. My kids being other peoples kids. I am sad for the parents. I am sad for the teachers. But, I was carried through this week by an amazing group of friends. I could not have gotten through this without all of you. Your prayers. Your calls. Your texts. Your emails. Your thoughts. Your dropping by. Your speaking out in my behalf. Your passion. I have been blessed in the last two years with the most supportive friends I have ever had in my life. The old saying is true....you really find out who your real friends are when the chips are down....Thank you for being my true friends!! I am so blessed by each one of you individually. I will never forget what you have done for me!!

Sooo, I'm at home...cleaning and LOVING my life!!

2009-02-26T08:35:00.002-06:00

So, everyone told me I would feel better immediately after quitting my job that had brought me such grief in the last six months. I doubted them. But, they were right!! I feel so much better. The calls from my parents have meant the world to me and my friends have rallied around me. I am going to be okay. I feel so clear headed. I hate hearing the things that are going on there. It makes me sad, but it's their reality now. Things could have been done differently. Now, it is time for the next chapter in my life....

Announcement #2

2009-02-24T19:51:00.001-06:00

I lost.....
..........
..........

2.2 pounds this week!!

Heck yeah!! I'll take that!!

Total for two weeks.......

7 pounds....

Pray for me tomorrow. Ultrasound at the hospital....Chris is going with me for "moral" support....I think he just wants to go out to eat....

Announcement #1....

2009-02-24T12:44:00.002-06:00

I am doing announcements "backwards." But, I can't weigh in until tonights meeting....

Sooo....My big announcement....

I QUIT MY JOB. I GAVE THEM A LETTER OF RESIGNATION THAT JUST STATED THAT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY I WAS RESIGNING. AND I'M SAD AND KIND OF LOST, BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, STRESS FREE TODAY!!

Say a prayer for me. I'm going to need it.

P.S. I'll let you know how much I lost (hopefully lost) later....

Announcement tomorrow...well...two announcements.

2009-02-23T23:18:00.002-06:00

First announcement will be how much weight I lost...will know tomorrow....

Second announcement will be the news I was going to tell you on April 1st...but figured February 24th would suffice. I can't wait until April 1st. In fact, I couldn't wait until February 24th. It happened today. I will update you tomorrow. I'm tired right now. Emotionally exhausted.

Say a little prayer for me....

Weight loss and "one" of the biggest decisions of my life...

2009-02-17T20:44:00.001-06:00

Okay, so I lost 4.8 pounds. Can I just say 5? That would sound so much better!! But, it's actually 4.8. I was very pleased with that number....

AND I made one of the biggest decisions of my life today. I cannot share what it is on this very public blog that EVERYONE reads. (Sarcasm). But, just in case anyone really does read it...I'll make my announcement here April 1st. And no...I'm not pregnant and NO...it will NOT be an April Fools Joke...

Buffy...over and out!!! :)

Walking, to weigh or not to weigh and my week....

2009-02-15T13:28:00.003-06:00

I have been walking. I overslept one day and felt completely guilty, but got up yesterday morning (YES!! On a Saturday) and walked. I felt great about it. 6:45 on a Saturday and I was out walking. It was cooolllddd. I then delivered flowers for my friend Shannon. That was fun. Took me back to my college days when that was my "real job." I was subpoenaed for two days in a child custody case that just about broke my heart. But, I got to miss two days of work for it, which you know I loved!! I go back to work tomorrow and I'm DREADING it. My computer got a nasty virus (well actually 320 of them) and our webmaster for the church had to work on it for me last night. It took him 4 1/2 hours to get it fixed. I'm so thankful for smart friends!! Sooo, I totally broke the rules this morning and weighed. I just could not take it anymore. I'm weighing food, eating fruit like crazy...no sugar and wanted to know if any of it was making a difference. So, I stepped on my scale at home that I have not set foot on in...um, probably years. AND by my scale it says I'm down 6 pounds. BUT, I did not compare the callibration of our scale to what I weighed on the WW scale on Tuesday. So, I really will need to wait until Tuesday to see what I actually weigh. But, I'm trying so hard. I'm loving the walking in the morning. I feel good....hope I stick with this!! Thank you for all your sweet comments and emails!! COREY!!! :)

And again...

2009-02-11T07:21:00.001-06:00

I walked again this morning. We agreed not to walk on Saturday and Sunday. So, 5 days a week we will go. AND I did join Weight Watchers. AND I do weigh more than I did at 9 months pregnant with all my children. So depressing. And I did find out that my little coffee every morning is 9 points. But, you know what? I'm going to continue to drink it. Because as giving and unselfish as I attempt to be, there is a little part of me that thinks...I DESERVE THAT COFFEE!! So, until I deem it otherwise unfit...I will continue to drink my breakfast and obviously 1/2 my lunch. Because that's just how I roll....

I did it!!

2009-02-10T05:57:00.002-06:00

Today, I got out of bed at 4:45...and met a friend at our local elementary school and WALKED!! Now, granted it was only a mile...but I did it. It only took us 24 minutes. (Probably less). But, we walked around our neighborhood. I was back home and in my house by 5:30. So, I'm going to take a shower and gear up for a BIG day. I have a meeting with my boss, a haircut and color scheduled, I'm going to join Weight Watchers today and I have my Key Learning Center Board Meeting tonight. UGH. Such joy in my life. I won't be back home until after 8 tonight, I'm sure. The state came for another unannounced visit yesterday. We passed with flying colors. Only one minor thing. Not a big deal at all. So, I did survive my Monday. Things to look forward to this week...OH, I got subpoenaed on a child custody case...Lucky me.

Mason Zane Hanson

2009-02-05T12:19:00.007-06:00

Today Mason is 5! It's really so hard to believe. He was just a baby yesterday. He was so tiny when he was born and now he's a big man!! He's very tall! Mason was born about six weeks premature. He was born on the day that was to be my baby shower. I had been in and out of the hospital for about a month and they finally kept me there because of kidney stones. I would fall asleep in L&D and wake up in post-partum and wonder...did I have a baby? But, sometimes they would just move me over there to make room for mommies who were really having babies. He was so little I was afraid we needed a different car seat for him.

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I never thought I would be a "boy" mom. But, I am. I love him so much. I think I tend to talk to him a little sweeter than the girls sometimes. I baby him too much. This past fall when we had the scare that he may have cancer I just couldn't even imagine my day without him. He's a good kid. I can't believe that he'll be in kindergarten this year. I love him so much. Here are some pictures of him through the past year. Some people say he looks JUST LIKE ME and others think he looks just like his Dad. I like to think he favors me just a smidge!! I'll scan a picture of me from this age and you can compare and tell me what you think. It's pretty funny.

It's February?

2009-02-02T20:03:00.002-06:00

Is it seriously February already??? Where exactly did January go? Mason turns 5 this week. Five years ago I was laying in the hospital awaiting his arrival. He came waaaayy too early, but was really okay. I had to have surgery for kidney stones and was living a pretty miserable existence in that hospital bed. But, believing that was five years ago is hard.... Now he can write his name, run really, really fast and make me laugh. He gives the best hugs and I love him so, so, so much. He's my little man. He loves legos, hot wheels and his train track. He also loves soccer. (Too bad he can't play this season--doctors orders).

So, we're doing the big party at Chuck E. Cheese. ICK. It's a recipe for disaster for me. Saturday, Noon, Crowds, Chuck E. Cheese. UGH. But, that's what he wanted and that's what we're doing for him. I hope my Mom can make it. She's still sick with the flu. He invited quite a few friends from school. He is very excited about his party. I am going to commit the ultimate sin again and order his cake. I'm just too busy this week to bake and decorate one for him.

February is a special month to me because of his birth. Otherwise, I'm not a fan of Valentines. We are going to help our friend Shannon deliver flowers for Valentine's Day, but other than that...not a big day for us.

I found out tonight I was elected back onto the PTO board for next year. Yippee. Woo Hoo. Not really. But, I did it for Macy and so I will do it for Mason. It's hard to believe that next year Macy leaves the elementary campus at the same time that Mason joins it. I'll have one at two campuses. Maddy won't be able to start for a couple years. I'm trying to figure it out in my head, but I think that for a short period I will have one at every campus...wait...maybe not. I don't know.

Have a great week. Monday through Thursday really suck for me. I feel like I'm living each week waiting for the weekend...Friday I do okay because I know the next day is Saturday. I live paycheck to paycheck and Friday to Friday...that's pretty sad, huh? I need some meaning...A reason.

My weekend...

2009-01-31T18:11:00.002-06:00

I have had a GREAT weekend...My friend Misty texted me Friday morning wondering my plans for the weekend...clean the house, my answer. She lives in Paris. I used to babysit her kids and we went to church and played Bunco together. She recently went through a divorce and I've been there, done that and not many of our friends there have. She and I have grown so close in the last few months and I am so thankful for her. She brought the kids last night after I got off. We all had dinner at Olive Garden (all eight of us-FIVE kids)!! It was so great to see "my kids that are her kids" again. We didn't go to bed until 10:45 and were up early for donuts and coffee! We have had a great day together with our kids shopping, playing video games and laying around. And talking. And catching up. And being friends. I very rarely have friends over just to "hang out" and it was so nice to do that.

My Mom has the flu. I feel so sad for her. I wish I could be there to help her, but I'm not sure what kind of help I would be. I'm just worried about her. She was going to try to come for Mason's party this weekend, but now I'm assuming she won't.

I talked to our neighbor today. Her daughter is very bruised in the chest area. But, they found something suspicious when they did an x-ray because of the wreck. They found a mass on her thyroid. Sometimes God does things for mysterious reasons and they do not believe that they would have found that mass if not for the accident last week.

