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Valentines Church Party 2012

2012-02-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

We had a great time last night at the Church Valentines party. We ate pizza and all kinds of goodies!!

Thanking them for all their hard work on the new basement!

Judy did the lesson this year and it was really precious. All the kids were so well behaved and they listened really well to!

The goodies! The ones at the bottom of the picture are super marshmallows dipped in chocolate! Really cute idea. I think Autumn made them. Someone should have took a picture of one and pinned it on pinterest!

The goody bags.

All the sweet mamas and some kiddos! All these mamas are special to me because they have had a hand in teaching my kids in Church. From L-R. Lydia is really precious and I know Jackson adores her and LOVES being in her class on Wednesday night!!!! Felicia well I think Jackson really LOVES her as well! She teaches him Sunday School and she is sooooo wonderful! Jackson is always full of information and learns alot from her!! The next one in the blue shirt is one of my BFFs!! Ruthie!! She is so precious! Very dear to my heart. Always smiling. Taught both my boys on Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Always uses her heart! She is soooo smart with the bible and teaches the kids in such a special way!! Stephen LOVES his ru ru and I think I can say that Jackson does as well. Deana she is super creative. Always there to help and my Stephen adores her. She is always good at doing Wednesday crafts, but does an excellent job teaching as well. Lily, Lydia's daughter! Rhonda is another super crafty girl. She taught my Stephen bible school and he enjoyed every minute of it!! Next is Trae and Brooke! Brooke is going to be like her granny, Mrs Charlotte and her mama, Missy. She is always there. Always. From helping in the sound room, to helping with the youth! I know Jackson loves her!!

2 cute matching little girls!! The littlest one is Stephens future wife in 30 years! We have arranged it.

Stephen has his bag ready!

Bronson and Jackson! Love the smile on Jacksons face!!

Now how could these 3 get any cutter??? Blonde hair and blue eyes!! Heart breakers for sure!!

These 3 kiddos are pretty darn sweet too!!! Darla, Eric and Meagan.

Girly, Girl Molly!! So sweet and cute!!!

The little ones going through their loot!

Stopping to smile so I can take another picture!

The bigs kids going through their stuff!!

I love our church youth group. They are a blessing to me and my kids!! When we have missed a Wednesday night for varies reasons Jackson is soooo upset. He seriously loves going to church especially on Wednesday night. We have some amazing youth leaders. We are truly blessed!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

2012-02-08T12:53:00.000-08:00

littledaisymay.blogspot.com

I am loving that it is warm enough for the boys to play outside!

I am loving that Stephen got his stitches out.

I am loving that tonight is our valentines party at Church.

I am loving Tuesday night bible study. Its Beth Moore Measureless Love.

I am loving that I got to share a cookies n cream milkshake with my boys today.

Loving that racing season is about to start and we got Jackson's new license in the mail!

Consignment Sales

2012-02-06T11:53:00.000-08:00

My favorite time of the year is consignment sale shopping. Its twice a year so its really better than any season!!! Spring/Fall!!! I went to one of my favorite sales this weekend! It was 3 Savvy Sisters. Its a bit of a drive and with gas prices I was not sure if I would get to go. I was only able to go Saturday which was fine by me. It was 50% off most items. I got a bouncy seat for baby Grace and a boppy for her as well. I got a Kenneth Cole suit jacket, Under Armour football pants, Adidas soccer shoes, Jack in the box toy, Jackson 2 Nautica shirts, brand new pair of Gap pants for Jackson, a nice pair of shorts for Jackson, John Deere shirt for Stephen, Nike shirt, swim shirt and shorts for Stephen. I might be leaving something out. I spent $49.50 and remember I got a bouncy seat that vibrates and plays music!!!!! I try to go through the boys closets and see what they might need for the upcoming seasons. I had my list and really lucked up. I did not have soccer cleats on my list, but when I went through the shoes I saw the Adidas size 11. I asked one of the girls in charge and she told me they were soccer and not baseball!!! I was sooooo happy and of course Stephen was to!!

Doesn't he look ever so handsome???? This is one of the outfits I got Jackson. Nautica shirt $2.50 and a brand new pair of Gap pants $3.75. Making the total outfit......................$6.25!!!! He got all dressed up so we could go to the funeral home. :( His best buddies grandmother passed away Saturday morning.

Jesus loves me

2012-02-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

Stephen LOVES to sing. He put all the Lego tunnels together and used it as a microphone and walked through the house singing Jesus loves me!! It really is sweet to hear! At Sunday School Ruthie always sings with the kids and they get to pick out their song. Stephen always chooses Jesus Loves Me. When the other children sing their songs he never sings along. The last Sunday Ruthie sang Hes still working on me. Later that day we were in the QT bathroom. He started singing Hes still working on me as loud as he could!!!

I love the fact that my kids are growing up to know who loves them and who is constantly working on them. I just know God has a special plan for both of them.

On Tuesday my mother in law, Pam, and I started a bible study at Woodlawn Baptist. Its a Beth Moore bible study and it is called Measureless Love. I LOVED it. I am so thankful for all of God's Love he shows me and my family. I can't wait to learn more! Beth Moore does an incredible job on bible study's.

Stephen aka the Wild One

2012-02-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

Stephen got a birthday balloon on Monday. Monday night he was taking it to show his daddy for about the 100th time! When we did he was not looking where he was going and was looking up at his awesome Toy Story balloon. He tripped on the balloon ribbon and fell on the desk. Busted his head open. We took him to the ER and he got 7 stitches!

Happy 4th Birthday to Stephen!

2012-02-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

Stephen turned 4 years old last night (Jan 31st)

We went to the Lakeshore Mall to pick up Stephen's cake. Stephen's favorite thing is the carousel. So I promised him and Jackson a ride. Jackson loves the round things that you can spin and make go faster. They were broke, but he still had fun riding a horse!

Afterwards we met Aunt Jo and Lanny and Kiku's to have supper! Jackson and Stephen did not want their picture made!!

Stephen was kinda scared of it, but he did like it. When the other tables were getting lit up he climbed under the table or covered his eyes!

They let Jackson help cook!!

He LOVED that!!

After Supper we rode back to Pam and Farrell's house to have presents and cake!

He has been asking for this kinda cake for a while! He LOVED it and it was super yummy to!!

Birthday boy and big bro!!!

Birthday boy with 7 stitches :(

4 candles!!

Hard worker

2012-01-27T07:37:00.000-08:00

Stephen is such a busy body. Constantly moving and doing something! Never stopping to sit and watch TV. They only time he sits still is to play with his Kindle.

He likes to clean. Will always fold towels for me or hang clothes on hangers for me. He LOVES to get wash cloths and wipe down the table, walls, or furniture. He has also been known to cry when his daddy told him to stop cleaning our bedroom furniture.

He loves to work when I am in the office. He loves to staple, glue or cut anything you will give him. Last night I gave him a Kohl's magazine and he cut it up! This morning I gave him the empty highlighter box to cut. The other day while working on taxes he stapled a paper towel and 2 envelopes, then cut them all to pieces the next day!

Monster Jam 2012 - Stephen's Birthday

2012-01-27T07:01:00.000-08:00

Better late than never right???

For Stephens Birthday we try not to go overboard with toys since its only a month after Christmas! Last year and this year we took the boys to Monster Jam for part of Stephen's birthday present. He LOVES monster trucks and he likes to watch it on the speed channel!

His favorite was Grave Digger! He put on a good show, but I have to admit I really thought Grinder did a better job. Only moms of boys would understand that right???

Grave Digger had a new 30th anniversary style truck. He tore it all up!

Before the show!

This was probably around the time Mr. Homebody aka:Stephen was ready to go home. He doesn't like to get out much, but we stayed and he of course LOVED it when they started doing jumps and wrecking!

A picture of all the trucks together!

Donuts were a favorite for both boys! Jackson LOVES doing donuts so of course this was one of his favorites

Madusa was another one of my favorites! She was the only girl Monster Truck diver there!

Stephen LOVED when the tires would mess up.

Jackson LOVED when they would pop wheelies!!

This is right before Grinder flipped and landed in the tunnel!

Grave Digger's son. Jackson LOVED being able to watch father/son!

Holly's Baby Shower

2012-01-21T13:33:00.000-08:00

Today was a perfect day! Holly had a shower for my niece Baby Grace! She will be here in 8 short weeks! I am sooooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!

Holly opening a present from her best friend Ashley. She truly is blessed to have a great friend like her! She got her a bag from 31 with Grace embroidered on it. I loved it. It was full of goodies!

Ashley did all the amazing decorations for the shower! She did a wonderful job!

Table decorations.

Before the shower officially began!
Nancy and her baby, Aunt Jo, Holly, Jayden (big sis to be!) Bailey and Ashley. Stephen is behind Aunt Jo's chair!

Diaper cake as a table decoration!

I am not sure if Ashley made this or not, but it is soooo cute!!

Alot more food came after I took the picture!

Ashley and her baby Bailey! I would love to take her home with me!

More presents!

Stephen helped!!!

Diapers!!

Most of the presents. Forgot to take a before picture. She had already opened about 5 presents!

Bumbo chair. I didn't have one with either of my kids. Excited to see how she likes it. Looks awesome!!

Tons of cute clothes!

Cute outfit. I think it had leggings and the skirt reminded me of a little tutu!

homemade blankets!!!

Of course I had to get her something john deere!!!

Changing table coushin.

Stroller

an amazing present from her friends Jill and Jade. Packed full of goodies!

Diapers!!

I can't wait to see baby Grace!

Today I am blessed because...........

2012-01-16T15:37:00.000-08:00

of this family.

My sister in law Holly, she blessed me with a sweet niece Jayden and is going to bless me again come March with a new baby niece! My husband because we get to share a family together. My mother in law because she is the best mother in law in the world and she also brought my husband in the world. My father in law is always there to help and would do anything for anybody. And last but certainly not least I am beyond blessed because of Bart's grandmother who I even had the honor of calling Nonnie.

Our sweet and beloved Nonnie passed away Friday January 13th. Today we celebrated her life with what her daughters Pam and Jody called a party. Their were lots of tears today, but lots of smiles and laughs. She was truly an amazing person and I am beyond blessed to be able to call her my grandmother, my nonnie. Yes she was my grandmother in law, but I loved her as much as I love my own grandparents.

She probably had no idea how I felt about her. That is very sad to me. I hate that I never told her how I truly felt about her. I adored her and loved her very much. She always wanted new pictures of the boys so she could show them off every Friday at the beauty shop!

She loved our boys probably as much as we do.

She would always want to hold them and love on them. If they tried to run away she would try her best to snatch them so she could try to rock them.

She loved this little boy and loved to give him peach ice cream. Jackson took his first steps at her old house with Nilla Wafers! For Christmas one year he wanted to buy her a box of nilla wafers so we bought some and wrapped them up.

