And You Wonder Why People Stay Sick...

I have lived in Texas my entire life. I know that the weather is unpredictable and like the people who live in this great state, the weather also does things in a big way. I have no idea what the weather is like outside right now. Someone on facebook said it was 71 degrees but I have been in bed all day. I feel like pure crud and guess what tomorrow it will be in the 20s and not warm up to above freezing until Saturday.

Is It Winter?

I live in Texas and the saying goes if you don't like the weather stay a day, it will change. Today I am sitting in the house in shorts, a tank top, flip flops and the windows open. It is almost 80 degrees BUT Tuesday the high will be in the LOW 20s and the lows in the low TEENS...got to love Texas

Can You Put A Price On Responsibility

Our son, Bryan, plays the clarinet in his school band. He chose the clarinet because Squidward on Sponge Bob plays a clarinet. I tried to get him to play the drums because of all the appliances he has in his mouth but he was presistant so we agreed.

(this is him on the far right with his band award)

So, I get home yesterday about 6:30 to find out the he left his clarinet on the bus. To make matters worse, he didn't say anything until after the bus was back at the bus barn and the driver was gone home for the day. For months we have stressed to our children keeping up with their stuff. They asked for DSIs, they have asked for Ipod shuffles, new cell phones, etc and we explained that we would not be getting any new things for them like that until we can see that they are taking care of what they already have.

Last night I was explaining to Bryan about what was going to happen if we could not find the clarinet. We do not have a few thousand dollars to replace it so he was going to have to sell his things plus work for us and his grandparents to pay for the clarinet.

This morning I went into the school with him and they did not have anyone turn in the clarient. I debated about what to do next so I stopped by the bus barn where I was greeted very kindly by one of the bus drivers. After explaining the situation, he called his supervisor who said that he would be checking. As I got ready to get off the bus, I was met by the Transportation Director. He asked me to go back to my truck since it is cold and raining here and he would be right back.

He was a God sent when he brought me the clarinet that had been left on the bus yesterday afternoon and kindly explained he was not trying to be rude but with being so close to a major highway, he tries to keep the facility secure. He asked that next time I ask the school to call him personally and he will bring it up to the school. I understand and appreciate his position totally.

The clarient is now put up. We are going to make Bryan worry about it until we get home tonight and decide his punishment. It's not that he is getting a spanking because it does not warrant one, however, it does require some type of punishment to stress the importance of responsibility. Can you really put a price on it especially since it is such an important lesson for life.

Inspiration Based On Others

I come from a family of blue collar workers. To this day they still are. My dad is a farmer, my mom works landscaping at the golf course where they live, my brother works oil and gas, my grandfather was a carpenter and the list goes on and on. I grew up in a divorce family (like many kids did), we lived in government, income based apartments growing up. Many of the kids there came from single parent homes, most of the boys stayed in trouble and many of the girls had babies before we were out of high school. I'm not bragging, just providing background.

Lately I've been looking at people and their success. I have a friend who was raised by her GREAT grandmother and was very poor who is now a very successful lawyer. I have a friend who is a cop. I know someone who has their own salon, two people who are successful rappers, two pastors, a baker, a boutique owner and that list too goes on and on. I am so super proud of them and tell them all the time but it has made me check myself. WARNING: You might not like what I'm about to say.

Growing up I saw a lot. As a teenager I picked not the best crowd of girls to run with or the best boyfriends at times. I learned a lot about the streets. I don't live that life anymore but it's hard to go from that to working for minimum wage in the "regular" world. There is something about that life that makes you know that you need to do your own thing and work your own business. For years I have wanted to work for myself and do my own thing and for years I have been terrified, not of failure, of success.

I have been so worried about what others would say or think but I am past that. I have seen God move in my life in a major way lately and I will not deny God that glory because it has nothing to do with me, IT IS ALL HIM.

Once we are done moving, with the blessing of my awesome husband, I will be moving into starting my own business. I know some will feel like I have stepped on their toes because they did it first but there is plenty of room in the world for all of us.

A What A Rainy Day For Moving

The moving process began yesterday. Today JT and I went to the house to pack and move more of our stuff, like the rest of our bathroom stuff and our clothes. My SUV was packe down with our stuff.

I have to thank my mother in law for all the boxes and more to come. I think it's funny that out of all the boxes the Penzoil one is the one you can see. Last week it snowed and for the past 2 days it has rained and rained and rained. The house we are moving from is in the country and there are several low lying spots. We have 2 options to go to my mother in law's house, the short way or the long way. We left out headed the short way.