Please pray for Wesley. He went to the hospital today vomiting blood. I received a text from Kristy in a little while and they are thinking that he has an ulcer from all the medicine he has been having to take....

I guess that's it for me...Have a great Super Bowl Sunday...

25 Random Things about me.....

2009-01-30T10:36:00.002-06:00

Okay, I got this on facebook and LOVED it....It's funny...Just a little bit about me...

1. I'm a clinique snob (yes I made up this name for myself).

2. All my kids names start with an "M"....Macy, Mason and Madylynn (wish it had been Molly, but I let Chris pick the name...so there you go).

3. I could each a cheeseburger for every meal if given the choice...except when I'm pregnant when for whatever reason I can't stand meat and become a vegetarian. Weird. I know.

4. I'm a Kappa Delta. K with an A with a P.P.A. D with an E with an L.T.A. You get the point.

5.Been married once before...big wedding in my hometown...eloped the second time to Vegas. Would recommend Vegas!! (As cliche as I know that sounds).

6. I'm best friends with my ex husband.

7. I love, love, love cupcakes. Always have, always will.

8. I was born on an island far, far away...Coronado, California, but am a Texas girl at heart.

9. I love garage sales and goodwill.

10. I love Starbucks. and yes, they do know me by name there...just like Cheers.

11. The older I get, the more I lean on my girlfriends. I love them.

12. I married Chris on the 4th of July because it's my favorite holiday.

13. I love my Mom...and my Dad.

14. I always knew I wanted to be a Mom, but didn't know how much I would love it until I had Macy. I thought I wanted to be a business woman in downtown Dallas. What the hell was I thinking?

15. I love all things preschool...well, except for the crummy parts...

16. My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip from Braums.

17. I love Disneyland.

18. I love my new cell phone, but am still really eyeing the iphone.

19. I love my laptop.

20. I hate traffic and crowds. Can't deal with it.

21. I don't eat seafood, but my favorite restaurant is a seafood restaurant...weird..

22. I met my husband when he interviewed me for a part time position as a server at Chili's....

23. I really like to be in MY house in my jammies.

24. I don't watch much TV.

25. I can read a People magazine front to back in a matter of hours. LOVE IT!!

And an update about my neighbor and her baby. She apparently is doing better. Chris saw them bring her home yesterday. I have not been over there to check on them yet....

Pray for our neighbor!

2009-01-28T18:46:00.002-06:00

Chris and I never watch the local evening news, but tonight we did. The breaking story was about a car accident in Sherman. They showed the car and I immediately knew it was our neighbor. Then they described a young mother and 10 month old baby and I really knew it was her. I ran to the refrigerator to look at the birth announcement and sure enough...10 months ago...UGH. All we know is that it was really bad and that she has been airlifted with serious chest injuries. I called her mom and she answered and just said that she couldn't find them in Dallas and would have to call me back. This young lady lives with her parents. They are the most amazing people in the world. I am just sick for them right now. Please lift her up in prayer. Her name is Kaylee....I will update as I know more.

YAY!! Ice day!!!

2009-01-28T10:26:00.003-06:00

I just have to say...God knows when I need a mental health day and delivers it in a nice little package....Ice day...husband has to work...can't call in...kids being lovely as long as I make them breakfast...it's all good. Now wrap that up in a little bow....I'm so happy today...I love my house. I love my jammas. I love my kids...I love that they love pigs in a blanket....I love that I cannot feel guilty for not leaving my house because it's impossible. Love...love....love it....

A little bit of this...a little bit of that.

2009-01-27T11:39:00.003-06:00

I have been out of the loop since Saturday. I either got food poisoning or a stomach bug and I don't really care what the name for it is, it has been awful. Chris has been so sweet to help with the kids (and so has Macy). I had to miss church on Sunday and work yesterday. I am back at work today, but really should be home. I'm just too busy to take off.

The weather outside is frightful and I'm hoping that it ices just bad enough to cancel school tomorrow. I need another day in bed.

Please pray for my friends, Wesley and Kristy. Here is a link to their blog. He is not doing well once again and she has started a blog with all of his information and asked me to share it! http://prayersformyhusband.blogspot.com/

I guess that's all for now. I'm sure I had more to say, but I just am having trouble focusing right now. I really think I'm dehydrated....

It's Saturday!!

2009-01-24T08:37:00.002-06:00

Yea for Saturdays!! I had a busy week. Will I ever have a post where I state, I had a really boring week? Probably not. Anyway, busy at work. Busy, busy. I was constantly in a classroom "covering" classes and rarely in my office. Which is not a good thing. I have so much paperwork to do.

I was so busy that I did not go to my "therapy" session on Thursday. And I do appreciate every one's insight into the subject. Corey-you must send me your email address. buffylhanson@yahoo.com I want to talk to you about it....personally. Cheri-Thanks for your sweet words!! Misty-Thanks for driving to Sherman to see me for my birthday and bringing Maddy's future husband with you. I love him as much as I did Stephen Paul at that age!! I'm going to be okay. I always end up okay. My best friend Kathryn described me in an email recently as a cat...she's right. I always end up on my feet. Khaki!! Thanks for my awesome birthday card. Love the cupcake flair....I started taking my medicine. He said to give it two weeks and I'll feel better. I took yesterday afternoon off. That was nice. Darin and I got to talk for a little while before Macy got home from school about next years "family" vacation....YUP. You heard right. We are all going as a "family" to Disney World. All of us. His parents, all of us, Macy gets to take a friend...It should be...um...interesting. No. Just kidding. We decided years ago to do this as a group and next year is the year. Now, we're just trying to decide on what month we'll go. He votes for March. I vote for June. So, March will probably win...

So, today is clean the house and lay around day...Thank goodness. I love Saturday!! Chris is out right now picking the kids up donuts and Mommy up coffee. He really is good to me...most days....OH...he's home...gotta look like I've been doing something productive for the last 1/2 hour and not been on the Internet. :)

SSoooooooo.....

2009-01-21T14:09:00.003-06:00

I celebrated my 33rd birthday yesterday. No biggie. Just another day. But, my sweet husband did remember this year and had flowers sent to me from my friend Shannon's shop. My entire school somehow snuck down to the Fellowship Hall while I was working on paperwork and then called me down to the kitchen to "surprise" me and sing happy birthday to me. They even wheeled out a gigantic cake for me. So sweet!! I received lots of nice gifts and am blessed.

Yesterday, besides turning 33, I also went to the doctor. For months I have had this yucky feeling of yuck....Just yuck. No fancy words for it. A funk. Anyway, turns out I am just overstressed. Nuh-uh really? Seriously? I'm not crazy? I'm apparently not. Now, he did prescribe me some medication to help me for short term, but most importantly he wants me to go into therapy. I'm not real keen on the idea, but I'm going to go, at least once, tomorrow. We'll see how that works out for me. I'm the girls who likes to "pretend" that life is grand and I don't really like to talk about the "real" crap that is going on. Sooo, we'll see how that works out for me.

Besides that, not much of anything going on. Just a lot of work. I need a lot of rest, but that's not happening. I found out some frightful information when I stepped on the scale yesterday at the doctor, but I'll just "pretend" that wasn't "real" information either!! :)

My girlfriends....

2009-01-17T09:34:00.001-06:00

Make me happy!!!

Make me happy!!!

Oh me oh MY!

2009-01-15T09:06:00.002-06:00

I don't really have anything to blog about. It's Thursday. I like Thursday's. I like them because the next day is Friday and I LOVE Friday because usually that means the next day is Saturday and I can stay in my jammies all day....Except this Saturday. We need to grocery shop. That's a family affair. Chris enjoys it. He gets his own "crap basket" as I refer to it. That's where you will find the oreos, pizza, chips, cokes, etc. Not that I'm perfect or anything, but I enjoy PLANNING meals and buying food for that. I just don't like to cook it. Chris can cook it. I'm the baker. Maybe when we renovate our kitchen and it's new and improved and I don't feel claustrophobic in it, I'll cook more....maybe not....

My sweet friend who owns a local florist invited me to go to market Saturday. I have never been to "market." I have heard of "market" since I was a teenager and moved to this area. What is it? Is it a noun? Is it a verb? No clue. Anyway, I have always wanted to go. It's in Dallas. But, when she mentioned that we're talking about 10 hours of walking and collecting catalogs for stuff to order for Christmas...I changed my mind. I'm tired. I want to stay at home and clean and catch up on stuff. I need to catch up on "stuff."

I've been trying to arrange a girls night for my birthday. It's next to impossible to get all my friends from all different walks of life together for drinks these days. I have friends from all over. Denison....Sherman....Dallas....Sorority....Church....School....my friends don't match. That's okay with me. But, sometimes it just makes things odd when we all get together, so I think I will forgo the yearly grease and margaritas night at City Limits for my birthday this year. I mean, it's not like it's a big one or anything...I'm the double 3 this year. That's what I'm going to call it.

The Explorer is still in the shop. UGH. They just got to it this Monday. Should be ready Friday of this week or Monday of next week. I have such sweet friends that have helped me with transportation. I am blessed.

I guess that's all for my mish mash of a blog...sometimes I'm not sure why I even write in it. I really don't think more than 5 people are reading it....maybe I'm a good bedtime...put you to sleep blog....

Small world? Or I know a lot of people....