She was at the doctors office in the room with us when we found out we were having a boy. I think she was proud to be a part of the ultrasound.

She was at the hospital when this little fella came in the world. One of my favorite pictures of her is the day he was born. In the picture she looks speechless maybe in awe. She was looking down at him with her hand some what over her mouth, but would could also see she was smiling from ear to ear!

Nonnie will be greatly missed.

Stuffed Animal junkies!!

2012-01-11T07:30:00.000-08:00

I have always disliked stuffed animals. I have let the boys keep a few because in the past they have never really played with them. They have always fallen off their beds and end up on the floor. Christmas Jackson asked for Angry Birds and so Santa brought Jackson and Stephen some with their other goodies. Stephen asked for Lotso and Jessie from the Toy Story 3 movie. Jackson was able to find them on sale at the Disney Store so that is what Jackson got Stephen for Christmas. Jackson and Stephen both got Christmas money and with Jackson's money he bought another Angry bird. Stephen bought a Thomas Pillow Pet! That makes his 3rd pillow pet. Needless to say..............we are overloaded with stuffed animals. Stephen has slept with Jackson most nights, but always finds his way back to our bed during the night. When he comes he always brings his stuffed animals. They are pretty cute laying in bed with all their "friends"!!!!

Wonder works aka upside down house!!

2012-01-09T21:06:00.000-08:00

Tuesday night of our mini winter vacation we wanted to go to the Dixie Stampede. Monday night was the last show so we were really disappointed we waited till Tuesday to do our night out in Pigeon Forge. We decided we would take the boys to the NASCAR Speed Park to play games and ride go carts. Well.............they were closed as well. :( A few of our friends had went Monday afternoon and told Bart it was pretty neat. We decided since we had nothing else to do and since it was the only thing open we would try it. I am soooooo glad we did. It was sooooo much fun and Stephen still talks about it a week later! Jackson LOVED it as well!

Of course the shooting games were a big hit with all 3 boys!!

This was the outside of the building. When you walked in the door it creaked .

The inside of the main doors when you walk in! This was on the ceiling!

Stephen having a try at the pulley. Daddy had to help him pull himself up!!

Jackson used his feet for help, but did a good job all by himself!

Surprisingly I was able to lift myself as well!

This was a mind challenge. You had to look a t the direction of the water and see if you could tell which way it was going and if you could see color on the water!

Jackson LOVED the video basketball. His face was put in the computer and he was really playing along!!

I think Stephen broke this. It was working............then the pedals stopped moving.

Anything with action Jackson likes! That is why we call him action Jackson! This was a snow boarding activity.

Of Course he could do this great!!

Stephen in melt down mode because I asked him to let me take a picture!

Ready for pictures again since he found something he liked!!!

I got in there and showed him what it looked like. I stuck my tongue out to him and he had to go back in there and do it himself then wanted me to take a picture of it. Yes his tongue was touching. UGH!

Anything sports makes this boy happy. I think he did this 2 dozen times. There was no one there so he could keep going and going!!

Stephen liked the baseball thing to. It told if you got a strike or a ball and how fast you threw it!!

Stephen absolute favorite!! If he had a few seconds he would run off and go back to the space ship. Tons of buttons to push so it was a really big hit!!

Jackson and Bart learning how to fly and land a plane.

This was awesome! You stood in front of the screen and it took the heat off your body and well I am not sure , but it was neat! ;)

One of my favorites!! Both my boys have always LOVED the smaller version of these. I have no idea what the name of it is, but it was really cool to see one this big!!

Jackson laying on a real bed of nails. Seriously!!

Pulling the rope to make the bowling ball fall and let the tennis ball fly up!

Stephen on the bed of nails. The workers commented on how well behaved he was. They said they have never seen a 3 yr old lay that still. He said it might work good for time outs!!

This was an intense game!! It was suppose to show who had less stress. If the ball went away from you that means you won and had less stress!

Stephen lost, but the game lasted for several minutes. I think Stephen just did not like the thing on your head!

Me and Bart played. I lost. I lost really bad.

This was another intense game! It lasted for a while as well and finally Bart made Jackson laugh and he was no longer relaxed!

Playing the harp with no strings!

Jackson got to rock climb, but Stephen did not weigh enough. You have to weigh at least 40 pounds.

If you are ever in Pigeon Forge go to Wonder works! It was AWESOME. We were there for about 4 hours and could have stayed longer, but it was 10 pm and they were closing!!

Wilderness at the Smokies

2012-01-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

My father and stepmother gave my family a gift card to the Wilderness at the Smokies for Christmas!!! Since Jackson was out of school till Jan Th we decided to take a small family get away!! It was awesome!! Since we chose a great time to go (right after New Years, most schools already back in, etc....) we got a great deal. They have 2 hotels on site and the Stone Hill Lodge is more budget friendly. Since they weren't booked up they decided to close the Stone Hill and we were able to stay at the River Lodge, but for the price of the Stone Hill!! We were so happy, because we did not have to shuttle back and forth to get to the water park. It snowed Tuesday so we were really happy we did not have to shuttle!!

We love the log cabin feel. The beds and table and chairs were so nice. The people at the hotel were not as friendly as we have seen before, but the water park employees were super nice!! Bart and Jackson went to the arcade Monday night and me and Stephen went back up to the room. They must have closed the arcade Monday night because Tuesday all the games and stuff were gone. They are doing a huge remodel and we were told they would have a movie theater, bigger and better game room and some other stuff. It was to cold and since it snowed the putt putt golf was closed and of course the outside water park!!

Jackson LOVED it all!! He really liked when the big waves came on in the wave pull!!

Stephen loved his slide and even talked Jackson into going down with him a time or two!

This is a picture of the kiddie area! This is where Stephen could go play all by him self.

Stephen thought he was Tarzan for a while and would swing back and forth.

The big bucket up to would dump 750 gallons of water every few minutes! Jackson LOVED that as well, but Stephen stayed away!

Stephens famous "I don't want my picture taken!" ~~smile~~ face.

This was the coolest thing ever. Jackson LOVED this and he was really really good at it.

This was Jackson's favorite ride. The orange one was just a little to scary for the both of us.

He made lots of friends. Not sure mama is happy about him riding with girls or not, but the lifeguards paired him up. :/

Trying to race one of the little boys he met there and he flipped over. He didn't care since he won!!

Stephen also loved the wave pool. He finally on the last day got the hang of it and was able to climb up all by himself!!

Polar Express Train ride!!

2011-12-14T20:21:00.000-08:00

We checked Jackson out of school a little early Tuesday and took them to ride the Polar Express to the North Pole! We were invited to go with some friends this year, but with Jackson being gone every other weekend, and our own Christmas plans and parties and Church play there was just no way we could have done it. So Bart booked us last Wednesday. This seriously was the hardest thing ever to keep from them. A few times I slipped up and said words like "train" and had to cover myself by talking about the Marta Train when we go see the Monster Truck show. ;) I printed off the flyer and wrapped it up in a box. Jackson opened it and was supposed to read it to Stephen, but I guess he was camera shy and Nana read it for him!

They were really excited and they both changed into their pajamas! We ate at the Pizza place across from the train!

When we got on the train we sat down and waited for the action to start! I of course took out the camera and tried to capture as much as I could!!

Stephen with his golden ticket!

Papa gave Jackson a quarter at the Pizza place and he got a mustache!! Jackson was very proud of his golden ticket!!

The boys had a really good time and was excited for take off! They loved looking out!!

He came by to punch their golden ticket. Sadly it did not say believe, but the boys loved it anyways!! They even had the hobo come by!!

They danced alot!!

The boys got in the action as well!!

Jackson loved the whip cream!!

Stephen was loving his chocolate chip cookie!! The Hot Chocolate was very good as well!!

Dancing with cookies on top of her head!!

Jackson spotted Santa first and was excited to tell Stephen!!

Seeing Santa on the train!!

Jackson telling his wish list to Santa and getting his silver bell!!

Stephen was very quite and whispered to Santa he wanted a basketball goal.

Ringing their bells!

Of course my boys are silly when they have their picture made with me. Wait they are always silly, so maybe its not me!!

For some reason Jackson LOVED this Santa. He thought he had to be the real Santa!!

After the train ride we had to go to the train store and the train museum. Stephen LOVES trains so he stayed here most of the time!!

He got a conductor hat and Jackson got a Santa hat with the train on it!!

Of course Stephen stayed here most of the time in the museum as well!!

Stephen loved this old man! He went up and rubbed his hand!!

Cute sign I want for the play room in front of the train table!!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

2011-12-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I always decorate before Thanksgiving and I get in a crafty/baking mood! I am always wanting to be in the kitchen, but not took cook just to bake. Yes there is a difference!!

I love to buy Christmas decorations about a week after Christmas. I wait till they are 75% off. I scored this really awesome wreath for about $3.75!! I hung it up and it lasted above the mantel for about a week or so. One night it fell, knocked down my garland on the fireplace and broke 3 or 4 ornaments. It made a HUGE mess. While cleaning up the mess I put it on the table and after cleaning the mess up I tried to figure out where I would put it. I saw it sitting on the table and thought it looked okay there for now. The next day while decorating my breeze way and entertainment center I was taking all the other stuff down. I had a great idea to put this vase and candle inside it. I love how it turned out!!
Side view!

I have never liked how we arranged our living room, den, or dining room. We had our dining room table in the den by the fireplace and our dining room was empty and our living room was completely full with way to much furniture. My sweet husband agree to move it for Christmas, but only to move it back afterwards. I have not completely finished decorating the dining room, but I can tell you I am already in LOVE with the table there!! Since our living room was cramped I decided to move the flower chair and recliner with the big tree. I am in LOVE with this room also. Turns out Bart really likes the furniture exactly how I have it. ;) We will most likely leave it the same way after Christmas! We are getting a burgundy recliner and getting rid of the blue one so I will need to get some new curtains!! BUT I am lost as to what to do about the empty spot above the fireplace. I have some great ideas from pinterest, but have not decided what to do for Christmas!

This is in our living room. I am not totally in love with it. It needs some color or more ornaments or something???

Jacksons tree in his room!!

Our advent santa calendar!!

Got this from an idea off pinterest. I am not totally in love with it. It needs some green ribbon. Hopefully a trip to the craft store will help with that!!!

I still have so much to do to finish up the house!! I love it!!!

Cooking

2011-11-30T13:17:00.000-08:00

My boys have always LOVED baking and cooking. Stephen has his very own kitchen set that he got last year for Christmas. He plays with it all day long every day even after 1 year! Jackson is such a big help in the kitchen and I can tell him to make something and it will turn out just as good or better than if I were to do it! During Thanksgiving break they helped me make cinnamon rolls!! Can't wait to do more baking during Christmas break!!!

