The Disheroons

Christmas - Younger

2012-01-13T22:07:00.002-06:00

Sunday evening we had Christmas with the Youngers.

I was so excited to get to see some of the nephews and nieces open their gifts. A few had asked for specific things that I was able to get. I love to give gifts that people actually want. I don't like to give gift cards. They say "I couldn't think of anything to get you"...just sayin

Here is a few pictures of the event.

Everybody takes turns opening their gifts.

Of course Ti got to go first because he is the baby of the family.

Before we open gifts Papaw reads the Christmas story.

This was one of the gifts I was excited about. Austin had asked for footy pajamas and of course his favorite aunt found some. (actually it was his uncle that found them but I am taking credit for it) I tell all my nieces and nephews I am their favorite aunt. Don't know if I have them convinced of this yet.

Noah is acting like a goober. Memaw and Papaw got him new air soft guns.

Andrew and Papaw shared a seat during most of the unwrapping time.

Ti got an Angry Bird hat from the Jones.

Ti is trying to show papaw how the new toy works.

This is the only picture of me during Christmas I think. I just wanted to put this one in to prove that I was there. Just usually behind the camera.

Christmas 2011 - Disheroons

2012-01-09T22:52:00.001-06:00

I am a little slow about posting. That is just what happens when you have five kids and a full time job. We did Christmas with Nannie and Pops on Saturday morning. My favorite part was having all the kids take turns reading part of the Christmas story out of the Bible and acting out the story with our kid friendly nativity. Everyone with small children should have one.

Of course we had to take the annual grandkid picture in front of the Christmas tree.

Present Opening

This is one of my nieces. Isn't she beautiful. Her sister is too I somehow didn't get a picture of her by herself.

Ti was to busy playing the ipod to be bothered with all the new toys.

Ti and Pops

We had a great day

2011 Christmas Cookies

2012-01-03T22:26:00.001-06:00

Every year we have a tradition of making Christmas cookies and decorating them. They never really turn out like the shape the kids have chosen but that doesn't seem to matter once there is a couple of table spoons of icing and sprinkles on them. I need to figure out a good recipe for cookie dough that you are going to use for cutting out different shapes and they actually need to look like the shape after being baked. I tried to get Ti to participate but he was having nothing to do with it.

Mr. C. loved making the cookies too. He wanted to cut every one's out for them. Yes I do realize that most of my pictures of the boys doing something at our house they are only halfway dressed. That's just how we roll at the Disheroon's house.

Santa & Lights 2011

2012-01-01T21:39:00.000-06:00

We went to the Fayetteville square to see the lights and of course get a picture with Santa. We really don't do the whole Santa thing but we still try to get a picture with him each year.

One of Santa's reindeer. He wasn't very friendly and his horns were sharp. Just saying...

Titus didn't want to leave. I got to be the bad guy. You know that mom that is dragging her two year old away while he screams and everyone stairs. Yep that was us.

I think the Mall's Santa is better but this line is a lot shorter and you just pay them and take the picture with your own camera.

We had Mr. C and Mrs. E. with us also but of course I can't post those pictures. Hopefully when they go to their forever home I am going to make a picture book for them to remember their time with us. The random lady that I had take our picture thought it was kind of funny that I had some taken with just our family and then I had her take a few with everyone. You got to do what you got to do. Of course Mrs. E will not have any pictures in her book with Santa because she is terrified of the man with the white beard.

Oh Christmas Tree

2011-12-27T22:01:00.000-06:00

This year Andrew was such a big help with the Christmas decorating. I think he is taking after his daddy.

Of course I had to do the one job that I do ....Put the angel on the top. I do help a little.

Do I Really Trust Him

2011-12-10T15:56:00.001-06:00

Many of us say that we completely TRUST God and his plans for our lives. I personally thought I had that one down pat until..... Ti (my sweet darling of a two year old) has been sick for a long time. He always seems to have some type of runny nosy or is cranky for some reason. After having him allergy tested for various things it was decided that he did not have allergies per say he had irritants. Basically we try to restrict his diet so that the side effects of what he does eat are mild and easy to handle. And of course he takes zyrtec every night and mucinex every morning which helps some also. After going back to the allergist we all decided it was time for him to go to the ENT doctor. His snoring was so loud that it was impossible for anyone to be in the room and try to rest while he was sleeping. IT WAS BAD.

At the visit to the ENT doctor it was decided that he needed his adenoids and tonsils removed. They really don't like to do it on someone this young but he needed it done NOW. The surgery was scheduled for two weeks later.

Of course at this point I started praying for safety. Really, God has never allowed anything major to happen to my children. The what ifs starting going through my head. What if God chose to let something happen, how would I handle it. As I was praying I kept hearing this soft voice (that's just how God speaks to me) "do you trust me...do you trust me with one of your most prized possessions....yeah you'll trust me with your housing, your money, your job but what about this" At this point I started questioning myself....have I given everything to him. Do I trust him with my most "prized possession" (my children). I came to the realization that I need to work on this area. I need to remember that God is always good, he does not make a mistake, and he loves my children more than I could ever think about. He loves them with a perfect love because he is a perfect God.

So now here I sit in the hospital room with a sleeping two year old beside me. Yes God did choose to have the surgery go perfectly. The Doctor told us that his adenoids were taking up 70% of his airway along with having huge tonsils. Yes, God did know that he needed the surgery and yes he was protecting him before and through it. This is the third day in the hospital and we are waiting for Titus to choose to drink something so we can go home (obviously we can't make a two year old drink). Hopefully if things would have turned out differently I would have praised God in that storm also. How about you? Can you identify with me and have a little bit of trouble in that Trust department? Is there anything that has helped you be able to give Him EVERYTHING?

It's hard to play the ipod with just one hand. Dad is helping.

Ti and Papaw playing piggies before the surgery

The Christmas Decor

2011-11-29T21:44:00.000-06:00

I am slowly learning that God is much more concerned about my heart's condition than if my house is beautifully decorated for Christmas. Anyone that knows me and knows our family well at all... knows that Tim is the one that decorates for the holidays. That is just not my thing.

There are a few things that are a tradition for us that I do really like. One of those traditions is each year I make sure that each boy has an ornament with their picture in it and the year is on it somewhere. I am hoping to have one for each year so that when they are married and they have their own Christmas tree they will be able to take all of their Christmas ornaments and help decorate their first Christmas tree. I so enjoy looking at the ornaments each year and see how they have changed.