2009-01-11T12:42:00.002-06:00

My favorite restaurant is Pappadeaux. Wasn't always. Chris took me there while we were dating for my birthday. It was HIS favorite restaurant that he took me to for MY birthday. Okay, I've gotten over that and found that I am IN LOVE with the Greek Salad. I don't eat anything else there except Grilled chicken and the Greek Salad, but he likes all that weird stuff. Anyway, we went there yesterday for lunch. We received a gift card from my brother for Christmas and decided to drive down for a late lunch. It's a good hour and a half from where we live.

So, we walk in and are seated right next to a couple that used to attend my church in Sherman. I stopped to say hello and visit with them. Chris said, "That is so weird that they would be sitting right next to us." It was weird. Coincidental? Well, since I don't believe in coincidences, couldn't be that. So, they finish their meal and tell us goodbye. Table gets sat again with a party of four. I don't really pay any attention...I'm too busy coloring with Maddy. They have REAL crayons at Pappadeaux!! :) I look up and immediately recognize the face sitting across from me. It is my 8th grade Health Science teacher from Paris! Now, Chris at this point doesn't believe me. He said, What's her name? I tell him. He then proceeds to swear that I think I know everyone from Paris. That she won't even know who I am and to lower my voice. Okay, so at that very moment she and I make eye contact and she calls me by my maiden name!! She knows me. She got up and came and hugged me and I introduced her to my kids. I asked about her daughter, whom I used to walk over from the elementary school when I was in junior high as a special treat for Mrs. Smith. She remembered so many details of my life. I thought that was so sweet. She asked about my Mom, etc. She then told me she was so proud of me. She told me that she was always happy to see students who had moved away and were doing great things with kids. That made me get a little teary!

Anyway, funny story...God does things sometimes that we may not understand, but I think it's so that we will take notice that he is in our lives everyday....

One day I'll tell you the extended version of meeting my friend Vegas in a Vegas bathroom and finding out that she lived two blocks from me. Coincidence? Nope, those don't exist. Everything happens for a reason....Oh, and on a side note...her name isn't Vegas. That's what we call each other because of where we met.

Have a happy week. I'm trying to!

Texas wins the Fiesta Bowl....

2009-01-06T09:20:00.002-06:00

And it's a good thing!! I mean...our lives depend on that!

UGH! Good riddance to college football season until what August! Oh wait Buff...signing day is coming up....And then there will be the months leading up to it in debate over who is REALLY the #1 team in the country.

I mean, the amount of time that is spent on this ridiculous subject in my house...Can someone get me Mack Brown's phone number? Maybe he can pay my mortgage....

My Mommy taught me to be sarcastic...she did a good job...

Yea!! New pictures.

2009-01-03T19:53:00.003-06:00

I bought myself a new little point and shoot to have in my purse...and because my hioty toity expensive camera that Darin gave me is broken. (NOTE to self...take it to Wolff Camera and see if it can be fixed).

Anyway, here are some fun pictures from around Christmas....and yesterday!!

Santa Came to our house!!

Mason watching the Zamboni at the mall.
Macy at Dairy Queen in Fairfield, Texas...where we stopped for a little Christmas eve treat. Just an FYI..nicest Dairy Queen I've ever been to...and I've frequented quite a few Dairy Queens!!
Maddy putting out her reindeer food. Notice how my camera was able to capture that food mid-air. Magical!!
Ah...our little cook. How cute is she? Precious!!!

P.S. Sometimes I don't like Blogger. Why can I only upload five pictures at a time. That sucks!

2009...A new year...a new start?

2009-01-01T11:44:00.004-06:00

Okay, so in reviewing my "goals" for last year because I refuse to call them resolutions....my #1 goal was to get my butt organized...um, yeah, that didn't happen. I even read the best book to help me...It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh...Professional organizer for the TLC hit Clean Sweep. It is an amazing book. Makes complete sense. He nailed me to a T. But, the bad news is...I read it on my trip to Vegas in April...so a lot of good that did me. Should have read it while I was at home so then I would have gotten up and started to work on the things that he said to work on. But, that's the other part of the problem...I don't have time to read at home. Shit. I'm so screwed. Okay....so I think I will attempt to re-read it this weekend and then put away my Christmas things. 27 tubs of Christmas things...Chris corrected me when I told someone 17....UH, no 27. Honestly, I didn't even put it all out. Snowman missing an eye...needs to be thrown away, etc. etc. I need to learn to Throw away and NOT HOARD!! My issues are magazines...mail....wrapping paper. I LOVE wrapping paper. But, I never seem to wrap because it's faster to buy a gift bag. My life is a revolving door of buts.....

I also mentioned an interest in a marathon in 2008. Yeah, that didn't work out for me either. I did get a trainer...I did work out and then....I got really busy with school and life and fell off the working out wagon. But, I do want to get back in shape...not concerned with the amount of weight I lose, I am interested in the size and the way my jeans feel...I'm not in the worst place I've been weight wise in my life, but I'm not exactly thrilled either. So, I will begin the walking program immediately. Thanks Mrs. Incredible for being such motivation to me!! You are amazing. I would love to be able to hug you at the finish line in Disney!!! You go girl!!

Okay, next...our goal was to go to Disneyland and California in 2008 and that we did...And it was amazing. The trip of a lifetime. It was great for our family. I will remember it forever.

Okay, so this year...Here's what I have put together. I want to.

1) Work on me. That includes but it is not limited to...my weight, my relationship with God, my relationship with myself. More time for Buff. OH, and for those of you that care, I have called a local physician and have a consultation scheduled for MY BIRTHDAY. I need to get my emotions under control, my anxiety, my (what I believe to be ADD) under control....So, anti-depressants...the gift that just keeps on giving...hahahaa!! That's funny.

2) Spend MORE TIME with MY children. I miss my kids. Yes, two of them go to work with me everyday, but I honestly hide from them all day so they don't get the "I wants".

3) Rethink my career path...seriously.

4) Work on the house. (I think that was a goal last year too..) Didn't happen.

5) ORGANIZE MY LIFE. I think you can go back to #1 on this one, but just in case....

Okay...so that's it. I guess. I've had a rough week. I know, I know...what's new right? I first felt God nudging me in a different direction...now I think it's his foot kicking my butt in a new one....Maybe that's just my translation of the situation...but whatever.

I'll keep you updated...

Just one more day....

2008-12-30T20:16:00.003-06:00

One more day, one more day, one more day...I will repeat this to myself over and over and over again until the end of the day tomorrow. So, the state still hasn't shown up...Lovely...probably will tomorrow. Or next week. Or whenever they choose. The last two days have been quiet...and THEN Chris called on his way home from work...truck broken down. Me trying to figure out how to get to him...with three kids and a single cab pickup that my friends brother is letting me borrow...THEN...it hit me...Call the EX-husband. He'll help and he did! People were shaking their heads at me. So, the ex-husband calls back three hours later and announces...you owe me!! I know, I know...forever and ever. So, he announces...I have a date tonight. I'm just going to take Chris to my house, he can leave his truck there and drive one of my "extra" cars home. Lovely. So, Chris is going to go back down there tomorrow and fix his truck with MY EX-HUSBAND. Do they have greeting cards for this? I told Chris...Hey, just an FYI, I would never call your ex-wife for a ride. She would drive me over a cliff....

But, one more day, one more day, one more day. I have a headache.

Tomorrow is my Mommy's birthday. Usually I take her flowers and dinner from Chick-Fil-a. But, not this year. Just a phone call and card and an I LOVE YOU MOMMY! I miss you MOMMY!

Please pray for...my friends Wesley and Kristy. Wes is having a rough go of it again. And MckMama's little Stellan. (In the box to the upper right of where you are reading).

Going to start the walking thing Thursday AM. I'm up at 5 a.m. anyway, might as well walk, walk, walk around the block. The kids will be in the house asleep, Chris will be at work, but Macy is old enough, has a cell phone and I seriously live in THE quietest neighborhood. If she needs me I can be here in less than a minute. I'm going to just walk around MY block. I need to measure it to see how many laps is a mile. I just want to be "fit." But, more about that on New Years Day....

For now...one more day, one more day, one more day...

Back to work....

2008-12-28T16:59:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow I go back to work. Bad news...that is the bad news...Good news...I only have to work three days. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and then I'm off Thursday and Friday. That's good news!! YEA ME!!

Like I told you in my last post...I'm sure that I'll have another visit from the state, which totally breaks me out in hives when they're there and then gives me the BIGGEST sense of relief when they leave. So, I have that to look forward to.

Went back to church today. Came home and put my pajamas back on. I love my pajamas. Am I pathetic or what???

So, I'll fill you in tomorrow!! Hi HO, Hi HO...back to work I go....BLAH!

I love days off!!

2008-12-27T15:09:00.002-06:00

I love days where I do not obligate myself to anything besides hanging out in my pajamas all day. I will not leave the house today. Nope. Won't do it!! Love it!!

My day started early today. For whatever reason, my sleeping issues are back. Can't go to sleep, can't stay asleep, don't sleep well when I do sleep. Does any of that make sense? I paid bills, have finished all the laundry and tried to put up most of the Christmas gifts. I have not figured out how to download the pictures off my little point and shoot I bought myself Wednesday so I would have a camera for Christmas morning. I need to get that done.

The kids have been good today for the most part. They have played with legos, Maddy's new kitchen, watched TV, painted, eaten, and are now napping. Chris had to go back to work today. It's been a great day.

I have church tomorrow and one more afternoon off and then back to work for three days. Then I get two more and the weekend off. I'm sure I'll have a interesting week next week. The state showed up for an unannounced inspection on Tuesday. We apparently got reported. It is what it is, it just sucks. So, they will probably be back next week to "check" on us. It's all too much for me to handle sometimes. This job drives me NUTS!! My friend Stacey put it so eloquently the other day at lunch, do you feel like you've reached the point of success with the program where you can now say...Next? I DO!! Will I say next? Probably. One day. Not sure when, but yes, I will say Next. And I already know what the next will consist of...MY KIDS!! I want to spend more time with my kids.