Been busy

2011-11-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

My baby boy turned 9. Finished his very first year of racing. He came in 7th. We go Saturday for the awards banquet and we are so excited we can't wait! I am just so proud of him for finishing in the top 10 his first year! His second season of football finished! He got new glasses and a new exercise for his eyes so that come February he wont have to have a patch. We went on a school field trip. Stephen got to ride the bus for a little while and that I think made his whole year!! He LOVED riding the bus! This is them on the Appalachian trail!

Stephen is still not into watching much tv so we spend alot of time playing outside and finding some of bubba really cool toys!! We made houses one day and the orange part was the smoke stick. AKA the chimney!

I can finaly understand Jackson's dream!

2011-08-23T04:37:00.001-07:00

Picture taken the Night of Fire and the passage below is from a drag racing friend's facebook page!

Drag racing is something that most people will never understand. It's not just a sport or something to do on a Saturday night. It's a way of life. Once youre in it it's in your blood. Once you make the first pass you can't stop. The drag strip is your home away from home. You smell that smoke the rubber and the racefuel and you feel peace within. When you here those revving engines it's music to your ears.♥

Funny things Jackson has said

2011-07-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

I have been absent for a while. Summer is crazy!

I wanted to jot down a few things Jackson has said here lately. That kid cracks me up sometime.

The other day I was fussing at him and he started laughing and then he got me tickled. I asked him what was so funny and he said "Mom, I can't take you serious when you sound 14."

While swimming he said "Mom you look 98, but sound 14."

Walking out of Khols a sweet girl held the door open for us. When we got in the car he said "Mom, she sure was pretty but wears to much makeup."

After a hot day of errands we stopped at Dairy Queen. While driving down 129 in Gainesville we were going over the bridge. He saw a really cool boat and wanted me to look at it. I said Jackson if I look over in the lake I might run off the road which would make us fall in the water and drown and die. He said "And it would ruin our ice cream"

Stephen

2011-06-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday I took Stephen back to the doctor. His tummy has been giving him trouble for a while now and when I called to ask if something was normal the nurse said it would be a good idea to go ahead and bring him in. So off to Gainesville we went. The doctor did some blood work and sent us home to finish up the other test. The blood work came back "OK" aka normal and the other testing should be done tonight and hopefully we will hear its normal tomorrow! The doctor also told us no dairy for 2 weeks. Bless his heart its pitiful. He use to love milk and that is all he wanted to drink. He never liked juice and so now instead of milk he gets juice. No cheese and he LOVED cheese. His favorite snack was cheese! It seems like EVERYthing has milk in it. We are watching labels very close these days. Stephen went to the grocery store with me this weekend and every time we turned around he saw something he wanted me to buy. I would check the labels and we would not be able to get it. He would say "dotter say me not hab dis" meaning Doctor say me not have this! So I guess he will have to stay at home next time I go to the grocery store. The boys had fun playing while waiting!

He got to pick his favorite color after getting blood drawn! Oh and he had lost 1 1/2 pounds in 2 weeks. We had taken out milk a few months back and things seemed to be better, but the last 2 weeks had been bad and he lost some weight. For a 3 year old a pound and a half is alot. He weighed in at 35 pounds at the doctor and this weekend I weighed him at home and he was 34 pounds so now its more like 2 1/2 pounds.

Jackson 2010-2011 school year!

2011-05-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

The school year started off late for us. I think it was August 24th 2010. You started the 2nd grade. :( You picked out your own out fit and papa drove you to school. As soon as you got off the bus we went swimming!!

Here is a look into your 2nd grade year:

August 2010:

1st day of 2nd grade Very 1st football game

Getting glasses for the 1st time.

September 2010:

1st time getting a number shaved in your head!! 1st time playing at the WC High School!

October 2011 you turned 8!!!!!!! November 2010 brought you lots of 1st:

1st time down a real roller coaster!!

1st time as a movie star ;)

1st time on a big family vacation

and all of those 1st happened on your very 1st trip to Disney!!

December 2010:

school Christmas Party Church Christmas Play

New Puppy

Christmas parades

Jan 2011:

brought us ringing in New Years with the Blockers! Snow!!

4wheeler jumps

and a new horse

Feb 2011:

Valentines Parties Monster Jam

The very 1st time down the track for test and tune!

New friends!

March 2011

brought us our very 1st points race!

April 2011:

brought us lots of baseball games! Easter egg hunts

and school plays

May 2011 :

Brought us the close out of baseball.

Field day at MCES

Jackson, Jack Jack, Jack attack, quarter mile Jackson!

You have changed so much!! Look forward to 3rd grade, but watch out Summer of 2011 here we come!!!

More pics from race 5-28-11

2011-05-31T17:29:00.000-07:00

My sister posted some pictures from the race Saturday and they were so good I thought I would share here since I have some non face book readers!

Jackson and Stephen snacking in between qualifying and 1st run! Kahlab and Stephen chillin in the golf cart while Jackson is in the staging lanes.

Picking the car up and putting it on the golf cart dolly. Heading to the staging lanes.

Not sure what they are doing here. I know Jackson is snacking!!

Jackson staging his car at the tree. You can't see it really good, but underneath his name it says deep. Jackson started staging his car a little different and they have to have that word on his car or he would automatically red light and go out. (I think that is what it means!!)

Getting ready! It was so hot and I hate Jackson has to wear that stuff, but its for protection. He gets so hot so easy. We bought him a battery operated fan to put in his car.

In the staging lanes waiting for our turn.

Jackson being silly!!! Gotta luv him!! :)

Racing 5-28-2011

2011-05-28T23:52:00.000-07:00

Pamela, Carlos and Kahlab drove down from Greenville to watch Jackson race. Jackson did okay. His lights were off really bad, but its going to be a learning experience. He actually had his best light during the test run which was a .046, but he also had some of his worst lights like a -.220. I am so glad my sister and her family came down to support him!

Kahlab got in the car. I think he is super cute!! Stephen taking a nap!! We parked the golf cart under the tent in the shade and he slept so good!!

Stephen feel asleep on the golf cart while we were watching.

I had to move him around while we were packing up!! He had 2 fans on him at this time!!

After we got out of the race, Bart took his body off and we got the car inspected for Bristol. We are taking our family vacation there. Its a HUGE race for Jrs. The man who inspected the car said their would be over 700! Thats alot compared to the 30 (give or take some) from Commerce! Its like a 5 day race. You have to have the car inspected at your local track so that when you actually get to Bristol they just go over the paper and it does not take as long!

Getting it inspected!!

Jackson picking out the rocks that fly in there!!

Trying to clean it up!!

Easter 2011 @ School

2011-05-03T05:31:00.000-07:00

Good Friday we spent the afternoon at Jackson's school. They had an egg hunt and a little party afterward. They made the cutest bunny cupcakes! His teacher is so creative!! Jackson and his friends making their bunny!!!

Jackson and his baseball buddy Coby. They were in 1st grade together as well!

Getting ready to hunt!!

Stephen's new bike!

2011-05-03T05:20:00.000-07:00

Stephen got a new bike from the Easter Bunny! We have a gravel driveway and a small concrete side walk. I wanted to take the boys somewhere to ride so that Stephen could get better at his new bike! We headed over to Skitts Mtn Baptist Church Friday to let them ride. Matt was already a pro since Santa Claus brought him a bike. Stephen LOVED riding over there! It was perfect weather and they had alot of fun!!

These 2 are always together!!!

Since Matt was already a pro at riding his bike he was really fast. Stephen wanted so badly to beat him so he would get off his bike and push it while running. I don't know how he did not fall down!!

Stephen 04-30-2011

2011-04-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

Three years, three months. :(

That's how old my baby is. I am sad about this. It seems like they grow up way way way to fast. He is my last baby and I want him to stay little forever.

Today we made a trip to see my best friend Tammy. Her grandmother passed away and we visited the funeral home. Please pray for her and her family.

After going to the funeral home, we rode to Blairsville to see my sister in law Holly and her family. Stephen was super excited to see Jayden. She could so be his second mommy!! She is so good with him!!

I took this sweet picture of Stephen while we where there.

When we got home Bart had a customer come over. The man commented on how much Stephen had grown since the last time we saw him. He asked how old Stephen was and I just said three and a half. I must be rushing his life away. When he was two years and 11 months and someone asked how old he was I would say 2. My step mother, Jo Anna made a comment about him being 3 years old when he was like 2 years, 11 months, and like 3 weeks. I corrected her and said no he is only 2. I want him to be a baby. A baby forever. But today he is 3. Three years and three months.

SUYL - Tell us how you stay organinzed

2011-04-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

Today Kelly is doing another SUYL (Show Us Your Life) It was not up when I posted mine, but I wanted to go ahead and get mine finished! The topic today is How Do you Stay Organized? Now I would not really call myself organized. I have clutter around the house and if you asked my husband he would probably laugh his butt off if he knew I was doing this. My husband owns his own business and I stay at home with our boys. Since I stay at home I do the book keeping for his business. I actually did it while I worked, but since I stay at home I try to do a better job. We get audited 3 times a year with our insurance and then taxes is a BIG thing that I do. Our tax accountant has mentioned before that I am organized and I keep good records and every time we get an insurance audit they always comment how organized my files are and how good of information I keep. Now I owe most credit to Quick Books. Before quick books it was a total mess. I would spend several of my weekends working on taxes. Now I have a bin for receipt's. Right now the bin is slam packed full so thats why I would not call my self organize. But anyways when the bin gets full I take it out and put all my receipts in quick books. In our quick books my expenses are really really organized. I also organize our equipment so at the end of the year I can tell Bart exactly how much we spent on the truck or trailer or equipment except for diesel. That would be to hard for me to do. He has 2 track hoes and 2 bobcats so I can pull them up individually and say you spent x amount on the yanmar or x amount of the Hitachi. I love how I do my receipts. I don't have to go an add anything at the end of the year it just automatically does it for me!!

Okay so none business related I try to be as organized as I can. I fall short and let things pile up.

This is Jackson's closet. I try really hard to keep his room organized, but lets face it......he is a boy and he is 8. I have always spoiled him and have always done everything for him. His closet stays pretty organized. He has a section in his closet for Church Clothes and a section for winter clothes including sweatshirts, pants and jeans, jackets and long sleeve t's. He has another section for just short sleeve t shirts. The blue cube thingy is a life saver. I bought it years ago from Avon. At our old house his closet was small and so was his room. I thought this would help storing his shoes and weekly school clothes. It also helped me learn days of the week and what day it was, what yesterday was and what tomorrow was. Although now he probably has forgotten all about that!! The bottom of his closet has 2 sets of golf clubs, a whole Kung Zhu world and 2 huge boxes of school work. I have kept every singe piece of school work, bible school and most Sunday school work. There are 2. Pre K through K and 1st grade through 2ND. I love keeping the work just to look from over the years and also a few weeks before school starts we skim through the past years work so he is not so far behind from summer. The top of his closet holds movies, sleeping bags and over night bags. I do use the cube but just took the pic so since its Friday its empty!!