No, it's not a river This is the road. Our house is on the other end of this part of the street. it kind of makes a Y and we are on the long part. The hubbs drove through first and made it ok. I was nearvous and waited. No sense in both of us getting stuck or stranded. Disclaimer: I don't recommend anyone driving through water.

Just on the other side of this "river" is a high spot but just after that came:

the picture does not really do it justice but I did not want to get any closer than this. The water was raging over the road. This is the way we normally take so instead we made a detour, the even longer way but we made it safely. Most of the things that we brought tonight are put away and we are about to be sound asleep because I am WORN OUT!

Until Next Time.

Day 1 of the move and I already miss my Internet

Where the inlaws live there is only 2 forms of Internet. You can get the mobile internet thing, which we have at the other house, or you can use satellite internet which sucks. I am going to miss my old Internet with AT&T where I don't have to have any wires anywhere, it moves quickly even when it rains. Right now our bed is here and a change of clothes, oh and our television but the hubbs forgot the cable to make the television recieve power so no t.v. tonight.

It's been a really long day and I promise to rant on later about moving but for now, I am going to sleep.

Until Next Time

It's Time To Move

If there is one thing I hate to do it is move. I hate the packing, the going through things, the wrapping to try to ensure things don't break, figuring out where and when to move them and in what order and in this case, determine if we will be using it during the next year or if we don't need it. This move is different from any move we have ever made before. This move is to save money for a house.

My husband owned a house in his first marriage, I however, have never been a homeowner. No one wants to move into their parents house or in my case in with my inlaws but I am grateful that I have that option. For the first couple of months it is about getting things paid so we can start the save and then it's about saving as much as we can as quickly as we can. Realisitically we are looking at a minimum of a year.

It is going to be cramped, people are going to get on one another's nerves, get their feelings hurt, feel like their toes are stepped on. Yes, I hate moving but the end result is very much worth it to my husband, our children and myself. Plus I think my inlaws will be proud when they can say that they were a part of us finally being homeowners.

All The People Ya Gotta Love

One of the things that we always do when we go to my mom's is ride the dirt bikes and 4 wheelers. Here is Bryan riding on the back of the small 4 wheeler with Nick.

This is my neice Bailey. She is JT's brother's  daughter. We don't get to see her or the other 2 very often. I swear that whole family looks exactly the same. This was the first time I met any of them and they acted like they had known me forever. I love it.

My nephew Collin.

My niece Natalie.

This is Jonathan taking pics with my Iphone to send to his little girlfriend. Thank God she is now an ex girlfriend.

My God sister is in the yellow shirt and then there is me and Jillian. We spend almost every holiday with my God parents.

My sister in law is April Rose. My other sister in law is April Star. This is Rose. She hates having her picture taken and when she sees this she is going to kill me lol.

These are my babies. Last week the white one, Noel, got hit by a car and is now in doggie heaven. My son Nick was upset since she was his dog but it will be ok. Having the dogs is like having new kids which helps with the baby bug lol.

this is my daughter Jill and my nephew Alexi. I remember when he was born and now he is getting ready to graduate high school.

My God mother, Cuca, one of my God sisters, Musica and of course me.

The Taylors. This was Thanskgiving at my God parents house. I swear I love this man more than anything.

Joel and Jill. Joel has gotten to where he hates taking pics but I don't care. I'm the mom and he is taking them.

Nick is def the clown of the family but the funny part is when we go somewhere he acts like he is shy for such a long time. Lord help them when this kid warms up.

JT loves having daughters. Between Jill and Lexi he gets to have 3 princesses to spoil, 3 you say? Yep, you can't forget me.

I love my God father. He is one of the men in my life that I can count on.

My other god sister Cusi. Cusi is crazy and a tom boy. A few years ago she started losing her eye sight. Right now she can't see at all out of one eye and only right in front of her from the other. I love her to death.

My husband is amazing. Here he is at my mom's. We were picking up pecans and he used the leaf blower to blow the leaves out of the way to make it easier to get to the pecans. Got to love him.

My sister Nikki. She has no idea I even took this pic of her lol. She was outside with us being silly.

Bryan at the Ennis, TX Christmas Light Parade.

JT not feeling so good at the parade.

Bryan ad Nick on the fire truck during Santa Drop.

JT getting ready to go on Santa Drop

Nick looking surprised

Bryan talking as always. Hopefully it was something he actually knew about and not his usual saying whatever and hoping it is true.

Jonathan taking more pics of himself.

Ok I think he was just about done with the pics.

Joel said he was not going to let me take the picture of him. He is getting to be that age so I guess that is normal.

but when he was wearing my 2 year old niece's Burger King crown, I did manage to get his picture. I swear I love my family like crazy.