Now on with my story. So Mrs. E really enjoys throwing things to see them break. I don't actually think she is trying to break them and I know I am taking this way to personally but.... One might say I was a little bit upset about her latest item thrown. I really wanted to cry...all these thoughts were running through my mind...does she not realize how much these mean to me (hello, bekah she is two), one day the boys are going to treasure these ornaments as much as I do (probably not, but I can hope), she did that just to make me mad.

So as I set her down in time out I began to pray. Lord, really these items are important...I have a right to be mad...I am tired of being nice....And many other things that sound just as stupid at this point. Then I hear this small quiet voice. "These are just material things....what about her eternity. This might be the only Christmas that she hears about the true meaning of Christmas". Then I rant some more about how important my STUFF is and then I hear this small voice again..."These are just material things. Will she one day know my love. Will she have anyone to tell her about me when she is old enough to understand all that I have sacrificed because of my love for her. ." Okay God I hear you loud and clear... quite whispering in my ear.

So this year we will be playing with the nativity set just a little more (by the way it is nonbreakable). We will be talking about the Christmas story just a little more. We will not be setting up the table setting that is breakable. We will have to turn our Christmas lights off at 7:30 so that one little Mrs. E will go to sleep. (that is a whole different story) and we will remember the great sacrifice God gave through his Son because of his love for us.

So will anything be changing around your house this Christmas season?

By the way I was able to fix the Christmas ornament with a little bit of super glue. Super glue is my hero.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-28T21:28:00.000-06:00

This was the year of the Ninja ....AGAIN

Andrew has been a ninja two or three years in a row now.

Since Noah had a broken arm he decided to go with a car wreck theme. He played the part quite well.

This was the cutest Elmo that I have ever seen....and I am sure everyone thought so not just his momma.

Doesn't this picture just make you smile. Now be honest you know it does.

Halloween is one of Tim's favorite holidays..not so much mine. Getting five kids in and out of a car so that you can go ask people for candy is not my idea of fun...especially when three of those children are in car seats and they have to be unbuckled each and every time.

We went to a little carnival on the school parking lot that was put on by a church that meets at the school. The kids enjoyed it and momma enjoyed it because we didn't have to get in and out of the car a dozen time. Did I mention that I don't particularly enjoy getting three kids in and out of a car seat to ask random people for candy.

Pumpkin Patch 2011

2011-11-09T21:42:00.000-06:00

I had the priviledge of going with Andrew to the Mcgarrah Pumpkin Patch. We had lots of fun.

A little pumpkin racing.

A little picture posing.

A little corn mazing.

I just thought this picture was really cute so I wanted to include it.

I will blink my eyes and he won't want to be seen with me. I am going to miss these days.

Another Sweet Andrew

2011-11-06T21:45:00.000-06:00

The day after he decided to ask Jesus into his heart the discussion below occured as I was picking them up from school.

Andrew gets into the car. I had already picked up Noah.

Andrew "Mom do we have football practice this afternoon."
Mom "No, we have church"
Andrew "Yippee"
Noah "why are you saying that about going to church"
In a very matter of fact voice Andrew says "Well, because I am a Christian now"

Talk about making a momma's heart melt.

The next day Andrew ask's me "So mom now that I am a Christian what am I suppose to do?" Really how are you suppose to answer that?

What Has Happened

2011-11-01T22:39:00.001-05:00

Where did my baby boy go?

Who Is This Masked Man

2011-10-30T22:23:00.000-05:00

Those beautiful eyes belong to someone I know. He makes me smile.

Noah's Broken Bones

2011-10-28T20:57:00.001-05:00

So, I get a call Monday night around 8pm. The voice on the other end says "Noah has broken his arm and we are headed to the emergency room" It took me a while to realize she was not joking. After football practice Noah had went with some friends to the skating rink. While leaving the rink...yes I did say "while leaving"... Noah was walking on this little two foot ledge and lost his balance and fell.

I told our friends to take him to Physicians' Specialty Hospital's emergency room and I would meet them there. I might have drove a little fast. All I could think of was that child was hurt and of course he needed his momma to be there. On my way to the hospital I called the couple that we always call in an emergency. The Deweys.... we are so blessed to have them in our lives. They came over to keep the rest of the kids so Tim could head to the hospital and be with us. At that point we didn't know how bad it was and how long we would be there. They were already taking x-rays when I got there. We decided to go ahead and have an IV so that Noah could have pain medication.

Everyone at the hospital was great. I think the only time that Noah cried a little bit was when he got the IV. Hallelujah the nurse got it on the first try.

This is what I saw when I got to the hospital.

I always wondered how someone could know for sure that something was broken without taking and x-ray. Now I know.

They sent the x-rays to Dr. Cox and he looked at them on his home computer. He came up to the hospital and set his arm before we went home. Momma and Dad had to leave during this. We were welcome to stay but I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. There is just something about seeing your baby in pain.

The above x-rays are before the bones were set and the ones below were after they were set.

We went back to the doctor on Wednesday and the doctors said everything looked great and he will get his real cast in a week. He has to wear a cast that goes above his elbow for about three weeks and then a short cast for about three more weeks. Noah will not get to play his last two football games but we are hoping that by the time basketball season gets here he will be almost completely healed up. If God chooses to speed up the healing process that would work well for us and his basketball team lol. He can play sports with the shorter cast but of course it will just be a little more difficult.

Sorry if the whole xrays and broken bones is kinda gross I just wanted Noah to be able to look back and see it.

Things are always changing

2011-10-27T20:57:00.000-05:00

Starting November 1st I will be working full time at the University of Arkansas Foundation. This will be the first time for me to work full time since Noah was born 10 years ago. I am a little nervous to say the least. The big boys will be going to the after school program and Ti will have to change what he has been currently dong also. We had always planned for me to go back to work full time when the kids were in school .... but God provided this opportunity a little early. So if you could say a little prayer for me next week it would be appreciated.

Noah - Double Digits

2011-10-08T21:32:00.000-05:00

I can't believe my first born is 10. Where has the time gone?

Noah wanted to have some friends over to play some flag football for his birthday party. We ate pizza and he requested ice cream cake for the dessert. I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

Yes shirts are not required for a birthday party at the Disheroon's house. I know we are just cool like that. hehe

For confidentiality we can't show Mr. "C" face on the Internet but how do you tell a four year old he can't be in the picture. Hence the blurry face.

Noah has a couple of best buds. They spent the night after the party.