This is Stephens closet. He has a tiny closet and so its hard to store. He has clothes all in his closet and even though its a tiny closet its kinda long. The very back where you can not see holds winter clothes. One side is winter shirts and jackets and the other side is jeans and old Halloween costumes that I have kept. Yes I keep everything. I might should apply for the hoarding show!!! Anyways!! I keep a few pairs of long pants for Church and then shorts, tshirts and dress shirts. The blue and gray Rubbermaid boxes are shoes and clothes that he will grow into. We have been so blessed to have hand me downs!! Most of the clothes are Jackson's size 4 and 5 clothes, but some are also from 2 little boys from Church!! The white basket on the bottom is for clothes that no longer fit. Since we get lots of hand me downs I always pass his clothes off to.

This is my office. I tried to take a real life picture, but it does not always stay like this. You can see the snack trash that Bart left and the water bottle. We are supposed to have a "No eating in the house except the kitchen" rule, but you see it has been broken! There is a slim jim can right beside the monitor. It hold all my pens and pencils and highlighters!! Not the nicest decor, but it works!!

This is how I stay somewhat organized. I know what you are thinking "You call this organized?? I call it a pigs sty." But it works for me and I don't really know how else to do it. One bin is receipts that need to be put in Quick Books, one bin is for Bart. That bin has magazines that come in the mail, paper he writes on do quote jobs, business cards that have not got in his folder, and anything else that belongs to him. The next bin is Bills Not Paid- its for me. When we get paid for a job I can go straight to the bin and look at what needs to be paid. I have a spiral notebook that I keep it all in also. I actually don't keep a check register. My notebook is my friend though. The next bin is bills paid. I make a copy of the check for the job we get paid and then I match it with the invoice. That way at the end of the year I can match what we have through quick books with what I have in hand. The quotes bin really does not get used for quotes anymore. I usually keep some coupons in it and thats about it. The last bin is for receipts or anything that need to be filed after I am done with in in quick books. We have 1 filing cabinet. The top filing cabinet holds our files where I file the receipts in the appropriate place. It is all organized by expense. That way if I have need to question something in quick books I can tell where it would be filed. If Bart needs me to look up a certain receipt I know exactly where to go. Beside the bins are phone books, our Incorporated binder and then Barts CD case!

After the end of the year I box up our filing cabinet into these great things!! I have several more not pictured and I date them. That way if I need to go back to a specific year all I gotta do is pull out that box. Its a great way to store previous years documents. If you have never used one I recommend getting some. They are perfect to organize car documents, insurance, property or car tax documents and bank statement. I use them for what I just listed plus I use them for our expenses. They are truly great!!

Now I know most people are super super organized and will probably laugh at this post, but I know there are some moms/wives out there that are similar to me. Its what works for me and thats all that matters. If you have any other good tips I sure would like to hear them!! I can't wait to read some of the other ladies that link up over at Kellys Korner!!

From a Sweet old Friend!

2011-04-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

If you are a mother I want to encourage you to head over to an old college friend of mines blog. Amber and I met while attending North Ga Tech in Clarkesville! We did not go to school together long. We lost touch and I recently found her through the wonder world of Facebook. She writes her blog http://takeadeepbreathandcounttoamillion.blogspot.com . So please head over and read this great post about praying for your kids.

Now I have 2 sweet boys, but with that sweetness is also some meanness!!! If you ever have raised a boy you know what I mean and if you ever have raised 2 boys your REALLY know what I mean!!! HA HA!! Well Amber has 3 boys and bless her heart she seems to keep it all together!! I have not seen Amber in years, or even really talked to her in years. But having read her blog and being Facebook Friends she just seems like the sweetest mother!!

I have been off the blogging world for the past few days or maybe the last week. So today has been my catch up day reading some blogs I love. The boys are napping BTW!!! I remembered she had one about praying for your children. Well GOD surely helps me in ways I am so thankful for. I so needed that TODAY. Not yesterday not last week and not tomorrow. I needed it TODAY! I love praying for my kids and when I do pray for my kids I always thank GOD for them and I always talk to GOD about them. When I do I am always smiling. I mean they are my kids I am so thankful for them and I am so blessed that GOD decided that I could be their mom!! I always pray for both boys. For some reason when I am praying about something for Jackson I feel so bad if I don't at least thank GOD for Stephen as well. Are all moms like that??? Anyways.......... I am so glad I was able to read this today. I needed it and for that I am ever so thankful!! I wanted to share her blog so I hope she doesn't mind!!

our day.....

2011-04-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

Today we had a fairly busy day. I started the day off with making 20 sandwiches for the Alzheimer's group that our Church takes food to once a month. While in town we stopped by a local embroidery business to pick up Stephens outfit. They boys were hungry (aka say the McDonald's sign and wanted to go) so I talked them into going to Jackson's school. Jackson eats at 10:46 so we had just enough time to get there and eat with him. They really do love eating with Jackson. They had a great time and we ended lunch with ice cream sandwiches. Big mistake! Stephen has been on a non milk diet for about a week. He can only have Soy Milk. So with the combination of Chocolate Milk and Ice Cream Sandwiches Stephens stomach was all upset after we walked Jackson back to class. You can tell in still picture that he is starting to feel bad. :( Bless his heart. Jackson was still super excited that I surprised him and begged me to stay. After we got home the boys played outside for about 2 hrs. It is such a pretty day and they are definitely loving playing outside. I planted some johnny quills Saturday and now I am praying that make it. The bulbs are still in the ground, but that have played here all week. I hope that have not hurt them.

They decided they would play golf. My daddy gave Jackson a HUGE bag of golf balls for his bday. They love playing with Jackson's clubs and trying to hit like him!! Maybe they will be the next pro at Double Oaks!!

This is where they are suppose to play. For some reason they are not wanting to play here though. I guess its just change of scenery.

Here is the cute little outfit I got for Stephen. Its a Kellys Kid jumper that I found at a consignment sale! I saw it and thought it would be perfect for Spring. Easter Egg hunts and Sunday school?? Cute!! I took it to Lizzy Lou's in Cleveland. If I would have bought it new I would have paid $46 for just the Jon Jon and $10 for the monogram. I paid $7 for the Jon Jon and $7 for the monogram. $14 for a awesome outfit!!!

On a side note Stephen is not liking his soy milk. Any suggestions. He LOVES milk. Crys for it and everything. He will eat his cereal with soy milk, but does not like to drink it by its self. Anyone with suggestions just leave a comment. I would love to hear what works for other kids!

A mamas worse day :(

2011-04-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

I took Stephen to the dentist today to get his cavity filled. I still feel like the worse mom in the whole world. The Dental Hygienist was a high school friend that I have not seen in a really long time. It was nice to chat for a few minutes while the "happy gas" was kicking in. Stephen did great!! He was very shy at first, but when the laughing gas was in full effect he talked her ear off about his dog Miley at home!! Here is to more flossing and hoping we never have to go that route again!!!

Spring Break 2011

2011-04-04T12:04:00.001-07:00

Tuesday I drove the boys to Braselton to eat at Cracker Barrel and to go to the Mayfield Factory. Stephen thought the cow was peeing on him!!

Of course the little boys found trucks, tractors and equipment to play with while we waited for the tour.

The tour guide thought Jackson was an undercover milk spy from the government.

Jackson thought this was fun!!

Wednesday we drove to Ashville with Bart to look at a trailer. He was going to go Tuesday, but his plans changed. We ate at Ryans up there and on the way home we stopped by the Fun Factory in Franklin, NC and let the boys play.

Thursday we had a play date with Ruthie, Ethan and Caleb Blocker. No pictures were taken, but we had a in Stephens terms "A Super Good time"!! We ate lunch and the boys played. It was great to have grown up talk!!

On Friday, my mom and Tif took us out to eat at the drug store in Cleveland! Jackson loves going there and since it was his spring break he got to choose! Stephen and Matt wanted Chinese of course. We usually eat at Sunflower with mom and Tif on Fridays, but Jackson was not feeling like Chinese!!

After lunch we came home. The boys played outside and we walked to the creek. Well Jackson and Stephen rode to the creek. Miley LOVED running in the water. I think this must have been her first time at the creek. She was WILD!!!

Matt and Stephen are still a little scraed around Miley so they took a little rest on Jacksons 4 wheeler.

SUYL - Mt View Baptist Church

2011-03-31T20:09:00.000-07:00

Most of you know I LOVE reading Kelly's blog. This week is Show Us Your Life - Tell Us About Your Church. This is my Church. I am so glad I can call this my home Church where I belong and I am a member. I started attending this Church when Bart and I started dating in 2003. Let me first start off saying how thankful I am to be married to a good Christian man. Bart grew up in this Church and I am so excited to raise my boys in this Church. At first I was nervous going here. I was worried that the people would judge me or think less of me. Being a single mom in a small community where everyone knows everyone I thought they would not want to accept me. Boy was I wrong. After praying long and hard and watching God work in my life I stood in front of my Church in October 2008 and asked to join the Church!! I have been showed so much love from my Church Family and I am so thankful to be part of it! This is our pastor. He has been our pastor at Mt View for over a year and I really enjoy hearing him preach. He has a great love for God. He lives just right down the road from us with his wife Robin. They have a grandson that is just a few months older than Stephen. During the summer he would drop by and give us fresh corn from his garden. His wife Robin actually brought their grandson over to play with us one day.

One of the things I love most about Mt View is the youth. There is always something going on. This is a picture of the Valentines Party. We always have a devotion, eat and give out valentines.

This was the Easter egg hunt.

Bible school is also a favorite of mine!!

Halloween or Harvest Celebration

This was a Christmas Play. This play was AWESOME!! At the end this group came out and painted these pictures. It was silent except for the a song that was played. It was truly amazing to watch!!

There is so much to say about this church. The community involvement is another big thing. We recently started a Come and Dine community dinner. They do that the 2ND Thursday of every month from 5:30 till 7:00.

We have a Youth Revival at the end of February, a spring revival that is starting the 2ND week of April and a Fall revival that is in August.

The ladies meet once a month.

I feel like I am forgetting to mention something. This is a great Church. If you are in the Cleveland, GA area please stop and visit one Sunday morning. Sunday School starts at 10am and they usually start singing about 10:50 and service follows singing. Sunday night service is at 7. Wednesday is bible study and we also eat at 6pm and classes at 7. Please join us!!

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

Friday I picked up Jackson a little early from school to start our Spring Break. We ended up playing outside for a while. After playing we got ready and headed to the race track. Before picking up Jackson we drove to my Grandma and Grandpas. They always have the prettiest yard! Jackson and Matt really liked the tulip. We counted the tulip buds and stopped to smell the flowers!!

Stephen decided he got hot. So he stripped down to his undies!!

Monday we went to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was a really good movie. Jackson had a friend go with him. Samuel is such a good friend to Jackson!