Twiggy Turns 2

I swear I love my niece just like she was my own kid. I guess maybe because I get to spoil her and then send her on her way. Twiggy's actual birthday is December 31st but we celebrated her birthday on the 1st.She love my mom so much. After opening her gifts we dressed her up in her jewels for pics.

This year she actuall knew what to do. Last year she just looked at them like "what do I do"?

This is my son, Joel, trying to make it look like he was touching the cake.

I made this cake in less than 24 hours along with another cake for my mom's birthday.

Christmas 2010

So yes I am very far behind on posting but today I am determined to get caught up. Holidays in a blended family is always a challenge.This year was not our year to have the kids for Christmas but we enjoyed our Christmas together anyway.

We had Christmas with my mother in law on the Monday after Christmas. The only kid we had missing was Alexis but we got her soon after. Nick was excited to get to Grandma's and open his gifts but I think my mother in law (the blurry figure in the black jacket) was more excited to have her granchildren there to get their gifts.

Bryan is always ready to pose for me and as you can see my father in law is looking less than thrilled in the background lol. Not really, he enjoys the kids being there as much as they enjoy being there.

Jonathan opening his gifts at Grandma's

Jill, Junior and Nick waiting paitently to get started.

We also spent Christmas with my mom's family but I took no pics. This is the tree at my God Parents house. It rotates and there is not a single spot on the tree that does no have something on it. It is beautiful

JT on his Iphone as usual. I don't know what he would do if we took this phone away from him. all in all we had a good Christmas but honestly, I am glad it is over.

You Can NOT Have My Joy

This morning has been a little rough for me. It actually started last night but I know this is the devil trying his best to try and take my joy. I love my job. I never thought I would be one who enjoyed working with kids but I love being there. I don't make a lot of money but I really enjoy it. I started as a sub and I was getting lots of hours but then there was a perm position which means full-time during the summer, spring break, etc but yesterday I noticed the sub gets way more hours than I do so the green eyed monster kicked in. Then this morning I heard that janky devil tell me that I don't need to work there.

The devil is trying so hard to steal the joy from my job but God placed me there. I prayed and prayed that God would guide my steps where he would have me to go and my job came about. I am grateful, so grateful for my job because it pays for just what I need it to pay for. Yes, it is always nice when you make more money but right now that is just not the case but the payment I get from the smiles and hugs from my kids makes up for the difference on my paycheck.

Working here has really made me think about going back to school and becoming an elementary school teacher but I have to get some ducks lined up first. The funny thing is no matter if I am working my own business or going to school, my job allows me to be able to do either during the morning...that's how God works

Is This What You Imagined?

I always knew I wanted to be a mom. I always thought that I would go to college, move to New York, live it up for quite some time, meet the man of my dreams, fall in love, have 2.5 kids and a dog but that is not my life at all. I still haven't finished college because I'm not sure what I want to be AGAIN. I had baby number 1 at 17 an baby number 4 at 23. The other 2 I got much later but I didn't give birth to either of them. The boys out number the girls in our family even though I wanted all of them but the last one to be girls. I am on marriage number 3, only 1 child lives with us full-time, I did marry my high school sweetheart but only after 14 years apart. When I look at my life this is not what I imagined at all.

I would not trade it for the world. I got 2 additional sons whom I love to death. I am married to the man of my dreams. We don't live in New York, thank God, we do have a dog and I am glad that we have a bunch of kids. After this summer we will have 4 of 6 children in our house full-time and in my opinion, we will have 5 of 6 in 2 more years and 6 of 6 in another 3 years. I love having all of our kids and I can hardly wait for summer.

I use them for my inspiration everyday. I love being a mom

Counting My Blessings....My Mother In Law

No disrespect to my own mother (standing in the background of this picture) but I have to count my blessings with having a great mother in law. This is not my first marriage and by far my ex-mother in law was not worthy of me giving her too many props. I am blessed with a mother in law who is selfless to the point that at times I feel like people run over the top of her. My mother in law is loving to a point where it hurts her at times. My mother in law gives and gives, she loves, she is definatley the definiation of what the Bible says a woman should be.

Sometimes her children don't see this and I think it's because she is their mother. For me it is different because my mom is different. We are moving to my mother in law's house in the next few weeks. It's not that we want to and it's not that they want us to but there is a bigger goal in mind which is save money to get our own house or maybe going with plan B which is save and just move. My mother in law is going to once again give up something because of her love for us and our children. I pray that God allows my daughter in laws and son in laws to see me the way I see my mother in law and I am grateful for having her in my life.