So, I will enjoy my days off that I have right now with my kids and I will rest (try to) and cook and bake and enjoy my house....

Oh, and I cannot wait to review my last years new years resolutions with you guys to point out how I have failed miserably...Lovely...But, I will try, try again this year.

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-25T21:51:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas! We just arrived back home. Whoa!! What a trip. So much to share. Santa came. He was generous to our family. A kitchen for the Kat, a ton of "AWESOME" toys for Mason. Macy got the Nano she has been wanting and I got a NEW PHONE!! My sweet mommy bought me the coolest phone. I'm so excited. I'll post a picture of my old phone...you'll get a laugh out of that!!

Anyway, so many cool pictures to share. So many thoughts of a trip with six people to Houston....I'm so glad my brother got to go with us. He made it fun!!

Love to all. Merry Christmas!!

Buff

Happy (blog) Anniversary to me....

2008-12-24T09:58:00.002-06:00

So, one year ago tomorrow I started this blog. I had insomnia. So, I started writing. I'm so glad I did! Maybe one day I'll be a big time blog celebrity, but I doubt it and that's okay, too. What a year I've had!! What a week I've had!! What a day I've had!! Oh, the stories I could tell.

So, this year....

Macy turned 11.
Mason turned 4.
Maddy turned 3.
We went to California.
We went to Disneyland.
We went to Sea World in San Diego.
We went to the Wild Animal Park.
We went to Las Vegas.
We celebrated 6 years of marriage.
We laughed.
We cried.
We survived!!!

Merry Christmas!! Love to all....

Santa Claus is coming to town.

2008-12-22T19:39:00.002-06:00

Wow! This month has sped by! I am so looking forward to some time at home in the coming weeks. I will be off three days this week and two days next week. A total of 10 home days out of 14. I'll take that. We are going to drive to Houston on Christmas eve, which I'm sure will be a treat. (NOT). Six of us in a mini-van on Christmas eve traveling from Dallas to Houston....sound like fun to anyone else? Oh, and we are coming home the night of Christmas. Chris and my brother both have to get back to work. I do this in the name of my mother. I love my mom, she wants us to come and I can't say no. So, there you have it....My truck is going into the shop Friday. At least 1300.00 to fix the transmission. Lovely.

I am in a funk. Just a yuck funk. Tired. Gaining weight. Work stinks. Not feeling the Christmas spirit this year like I usually do. Don't feel the rush like I usually do to get it all done. Don't really care if it gets done quite frankly. I mean, I know it will, but I don't care about it like I usually do. I waited in line today at the post office for 20 minutes, at the bank for 15 minutes, waited to get into the Target parking lot for 10 minutes, only to become disgusted by the amount of people and keep driving past Target. Went to Bed, Bath and Beyond because I had a 20% coupon for there...Couldn't find anything I like and wasn't really interested in waiting in ANOTHER line.

In the last two days I lost five employees. Quit, gave notice, don't really care. I'm really okay with all of them leaving, with the exception of one. I loved her. I'm sad that she's moving on. She got a better offer. But the rest of them? See ya!! So, see why I'm in a funk. I lashed out at a friend a couple Sundays ago. I can't believe I did it. I felt like a butt after I did it and have fallen all over myself apologizing since that day. I think she's tired of hearing me say I'm sorry so she decided to forgive me. Oh. Or that's she's a Christian and understands the importance of forgiveness. I yelled at Macy on Friday for not having her house key. We were locked out of the house. Guess who else didn't have their key? ME!! So why was I yelling at my 11 year old about being responsible?

I just want to feel better. I'm in a yuck funk. That's what I'll call it....a yuck funk. On a brighter note, I have received the nicest Christmas gifts from students, friends, employees. My cook at the school bought me the neatest cupcake carrier. It's a cube. I love it. It holds 27 cupcakes at a time. I've gotten cupcake ornaments, Starbucks gift cards, a Willow Tree angel that I didn't have (Mother and Son), Bath and Body works, ornaments...love Christmas presents. Any presents for that matter!!! I got to have dinner with my friend Misty from Paris again Friday night. We met up at Target, shopped a little and went to have dinner and drinks. Love that girl!!!

Oh, and I have loved, loved, loved all the Christmas cards that I have gotten this year. I love getting the mail!! Macy has been at her Dad's since Friday. She is going to come home tomorrow and help me get ready for our trip Christmas eve. I'll be glad when she's home. I feel better when I wake up in the morning knowing that all my babies are under one roof.

Dear Santa...

2008-12-18T06:30:00.003-06:00

All I want for Christmas is a new transmission. How sad is that statement? The last couple of weeks the Explorers (less than 5 years old) transmission has been acting up. I noticed it. Chris noticed it. Well, I have been driving Chris' truck and he has been driving my Explorer. It is more comfortable and he drives an hour and a half everyday and I drive 10 minutes, so I didn't mind trading. Well, I got back in my car yesterday for the first time in weeks because Chris was off and was shocked at how bad it was running. I called Chris and told him there was no way that we could drive it to Houston to see my Mom next week. So, I got online and rented a....MINIVAN to drive to Houston. There are six of us going. My whole family and my brother, so we needed the room. I was thinking we could get the Explorer in the shop after the first of the year and go on with life. WRONG!! I was leaving a shopping center last night to go pick up Macy from Youth Group and it was gone. No transmission at all. Would barely go forward. Would NOT back up. Gone!! So, now it is parked in front of my house until we can decide how in the whole wide world we can afford a transmission. Now, keep in mind Chris goes to work at 3:30 in the morning...to Love Field and I work 10 minutes away. So, my lovely church bus driver will be picking me up in the bus today. Hey, at least I have a bus to pick up me and the kids, right? Wonder if she'll drive me through Starbucks? Ha! I am so sad. I don't know what we are going to do or how we are going to do it. But, I am going to pray. Pray, pray for a solution to my transmission problem. Is that silly? Am I silly? Anyone have any ideas? Know a great mechanic that will let us pay it out???

Be careful what you wish/pray for....

2008-12-16T11:06:00.002-06:00

Because now I am stranded in my house with the kids, the husband, and a cell phone that continues to ring and ring and ring wondering why there is no school....UGH!! Chris is griping at the kids about their room. What's new? Macy is hiding in her room. (Do all pre-teens do this?) We never see her. She's always laying in her bed watching TV or talking on the phone. (Eye roll). I was the genius who thought the whole weather thing was an overreaction and I REFUSED to run to Wal Mart to stock up. Well, maybe I should have considered at least grocery shopping. We have food, don't get me wrong, but a mish mash of items. Like, tonight for dinner...I'm considering breakfast. I love breakfast for dinner. Last night I made chili. I was missing my traditional ingrediants to it included Kidney beans. You would have thought I was poisoning my children with the reaction. But, hey fritos covers a lot, you know? We're just running low on stuff. Maybe I can talk Chris into going for me. He llllooooovvveeesssss Wal Mart. Freak.

It's frigid outside....

2008-12-15T16:06:00.003-06:00

Freezing, I tell you...well for Texas standards that is. I won't compare myself to you guys up north. Poor people. So, I'm absolutely praying is sleets and ices and is just too unsafe to run buses tomorrow...because....if that happens, I don't have to open the preschool!! YEA us! Sorry, folks. Just need a little day to breathe in between a Monday!! UGH!!

So, we survived our weekend trip to the mall. That was very unsmart of me. I just wanted to get out of there and breathe.....We're pretty much done with shopping. We have a few things here and a few things there and we're good. I just about have all my Christmas cards done. I need to wrap, but am waiting for Saturday. I have coordinated a "wrap party" at our church this weekend. Waiting to see if anyone will RSVP and if they don't, well then, I'm still packing my stuff up, going up there to my 8 x 11 table and wrap to my hearts delight without my children knocking on the door and peaking underneath the door!!

I have a lot of picking up and cleaning up and organizing to do before we leave for Christmas, but it will all get done in good time. I just need to survive the next 6 days of work. Survive, survive, survive, smile and nod, smile and nod!!

Pray for me today...

2008-12-13T07:29:00.002-06:00

For, I am embarking on a trip into the shopping frenzy also known as Frisco, Texas. UGH! Macy has a birthday party for a friend who lives in Frisco and her Daddy couldn't get her there, so Chris and I are taking her and while we wait we are taking the little ones to Build a Bear (yes, I do love that place) and letting Maddy and Mason make the reindeers for their GoGo for Christmas (she collects them-reindeers, not Build a Bears). I have to go to James Avery to get Macy's yearly charm. Not sure what I'll pick up, but I love, love, love that place. I have decided for all my incidental gifts, that I'm sticking to an ornmanet. Not just any ornament, a hand picked, this meets your personality ornament. My girlfriends, my employees, my teachers, my childrens friends....I just couldn't bear the thought of going overboard this year. So, I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and Kohl's and am already almost done!! I'm so excited!! I love Christmas ornaments and can remember where I got every one I have and from whom. I also bought a new cupcake ornament for our ornament gift exchange at the school next week. Had to give it a little "Buffy" flavor. I've also come to love a blog that I just stumbled across and got her a couple ornaments that I'm going to mail to her. Isn't it crazy how you become "friends" with people across the internet. Craziness people!!