Noah,

I am so glad God decided to give you to us. I am so very proud of you. You seem to be good at anything you try. Currently you are playing football but your favorite sport is basketball. All your teachers talk about how smart and all around good kid you are. When they talk about how they can trust you to do what's right that makes this Mommy's heart jump for joy. You are not only very competitive in sports but also in anything else you try. Currently you are trying to be the leader in your Awana group. I hope as you get older your take all your God given abilities and your determination and do great thing for God. I have noticed how your peers look to you for direction. I know as you grow in your love of the Lord you will be directing those around you to the Jesus that you know. When I hear you pray lately it seems that Jesus is becoming more and more real to you. This makes a mommas heart jump for joy too. Noah there are many, many things that you do to make me proud but nothing could make me prouder than to know you love Jesus and are one of his followers. Noah I love you and am so happy I have been your mom for the last 10 years.

Things are Wild and Crazy

2011-10-06T22:12:00.001-05:00

What changes when you add two extra kids to the mix.

1. It is impossible to keep up with the laundry and you might as well forget about getting the socks mated. I am actually considering just buying all new ones.

2. You will never eat a relaxing meal again.

3. It takes hours and I do mean hours to get everyone bathed and ready for bed.

4. You can never have enough cereal in the pantry.

5. The volume in your house is always and I do mean always very very loud.

6. You need to start loading the car with kids at least ten minutes before you actually want to leave your house.

7. And the very best thing that happens when you add an extra two kids to the mix.....God gives you super natural strength to get through the day when you are serving him.

This foster parent thing is definitely one of the most difficult things I have ever done but I have been blessed. What a blessing it is to be able to tell a child that God made them and loves them that has never even heard about God before. And when a child doesn't have a clue what you are all holding hands doing before you eat and then in just a few weeks reaches out to grab your hand before you say the prayer at supper. Or to be putting clothes on a little girl and she reaches up and gives you a big kiss and a smile and at that point you know what she is thinking even though she is not able to communicate with you verbally. Yes words just can't express just how blessed I am.

Where I am From

2011-10-04T15:53:00.006-05:00

So I am trying to expand my horizons. I was reading on Mary Kay's Blog and was presented with a challenge. I am not a writer. After all I am accountant...they are not suppose to have to write just count and do math. So anyway Mary Kay is a writer and a very good one and I wanted to see if I could complete this writing assignment also. Nothing like a good challenge. Anyway so here is my attempt.

I am from blue ice cream at the local drug store, from beef Rice A Roni with rotel and buttered white bread.

I am from the old church parsonage with swinging doors between rooms and gold carpet. From where the window rattle each time the train goes by because you are only two houses away from the tracks. From where you are known by what side of the tracks you live on.

I am from honeysuckle bushes in the back yard (oh the sweetness), and pecan trees all around. From where the rice fields are flooded and the mosquitoes are so thick you can hit hundreds as you twirl around in circles with your arms held wide.

I am from eating dinner together at the table each night and saying the blessing beforehand, from Granny Younger's chocolate gravy, and Grandma Koone's pineapple upside down cake and Aint (just spelling it how it is pronounced) Lane's bread .

I am from stubbornness and Godliness mixed up into one.

From "Telling the truth even if it takes the hide" and "Do whats right".

I am from Baptist three times a week attender. If the doors are open we are going to be at the church. From standing on a concrete block in the baptistry to be seen over the edge to playing hide and seek through out the old church building or skating around the poles on the concrete basement floors.

I'm from Pocahontas hospital that is now an old folks home, Tuckerman and its rice fields, and Osage with its mountains. Thirty minutes from the closest Walmart and fifteen to the closest gas station. Where one must always remember to get gas before you head home. From where you have roast or fried chicken on Sundays along with mashed potatoes with whoever is the guest for that Sunday.

From the IGA with the bottle rocket battles in the parking lot, the store that is only open when the sawmill is running and if you need ice just leave the money in the cooler. From where if you do anything wrong your parents will know about it before you get home because everyone knows your father.

I am from the desk drawer full of pictures. Where you only have a few of when you were a child giving your sibling leverage to convince you that you were adopted. Where the refrigerator was lined with three pictures are now is lined with grandchildren, eleven in all.

So that is where I from....Where are you from?

So if you would like to participate and need the template click the link below. I copied it from Mary Kay's blog.
From Mama Kat's Weekly Writing Workshop suggestion, . Here is the original template. A description of the exercise is here. Pretty please join in the fun, and write your own!! Let me know if you do!

Weirdo Dog

2011-09-20T17:01:00.002-05:00

I think my dog is hormonal or crazy....

She is worse than my kids about following me from room to room. She is constantly leaning on me and not letting me have my personal space. I guess if this is the worse thing I have to put up with I will keep her. lol After all she is a sweetie and let's Ti do anything to her without responding.

Just wondering if this is how I will be when I get older.....just follow people around from room to room.

Are You Ready For Some Football

2011-09-18T17:00:00.000-05:00

Okay.... I don't care to admit it. I have never really

watched a whole game of football. Even when I have went to a razorback game I am usually to busy people watching than actually watching the game.

That is until Noah has started playing. Something about your child being involved in a sport all of a sudden you need to know all the rules and actually pay attention to the game so you can discuss it afterwards. I remember riding home with Tim and his parents after he played ball (ages ago). I was amazed how they could remember every play of the ball game.....I now understand. That is just what parents do.

We won't call this blocking in the back. I think it was more from the side. I know you are amazed that I know this. lol

Noah proudly wearing his Cardinals uniform

Noah has been so excited to finally get to play football. I think he is really enjoying it despite of the bruises he has on various areas of his body from this sport. I am thinking momma might like baseball or basketball better....a little less physical contact.

I just had to put one in of this cutie. I love this picture.

Younger Weekend Get Away

2011-08-30T22:11:00.000-05:00

My dad has been the pastor of Osage Baptist Church for 20 years. Yep ... they just can't get rid of him. They like him and he likes them. For his anniversary they decided to send his whole family to a weekend get away at a lodge in Ponca, AR.

This is the Riverwind lodge near the Buffalo River. It was really nice. Let me take you on a tour.

Back Deck

Looking up at the loft

Looking toward the deck

A table that would seat about 20.

Mom did a lot of cooking. You just don't jump in your car and get fast food when you are in Ponca.

The family did a lot of eating.

This was the view from the back deck Saturday morning.

S'mores are always good. Let's just say I didn't count calories this weekend.

Ti has a great time being the center of everyone's attention.

A lot of Wii was played

Aunt Suzanne bribes Ti with letting him play with her iPhone.

We took a hike Saturday morning. Tim and Noah had to go to a football scrimmage, so they missed out on the fun. Just to let you know a two year old will not walk even part of the way on a three mile hike. We all took turns carrying him.

I had Elizabeth take this picture just so I could prove that I took my turn carrying Ti.