After the movie the boys wanted to ride 4wheelers. Samuel rode Jacksons 4wheeler.

This was Jackson wearing "MY" girlie rain boots. Samuel wore Jackson's mucking boots and Jackson knows better than to ride in his good shoes so he decided to wear my rain boots!! This was before he hit the track. Afterwards I cleaned up the dirt bike. It was so muddy!

This is my boys right now. Stephen is lights out and Jackson is watching Disney Channel!! They have matching pjs. This is suppose to be spring break and they are wearing there warm fuzzy winter pjs. Jackson has his turned inside out. He says the outside is softer and its a waste to wear them the right way!!

Well thats our Monday for Spring Break 2011. Tuesday is going to be an even greater day. I am so enjoying having my Jackson home from school.

Its a Glad Reunion Day

2011-03-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Church, Ingles, home to eat lunch. After lunch we headed to Buford to look for a new race car trailer. After looking at the trailer we headed to Sams and then we rode to the Deer lodge with my InLaws. It has been a fabulous day. During Church Jackson asked me to go to the choir. I am so glad I went. I received such a blessing. I can't remember who choose the song Its a Glad Reunion Day, but I am so glad I did. I was standing somewhat close to Dale Sutton and his voice is amazing!! (Brooke you can tell him I said that - I would be to shy to do so myself!!) I could barely sing myself because I wanted to hear him sing!! The song has been on my mind all day and have been singing that one line all day!!! What to my surprise I got to see my best friend!!! This is my friend Tammy. We met at the bank some 10 years ago. I think we had an instant friendship. She was so easy to talk to. I know God has a reason for everything, but I am so thankful he brought her in my life. See this girl has been there for me for EVERYTHING. When I say everything she has been there when I laughed, cried, and even cleaned up when my water broke with Jackson. She was the 1st one I told I was pregnant. I think she might even been in the bathroom when I took the test. I could be wrong. We were friends before I thought I might be pregnant, but after I found out I was definitely pregnant she was more than a friend. She went to doctors office visits, ultra sounds, baby showers, unloaded all my baby stuff, organized my house, cleaned my house and everything you could imagine. It was so nice having her and I will be forever grateful to her. She was there when Jackson was born and was there when Stephen was born. She made the trip back the next day to see me and bring pictures that she took. She is the most loving, caring, sweetest friends I know. The best part of knowing her is knowing she loves Christ! I have very few friends. I don't like getting close to people and have a hard time opening up with people if I don't trust them. Ruthie and Tammy are my 2 very best friends. Its a GLAD day!! And I got to see my bestest friend in the whole world. Know matter how long we go without seeing or talking......we just picked up like it was yesterday!!! I love you Tammy and I am so proud I can call you my friend!!

Jackson's 1st race

2011-03-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

I know I posted the same pictures on Facebook, but at least here I can explain everything that goes on during the day. When we first get there we have to (Bart) unloads everything. We then fill out papers telling what kind of car it is with all of Jackson's license information. Jackson then signs it and we take him to the check in station. We get pit passes which is a bracelet sign some more papers and they check Jackson's car, arm restraints, helmet, and make sure he is wearing fire proof gloves, shoes and race suit. If he checks in good then its race time!! You get about 1 hr to race. After you are waiting in line you get about 2 runs. Hopefully when we get more organized with this we can get about 3 practice runs.

After the hour for practice you go back to your trailers and wait for them to call for qualifying. If you qualify you get to race again. If you don't qualify you are done for the day.

Jackson qualified and he raced against Skull Crusher II. He is Atlanta Dragways 2010 track champion. Although Jackson raced against him he did super good. He did lose, but we are really proud of how he did!

There is alot to this racing stuff that I don't understand. I want to document his time.

After each race they give you a ticket. This ticket is very important to read and see what he did. When you go to race you have to have a dial in time. This number is part of the bracket that is used to get points and win at the end of the year. This number is also important because you have to tell the officials what he is dialing in at. Jackson is allowed to race a 12.90 car. Saturday he dialed in at a 13.22. We will need to take some weight out of his car and that should help the number go down. If Bart dials Jackson's car in at a 12.90 but he goes a 13.22 then his number is way over what Bart says it should be. In return he loses that bracket. Another bracket that is very important is the Reaction Time. .000 is perfect.

-.001 is almost perfect, but the - stands for red light. If you get a red light during a race you loose. I was very proud of Jackson that he did not red light at all.

Here is a list of Jackson's R/T (reaction time), MPH, and how long it took him to drive in an 1/8 of a mile.

Run 1 - Practice

R/T .076

1/8 13.358

MPH 48.39

Run 2 -Practice

R/T .218

1/8 13.370

MPH 46.39

Run 3 - Qualifying

R/T .220

1/8 13.254

MPH 49.11

Run 4 - Race (lost against Skull Crusher II - 2010 track champion)

Dialed 13.22

1/8 13.278

R/T .301

MPH 48.50

My life through my camera phone!

2011-03-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

One day we had to help Bart. Bart was chaining the track hoe down and Stephen decided to crawl in the bucket! He was a dirty mess!! I had a flat tire and we had to take my car to Walmart to get it fixed. Stephens hair looked super cute and I just had to take a picture!!

Molly and Stephen walked to church with me one night after eating. Since we were walking in the parking lot I asked them to hold hands. They looked super sweet so I of course took a picture!!

Stephen and I came down with the flu. Stephen threw up all over our bed and was running a super high fever. That night while he fever was high Bart and I tried everything to cool him down. He LOVES popcicles so I bribed him to eat one if he wanted to sit in my bed! We are very strict about no eating or drinking in our house (except the kitchen!) So this was way over our comfort level!! The things we do for our kiddos!!

Clean up time at the Skelton house goes by way faster when you try to ride your cars together!!

Stephen went to the dentist for a cleaning. They found a cavity. :( I cried. I am sure they made fun of me when I left, but I was so sad. I feel like a bad mom. He can't brush his teeth and I failed him. Jackson is 8 and has never had a cavity. Stephen is ALWAYS brushing his teeth. BUT I never floss with him. His teeth are super close together so we are going to have to do better.

Finaly got the cars in the play room!!!

Stephen picked out a tinkerbell toothbrush. I talked him into switching to a Diego!

The next Jr. Dragster!!

I took Mary Grace and her friend to the Justin Beiber movie. Jo Anna kept Stephen. She let him play with Mary's babies!! Bart might not let him ever stay with Grandma again!! Just kidding!!

I am so glad my phone takes pictures. I don't know what I would do without it!! My real camera is a great one, but I always forget it or forget to charge the battery. Jackson likes having his picture made less and less everyday. I have to beg him to let me take a picture. Maybe I can get some of Jackson uploaded soon!!

Jackson's Test and Tune Day

2011-03-14T06:51:00.000-07:00

Jackson and Bart are to the left in the Black car. This particular day was not a race. Jackson was able to run his car down the track 4 time. He did really good for the first time really driving his car. He is suppose to run his car 1/8 of a mile in 12.9 seconds. If everything goes the way its suppose to go that would top his speed at about 40-50 mph! The first 2 times down the track he went 1/4 of a mile and they said he was going about 80 miles an hour!! The guys at the end of his 1/8mile said they were going to call him quarter mile Jackson! Me and Stephen just tried to stay out of the way! We sat mostly in the Golf Cart while Bart did all the hard work!

Putting his arm restraints on and buckling him up!!

Staging and getting ready for his lights at the tree for the first time ever!!!

This is Stephen, Maddie Kate, Jackson and Hot Rod. They had alot of fun playing and riding scooters. After the track closed and the men were getting the trailers ready and loaded they drove the golf cart around!!

Jackson's first points race is this Saturday. Can't wait!! Join us at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce this Saturday 3-19-11!!

Monster Jam 2011

2011-03-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

For Stephens Birthday instead of having a HUGE party we decided to buy tickets to Monster Jam. I forgot all about going until I saw the pics a few days ago. The boys LOVED it.

The 4wheelers were Jacksons favorites and said he was going to do this when he got older!!

This car was raced by a 12 year old little boy!

This was taken during the pit party. It was so crowed. I was able to get lots of good pics though!

Show Us Your Life - Birthday Parties!!!

2011-03-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite blogs is Kellys Korner. I have participated in her Show Us Your Life a few times and when I saw she was doing one for Birthdays I was so excited. I love doing my kids birthday parties! I usually plan months ahead and I try to always make everything. Since we bought Jackson a Jr Dragster (more about that later) for his 8th birthday we decided to take the extra money for a party and spend it towards getting him ready to race. His bday is in October and that is right in the middle of football. We had games every Saturday so it just made since this year to do with just family. I always take cake or cupcakes to school so his classmates can sing Happy Birthday. Thats what it is all about. Its not about the presents!!

This is Jackson's 6th birthday party! He had a Halloween Dress up party. He had a few friends from school and they all looked so cute dressed up! Jackson was an Indian(I made the costume)

I love to make the cakes and decorate them myself. I have also been known to buy cakes from local bakeries and decorate them myself! I found these cute cakes at Walmart for $10 a piece!! They were a hit!! For some reason I can't think of the goodies we gave out, but I usually do some kind of neat thing. This is his 8th birthday cake!! Made by yours truly!! Oh and my husband kinda helped!!

This is Jackson's 7th birthday! October can be really hot or really cold. This particular day turned very cold during the evening!

We have rented bouncy houses a few times. They are always a big hit! I get nervous the kids are going to get hurt!

I had to make 2 cakes at this party. He just wanted something plain this year!

He use to like GA Bulldogs. Now he is a Tech fan. We usually have lots of food. I let Jackson choose what he wanted served. We had PNut Butter Sandwiches, Ham sandwiches, chips and drinks.

When your sons birthday is in Jan. you kinda have to play the whole party thing by ear. Stephens 1st bday was awesome! His second on the other hand not so great. There was a huge ice storm the night before his big party. We had invited everyone. So since the ice storm hit we canceled the party and rescheduled for the Sunday afterwards. The roads were still bad, but we had the grandparents and one of my best friends. Stephen LOVES Mickey Mouse! So I worked on a cake for about a week! Not great, but it was cute!!

This is Stephen's 3rd bday. I was worried we would have snow or something, but thankfully the snow came and left about 2 weeks before!!

Bart, Jackson and my self decorated this cake. For Stephen's 3rd we decided to go small on the party and buy tickets to the Monster Truck show. The house was full after it was said and done.

Stephen loved being sung "Haffy to you"!!

Stephen's 1st bday was my favorite and of course those pictures are know where to be found. :( It was trains and it was the cutest party ever. I have already scrap booked them so at least they are completely lost.

Valentine Party at Church

2011-02-11T10:08:00.000-08:00

We had a great time at our Church Wednesday night. We had almost 40 kids there!! We ate pizza, salad, and lots of yummy desserts!! After dinner we sat down and had a great message from Lydia. I love the fact that my kids have such great friends from church.