So, there was a tornado in my town this week. Shocking that I didn't even know that it was 1/4 mile from my house until I woke up the next morning. I heard the storms, I woke Chris up and told him it was bad. He told me I was dramatic and to go back to sleep, so I did. In case I have never told you....I am a news junkie. CNN. Fox news. Local news. Dallas morning news. My hometown newspaper...I think I got that from both my parents, but for whatever reason..it's what I love...news. So, I click on Fox news.com and there it is Possible tornado hits N. Texas town. I clicked on it...DENISON!! My town. So, I went to the local news channel. All of my friends streets are listed. I totally panicked. I started calling everyone at 6 a.m. Luckily, a lot of them were up, never had gone to sleep, etc. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured!! Praise GOD!! I am pretty upset because it has come out in the news that the sirens are non-functioning. Did I mention that I got my tax statement for 2009 in the mail yesterday? What am I paying taxes for? This stuff to work people!!

So, remember me today while I drive to Dallas with three children, a husband that doesn't like to shop and a budget!!!!

It can wait until tomorrow....

2008-12-11T09:48:00.002-06:00

I am such a procrastinator. I work better under pressure. But, the crap that I put myself in the process is ridiculous. I was so proud of myself because I was pretty much done with all my Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving. Macy-check. Maddy-check, check, check. Mason-almost check. Mom-pretty close to a check. Chris-don't buy gifts for each other-check and then it hit me. All those extras....my friends, my employees, my childrens friends, Christmas cards, teachers, etc., etc., etc.

So, I need to get the obligatory picture of the kids. Thank goodness I took an awesome one at Disneyland this year. Do they all have on matching jammies, nope...Do they all have matching Christmas sweaters....nope!! But, they are happy. They are cute. The picture truly is reflective of who they are and the fun Summer that we had. So, I'm using that one. I'll go to Sam's tomorrow, pick them out and get those addressed this weekend. I also have to address all the Christmas cards for the entire staff at Macy's school because I'm on the PTO...in charge of hospitality.

It just adds up. Chris almost lost his job two days ago. Five other managers did at Love Field. He was safe...this time. It's scary. Very scary. So, I am thankful that our house is not in foreclosure. I am thankful that we can buy gifts. I am thankful that gas is $1.41 a gallon right now. I am thankful that for the most part our kids are healthy. I am thankful that I can stress out about Christmas gifts instead of stressing out about not being able to even purchase them. I'm thankful that Chris and I got to have dinner alone last night at my favorite dive in Sherman. I am thankful. God is good...all the time.

Boo-boo...the update....

2008-12-07T16:44:00.002-06:00

Sorry to all of you that have emailed, called or texted and asked how Mason is...(aka Boo-boo). He is doing as well as can be expected, I guess. He's tired. He looks tired. He looks sick. I need to take a picture and post it. He has dark circles under his eyes. Today he slept from 1:00 until about 4:15. That's not really a common thing for him. I'm having to dress him every morning because he is just beat. We saw the ENT...tonsillectomy in January.... We had blood drawn, I have not heard anything on the results yet. We go back again on Thursday for more blood work. He hates having his blood drawn. He still has the cough that he has had for um, three months. He sounds stopped up again in the nose area. I just want him to feel better. I want him to look better. I want him to be better. It's hard for us because we want to baby him and he is over emotional right now, but there are times when we have to discipline him and that sucks. He goes into melt down mode. Just pray that he improves sooner than later!!!

Wal Mart in December..

2008-12-06T21:27:00.003-06:00

Need I say more? ICK! I told Chris today, I would rather take my own life than to have to go to Wal Mart on a Saturday during the month of December. All I needed was some tacky glue and some sticky tape for ornament night....40 minutes in line!! Seriously!! 40 minutes. Oh, and I had to park at the BACK of the parking lot, which actually is fine with me. That's fine. But, what isn't fine is that I have to wait in line to park in the back behind all the people who wait people out...you know those people, the people who put pressure on you to throw your bags in the car and run....I do not understand why they have not figured out that it would actually be faster just to park then to sit there and wait for the person that is trying to unload their groceries out of their basket into their car. I don't know about anyone else, but I have started just taking my time. I ever so carefully buckle each one of my children in (sometimes even Macy) just so they have to wait longer!! GET A LIFE. Stop being lazy and go park!!

40 minutes in line. Our particular Wal Mart is smaller than Sherman's. I like it better only because it is smaller. Out of 4 "express lanes" only one was open on each side. ONE! Out of probably 40 lanes...I would guess 15 were open. What's up with that? Saturday. 3:00 p.m. 19 days before Christmas.

Okay, I'm done. But seriously? I'm so over this already...so over it...

Thank you....

2008-12-01T16:15:00.002-06:00

Like my best friend Khaki can be quoted as saying today..."Did you ever think that you would be thanking God that your baby boy has Mono?" No, I didn't. But, he does and this is so much better than what we were originally told. We were undergoing studies for lymphoma. We still have more blood work to undergo tomorrow and an ENT evaluation on Thursday, but we did get a mono screen back today that is 100% positive. Very, very positive. It explains so much now that we have a diagnosis. So, pray for him to feel better real soon!! Thanks for all your encouraging emails, texts and messages today!! I felt you with me today!!!

The patriotic tree....

2008-11-30T16:54:00.004-06:00

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!!

And they're up...sort of...

2008-11-30T16:33:00.003-06:00

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!!!

Here's what we know...

2008-11-29T06:27:00.003-06:00

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...

Thanksgiving...

2008-11-27T19:20:00.004-06:00

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!!

The mother eagle has landed...

2008-11-25T20:12:00.003-06:00

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....

Thanksgiving...

2008-11-24T18:08:00.002-06:00

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!!

A Fryday contest...

2008-11-22T07:56:00.006-06:00

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....

This is greatness!!!

2008-11-21T18:29:00.001-06:00

http://weareneverbored.blogspot.com

Text messages...

2008-11-20T22:58:00.002-06:00

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...

Emotional rollercoaster.

2008-11-20T21:34:00.002-06:00

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."

The board has met...

2008-11-18T21:42:00.003-06:00

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!!!

My archery talents....

2008-11-15T14:23:00.003-06:00

Macy and I both loved the archery portion of our trip...Wanted to share those pictures, too!!
\
Macy looking like a pro...
Look at the concentration in that face!!!

Back from Rehab...

2008-11-15T13:59:00.003-06:00

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....

Leaving for camp...

2008-11-10T05:40:00.003-06:00

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!!

Detox/Rehab...

2008-11-08T21:09:00.005-06:00

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!!

Sweet Dawn....

2008-11-05T19:58:00.000-06:00

I love how they listed her occupation!!

2008-11-05T19:56:00.001-06:00

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...

2008-11-05T18:55:00.003-06:00

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!!

Happy Halloween....

2008-11-01T15:32:00.002-05:00

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!!

I need it.

2008-10-28T12:13:00.002-05:00

I have decided that I need a week without my phone, a week without my computer, a week without email, a week without my husband asking me stupid questions...Starbucks...I have not made that decision yet. I don't know how I will get by, but I'm sure I will. I am so tired. I'm tired of parents thinking that it is appropriate to call me at 8:45 at night to ask me a question about school. Do their customers call them at home at 8:45 for every little detail. I have 120 parents people!! Don't call me. Can you believe people? Now, let me clarify, if you're my friend and you have a question and you also happen to be a parent, I'm good with that, but complete stranger parents? Not so much. As a society, I think that we have all become so programmed to check the bank balance, check the email, check voice mail, check my call log 50 times a day...I'm tired of checking. Sometimes I just ignore my email for a week because it takes too much effort to hit reply. Know what I mean? I'm exhausted by the day to day details of crap. I got subpoenaed in ANOTHER child custody case. Seriously, never, never considered that when I took this job. The other day CPS showed up and showed her credentials...I was just like...WHO TODAY? Two years ago I would have just wrung my hands over it. Not today. It's a monthly thing. I have learned to let go of a lot of the crap with this job. Things that two years ago would have gotten me into a frenzy just get a shoulder shrug from me these days. I'm excited about my trip with Macy. Macy is excited about her trip with me. And those are the things that are most important to me right at this moment....

And it's official....

2008-10-23T20:30:00.002-05:00

I am going to Camp Goddard with Macy. What is Camp Goddard you ask? It is a camp that the 5th Graders in the area (and other areas actually) attend as a sort of a coming of age thing of sorts. You sleep in cabins. You go on trails and boat and take archery classes. I went to 6th Grade Camp when I lived in California. I loved it!! So, I am pleased that I was chosen to go. I am sad to leave Mason and Maddy, but Daddy will have things under control here with them and with the help of dear friends who help get them home from preschool until Daddy can get there.

HOWEVER, it has now come to my attention that there will be NO STARBUCKS FOR 5 DAYS. THERE WILL BE NO SONIC FOR 5 DAYS. THERE WILL BE VERY LITTLE CELL PHONE USAGE FOR 5 DAYS. THERE WILL BE NO COMPUTER FOR 5 DAYS. NO INTERNET FOR 5 DAYS. NO EMAIL FOR 5 DAYS. I asked Macy how I was going to make it and she stated..."SUCK it up...you're going." Lovely. Great advice from my 11 year old.

So, now I'm on to my planning for the trip. You wouldn't beleive all the things we have to pack. But, truly, I am excited to spend this time with Macy. Who knows if she'll even speak to me next year when shes in MIDDLE SCHOOL, right? And Macy was my only baby for so long and then two others came along so quickly and we don't get to spend a lot of Mommy and Macy time together. So, for that I am excited. We're trying to come up with some cool ideas of fun stuff to do for the girls in the cabin. 8 of them!! I am going to order personalized M&M's tomorrow. I'm excited. So, if you think I have fallen off the face of the earth in November, I haven't. I've just fallen into the mountains of Oklahoma......