There was even a hot tub out back. Yes, the nephews are acting like goobers. They think they are so cool.

I think I might have some more pics but it is getting late and I will have to look for them. Maybe there will be a second post about the Younger weekend to remember....

Thanks to Osage Baptist for providing our whole family with such a great weekend.

PS..Thanks for all the prayers for my family. My dad's back is doing really good. God has chosen to heal his body. He did not take the hike with us just because he is not quiet ready for that long of a hike.

Ti - Potty Training

2011-08-18T22:14:00.003-05:00

Ti is doing a great job at potty training. The one exception is pooping. He seems to like to go on the carpet. GAG Lets just say I have been tempted to rub his nose in it and throw him out the door. It seemed to work with the dogs.

Anyway.....I am hoping soon we will be diaper free. Just think of all the money I will be saving. Hopefully, we will be completely done long before we turn three. Any tips and tricks you would like to share on potty training will be appreciated. It has been awhile, actually it has been 5 years. I probably have forgotten some things.

Really how could someone stay mad at this cutie. Even if he poops on the carpet.

Andrew is 7

2011-08-16T22:08:00.000-05:00

Andrew,

I can't believe you are already seven. It seems just like yesterday that you were playing with your men under my desk in my office. Of course you still like to play with men you just don't require that I am in the same room.

You will try almost anything. Especially if your brother does it, you don't want to be outdone. You are so very brave.

You rode powder keg twice at Silver Dollar City. You were so very proud of yourself for riding each ride that you were tall enough for.

I love your smile which you do a lot of. You are a "go with the flow" kind of kid.

You are very compassionate to everyone (exception to this is your older brother). You and Noah fight constantly. Most of the time it is because Noah is picking at you but now that you have learned from the best you are dealing it out also. You are very protective of Titus and never want to see him cry. You give in to all his wants just so he will be happy. Even to the point of letting him use your Ipod. Titus loves you right back. I love to see how he comes up and hugs on you. He knows how much you love him.

Andrew I am so proud to be your mom. I love your compassion and the way you are always ready to please. I love that you sometimes will still get in bed with me on Saturday morning or how when we watch a movie you want to lay beside me. I know that others, most of the time, are not able to see this side of you but how it makes me smile when you reserve your hugs for your momma.

I am praying for you daily to listen to God's voice, so you will hear him when he calls you. I know that God will be able to use you in a mighty way for his kingdom. Your ability to talk to anyone and the love you have for people will help you lead others to Jesus. Andrew I love you so much and am so glad God allowed me to be your mom.

Crabs, Crabs, Crabs Everywhere

2011-08-05T21:47:00.000-05:00

Our last night of vacation we took Noah and Andrew crab hunting on the beach. It was a lot of fun. I would highly recommend this activity. The parents job was to shine the flashlights on the sand until you saw something really white or moving and then the boys would run in with a net.

This was the biggest crab we caught. Lets just say their might have been a little screaming going on while trying to catch this viscous animal. lol

We didn't try this until the last night and after we were done I was wishing we had done this every evening. What great memories.

Beach Pics 2011

2011-07-30T08:45:00.001-05:00

I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to get a family beach picture on vacation.

Here is what I learned.

1. The wind is always blowing when you are by the water....this makes for very bad hair.

2. You really need someone taking the pictures who knows what they are doing....which isn't me

3. The most important lesson...two year old children can not be bribed enough to get a good picture while at the beach.

You will see this wild hair in all pictures with me in them....BOOOOOOO

Ti really wanted to help get his brother UNSTUCK.

At first he thought he wanted to be covered like his brother....then he changed his mind. He really didn't want to lay down in the sand.

We spent most of our time chasing this sweet thing to try to get him in the picture. He thought it was quite funny...me not so much.

Lesson Four......HIRE A PROFESSIONAL

All About Alligators

2011-07-27T21:45:00.000-05:00

We enjoyed going to the alligator farm once again. Really who doesn't enjoy holding alligators.

Yes, I actually got in a pictures.... I think Noah and I kind of look alike.

Even Ti got into the action. He wasn't to thrilled with it.

The boys really were good about helping out with Ti.

There I am again. I just wanted to prove that I went on vacation too.

Nannie is getting her workout carrying Ti. It was hot and he was tired.

Of course the boys enjoyed the snake also.

We ended the day with eating at Lamberts. It was super yummy.

Naval Museum

2011-07-25T07:59:00.001-05:00

While at the air show we visited the museum. Most of the pictures are of Ti...Well he is so stinkin cute and I was the one that had the camera and also the one that was chasing him while the others were riding a ride.

He liked pretending he was driving the planes.

Yes....he is looking through them backwards. lol

Big brother comes to the rescue to show him the proper technique. Both big brothers are really good at helping out with Ti. They did a great job on vacation with doing their share of chasing a two year old.

Blue Angels

2011-07-23T22:03:00.000-05:00

We all went and watched the Blue Angels practice. I thought it was really cool. It was extremely hot so the boys complained a little.

If you are going to be in the area I would definitely recommend going to see them.

July 4th, 2011

2011-07-15T21:45:00.001-05:00

Its a tradition...

Everybody that wants to, is invited to our humble abode for 4th of July. Nothing fancy just a lot of ice cream and desserts along with a lot of trying to keep our children from blowing off one of their fingers or someone else's fingers.

Here is just a few of our guest.

We had a great time and are already looking forward to next year.

By the way.....there were no major injuries. PRAISE THE LORD

Calling All Prayer Warriors

2011-07-14T22:03:00.002-05:00

Some have asked about how my dad's surgery went. Well since I don't know how to reply to a comment on my blog I didn't respond...OOOOOPS

Anyway it did not work as well as they hoped so he will be headed back to Florida in a couple of weeks for a second surgery. Hopefully God will choose to completely heal him through this surgery and they will have this part of their life journey complete.

One thing that we know is that God is always good and he does not make mistakes. Please join me in praying for the doctors hands as they perform the surgery and that my Dad will have a quick recovery. And most of all that God would be glorified in the situation.

Fun at the Lake

2011-07-12T21:29:00.003-05:00

My BIL and SIL were gracious enough to let their nephews (at least the older two) spend the night. The boys were so excited. The next day we met them at my SIL parent's lake house. They have the perfect set up for the kids to have a great time.

Can you tell that Ti had been eating a chocolate chip cookie?

I got this swimsuit for Ti thinking it would work out great. I guess I got the to SMALL size. Needless to say it went back to Walmart.

All the kids love the swing.

Even the big kids

Needless to say it works better for those under five feet tall.