Last Wednesday the kids made Valentines boxes. They were awesome!!!

Jackson made his all by his self and it was like a football field!!

The kids took their boxes around to the different tables and got goodies!!

After the party we came home and I let the kiddos have 2 small treats!

What Jackson and Stephen eat

2011-02-04T11:25:00.000-08:00

Today over at Kellys Korner she is doing Show Us Your Life on what Toddlers eat. Since I have a toddler and keep a toddler I decided to join in on the fun!!

This is my sweet niece Jayden and Stephen eating a yummy snack of apples and bananas! I also have an 8 year old son. Both of my boys LOVE fruit. They usually eat an apple and banana a day. They love all kinds of fruit: peaches, pears, strawberries, and blue berries are some of the ones that I can think of. I love to do homemade stuff! I have a bread make and I use it all the time. My families favorites are pizza dough, rolls and cheese bread. We do eat store bought breads though. Right now Stephen's favorite bread item is cheese toast. Ever time I ask what he wants to eat for lunch or breakfast its cheese toast. Matt is my little cousin that I keep during the day and his favorites at my house are PB&J and grilled Cheese. They like to help me in the kitchen!! As you can see Stephen has a big plate full of chicken nuggets and veggies. The veggies are canned and I have no problem serving my kids canned veggies. They eat it and LOVE them. This plate is full of mixed veggies. Stephen, my 3 year old, will eat them, but Jackson who is 8 will not touch them. He is alot like me and will only eat them separated. Except the potatoes. Jackson hates anything potato!

I am a terrible mom when it comes to cereal. I use to never buy it. Over the summer we splurged and I let them have a box of those Reese Puffs! Sugary cereal makes Jackson a little wild so he is not allowed to have it during the school week! This was actually the 1st day of school and for the 1st day of school I did let him have them.

Since my kids love veggies we did a garden this summer. During the summer we ate lots of tomatoes sandwiches with cucumber chips. Jackson does not like tomatoes. Stephen was loving some grilled squash and would gobble up tomatoes. Since we do not have a garden during the winter I am not sure if he would do that now.

Now for a typical day this is what I serve:

Breakfast:

Jackson Loves egg and cheese biscuits, or any kind of meat biscuit just plain, he also loves Apples and Cinnamon Oatmeal, cheese toast with yogurt or he is allowed to eat at school or his papa gets him a biscuit.

Stephen loves EVERYTHING and usually breakfast is the only meal I can count on him eating with out me fussing at him to eat. He loves eggs fried or scrambled, cereal, pancakes, oatmeal, cheese toast, bacon, sausage or ham.

Lunch:

Jackson usually eats lunch at school, but he has asked me to make him lunch before and when I do its usually a PB&J with the All Fruit with Fiber jelly and always crunchy peanut butter. I usually pack a thermos with water or milk (they eat at 10:46 so the milk in a thermos is still good), sometimes chips(although he would eat and eat just chips) apple sauce, or peanuts. I have also made him salads to eat at school.

Stephen is not a picky eater he just does not like to sit still enough to eat. He would rather play! Of Course his Favorite right now is cheese toast. I do let him have 1/2 a slice or even a whole slice. He ALWAYS chooses a fruit to eat with his lunch. Besides the cheese toast he is not much of a sandwich eater. He would rather have the meat by its self or a spoon full of peanut butter creamy not crunchy! He does like Chicken nuggets, hot dogs, corn dogs, pizza, and anything else you could think of that is not healthy!! They always have a good serving or two of veggies.

Snack:

At snack time I always have my 3 boys, Jackson home from school, Stephen and Matt. We always have a fruit to eat before anything else and a yogurt. Jackson gets yogurt for his tummy. Stephen will not eat yogurt unless its creamy. If it has fruit or granola in it he will not eat it. Jackson's favorite is Key Lime Pie, Strawberry or Vanilla. Stephen likes vanilla strawberry.

They like pop corn, peanuts, spoon fulls of peanut butter, cheese sticks, and of course crackers and chips which they rarely have.

Supper:

We usually never eat out during the week. We try not to eat out during the weekend to save on money, but we usually eat out 2 times on the weekends. While cooking supper for the whole family I only make 1 meal. If the boys don't like it then I am sorry I am not going to whip something else up! I know what they like and usually stick to that. I rotate my meals every 2 weeks. We like to eat breakfast for supper, spaghetti lasagna or meatballs, any kind of chicken, pork chops except Jackson. He has never liked Pork Chops, but I do make him eat a bite or two. You never know he might like it next time. I always make sure there is plenty of veggies for him to eat that night. My family LOVES me to make homemade pizza. We like meatloaf again Jackson does not like meat loaf, but I do make him eat a few bites and then he can fill up on the veggies. Stephen will eat just about anything. We do hot dogs or hamburgers.

Thanks for readying!!

Snow days Jan 10-15

2011-02-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

We had alot of fun during our week off for snow!! We played out Mon, Tuesday and Wednesday!!
The kids loved being pulled behind the tractor. Monday I had an earache so I actually did not go out, but the boys did! Papa left Stephen on the 4wheeler to help Jackson and Stephen took the 4wheeler key out and lost it in the snow! Monday and Tuesday we played at Pam and Farrell's (my inlaws!) We even got yummy lunches cooked for us!! Papa tried building a snowman, but it just wasn't happening! It was a thin layer of ice over the almost 7 inches of snow! He was able to make this big ball so Stephen was happy! He wanted to ride around with it so Daddy put it in the back of the sled!

I was brave enough to let Jackson ride me around on the 4wheeler! He is just about like his dad and this was probably the last time I will ride with him! He went to fast and scared me! ha!! And he is only 8 so know telling what he will be like in a few years much less when he turns 16 and I am not in the car with him!!

He got stuck in the ditch!! He did lots of donuts as well!!

They had fun throwing snow balls at their nana!! I was trying to get a good pic, but Jackson was more interested in hitting nana!!

Sundays riding adventure!

2011-02-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Sunday was a great day! After a wonderful Church service and a delicious meal at Truett McConnell College we came home and did a little riding. Well the boys did.....not me!!! Bart had an AWESOME idea to make Jackson a motorcross track! Since he is in the bobcat business he got to work!! Most of the day Friday he worked out in the field and made some awesome jumps!!!

Jackson LOVES the jumps and gets better and better at them!!

After the riding at our house the boys were ready to saddle it up!! Its been a while since they were able to ride so Nana and Papa were super excited to get the horses out!

This is Jackson's new horse. It does not have a good name? If you wanna help him name it just leave a comment! He traded Smokey for this horse!

This is Rocket! Jackson got this horse when he turned 2. Stephen did not ride it, but he really enjoyed leading him around!!

This is Smokey!! He was a horse Jackson got for Christmas and I believe he is now Stephens!

Stephen is FREE for a whole year!!!!

2011-01-31T10:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Stephen!!!! We LOVE you!!! You are a blessing sent from God.

The past 3 years have been great!! You came into our lives on Thursday Jan 31st. It was a perfect day! You weighed 8lbs 8oz and was 19 3/4 long!! 1 year old! Today at 3 you are fearless, active, happy and very loving!! You enjoyed leading around Rocket yesterday! You are COMPLETELY potty trained!!! You talk more and more everyday and we can understand you more everyday! You are a mamas boy, but love to be with Daddy especially if you get to ride in the truck or go to the shop with him. Your big bro is pretty darn special to you as well!!

You love to be outdoors and when we go "Hotside" you are always smiling! You love to "dump" on the trampoline and "wing whilly" high on the swings! You ask every dad to go to daddys shop where you can be found "weeping" up the mess with the "whilly" big broom!

You LOVE attention especially when everyone sings "Haffy to you"!!

Thank you Lord for giving us Stephen! He is truly a blessing and we love him so much. He brings so much excitement and joy to our lives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Day 4 Epcot

2011-01-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

We visited Epcot and had a blast!

Jackson in front of the Epcot ball!

Our first stop was so cool. I don't remember what it was called, but you had to hurry and climb in your seat. It moved all throughout the Epcot ball. It was like a tour through time from the past to the present. I took TONS of pictures, but will spare you with just a few!

This was I think the 1970's???

Jackson liked it!!

Our next stop was really cool. We were first in line and did not have to wait long at all! This is my sister in law Holly with her daughter Jayden and my Jackson.

This was on the "motion Movie" It started off with Ellen Degeneres taking a nap and she feel asleep watching Jepordy. She left all the lights on and was not conserned with energy. She "woke up" in her dream and she was on Jepordy. She did not know any answers about the "energy" questions and so Bill Ny the science guy came backstage and was going to teach Ellen about different kinds of energy.

So the ride started during the dinosaurs time period and took us all the way into present time. It also taught us different ways to help us in the future.

This picture is taken of Jackson in his dream car!! It was taken after a GM ride. The ride took us through a "dummy crash test course" It was AWESOME!! It took us through hot temps, cold temps, bumpy roads, over 60 MPH and then a brake test.

One of my FAVORTIE things about epcot was the Tour of Countries. It was so neat to see all the different coultures in Epcot. Again I took TONS of pics so I will just share my favorites!

While we were taking a short break from all the sigh seeing we took a break to eat a snack. While we were sitting there an airplane fly by writing this in the sky!! I LOVED IT!!! If you can't read it is reads U + GOD= :)

Jesus!!

Another thing I loved about Epcot where the tree or bush sculptures. They were in Hollywood Studios as well!

While in Epcot they had a 3D movie that we got to watch!!

Captin EO. It was with Michael Jackson!

I think the Nemo ride was one of my boys favorite!! Jackson use to love Nemo, but since Stephen does not like TV I did not know how they would like it. The LOVED it. You sat in shells and rode around watching a little piece they put together with all the Nemo characters!

Me and Jackson on the Nemo ride. He closed his eyes because the flash hurts his eyes ;)

This is what they did after the ride! See both boys with their tongue out!! Don't know where they get their craziness from!!!

We saw TONS of characters. We had heard from the Magic Kingdom that is we wanted to see characters to wait till Epcot. That was so true!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-19T07:04:00.000-08:00

The Skelton Family

Day 3: Animal Kingdom!!

2011-01-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

It was a great day at Animal Kingdom!! This is the place where Jackson turned into a roller coaster boy. Bart has stated that this place had his favorite roller coaster. It was pretty awesome!! My 2 boys love looking at animals so they really enjoyed the day!! Don't know who this is, but I know he comes from the Lion King!! Stephens face cracks me up!! Goofy was a favorite!! This was right after you walked in and it was called the Rain forest Cafe!!
Gods beautiful rainbow!!

The tree of life!! All over the tree had carvings of animals. Truly amazing!!

Tiger!!

Eeyore

Pooh

Waiting on a little ride.