I HATE YOU KIDNEY STONES

I had my very first kidney stone at 25 years old. At the time I had no idea what was going on. I was working a ton of hours, I wasn't eating very well and I honestly thought I was getting the flu. It was a Saturday, the day after my birthday and I was pulling a double at the store. It was one of those fall days where you want to open the doors but I was freezing. I went and sat in my office for awhile feeling really horrible and they called me to come do a void. My hands were shaking so bad it was all I could do and as I rounded the corner I fell in the floor and the next thing I know I'm getting loaded into an ambulance and being taken to the hospital. It took me 5 days to pass the stone.

The next one I had was a few years later. I was living alone and I thought I was having period cramps but when the pain got so severe, I drove myself to the hospital only the end up puking all over the nurse and the ct scan tech, had to be majorly doped up and it took me again 5 days to pass it.

The next time it was a small one and it only took me 24 hours to pass this one.

Yesterday we were taking kids home and the pain started in the same place it always did. Last night I took a pain pill and it dulled the pain but I still tossed and turned all night. Right now it is still hurting, feeling like a short stabbing pain that comes and goes. I probably should go to the ER but it's creating a bill we have to pay and I also don't need to miss any work. I hate these stupid things and I wish that I did not produce them.

Have You?

Lately I've been listening to a lot of Christian radio. I guess maybe because I can't listen to much else while I'm on my bus run picking up the kids but it is fitting. There is a song, it's an older one and I knew it way before I started listening to this station called "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me.

(Lyrics)

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
(From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/mercyme-lyrics/i-can-only-imagine-lyrics.html)
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

I can only imagine

It made me start really thinking about what it will be like one day when we go to heaven. Will we even know how to act in the sight of God?

Wow You Look So Pretty....NOT

this my folks is a kidney stone, who by the way, is NOT my best friend. I started getting kidney stones when I was 25 and I have one now. I've been up most of the night trying to stay still so I don't wake my hubby. I have to go to work so I guess I'll deal with it but it really hurts.

Science Summer Camp

Each year my childcare center picks a theme for our summer camp. This year the theme is going to be science which I think is pretty cool. The girl who does summer camp is in her last sememser of college to become a teacher and she has broken it down to the 10 weeks we are in camp and what the theme for each week is. I didn't think I was going to enjoy lesson plans very much but in fact I am enjoying lesson plans a lot more than I thought I was going to.

So far I have my regular lesson plans for the next 2 weeks done and I ahve printed many things for the first 2 weeks of summer camp so that I can figure out exactly what I am going to be doing and go from there. I have decided to go into work about an hour early each week to look at lesson plans and field trips from previous years so I can get a good idea because I'm still kind of lost as far as that goes.

I am having lots of fun with the exception of the kidney stone I feel creeping up and am hoping will diminish as quickly as it started.

Lesson Plans

Starting Monday I am officially the new after school teacher for 1st grade at my childcare center. I also am the bus driver so I know the kids and they know me. The cost of daycare is outrageous but we don't get paid very much, in fact, I make minimum wage.............which was hard for me since I haven't made minimum wage since high school and I graduated in 1997.

Part of being a teacher is creating lesson plans to go along with the theme for the week. Next week it's "Reading Is Fun". The old teacher did the lesson plans for me so that I could see how it was to be done but I don't think she really takes very much pride in her job or in what the kids are doing as the lesson plans are so very simple.

I have created activities for the following week which is themed "Winter Sports". I wish I could take pictures of my kids and their projects but it is forbidden so I will have to take pictures of the ones I make and post them here.

I have no desire to be a teacher, at least I don't think that I do, lol. I am currently in debate about what to do with my life and I am going to be talking to the local college next week. I have so much I am trying to accomplish and do and I just continue to thank God for it all.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?II didn't make any for 2010 nor did I for 2011 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

not 2010 but they will in 2011

4. Did anyone close to you die?

yes, my great uncle Harold died and my Uncle John Ed

5. What countries did you visit?

None

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

money, to be thin, a house of our own, my own business

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

march 7th because I married JT

 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

getting married, taking cake classes, being true to myself

9. What was your biggest failure?

I don't consider anything a failure

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

OMG I was sick more in 2010 than in my entire life

 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

the Tahoe

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

JT"s

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I don't care to share

14. Where did most of your money go?

KIDS
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

getting married and starting my own adventure

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

I'm a Little More Country Than That

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. Happier or sadder?HAPPIER

II. Thinner or fatter? FATTER

III. Richer or poorer? POORER
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
FOLLOWED MY HEART

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
SECOND GUESSING MYSELF
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
WE SPENT A WEEK HAVING CHRISTMAS WITH VARIOUS FAMILIES
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
YES SIR
22. How many one-night stands?
None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
ANYTHING FOOD NETWORK