Noah was trying to swing out far enough to hit his Aunt Steph.

Ti didn't get his nap out.

Even Dad played a little.

Thanks to Uncle Matt & Aunt Steph and Steve & Sandy for a great day on the lake.

Campfires

2011-07-08T21:28:00.000-05:00

We had our nieces over for the night so we were trying to be super cool, favorite aunt and uncle.

We ate at McDonald (gag) and then went home and had a bomb fire complete with smores.

He is just to cool.....at least he thinks he is.

I wonder where they get that sideways look from??????

No night would be complete without a little tree climbing.

Yes... that is a roasted marshmallow not a lump of coal.

I guess this is what happens when a girl catches a lightening bug. When the boys catch one they pull off their tale and stick in on their face somewhere. I will have to get use to the whole girl thing once we have one at our house.

There's that sideways look again. It comes in all ages.

I could just kiss these cute little cheeks.

And these too.

I tried to get the girls to take a picture with me... I was going to post it and say the girls had to have a picture with their FAVORITE AUNT. They declined...WHAT'S UP WITH THAT????

Ti & Baseball

2011-07-04T22:05:00.001-05:00

We were at the baseball field every night with either Noah or Andrew playing ball. Poor Ti has had to come along whether he wanted to or not. This is what he did at every game. I made sure I set where there was some dirt and he played in it with his tractors.

This was at the end of the game. He was a little tired.

He really has done great about just playing around us. We don't have to chase him near as much as you would think you would have to chase a two year old at the ball park.

Almost Done

2011-07-03T08:51:00.002-05:00

I think we went to our first meeting in January and we are now waiting for the call to do our final walk through. The foster process has been pretty long but we know that God's timing is always best. I think the room is complete....well almost complete. I am going to put her name above the bed. I hope whether it is used temporarily by a few kids or the child God has planned as our forever child, they will feel safe and loved.

This is the first pink we have ever decorated with in our home. Noah's comment was "Mom, it is beautiful".

Behind the curtains is the closet. Aren't they beautiful. Kendra made them. I don't think she will be volunteering to do that again....well I guess she didn't volunteer to begin with, I asked. But anyway...It is hard to sew that type of material.

Now we are just waiting to see who God is going to allow us to minister to.

2011 All Stars Weekend

2011-07-01T22:43:00.000-05:00

We had a great time at Noah's baseball tournament. He tried out for the All Stars team and made it. WOOHOO He really, really, really wanted to make the team and God allowed it to happen. So on Father's Day weekend we headed to Conway for the big event. Well not all of us went....Ti got to stay with Memaw and Papaw. It was kinda nice not having to chase a two year old around for the weekend. During the tournament Noah played left field, center field, second base and pitcher. What can I say he is very versatile. I am his mom.... but I thought he did awesome. The team only won one game but considering this was the first time they had ever played a game together I thought they did great. We had a great time visiting with all the other families and I even went with the other moms and got a pedicure on Saturday morning while the boys were at batting practice. We wish they had won a little more but we still had a great time.

Just So You Feel Better

2011-06-22T21:29:00.001-05:00

I am showing these pictures just so you can feel better about your own closet. I am sure none could be as bad as mine was.

I went through our shoes and am giving away a huge trash bag full.

Tim put up some shelves. Which is helping a lot.

So Now Don't You Feel Better About How Your Closet Looks!!!!

OUCH

2011-06-20T16:46:00.000-05:00

Andrew got hit in the face with a baseball at one of the games. I know it might come as a shock to some but he wasn't paying attention when someone threw him the ball. hehe On the downside I had to use a half a pack of wipies because of the bloody nose. But on the good side the tooth fairy came a little earlier than we were expecting her. Obviously baseballs are hard on loose teeth. He was a trooper though he went ahead and played in the game.

Andrew Graduation

2011-06-12T22:15:00.000-05:00

After Andrew's graduation we took him out to eat. We didn't all get to go since Noah had a stomach bug.

The Briar Rose was great. I highly recommend it. A little expensive but super tasty. It was Andrew's choice.

He chose this pastry item plus a sausage roll. He thought the pastry looked better than it tasted. The cinnamon roll was wonderful.

The whole family came to support this BIG event.

Kayden and Andrew

Sutter & Andrew. Andrew says this was his best friend in his class.

Papaw and Andrew. Memaw didn't get to come because she had to work.

Mrs. Sharp and Andrew

Nannie, Pops & Andrew

Andrew you learned so much this year. Your reading is taking off. We love to see how you are kind to the other students and you want to please your teacher. You almost always get a smiley faces and when you don't it makes you very sad. Your favorite class is PE. Your best friend is Sutter. You would rather bring your lunch than eat in the Cafeteria (which kind of makes mom sad). You got student of the month during the year and Kiwanis's terrific kid award. You played both basketball and baseball during the year.

Natural's Baseball Clinic

2011-06-08T21:58:00.000-05:00

Andrew got to go to the Natural's baseball clinic with just his daddy since Noah was leaving for church camp. It was very VERY hot but he had a great time.

Ti & Papaw

2011-05-25T21:29:00.000-05:00

Have I mentioned that Ti has his Papaw wrapped around his little finger. If Ti wants to ride the 4 wheeler Papaw takes him on a ride.

KDP - TI

2011-05-23T21:24:00.000-05:00

Ti had his KDP closing program Sunday night. I didn't get any pictures of him on the stage because he didn't want to be on the stage with out his Momma or Daddy.

He did enjoy the brownies though.

Mrs. Crissy & Ms. Bethany were his wonderful teachers this year.

How can you be aggravated at this sweet face for refusing to go upon the stage.

Oldtimer

2011-05-19T22:09:00.000-05:00

Tim got to play in an oldertimer's game at his old highschool. Of course we all went to cheer him on. The boys thought DAD was totally cool.....even if he didn't make all the shots he took.

Here is the team he played with. Each one of the guys graduated in the 90's. They all had a great time playing and we had a good time watching.

He Makes Me Smile

2011-05-17T22:06:00.004-05:00

Kindergarten Field Trip

2011-05-15T22:03:00.000-05:00

Andrew was super excited about getting to take a field trip. They went to the park in Springdale and then they visited the shiloh museum in Springdale.

We had a picnic lunch at the park.

Andrew and one of his best buds in his class.

We got to feed the ducks at the park.

They dressed up in old clothes at the museum.

They practiced doing chores the old fashioned way.

We had a great time.

Naturals

2011-05-14T22:00:00.001-05:00

I went to a Natural's game with Noah's class for a field trip.

There really wasn't a lot of watching of the game.