The Pumpkin Fest...and a yucky tummy...

2008-10-19T10:43:00.002-05:00

So, Pumpkin Fest has been scheduled for at least 10 months....Start planning in January. I had everything done, just needed the day to come. Had the food ready, had the prizes separated, had planned and planned and planned and low and behold I woke up yesterday morning and knew something wasn't right. Before I even got out of bed, I knew....I was nauseated. I'm only nauseated when one of two things is going on...I'm pregnant (which I'm not) or I have a stomach virus....YUCK. So...by 11 a.m. I was pretty much convinced I wasn't going anywhere. Poor Chris had to strip our bed, clean me up, such lovely details...huh? He called in the troops. My friend Nicole pretty much ran the show for me. So, to all my friends who showed up and helped...THANK YOU!! I'm sad that I missed something that I had worked all year for, but as long as everyone had a good time...I'm happy. I'm even missing the NKOTB reunion concert tonight!! :( I don't like being sick. AT ALL....

Oh, and Chris had to coach the soccer team. We won!! 7-1. Go Rockets!!

A loooonnnnggggg week......

2008-10-12T22:59:00.003-05:00

A long week behind me and a long week in front of me....Last week these things happened.

1) I washed over 100 trays twice a day for 3 days.
2) I was the keynote speaker at the Foster Grandparent luncheon.
3) I was verbally acosted by a granny about how much she hates pumpkins. (WHO could hate a pumpkin)???
4) I went to Farmers Market and bought $1,000 worth of pumpkins.
5) I had lunch on the patio my favorite restaurant in the middle of the week with my husband and my youngest daughter. (Something we realized we've never done before (been alone with only Maddy).
6) I gave Maddy $3.00 in pennies to throw in the fountain at the restaurant...because I could.
7) I unloaded $1,000 worth of pumpkins (with help)....
8) I raised over $6,000 in candle sales at the school.
9) I was cussed out by a grandmother raising her grandson one day and sweet talked the next into bringing her grandson to my school. Weird story.
10) I had a fight with my boss who is also my Pastor. TWICE.
11) I had a really bad Monday.
12) I didn't have to drive the bus.
13) I had a garage sale at the church for the Bounds and raised a ton of $$$ for them. (With help).
14) I cried. A lot.
15) I contemplated throwing in the towel and finding another career.
16) I took Mason to soccer pictures and his game..and coached.
17) I made cupcakes for Hannah Bo Bannah's petting zoo party...
18) I got up every morning before 5. UGH. Oh, except the day that I got up at 4:30 and convinced myself to go back to sleep until 6:13. RECORD....
19) I got up the last two Saturdays by 5. Again, UGH.
20) I took both girls for haircuts. One because I had to because she cut her own hair and the other because she's a big girl who needs a big girl haircut. Her words...:)
21) I typed dictation late in the night.

This week I will....
1) Try to have a better Monday.
2) Try not to cry.
3) Try to sleep.
4) Try to finish my work
5) Try to invoice.
6) Try to have a better attitude.
7) Plan the pumpkin fest final details.
8) Unload the truck full of food for pumpkin fest.
9) Be the boss.
10) Be the Mom.
11) Be the wife.
12) Be the one who "knows it all." UGH.

Be the one who has decided she is now tired of hearing herself think and sign off and go to bed. I'm feeling so defeated....

Oldies but goodies....

2008-10-04T16:27:00.002-05:00

Last night one of my friends from Paris....Misty came to see me in Sherman! We were like giggling high school girls, except that now we're in our 30's!! It was so good to be back together again. Back together again and it feels so gooooooooooddddddddd. We had cheese fries, cheese burgers, appetizers and an "adult beverage". I love her! I love her kids!! She is MY friend!!! I made her promise at least once a month, one of us treks that hour drive to see each other. We need each other to stay sane!! Here we are enjoying some dinner....Oh and a picture of our cheese fries...just to prove how bad we ate. :)

Nature...at our house...

2008-10-01T11:25:00.003-05:00

For those of you who don't live in Texas...Fall is awesome here. One of my favorite memories of Fall in Texas was driving from Austin to Fredricksburg in 1996...and having to pull over to clean off all the butterfly "dust" off our windshield. I know that can be morbid in a way, but I was more intrigued by the amount of butterflies...turns out the monarch butterflies migrate through Texas from up North on their way to Mexico about this time of year. There was an article in the Dallas Morning News last weekend showing their path, etc. and I had saved it for Macy. Well, low and behold...one got off path and ended up in our front yard last night. He was injured and it was sad...But, here are the amazing pictures....

Would you?

2008-10-01T10:52:00.002-05:00

Would you ever leave your job by emailing your boss on a Sunday night at 10:26 via myspace that you were not returning to work? That you had to do what was best for your family? AT 10:26 on a SUNDAY NIGHT!! ....when you have to be at work at 6:30 a.m. to cook for 100 kids? Would you? After your lovely boss had helped pay electric bills, buy things for your home, taken your kids to school when they missed the bus, take them to church on Sundays, help buy school supplies and school clothes??? Just wondering if it's just me that thinks that is pretty low.....absolutely amazing. Oh....wait...helped pay the water bill?? I hate being the boss. I really do.

A pink and purple bounce house....

2008-09-29T07:22:00.005-05:00

Maddy Kat had an awesome party!! We had a pink and purple bounce house in the front yard. It was in the shape of a castle. It reminded me of when Macy turned 3 and she had a bounce house in our back yard in Paris. So funny that some things change and some things stay the same. They both had princess parties at age of 3, too. Maybe I am on the right track with the bad Kat.

Here are some shots from the party. We had fun!!!
Maddy and her buddy Camryn...
Maddy showing off her new Hello Kitty boots. She seriously wanted to wear that outfit to church. I okayed the dress, but said no to the boots!!
Mommy helping Maddy open gifts...
Oh, we were so silly!!

Happy Birthday Kat...A day late....

2008-09-27T09:55:00.002-05:00

Mommy was soooo busy yesterday....

Maddy Kat Hanson....turned 3 on September 26, 2008. For those of you who don't know why we call her Kat, there are a multitude of reasons....1st. Her middle name is Kathryn after my best friend...Kathryn.....2nd. When I was pregnant with her, I could not eat enough Kit Kats. Seriously like a 6 pack every 2 days. (and I gained the least amount of weight with that pregnancy, go figure). And her Daddy has always called her Kitty Kat. We just do. Her full name is Madylynn Kathryn Hanson, but only because Chris got to pick her name, I really wanted a Molly Kathryn Hanson....But, she is our Kat.

She's a spit fire. If she were my first, she would have been my last. I've never met a kid like her...she's opinionated and bossy and smart and a know it all. Walked at 8 months and was potty trained right at 2. (By herself). She's just smart. And I love her. I love her, I love her!!

Yo momma....

2008-09-25T17:19:00.002-05:00

I'm still here. I am working on getting over the fact that my Mom will no longer live one hour from me. I know that I am a big baby. I know that I need to wear my big girl panties. I'm trying. I spent Sunday with her. I drove back down on Tuesday (actually took the day off of work). So, the movers will be there tomorrow and things will arrive in Houston on Saturday. (She doesn't have power where she is going...still from Ike). The State Fair starts Friday. My Mom and I love the State Fair...together....so I'm sure I'll see her before it's over. I just love my Mom. That's all.

My friend Christy has suggested I go see a doctor. I'm having major coping issues. I think I'm tired. I think I have anxiety. I think I am depressed. I think I am overworked. I think that I am overcommitted. I am trying to get all those little things done that float around in my head that I need to get done and feel like if I could get those done then I wouldn't be as bothered. I know that does not make sense at all...so here are some examples. I really need to send two paychecks off to employees that are now in College Station. They are in my front seat. I really need to send two birthday cards off in the mail. They are in my front seat. I really need to place our tshirt order for the school. I really need to get the new 2 year old room decorated....I really need a good nights rest. I really need a night where I am not scheduled to be somewhere are a certain time...like tonight at 6 p.m. at the church that I have been at ALL DAY!! Like tomorrow for soccer practice at 5:30. Like Saturday at 11:00 for a soccer game...but, hey we do rock the soccer field. 7-0 ROCKETS!! Woo hoo for my little team!!

Okay, I guess that's all...I wanted you guys to know I'm alive. I have a few things up my sleeve for my blog in 2009...because I am a copy cat.

A few prayer requests...just found out that my friend Wesley is having brain surgery AGAIN to put the shunt in his brain. They were going to originally do this a month ago, but decided to put it in his spine draining into his stomach and that has not worked, so on the 1st they will go back in and put the shunt in his brain to drain the fluid....Regan...my student that got shot in the eye with an air gun will have ANOTHER surgery on the 30th...(also her 3rd birthday) to move the lens that was implanted already because it has shifted. AND my friend Cheri's mother in law had surgery on Tuesday for breast cancer....

WOW....God just put me in my place didn't he? Stop sweating the small stuff, huh?

Until tomorrow...when I will tell you all about my sweet Maddy Kat Hanson turning 3....WOW!! My "baby" is 3. I want to cry....

Mommy...