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
NO
25. What was the best book you read?
I HAVE NO IDEA

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
THAT I LIKE ALTERNATIVE
27. What did you want and get?
SO MANY THINGS THANKS TO MY AWESOME HUBBY
28. What did you want and not get?
Less debt.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
NOT REALLY SURE
20. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I TURNED 32 AND WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING OVER THE TOP
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
BEING RICH
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
WHAT EVER I FELT LIKE

33. What kept you sane?
My husband

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
I WON'T EVEN GO THERE

36. Who did you miss?
MY KIDS

37. Who was the best new person you met?
I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
CUT IT OFF IF IT CAUSED DRAMA, FOLLOW YOUR HEART, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND JUST DO IT
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

-----

Best Event: GETTING MARRIED

Best Movie: NOT SURE

Best Over-Played Song: LITTLE MORE COUNTRY THAN THAT OR BULLETPROOF

 

Best Book: HAVEN'T REALLY READ ANY

Best New-ity of 10: GETTING MARRIED

Most Shocking News of 10: MY BROTHER GETTING A DIVORCE

Events of 2010 in no particular order:

1. GOT MARRIED
2. MOVED TO THE COUNTRY

3. LOST MY JOB

4. SPENT SUMMER WITH THE KIDS

5. SAW PART OF TEXAS I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO

6. TOOK CAKE DECORATING CLASSES
7. DISCOVERED I BELIEVED IN MYSELF

----

JANUARY 2010

1. Who did you kiss on new years?

I CAN HONESTLY SAY NO ONE. I WAS ASLEEP

2. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?

NO

3. Does it snow where you live?

SOME TIMES

4. Do you like hot chocolate?

YES

FEBRUARY 2010

1. Who was your Valentine?

JT

2. When you were little did you buy Valentine's for the whole class?

YES

3. Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not?

nope

4. What did you get for Valentines?

A NEW PAIR OF BOOTS

MARCH 2010

1. Are you Irish?

YES

2. Do you wear green every year on St. Patrick's Day?

YES

3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2010?

NOTHING

4. Are you happy when winter is pretty much over?

YES

APRIL 2010

1. Do you like the rain?

No.

2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year?

No.

3. Do you get tons of candy on Easter?

NOT A TON

4. Do you "love" the month of April?

NO

MAY 2010

1. What is your favorite flower?

Daisies

2. Finish the phrase "April showers":

Bring May flowers?  is there another ending?

3. Do you celebrate May 24th:

WHAT'S ON THAT DAY

4. Is May anything special to you?

MOTHERS DAY

JUNE 2010

1. What did you do for Fathers Day?

NOTHING EXCEPT GET JT A FEW GIFTS

2. Did you do anything fun during this month?

Not that I recall

3. Have a favorite baseball team?

Nope

JULY 2010

1. What did you do on the 4th of July?

DID FIREWORKS WITH THE FAMILY

2. Did you go to the fireworks?

WE DID THEM OURSELVES

3. Do you tan in the day?

IT'S TOO HOT

AUGUST 2010

1. Did you do anything fun to end the summer?

NO

2. What was your favorite memory of summer?

TIME WITH THE KIDS

3. Did you have a sunburn?

Nope

4. Did you go to the pool a lot?

NO

SEPTEMBER 2010

1. Were you attending school?

YES

2. Do you like fall better than summer?

FOR SURE

 

3. Anything special about September to you?

NO

OCTOBER 2010

1. What was your last Halloween costume?

I WAS A GOTHIC FAIRY AND A WITCH

2. What is your favorite candy?

THOSE CHALKY CANDY BONES

3. What is your favorite thing about this month?

BIRTHDAYS INCLUDING MY OWN

NOVEMBER 2010

1. Whose house do you go to for Thanksgiving?

TO MY GOD PARENTS AND INLAWS

2. What is your favorite thing about November?

MY SON'S BIRTHDAY

3. Do you wish on the wish bone?

NO

DECEMBER 2010

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? Yes!!!

2. What are you thankful for?

EVERYTHING

3. Get anything special last year?

JT GOT ME ALL THE THINGS I WANTED

4. What do you want this year?

TO BE HEALTH, PROPEROUS AND CLOSER TO GOD

5. Where did you begin 2011?

WITH MY FAMILY

I'M A REDNECK WOMAN

39 Questions


1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?

Married my high school sweetheart, cut off some friends, started getting back to church, have a child in the house with me full time.