Bat

This was in a walk through little zoo inside the park. They had tons of little houses and Stephen LOVED them. He would point and say little little house!!

On the AWESOME safari ride or maybe it was the jungle ride??

Stephen and Papa!

They had baby elephants, but I did not get a good picture. Our truck was moving really fast!!

An awesome parade!!

Day 1 and 2 Magic Kingdom

2011-01-14T12:03:00.000-08:00

We spent our 1st two days at the Magic Kingdom! It was AWESOME!! I felt like a kid again! Can't wait to go back one day!! Day 2 in pictures come 1st then the last is day 1. Sorry I am not good at organizing pictures on blogger.

The lighted parade was a crowd favorite!! Stephen is in love with trains so he really liked this one. Me Bart and Stephen watched the parade while Jackson watched with Nana and Papa so I don't know which one was his favorite!
I took tons of pictures, but I will only spare you with 2!

Stephens favorite ride was Its a small World After All. We rode it twice!!

The 1st time we rode it was with Nana, Papa, me, Stephen, Jackson and Jayden!

Look at that little dimple!!

AWE :) love my hubby!! The second time riding!! Only Stephen me and Bart went!

Yeah I could go for this!!

I think Jackson got tired of me taking his picture!!

OH SO SWEET!!! Stephen LOVED his mickey mouse ice cream!!

The pictures are a little backwards. Sorry!! Stephen and Daddy on the Safari ride at MK

Waiting on the Safari ride at Magic Kingdom got very tiresome!! It was 90 min long. So we waited a long time!! It was a great ride so it was worth it!! While we waited we ate snacks, played a little hand game, let the kids run wild, took potty breaks and of course took some silly pictures!!

Jackson loved the ride and so did Stephen!!

Me and my cutie pie Jackson about to ride the Aladdin ride!! Jackson was the driver of the ride and the camel spits on you when you go by. He tried getting me wet, but he did not!!!

Papa and Stephen riding behind us.

My mother in law Pam and Jayden (my sweet niece!!)

Bart took this picture of me and Jackson in the middle, my brother in law Jason to the right and Farrell on the left!

Stephen and Daddy. Stephen waited so patiently in all of the lines. We had to wait some very long lines, but for a 2 year old he did great!!

My Sweet Stephen waiting for the Aladdin ride. 45 min wait!

This was the tree house! These kids are so cute!!

Jackson 8 years old!!

Jackson was the 1st to pass out! This was the 1st night!!

Stephen was last to fall asleep!

Me and my 2 boys!!

My sweet mother in law Pam and father in law Farrell!

The McCollums: Jason, Holly and Jayden

Not a very good family picture!! I made me and the boys where our flag shirts and wanted a picture taken on Main Street USA

Jackson and Jayden loved the Carousel at night!

Stephen loved it as well!!

We waited forever for the Winnie Pooh ride!! It was neat. They had a few activities for the kids and Stephen really loved the one where the little Chipmunks jumped out of the ground!!

My boys were tired by this time so they decided to kick Eeyore out of his den and they took a little nap!!

Seriously? This would work for me!!!

This was the Buzz Lightyear ride at MK

Jason and Holly rode together

Daddy and Jackson

Jayden rode with Me and Stephen

Stephen loved it!!

On day 1 we got to experience the day time parade!! It was great as well!!

Papa and Stephen rode the cars while the rest of the group did the Lilo and Stich show. Stephen was to short and so Papa took him to do this!!

Afterwards we met up and waited in line to do the cars as a group again. Bart and Farrell waited and took pictures for me!!

Pam and Jackson. Jackson was about 1 inch to short. Why I have no idea. He was tall enough to do Space Mountain, but not this?? Did not make much sense, but he had fun anyways!!

Momma and Stephen

We got to meet lots of characters while in Disney!! This shot of the grandparents and grandkids was great!!

AWE:)!! I love this one!!

My 2 boys!!

Up next: Epcot Day 3

Disney November 2010

2011-01-14T11:21:00.000-08:00

In November we took a trip to Walt Disney World! We had so much fun! Stephen was free this year, but I had to get a picture of him holding a Disney ticket!!

Click here to see Magic Kingdom Day 1 and 2
Click here to see Animal Kingdom Day 3
Click here to see Epcot Day 4
Day 5 and 6 where to Hollywood Stuidos. I have not bloged about those days. Bummer they were our faves. maybe one day!

Jackson, Stephen and Jayden!! We took the Ferry the 1st day there! It was Awesome!!

Farrell is taking pictures and then its Jackson, Pam, Jayden Holly and Jason

These are my inlaws! They are the best inlaws any girl could ever ask for. Growing up I dreaded getting married because I was scared I would get terrible in laws. I prayed for a good husband, but most of my prayers asked God for good inlaws!! He blessed me with Pam and Farrell!! If it wasn't for these 2 people we would have never been able to go to Disney! They treated us big time!!

This is me and my hubby Bart!! He does not like pictures or maybe its me?? No really he hates pictures, but the sun was in his eyes also!! These of course are my 2 luvs!! Jackson and Stephen!!!

We spent a whole week there. We went to each of the 4 parks. We went to the Magic Kingdom 2 times and Hollywood Studios twice. So I will break my post down into the 4 parks not days!!

A New Year and New Start!!!

2011-01-10T19:50:00.000-08:00

2010 was a great year!! I feel so blessed for all things that happened in 2010. With a new year starting I prayed and thanked God for blessing me in 2010. I also took time to thank him for being with us and for all the things he would do in 2011.

2010 was a great year for me and in March I decided I would try to loose some weight. First of all I am so embarrassed to share these pictures, but I thought I would go ahead and get over it. I have always been heavy. I can remember being made fun of so bad in middle school. Those were the hardest years. I have not ever done anything about it. I would start a diet and loose 5 lbs and then stop and regain it all and maybe some extra. When I was expecting Jackson it got really bad. I gained alot and did not really loose any except for what Jackson weighed. When I was expecting Stephen I did really really good and only gained 14 lbs. He weighed 8lbs 8oz and a week after he was born I was weight less than I was when I found out we were pregnant!! I nursed for 14 months and did good. After I stopped nursing my eating habits were the same, but I was not loosing the extra calories from nursing so the weight started coming back.

In March of 2010 I weighed one day and I was exactly what I was when I gave birth to Stephen. WOW was that depressing or what. From that day I kept thinking I am going to do something, but was not sure what to do! I decided to start small and cut out all of my sweat tea and sugary sodas and switch to diet sodas and water! I did good for a while, but did not see that much of a big change. I cut back some of my eating and did okay with that.

My dear friend Ruthie started doing weight watchers. I kinda got into it around May. During summer we were together alot swimming at the pool. My mother in law, Pam, was also doing weight watchers so she gave me lots of her extra goodies. I had lots of reading sources from her meetings and and extra food counter card. I started exercising. I started the biggest loser weight loss dvd with Bob Harper. I also tried walking on days were it was nice out.

This is me in March 2010. I look HUGE.
This is me in October. 35lbs lost.

This is me in November. 40lbs lost

With all the birthdays, holidays and a week in Disney I fell off track and made bad eating decisions. I am back on track and have kept my weight loss at 32 lbs off. It was so hard. Every time I turned around it was someones birthday and I have no will power. I love sweet stuff. When we were in Disney I did not try at all. I just ate and ate what ever I wanted. BIG mistake! Then it was Christmas. I baked alot during the holidays and of course ate ate ate. So between Disney and Christmas I gained back 8 pounds.

I am back on track and hope to do good. I have a personal goal that I want to meet by Easter. I would love to loose at least 12 pounds before Easter. I want to buy a new Easter Dress. I am going to continue with Weight Watchers. I don't go to meetings or do it online. I just try really hard to do it all by myself. I don't have time to go to the meetings. I would love to do it, but there is not a time slot for me.

I shared this on my blog because I thought it might help me keep accountable. I would love to once or twice a month do an update that way I know I have to stay on track. One day I want to be down more than the 12 lbs before Easter, but I want my goals to be reachable. I want to be smaller, but for right now I will set my weight loss goals small so they don't seem so out of reach and I don't want to get discouraged.

Christmas Morning 2010

2011-01-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

Here are the boys Christmas morning after seeing what santa brought. They open presents from each other 1st then from mom and dad!! Stephen got Jackson a WWE wrestler that he has been wanting for a while!!

Jackson got Stephen a salty train from Thomas and friends and another small one!

After opening presents from each other then it was time to open from us. Stephen was a little distracted and wanted to play with what Jackson got him. I think I finished opening his presents and Bart opened the big one. Bart got him a four wheeler. I know, I know what everyone is probably thinking? He was crazy and I still think that! Its 3 weeks after Christmas and he only rode it 1 time!! He got a few more trains, a carpet with roads and stuff on it, a buzz lightyear phone and camera and a few chuggington trains!!

Jackson got a few things for his iTouch, some Racing gear for his dragster, a Life is Good Tshirt, a camo snuggie, a new pair of crocs, and who knows what else!!

Stephens new 4wheeler! Jackson tried helping him, but it was cold and so they only rode for a few minutes!!

Santa 2010

2011-01-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

Jackson's loot! He must have been a pretty good boy!! He got a Razor Rip Stick, 2 boxes of Pixos and a drum Paper Jamz. Stephen's stuff! He got a train table, and a few small train toys.

The stockings are always the same and they each got a set of play doh. Stephen got a new tub toy set and Jackson got a huge thing of Chapsticks that are soda flavored!!!

This one makes me happy!! Excitement in my kids faces!!

Stephen luvin his train table!!

Christmas 2010 part 1

2010-12-28T14:03:00.000-08:00

We had an exciting Christmas! We went to Disney over Thanksgiving so I decorated the week before!

Here is my Jackson on the end! He enjoyed being a Wisemen.
Stephen was a cow and he kinda left the scene to go sit with nana and papa! After a short visit he returned and it was a Gorgeous manger scene!!

Christmas eve we celebrated with my mom and Tif! Stephen loved opening presents!!

Jackson was so excited to be home after 5 days with his dad! He especially loved coming home to open presents!!

We left Santa some of meme and poppis homemade cookies!!

Jackson and his 2nd grade teacher Mrs Cain!

Jackson, Stephen, Mary Grace and Kahlab!

Stephen loved making cookies!!

Jackson too!!

We paid Santa a visit!!

Okay there will be more later!!

Just a little catchup!