My favorite part of the day was when I was walking with Noah to the concession stand. He held my hand. I tried not to make a big deal about it but I was literally smiling from ear to ear. I realize that these moments will not happen often and I need to enjoy each one of them. Sometimes he can be so sweet.

It Has Started

2011-05-12T21:29:00.001-05:00

Baseball has started that is. Andrew is getting to move up to machine pitch this year. He really isn't old enough but they needed a few more players. I was worried at first that he would not be on the same level as the other boys since they are older but he is holding his own. He got one hit tonight and got to second. His attention span isn't the greatest but he is working hard to correct that.

This is Noah's first year in kid pitch. Kid pitch is a totally different ball game. For a team to succeed they need a good pitcher. At this point the kids really have no experience in pitching so it is touch and go. Noah pitched two innings tonight. His first inning was great and the second one was okay but you could tell his arm was getting tired. Tim and I had to split up because the boys were playing at the same time at two different locations.

This pic cracks me up. This is so Andrew.

Dying Easter Eggs

2011-05-10T21:50:00.001-05:00

Every year we have a great time dying Easter eggs. It is my job to take the pictures and Tim's job to supervise and make sure we don't stain anything to bad.

Madison was too cool to actually dye eggs, but he did watch.

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T21:50:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day 2011

I had one of the best mother's day ever. Tim and the boys when to alot of effort to make it nice.

The boys made a lot of special pieces of art work for me.

In case you couldn't read all of this. This is what Andrew said about me.

My mom's name is Bekah. She is 54 years old. Her hair color is brown.She likes to eat Pizza. She likes to drink sweet tea. Her favorite thing to do is exercise (this really made me laugh). She likes to watch "King of Queens" on tv. She likes to go to Alabama on vacation. My mom makes me happy when she lets me have friends over. She loves me because I behave.

M=Miraculous

O=Outstanding

T=Terrible at being ugly

H=Handy

E=Encouraging

R=Righteous

Just incase you can't read it. " A true mother is someone who will give you a hug if you ask for it. A mother is someone who will not tell on you if you wet your pants. A mother is someone who won't laugh if you tell her that you love a girl or have problems. A mom is someone who won't yawn when you talk about your life or your day. A mom is someone who will play speed with you, even if they don't fell like it. A mom is someone who says "I'm sorry" when you are sad. A mom will help you find your Ipod when you lose it. A mom does not embarass you or hurt you. My mom is awesome."

Tim made breakfast and lunch. They took me out to Market Place for supper. I had a great day and felt so loved.

God has blessed me with an amazing family.

Oh.....Those Eyes

2011-04-28T22:31:00.000-05:00

Man I have cute kids.

A Little Leverage

2011-04-27T22:04:00.000-05:00

I am just keeping this pictures so that I can show his future girlfriends. I am such a sweeeeeet mom.

Flooding 2011

2011-04-27T03:28:00.000-05:00

We have had a lot of rain lately. I mean a lot of rain. Monday I had to go get the kids early from school because all the roads were flooding. The boys wanted to go see the flooding right past our house but I was a little nervous by the time we got to the house and wasn't willing to take them. I don't do well driving when there is water coming up to the bottom of my doors. The boys thought all the water was totally coooooool. When Tim got home from work he took the boys down the road just a little ways. He is just a cool dad like that unlike their mother. These pictures were taken literally about and eighth of a mile from my front porch. You could stand on my porch and see the water.

Noah - GT

2011-04-16T15:49:00.000-05:00

This year Noah was invited to be in Gifted and Talented. Tim and I were both in GT in high school which really meant you made good grades and your parents were willing to pay for you to go on a trip once a year. I don't actually remember having to do any work for it. OOOOOHHHH how things have changed.

Our family, and I do mean the whole family, has had to spend more time on homework for GT than all other classes put together.

The latest homework was that Noah had to do a country report. He chose Australia.

Tim and Noah putting his board together. It was my job to use the cricket to cut out the letters for the board.

The final product. This represents many hours of work.

They had a international family night that the whole family went to. Each child's family made something to eat from the country that their child's report was on. We made mango moose. It was okay.

The children dressed up and did a three minute oral presentation of their country.

As we drove up I think Tim's exact words were "This is for the nerds right?" And I was thinking we really don't belong here. We are cool, Right? Or have we totally fooled ourselves.

Anyway we are glad we got the project completed and on to the next project. I am really hoping that Noah doesn't want to do this next year. His comment to me about not doing it next year was "mom, I really, really, reeeeeeally want to do it just next year because we will actually get to take a trip".

Like son like parents. lol

Underwear is Fun to Wear

2011-04-11T21:40:00.000-05:00

Ti has no interest whatsoever in learning to use the pottie. We are trying to make underwear a big deal. He is not so much seeing it. Tonight after his bath he decided he wanted to wear underwear for a little while. I am proud to say that he wore them about 5 minutes and he didn't have an accident. woohoo that is better than the last time.

I have been a bad blogger and I really don't see it improving much. I feel like I am running every minute of the day that I am not asleep. We have finished all of our fostering classes. We are just waiting on our home study now. They are thinking by the end of May we should have a placement. We are hard at work getting everything ready in our home.

We are turning my office into the bedroom. I have the PINK paint bought, PINK bedding and the white bed is ready to be put up. We aren't going to know what to do with all the pink in this house. I think it is all going to be super cute. I hope she feels loved while she is with us. We are totally okay with adopting but we must go into it with the mindset that this child will be going home and we are just taking care of her while her parents get things straightened out. We are trying to prepare our own kids also. They know that this child will probably go back to live with her family and will be with us just for a while.

The other night after seeing something on the news about children being taken into foster care Tim and I started talking about our future child. It made me think about the child God has planned for us. It made me pray for her protection right now. It is amazing how God starts preparing your heart for what he has in store for your family before it is even set into motion.

There are a few things that we are going to have to change such as the above picture. Once we have a guest in the house the boys will need to start wearing more clothes. So no more underwear pictures for us.

Update....My dad is home and doing well. He is still in some pain from the surgery but we have high hopes that this will go away soon. Please continue to pray for his complete healing.

Well I have to get up early for work in the morning so to all a good night.

Spring Break 2010

2011-03-27T21:40:00.000-05:00

We took off Thursday night of Spring break to do something fun with the kids. We had our PRIDE training starting Friday so we did not have a lot of time. Thursday night we headed to Rogers to spend the night in Uncle Matt's motel because it has an indoor pool. The boys love to swim so if possible swimming is always involved when we are in vacation mode. They chose to eat Colton's for super that night. Ti an I stayed in the room that night while the big boys went for their swim because it was his bedtime. Needless to say he was still awake when the big boys got back to the room.