2008-09-16T20:56:00.003-05:00

Well, today my day was crummy. Just plain crummy. I had this weird icky feeling for the last six months since my Mom put her house up for sale that "something" was up. I was so excited at first, thinking she would be moving my way...but in the back of my mind I had a fear that her and my stepfather were getting back together. The house closes next Wednesday...today she told me she is moving to Houston with my ex-stepfather...Been there, done that...didn't work the first three times....I love my Mom. Even if I don't see her every weekend, just once a month since I became soooo busy, I talk to her everyday and just knowing that she is an hour away makes me feel better. But, now she will be farther away and I won't go there to see her because I don't like him...I know she won't come as often to see us because he's so controlling and that's how it is. I don't know what we'll do for Thanksgiving. I don't know what we'll for Christmas. My Mom is my anchor. She is my rock. She is my everything....and I am so, so, so, sad. Have I mentioned that I love my Mommy???

The par-tay!

2008-09-15T22:41:00.004-05:00

So, the Bub turned 11. We had a spectacular Saturday. Favorite quote of the day....Macy first thing when she woke up Saturday pokes her head in the bathroom while I'm getting ready and asks..."Will Ike be joining us today?" How funny is she? We took two friends with us from Denison, picked up a friend in Frisco and met another friend AT the mall. So, five girls, Darin and I and my friend Rox at Build a Bear. It was sooo much fun!! I'm so glad she's still a kid at heart. We then went to Cheesecake Factory for appetizers and dessert!! YUMMY!! All of us headed home and stopped in Sherman for pedicures all around...even me! Love a good pedicure. I got orange for Halloween and the guy kept saying...too early...tooo early. (Say that in a funny accent).

It was a sleep over and actually we only had one bout of tears and drama. But, it wasn't tooooo bad. I would even agree to do it again next year. Now, it's Maddy's turn. She wants a bounce house in our front yard. Lovely. Only Maddy would have such a demand. But, it's better than the party plan that she had last week...Disneyland...been there, done that and I'm broke!!

Here are some pictures from Macy's party this weekend!! The girls at Build a Bear.
Macy and Ella...the elephant.
Macy enjoying lunch.
The girls are all in!!
And then there was the tired MOMMY!

The Bub...

2008-09-12T20:53:00.003-05:00

For those of you that are close friends you already know that the Bub is Macy. A really weird nickname for my first born girl. But, here's the back story...when she was a baby I would look at here and squeeze her little cheeks and tell her everyday...."I love you bubba." (Translation: I love you baby in a silly voice). So, by the time she was three she was a full fledged Bubba. Now in Texas...Bubba is a nickname for little brothers, big brothers, hicks...but not my Bubba. She's a pretty girl and today...my baby bubba turned 11. She is officially a pre-teen. EEEeeecckkkk!! She is such a good kid, though. I love her so much. I love who she is turning into. Her Dad and I have worked hard to make her who she is. I love her the mostest!! Tomorrow we are headed to Frisco for a big girl party...Build a Bear (I guess this is still in for preteens?), Cheesecake factory and pedicures. And then pizza and a sleep over and of course CUPCAKES for her birthday party!! She's a well rounded girl...she can fish and kayak with the best of them and LOVES painted nails...

I love her so much. God truly blessed me with my BUBBA.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUB!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

I remember...

2008-09-10T21:03:00.002-05:00

On September 11th, 2001 I was living in Paris, Texas. Macy was a day away from turning 4. I was a preschool teacher at the Mothers Day Out Program at First Baptist Church. My teaching buddy was Cheri Lewis! :) I was running late (as usual). My sister called..."turn on the TV." A plane just hit the World Trade Center....I turned on the TV and as I was watching it the other plane hit the other tower on live TV. It was shocking. Nauseating. Disturbing. My life was so weird at that time. I was "married" to Darin. Best friends with Chris... "Talking" to a doctor who lived in Oklahoma City who had been there when the Federal building in OKC was bombed...my Mom had just been diagnosed with cancer (again). It was this weird, weird time in my life.

So, I go to school. I think I was so young then...um....25...that I didn't get the seriousness of it. I was (and still am) so naive. I didn't get it. Parents started dropping of their kids crying. Cheri and I had this little radio that we were trying to pick up a signal on to listen to news reports. I caught a glimpse of pictures on the internet in the office. It was horrific. Parents were going to "stock up on gas." They were going to donate blood. It was eeary.

Less than a week later...my Mom was having surgery to remove a tumor in her ovary. All I could do was watch that TV in her room. She was out of it. It was on every channel 24 hours a day. I couldn't stop watching it. I was just so engrossed in it. It really affected me. I think that I was depressed after that. I was interested in a person that had lived through a bombing. He was a doctor and had been one of the first responders in OKC. He had so much insight that I didn't. I didn't know if my Mom was going to be okay...it was just an icky time for me personally. I didn't have anyone that could keep Macy for me that I completely trusted. My Grandma kept her some for me (but she was seriously mentally not okay), I didn't trust my sister completely, but I did trust a person that I had met only 4 months earlier...the man who is now my husband. Hhhmmm....God does interesting things doesn't he? He kept my Macy for me. He was a little weird about the bathing thing. So, he would make her go in there...bathe herself and lay her clothes out for her. Cheri can attest to the fact that he would bring Macy to preschool with her hair undone for Cheri to fix. I remember not being able to track him down one night. He had come to the hospital for Macy to visit and he left. I called my house over and over and over again waiting for him to get home with Macy. That was about 2 hours from the hospital that we were at in Dallas. I was about to drive the route to Paris when my sister finally got in touch with Chris. I was panicked. Where had he been? He had taken my Macy to Chuck E. Cheese. He said it was a toss up between that place and the McDonalds that looks like the Happy Meal. OMG!! I hate Chuck E. Cheese...I hate McDonalds and here was a person that was taking my daughter there just for fun. WOW

Looking back, that day amazes me. I still cry when I see the pictures and think of the lives lost. I think it is our generations Pearl Harbor. Where were you? Did it affect the way you live today? Are you a true patriot. Do you love your country???

Cheri-If you're reading this. I remember you in my life for so many different things...Your kids...your love of Christ...your testimony...your sweet husband and Tate who are truly miracles...your brother...your love of cherries and the Eiffel Tower...buf I remember you every September 11th because on that day WE were survivors...together...

A few updates...

2008-09-09T20:44:00.003-05:00

Wesley came home today! Praise God. They still have quite a bit of recovery to go...he is having vision issues still. He is out of sick time and vacation days with the police department. I personally think that if fellow officers want to donate their time to him, they should be allowed to, but this under consideration right now. Please remember the Bounds in your prayers. They are the sweetest family!

Mason is doing better with the soccer thing. He and I and Chris have been taking turns in the front yard kicking the ball. I think we may be okay. I went to the TSA meeting tonight and our uniforms are PURPLE. WOW!! Purple for a boys under 4 team. Okie dokie. Oh well. At least I'm not the crazy Mommy who is having massive fits about it. She is willing to do whatever she has to do (pay a lot of $$) to have all the uniforms replaced. I just think we should call ourselves the People Eaters and get on with life. Too funny! I crack myself up.

School is busy, busy, busy. We have over 110 enrolled. Everyday it's someone new. A new allergy. A new Mommy. A new cry. A new biter. A new employee!! In fact, today two new employees started. They are seniors at Austin College and they are BOYS!! And the kids LOVE THEM!! I think that it is important to have male influences in these kids lives and so I encourage boys/men to apply. We have two retired men that volunteer with us through our local Foster Grandparent program and the kids LOVE them. (And yes they have all cleared background checks). I would trust my kids with any of them in an instant. They truly are "grandparents" to our kids. They are happy because of these kids and the kids are happy because of them. I think they have such great hidden talents. Mr. Jimmy is a computer whiz and makes coloring sheets for the kids with his face and Ms. Jessica's face. He is working on a calendar for Ms. Jessica with pictures of the kids and all their birthdays for Christmas. So, so, so sweet. So many times people are dismissed because of their age, but this group of people is so very special to all of us!

I am Mommy....I am tired.

Busy, busy, busy week. Last night Open House meeting at Macy's school. Tonight TSA soccer meeting...tomorrow night...church....Thursday night...soccer practice....Friday....MACY TURNS 11. Friday night...soccer practice and an ice cream social at the school immediately following...Saturday...Macy's big par-tay at the mall in Frisco. Build a Bear, Cheesecake factory, pedicures for five girls followed by a sleepover at our house. Mason and Maddy both have birthday parties for friends that day at 5 that Chris has been assigned to attend. Sunday...return the girls to their houses, go to church...go to my Mom's and help her pack some more.

Whew....

News flash....

2008-09-08T13:02:00.001-05:00

Mason hates soccer. Of course he does because I agreed to coach it. Any suggestions on how to handle this? I am of the mothering school that makes a child finish what they start. If he does not want to play next season, so be it, but he WILL finish this season. How can I make it fun? Bribery? Intimidation? Humiliation? What should I do? I think he was just overwhelmed by 10 other boys running after him and HIS ball. He wanted the ball all to himself. HELP!

Surgery today....

2008-09-05T06:36:00.002-05:00

Wes is having surgery this morning. She texted me early this morning (it's 6:37 now). He is expected to go into surgery between 10:30 and 11:30 and it can last up to three hours to do the shunt placement. Please continue to pray.

On a much lighter note, this evening is my first soccer practice with my "BOYS." I'm excited and actually, nervous. I truly don't know what I'm doing. I'm just going to tell them to run, run, run, kick the ball in the goal. That's good right? They only place 3 on 3 at this age. So, I think I'm safe.

Friday, ah, Friday. Love Friday. AND it's payday Friday. My check is actually already spent, but I still love Friday. May you all have an awesome weekend!!

Pray...pray....pray.....