2010-11-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

Its been way to long. We have been way to busy. Life is getting back to normal since our football days are over. I am sad and I am glad. I am sad because it helped me get out of the house and socialize!! I am sad because I LOVED watching my little man play. I am happy because we are not so strapped for time. I can get supper ready, spend time quality time with my kids and not have to rush rush rush to get supper at, baths taken, teeth brushed, homework done and in the bed before 10pm. This little man turned 8 October 18Th. We celebrated as much as possible with a tiny party with grandparents and taking cake to school. Gosh where did the last 8 years go. He got his report card about a week ago. 1 B and 2 As the others were S. He is a reading champ!! I love to hear him read!! He wants to start wrestling and in Feb 2011 he starts racing. He got to hear his dragster crank and run for a few minutes this week. Just a little bit more tweaking and he is going to drive it down Todds driveway! He saved up a whole years worth of Christmas money, tooth fairy $, working in the garden $ and 2 years worth of bday $ to buy him an iTouch!! He has alot more saved up and it is going to his racing!! He can't wait!!
This little brother is always up to some trouble. If its not dumping out the toys in the living room and then not playing with them then its trying to escape and go outside. He is always doing something. He never watches tv in the house. He does LOVE to watch Thomas the Train on the portable DVD in the car. He is trying to talk up a storm. He will try to say most anything I tell him to. His Ls come out a Ws, his Fs are Ps and I know there are others, but I can't think of them right now. He is doing really good about potty training. We are down to 1 accident during the day and of course a diaper at night!!

The 2 of them together can be really sweet at times!! They are very loving towards each other and have a very special bond!! So glad I have 2 boys!! Yes they are shaved headed little boys hear. I was the crazy mom who shaved their heads only to take them to the beauty shop and let them shave #8 in the back of their heads. Yes lots of people talked, but it was fun for the moment. Will I do it again???? probably not!! These 2 little boys can also be very active together and can on most nights be seen fighting with swords or tackling each other!! Its never a dull moment in our house!!

Stephen loves to be outside and since its been cold he has been begging me to take him out. We don't get to go out as much, but the times we are out he is wide opened side ways. He is usually found jumping. He has learned to climb the rock wall and of course loves the really fast slide. He enjoys riding his 4wheeler when his mom remembers to charge the battery!!!

August 2010 is over................................

2010-09-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

It has been crazy busy with football, bible study and school starting. I took only 23 pictures the whole month of August. I am keeping Matt 3 days every other week and go to the school one week and then every other week I keep Matt 4 days a week. Time is going by way to fast. Jackson is LOVING football and Stephen is just being a normal 2 year old trying to potty train. Maybe September will bring more pictures!

Jacksons new book bag with his name monogrammed in yellow! Jackson picked his own outfit out for the first day of school!!

He also picked out his favorite breakfast treat. He never gets to choose during the school year except his 1st day. If I let him choose he would pick sugary breakfast everyday.

Most of his supplies minus the copy paper!

Jacksons' 1st game!!

Jackson is center on offense. He has to call the huddle then he hikes the football to the quarter back!!

The run through banner!!

Football!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-08-06T05:09:00.000-07:00

This is what we have been doing the past 3 weeks. Jackson has practice 3 nights a week for 2 hours each night. He LOVES it!!!!!!!!! Thats all he thinks about. I have to beg him to go swimming because he wants to save his energy for football. The kid is going to be a star one day. Trust me......most of the coaches have came up to me after practice and told me how good he is!!!

Since Stephen has to be just like bubba he had to dress up when Jackson tried on his gear!!!! Aren't they just adorable!!!!!!!!!!! Its been alot of fun. Its wonderful to see your children LOVE something and set a goal to doing something and wanting to succeed!!!

Lake 7/31/10

2010-08-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

We went to the lake Saturday with my family. We had a blast!!

Mouth full of root beer!!

Mary's face stayed this way the entire time she was on the tube!!

Stephen enjoyed waving to the other boaters!!

Jackson had a lot of fun!!!

He is fearless!! He LOVED jumping in and wanted to do it every time we stopped the boat!

After he woke up from his nap!!

The 3 sisters.

Mary Grace, Pamela and Me

Yes he can sleep anywhere!!!!!!!

The 4th!!!

2010-07-30T03:40:00.000-07:00

I know its way late, but I had to share these wonderful pictures of my family. Its been crazy busy here and I have not been able to do much updates. I know some of the family might be missing these 2 sweet boys so here are a few from the 4th. We had a fun filled day starting with Church. It was a wonderful service. After church we ate lunch with my in laws and played in the swimming pool. We also set up our water slide. I promised I would not share the pictures online. After a little cat nap for the boys we headed to Helen to watch the fireworks.

Jackson enjoying the sparklers!!

Stephen and his scuffed up nose. He enjoyed his Parklers!! Yes with out the S. Thats how he would say it!! He actually continued his cat nap in the car. So he was still tired!!

My favorite 3 boys in the world!!! Stephen was scared of the surrounding people who were setting off Fireworks in the parking lots.

Jackson being the best big bro ever!! He really does love this guy. Jackson hates loud noises so this is really big for Jackson to be holding Stephens ears and not his own!!!

And here I am with me and my 2 little joys!!! Seriously aren't they adorable????

Another Swimming picture

2010-07-26T04:28:00.000-07:00

This is how our summer is being spent. We are at the pool about 5 hrs a day. Jackson has already had swimmers ear and I have had it 2 times. Jackson is dark and I usually stay lobster red. Stephen gets sprayed with sunscreen about every 45 minutes. He is alot like me and very pale so I don't want him to get burned. If Jackson is home we are usually swimming. Football has started and he wants to jump in the swimming pool after 2 hrs of practice.

Ethan, Jackson, Caleb, Stephen and Matt enjoying a PB&J!!! The 4 amigos!!!!!!!!!!! Ethan, Caleb, Jackson and Stephen!!

My Garden

2010-07-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

Stephen loves to go to the garden with me. I wish the feeling was mutual. He loves to just roam through the garden and 9 times out of 10 he really does not look where he is going. Thats not good when you have corn coming up and he is not paying attention. He also likes to ride and push his little four-wheeler through the garden and when you don't have room between the cucumbers and squash to even walk............its doesn't really make this mama happy!! I am constantly saying "watch the plants" I do have to say I really really love watching both boys helping. Its even cuter when you look up from weeding and you are covered in sweat and dirt just to see two cute blonde boys shirtless watering the plants. Although 5 seconds later they ruin the cuteness by fussing and then there is some screaming...........then there is some "fine Stephen" in a mean voice then comes another little "HA HA bubba" coming from Stephen because he won the battle of the water can!!! Another FAVORITE(but shhhh, don't tell daddy) is climbing to the top of the saw dust pile. Jackson especially loves to climb to the top and scream "I am king of the world" They love love love to be bare footed and of course like all little boys get as dirty as possible. We only go out in the garden after 6 when the shade is covering the garden. That ways its not as hot and the boys can get dirty and then we head in to the bath!!! I have really enjoyed doing a garden this year. Shocking I know!! I still hate to get dirty, sweaty and be outside, But it is very relaxing and peaceful watching God do his magic!!

I know he looks a little dorky, but still ever so cute!!!

Tomato plants!!

My largest squash plant. It is the only plant that survived my seeds.

Squash and cucumbers all bought at Lowes because my seeds probably got eaten by birds.

Here is a run down of what we have planted.

The whole family planted a row of potatoes.

Bart, Jackson and Stephen planted a row of onions. Stephen pulled them up and Bart and Jackson re-planted them.

I planted a whole row of squash seeds. (Only 1 survived)

I did a whole row of cucumbers. (none survived)

I planted 18 tomato plants.

I planted 9 cucumber plants. (Only 8 made it)

I planted 10 squash plants. (Only 9 made it)

I planted 18 watermelon plants.

My mom and Tif came and helped me one day with some fertilizing and hanging some tomato plants with bamboo. He transplanted 1 tomato plant and planted some of his own roots from their house.

Bart dug the garden with a track hoe and leveled it off. My father-in-law tilled it. It looks AMAZING. I try to go every evening even if its just for about 30 mins or so. I have watered it, fertilized it and keep the weeds out. Jackson does help me alot.

Jackson hopes to have enough watermelon and squash to sell to buy him an Itouch. He has alot saved up, but needs about $60 more. Hopefully he can do good at the Farmers market like he did last year!!

VBS 2010!!!!!!!!

2010-06-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

Okay so these pictures are way late. We had VBS the 6th -11th. I have TONS of pictures of Stephen and hardly any of Jackson. I guess that's how it goes when you are the mom of a 2 yr old and have to stay with them. When Jackson was in the nursery class I took TONS of pictures of him. It seems like every picture I took of him he looks really mad or really silly. He HATES having his picture taken and so he usually makes a silly face just to get under my skin!! Gotta love 7 yr olds!!!

This is the nursery class. There were SO many little ones!!! What a blessing!!!

Matt was able to go with me 1 night!! He loved it!!

Music class was a favorite!!!

Music!

Again another mad looking Jackson. Was it the shirt??? Was it cause he wanted to sit beside someone else?? No it was cause he did not want me to take his picture. Man I must really embarrass the heck outta that kid!!

Jacksons friend Caleb Reddy came one night.

Super Terry and Super Cooper!! Stephen was scared of the doggy and Jackson said they were boring. Typical 7 yr old again!!

Oh wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is that??? Is that my sweet little precious Jackson smiling???????? It took 3 pictures to get this one good one!! Here Jackson is with his BFF Caleb Blocker!!

The 1st night the kids had alot of fun playing ball. I seriously think my 2 boys could just live the rest of their lives with just a ball. I think it is a favorite toy of all!!
Stephen was trying really hard to keep up with the big boys!!

Michaela went with us all week and she is just a joy to have. Such a precious little girl who loves to learn about the Lord!!

An action shot of Jackson!! This boy is always on the move!!

Caleb and Stephen trying to beat Jackson!!

Fathers Day................a little late :(

2010-06-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

Fathers day we spent the day with Nonnie and afterwards Bart wanted to go to Sams and we also visited Barts daddy's grave.

Before we went to Sams we rode by and saw Bart's Aunt Carolyn. She is such a precious lady!! It has been FOREVER since we saw her and we had a very nice visit! She of course was in love with Stephen and they enjoyed looking at pictures!

When Jackson got home we went to play some good ole putt putt at the Pirates Cove in Helen! It was nice. All Bart wanted to do was have fun with the boys. He leaves early in the morning before they are up and then its late when he gets in. So since it was his day he wanted to have some father/son fun!! I tagged along!! Saturday we went bowling and ate BBQ!! Jackson choose putt putt!!

Stephen had fun throwing his ball down through the water!!

Jackson just had fun playing. He actually got a hole in 1!!! Grandpa would be so proud!!

He thinks he is king of the world!!

They enjoyed their free ice cream!!

Can't you tell it was good!!

Throwing food to the fish!!

Stephen had to have daddy's help!!

Our Visit with Nonnie

2010-06-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday Jackson, Stephen and I stayed with Barts grandmother. She is such a precious lady and I wish we could stay more.

Jackson enjoyed watching TV and making this awesome puzzle!!

Stephen had a ball playing and of course singing a few songs!!!

He was SOOOO tired and he cuddled up with Nonnie. I think her heart melted just a tad rocking that sweet little baby of hers!!