.

The next morning we went and ate breakfast in the lounge and then went swimming again. Just to let you know it is really hard to get a good picture in a steamy room. We left the motel around 11:30 to go watch a movie. We watched Mars needs Moms. It was good. Had a great message to. I do believe that Ti might have ate is weight in popcorn. He watched the whole movie and ate popcorn through out the whole time. Going to the movies is something we usually don't ever do since it is so expensive. The boys think this is a huge treat

After the movie we went bowling. We stopped by fast lanes but obviously everyone else that was off on spring break was there also, so we left and went to the Springdale bowling alley. Since we had training the next day, pops met us there to take the boys home with him to spend the night.

Ti had had just to much fun in one day.

It was a very short get away but we had a great time.

BY THE WAY.....Tim wanted me to let everyone know that he is mating socks while I did this post. Don't you feel sorry for him. Someone has to do the family scrapbooking and someone has to mate socks. I just chose the best job. Somehow socks multilply as they set in our laundry baskets.

A Little of This and a Little of That

2011-03-16T14:21:00.000-05:00

Well nothing much has been going on lately so I haven't had much to blog about. But since I am at home today with a sickie I am thinking, surely I can think of something to blog about. So here's everything I know.

My dad and mom leave Sunday for Florida. You might remember this post "He is interested in the details". We are continuing to pray for a miracle. The God that created this great universe will choose to use these doctors to give dad relief from the pain he has endured for many years. BUT if he doesn't I will continue to praise him for his goodness and mercy that are new everyday.

Yes, I did mention a sickie at my house. Ti has diarrhea again. Imagine that (sarcasm font). We are not for sure if it is a virus or maybe it could be that I let him eat a half of peanut butter sandwich on Sunday. But he really, really liked it. The symptoms didn't start till Tuesday morning so I am not for sure what is causing it. It is BAD, I mean real BAD. We are in that mode of changing clothes throughout the day.

But he is so stinking cute. I took this pic with one of my new lenses. Loving it!!! When you ask Ti if he wants to get his picture taken he looks at you, smiles and says "cheese". He is saying anything and everything these days. The other day when we were picking them up from the grandparents he was saying McDonald's. Is it bad that he learns to say McDonald's after a weekend with the grandparents? lol

The other day I caught these two boys hanging out together.

Andrew is starting to figure this whole reading thing out. Insert "proud momma". You will notice that Ti has his book upside down. He is multi talented like that.

This is where I should be able to transition into a totally different subject, but doggone it (is that how you spell that...you know what I mean) I just can't think of a way.

Foster/Adoption update: We are now CPR and First Aid Certified. Next weekend we will go to our first PRIDE training skip a weekend and then go to our last training. It is looking like about the middle of April we should be done with everything. We are excited about what God has in store for us.

Baseball is fixing to start up and hopefully there will be a lot of smiles to be taken a picture of.

Well folks that is all I got. I have learned one thing today, if I had to stay home everyday I would be as big as a barn. I have some chocolate chips cookies calling my name. Of course all the laundry I am having to do is calling my name also.

Just Because: Karen helped me out this morning by keeping Ti while I had to go to the dentist. She is the saint that had to take care of one of those clothing changes I was talking about. Did I mention it was bad......

I Got A Good One

2011-03-08T15:19:00.002-06:00

I have been lacks in posting my valentines day. My little sweetie really likes to give gifts. Which really works out in our relationship because I like getting gifts. A little while ago my camera lens broke. So not only did my hubby do some investigating on what I should get to replace the broken lens he got me another lens also. I am excited to learn how to use it but I have had the time to practice with it yet. It is suppose to let lots of outside light in and take great pictures. He also got me beautiful flowers. Hopefully I will be able to start using may camera soon and get to post some awesome pictures with the totally cool lens.

A Job Well Done

2011-03-05T14:14:00.000-06:00

I know this is totally random but.....

I usually go to Walmart on Saturday morning. If you go really early it usually isn't too bad crowded. There is one checker at Walmart that is exceptionally good. She not only is fast but she also sacks the items just how I like it. You know.... like puts all the frozen foods together and doesn't put the meat in with the cleaning supplies. Anyway I get all happy inside when I see her working. I actually stood in one of the longer lines today just so I could have her check me out. I know this is not a great big deal but I am sure that she doesn't make a great deal of money for what she does but she does a terrific job.

Meet Sharon the best checker at Wally World. She probably thought I was a little weird when I asked if I could take her picture but when I told her what it was for she said yes. She mentioned that others have told her the same thing about waiting in a longer line just so that she would check them out. See there are other weirdoes just like me out there that have a specific way they like their groceries packed.

So have you met someone this week that has done a great job. I encourage you to let them know. You just might make someones day.

Ti is 2

2011-02-28T19:11:00.000-06:00

God is so good. We are so blessed to have been given Ti. He makes us all smile on a daily basis. He turned two on February 12th.

We got him a barn, some movies, and books for his birthday.

He is totally into Thomas the train. We had his big party at Memaws and Papaws house. We had pizza, salad and a Thomas the train cake. Almost all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents got to come celebrate our sweet Ti. Since he is the baby on both sides of the family he is the center of everyones attention. There is always someone at his beck and call.

He got lots and lots of cool gifts from his family and he is enjoying them on a daily basis.

Ti is saying all kinds of words these days. It is amazing how just all of the sudden he can almost hold a conversation with you. He is totally in love with trains, tractors. He is wearing 24 months clothing. One of his favorite things to do is go ride the tractor with Papaw and go feed the cows. He also loves to read books. He can stay in his room and look at books for an hour without stopping.

Ti we are so glad that God decided to give us you. Our lives would not be complete without you in our family. We are praying for you to grow up to be a great man of God. May you learn to love Jesus with all of your heart and may that love grow daily. We are praying for you to be safe from not only physical harm but also spiritual harm. May everything we do, point you to the one and only saviour so that one day you will make that decision to give your all to him.

We Love YOU!!!

We Are The Champions

2011-02-24T21:44:00.002-06:00

Do you hear the song in your head?????? Noah has had a great time this year playing basketball. After the season for the 3rd graders was done he was invited to play in the fourth grade league. His team was made up of all third graders. They had a great season and won their division for the district.

Just to let you know it seems that when my children are involved in a competitive activity I have this demon that comes out. Seriously I yell like there is no tomorrow at the games. I don't know what happens to me. My heart races and this voice comes out of no where.