2008-09-04T20:00:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow Wesley is having surgery. Please pray for Wesley. Pray for the surgeons. Pray for Kristy. Pray for his kids who miss him so much. Pray, pray, pray!!!

Thanks Guys!!

This is the story of a girl....

2008-09-02T21:16:00.003-05:00

....who cried a river and drowned the whole world. I can't get that song out of my head. How annoying!

My friends Wesley and Kristy still need to be uplifted in prayer. Wesley is not doing well and poor Kristy is so sad and scared. My Mom went to see her today. I was so glad that she did that. Just continue to pray that Wesley improves and that the medicines will work and that he will not lose anymore of his vision. Please pray for them to have peace over their finances, etc. God will provide!!

School has been so busy. We are inundated daily by more than 10 calls about openings, etc. I finally had to go buy one of those message books for calls on my voice mail so I would be more organized about it. I have lost so much stuff on my desk in the last two weeks it's not even funny. My staff is doing a great job, though and I am very proud of them!! We have little bouts of parent drama here and there, but that is expected.

Macy is doing well in school. She likes her teachers and already has a ton of homework every night. OH, and I forgot to mention...I think. Maybe I didn't. I'm going to coach Mason's soccer team. I know, because I have all that extra time on my hands that I have nothing to do on the weekends, but you know...Chris does softball with Macy and I wanted Mason to play soccer and they needed a coach. So, you're looking at her. So, am I a soccer mom/coach or a soccer coach/mom? I'm so witty when I'm tired.

I am secretly gearing up for the big clean sweep this weekend of her room. I'm ready. I have my friends ready and we're going to get that room done for her. She has no idea and I'm so excited!!

That's about it from me tonight. My head is pounding. I need some rest. (Not that I didn't take about 8 hours worth of naps this weekend, but ya know.....)

My friends Kristy and Wesley!!

2008-09-01T10:40:00.005-05:00

Our friend Wesley had brain surgery in July. He had Chiari Malformation Type I. The feeling was that the surgery was successful. He is a police officer in Denison. In fact last weekend we went to his son's birthday party where he seemed well and did all the grilling!! Well, Friday night Wesley started throwing up and had a major headache. He is now in ICU at Baylor. He has meningitis.... Bacterial meningitis.... He just had brain surgery....think about that when you think about how hard your life is right at this moment. It puts everything into prospective, doesn't it? Everyone is fighting a battle. They have four kids. Please, please pray for this amazing family. I love his wife Kristy. I love all of their kids. They are the sweetest family. Lift them up in prayer today. As a community of friends, we all need to pull together for this family. They are always doing something for somebody else and they truly do need us at this point!!!

It's a quiet day in the neighborhood....

2008-09-01T10:35:00.004-05:00

It's been a quiet weekend. In part because Chris and I are not speaking to each other, but still...quiet. I have gotten a lot done. I've cleaned, organized and really important...I've slept. I have napped everyday of this weekend (including Friday). If there is one thing that I miss about being so busy it's my naps. Macy has been home with us this weekend and I've loved having her. She had one of her buddies with us most of the weekend, but she's gone now. I'm about to make my kids head to the back yard to clean up their messes. I'll tell you what...our backyard is a wreck!! It drives me nuts. I need to clean out my explorer, too. I got to go out with some of my girlfriends last night for a birthday party. It was fun, low key and just what I needed. I love my friends. I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many different personalities and I love them all!! Last night it was a reunion of sorts with my girlfriends from the doctors office that I worked for for five years. Miss them, love them, so glad they called me for the party. I made strawberry cupcakes and they were a hit. Yummy, yummy. Well, gotta run....gotta stay on my cleaning spree. I'm on a roll!!! Don't want to downgrade my momentum.

A magnet

2008-08-27T12:39:00.004-05:00

I have come to realize in my 30's that I am a magnet for weird stuff. My friend Shannon always says...the weirdest stuff happens to you. It does. I get that. I don't create it. I know I'm dramatic. I get that too. But, the weirdest thing ever happened this morning. Apparently somewhere near our town they manufacture the propellors for wind machines. They are HUGE. They look like air plane wings. So, they travel on this long flat bed thing. They have two trucks that accompany them. The two trucks block traffic for upwards to 30 minutes at major intersections at very busy times in Sherman and quite frankly are a nuciansce. This morning at the major intersection where just last week they held up traffic for an hour due to a malfunctioning back end of the truck...they exited in front of me (approximately 7:55). One truck blocks the frontage road traffic and the other travels behind the big truck. So, I try to go around them (in a perfectly clear lane) and the truck block frontage road traffic comes at my vehicle with his. He seriously LUNGED his truck towards my front panel. (didn't hit me). Everything I had that wasn't held down went in the floorboards. (My laptop). I rolled my window down and was yelling at him. He told me he had a permit to block traffic and that if I got within 300 ft of the vehicle that he had a gun and would use it. Did I mention my 2 and 4 year old were with me. I called 911 and let me tell you I have never seen those trucks move through the intersection so fast!! I couldn't get license plate numbers because they were covered by WIDE LOAD signs. So, they were illegal. The police dispatched DPS to Amarillo because their guess is that they were headed to West Texas. I had forgotten that my Mom was on my cell until I had to hang up on her to call 911. So, she heard the man yelling at me and threatening me. The guy seriously acted as if I was a terrorist there to ruin his air propeller. And just for the record...they do not have the right to hold up traffic or block traffic according to the police...just so you know. AND if anyone ever blocks your vehicle with their body you have every right to run them over. (Just repeating what the very, very nice police officer told me)!!! UGH. I had a complete full blown panic attack after the confrontation. My sweet friends (yes they are my friends) at Starbucks were trying to do anything to help me. It scared my kids, it scared me. It was AWFUL!! Okay...that's my crazy story for the day!!

Oh, and looks like no vacation for us. But, on the positive side of that...we get to spend some time working on our house. I love FALL cleaning...so I'll be doing that. I'll attempt to do before and after pictures. (If I'm brave enough to show you the back room before we move Macy into it)!! UGH.

The first day of school....

2008-08-25T18:39:00.005-05:00

All the way around for me. How about all us teachers that have kids in school, teach at school or run a school? First days are rough, huh? So, today Macy entered 5th grade. Mason started Pre-K-4 and Maddy Kat entered Pre K-3. (She turns 3 next month...can you believe that?). I had to send Mason home from his first day of school. PINK EYE!! EWWWW!!

My school and me (WOW) was featured on the local news last night. Why do I move my mouth so funny looking when I talk? I remember ONCE one of my very sweet friends from Paris referred to the way that I moved my mouth...I didn't think anything of it, UNTIL I saw myself on TV last night. What is that? Why do I do that? It annoys me now. http://www.kxii.com/home/headlines/27338739.html That's the link. Check it out!! What a dork! My Mom said I looked really pretty on camera without makeup on. I HAD MAKEUP ON!!! UGH!!

Okay, sooooooo.....here's the pictures. You know how I love the pictures....ENJOY!

Triceps...

2008-08-23T11:35:00.002-05:00

Who knew that I actually have those? Today my trainer officially announced to me..."WOW...I can really see your tricep muscles." YEA ME! So silly, yet so rewarding!!! Now if I can grow some abs...heheheheh

Thank you for your prayers...

2008-08-19T21:03:00.003-05:00

To all of you that read my blog from yesterday and lifted me up...thank you. The day has actually ended on a peaceful note. I finished my inspection with the state with flying colors...just need the fire marshall report. Things are going well at the school. Six new kids TODAY!! We went to my friend Misti's surprise birthday party tonight in Oklahoma. That was a lot of fun. So, I hope that tonight will bring me restful sleep that I need. I only have a short tape to finish in the morning and invoicing for the month of August...and I'm off until Friday...Yippee!! Oh, except that the full time job insists upon my full attention. But, it's all working out. Thanks for all your concerns and thoughts and kind words....I love my friends!!

Dear God...

2008-08-18T19:29:00.002-05:00

please help me to take deep breaths....believe in you...trust in you....not worry...

I know deep inside of me that you take care of all things...I just have a tendency to be a control freak and think that I can take all the burden upon my heart and my shoulders...but, I can't. I really need you to guide me and calm me...

I pray for a good nights sleep. I pray to not wake up at 4 a.m. worrying about money, work issues, family issues, school issues...

Please shower me in peace.

I trust in you Lord....

My new bike....

2008-08-12T20:45:00.003-05:00

All I wanted for Christmas was a black and pink, white walled tired Beach Cruiser...Instead, I got a turquoise one on Craigslist for $75.00!!! And my Mommy and brother put it together for me. I love it!! Mason and I decided to go for a ride today. How funny are we?? I do want to try to find one of those trailer things for the back.

Ugh. Monday....

2008-08-04T21:54:00.002-05:00

Okay, I fell off the working out wagon today. BUT, here's why...I had to pick up stuff for VBS at a church in Denison...blew out of the back of the truck on my way to Sherman on HWY 75. in 100 degree heat. Did I mention it was 9 a.m.? Aarrggghhh. That's how my day started. Oh, no..sorry, my day started with people TEXTING into work. Seriously! So, I had to get ready for VBS and do my regular job too and, and, and, and, and....didn't find time. So, I'm going to go in the morning and do my Monday work out and then go back at lunch and do my Tuesday work out. I WILL NOT FALL OFF THE WAGON. I will get back up on the horse and start over tomorrow!! I have not seen any results AT ALL, but I will keep on and on and on. The only person I'm cheating on by not doing this is me, right??? RIGHT!! Go me!! It's going to be a busy week...VBS, working out, and 5 tapes. I can do it, right? I can. Oh, now I sound like the Wonder Pets...