In the semi-final game there was this crazy woman yelling for the score keeper to start the clock toward the end of the game. It was close and she knew the only chance of winning was if the clock would run out. I guess the score keeper was engrossed in the game because he forgot to start the clock. Anyway, this crazy woman thought he would actually hear her from across the court yelling "start the clock, start the clock". The next game I promised (I mean the crazy lady promised) to keep herself under more control. Really these are third graders there is no need to act like such a heathen. lol.

Noah and I talked a lot before the game that this was going to be a chance to show our true character. Win or lose it is about the attitude that we have on and off the court. We are representing Jesus in all that we do and say. Of course it never hurt to throw in there "There is no crying in basketball". He had a great attitude and that is what I was most proud of.

The whole team played great. I was proud of all of them.

A First.....

2011-02-22T21:19:00.001-06:00

We got to spend Saturday at my parents house. The cousins were there most of the day which makes my boys very, very happy. Noah brought his pellet gun and Andrew brought his bee bee gun. They went hunting. Tristin (one of the cousins) came in the house all smiling. They were all so excited. Tristin shot the squirrel first with the pellet gun and then Noah finished knocking him out of the tree with the bee bee gun. It was huge. Poor squirrel didn't even have a chance.

Andrew and Noah were all about watching the correct technique of how to skin a squirrel.

At this point I got a little nauseous and had to leave the rest of the cleaning to the professionals.

Grandpa cut it up for them.

Memaw fried it up for them. Just because she is cool like that.

Noah thought this was the best squirrel he had ever had. Of course this was the only squirrel he had ever had . lol I guess it is something about killing your food that makes it taste better.

It's Time

2011-02-20T21:19:00.000-06:00

I love, love, LOVE to get Christmas cards with people pictures on them. I have had these up through all of January and most of February. Today I decided it was time to take them down. It kinda makes me sad. Do you think it would be wrong just to leave them up all year long?

You would think as much as I love receiving Christmas cards I would send some out. But no....I don't spend the energy to do that. Maybe next year.

Sometimes You Just Want To Pull Your Hair Out

2011-02-16T21:25:00.001-06:00

But he is so cute doing it. lol

He Is Interested In The Details

2011-02-09T13:50:00.000-06:00

I am sure most of you have once in your life prayed for something that you really, really wanted God to grant. Well our family is in that position right now. I was hoping that my friends out there in the bloggy world might not care to join me in lifting this up to our almighty God and healer.

My dad is the family rock. He is dependable, kind, loving and I could go on and on. For the past few years he has had to deal with chronic pain. He has tried many different things to help but basically he just has to live on pain medication that will dull the pain but it never really goes away. The doctor calls it facet disease. Basically I think how to explain it is that he has arthritis on his spine which causes the nerve endings to be irritated which causes him to have pain in a certain spot in his back at all times.

He has tried many different options to try to fix the pain. Shots, chiropractors, and medicines and some have given temporary relief but none have done the trick. They have recently found a doctor in Florida that thinks he can fix the problem. Basically it will require one or more surgeries. We are all very hopefully that this will be the way that God chooses to heal my father.

My father and mother will be leaving the third week in March for Hudson, Florida. They might have to stay up to ten days depending on how many surgeries it takes. Hopefully he will be coming home pain free and able to get back to doing all the stuff he loves to do.

Here is how I am going to be specifically praying over the next few weeks and I hope you will join with me.

1. Complete Healing

2. Peace

3. Doctors - that they will have steady hands and complete wisdom on how to correct all the issues.

4. All the tests before the surgery will show the doctors exactly what needs to be done and what the best process will be.

5. That God will do a mighty work in all the financial issues that will be involved. The surgery will be very expensive along with the airline tickets and the expenses of staying up there for ten days.

6. Peace - I just thought that one might need to be mentioned twice.

7. Most of all that God's power will be shown in a mighty way.

I know that God wants us to ask him for the desires of our hearts. He is interested in every one of the details that I have mentioned above. Not only is he interested but he is in control of the details. We just serve a mighty God like that. We will continue to praise him in the good and the bad. If this surgery does not succeed I know that God allowed it to happen and I want to be able to praise him for that also. Pray for this ability for our family that we can praise him in all circumstances. But it sure will be awesome if God decides to show us his healing touch and his ability to control all the details.

Our God the protector used his power to protect my dad from a bomb a few months back. Someone (who I think is in jail now) placed a bomb in the church where my dad is pastor on election day. Unknowing of what it was, my dad picked it up. After deciding something was wrong he took it outside and called the sheriff's department. If my God could keep a bomb from going off this surgery thing is just small stuff.

Hopefully Soon

2011-02-06T17:17:00.000-06:00

My camera is on the brinks. Well I guess I should say my camera lens is on the brinks which for some reason the warranty doesn't cover. aaargh. Anyway when I can take pictures again I will be able to update my blog.

Why is it when you buy and extended warranty it never actually covers what goes wrong??????

Snow Day

2011-01-27T22:25:00.001-06:00

Since we had a little bit of snow we went over to the Deweys to borrow one of their hillls.

Who is this masked man?

Noah is enjoying the snow board that we got last year.

He even remembers to fall before you hit the "HOT" fence at the bottom of the hill.

I just want to squeeze those cheeks.

Look at these cuties

Did You Say "Ball"

2011-01-25T22:31:00.004-06:00

Noah is playing on a fourth grade team this year. His whole team is 3rd graders and they are doing very well playing against mostly fourth graders. He practices twice a week and he has a game every Saturday.

He Makes Me Smile

2011-01-23T21:46:00.000-06:00

One Tooth Down

2011-01-19T22:42:00.000-06:00

Andrew finally lost his first tooth. He is six years and five months old. He was super excited and called both set of grandparents to tell them about the big event.

I know the picture is not good but really how can you take a good picture of someone's lower teeth.

Trying to Follow

2011-01-17T22:40:00.000-06:00

For a while we had been discussing whether our family was complete. We just weren't for sure. We had discussed adoption and foster care but we just didn't know if this was for us. Then a few months ago I read the following verse.

James 2:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

This was my Bible reading literally one of the mornings after Tim and I had discussed it. I put the bold emphasis on the words that stuck out to me.  I am very bad about skimming over the words because I have read them before and I do not actually comprehended that God is talking to me. He wrote this book for me to know what I am suppose to be doing. It would be nice if we could just skip over the parts we don't like but that is just not how it works. ( you know that part "slow to speak"...do you think he really meant that one lol)

So anyway when I was reading these verses I kept on thinking....I can say I am a christian but talk really means nothing unless I have actions behind my words. Who wants to listen to someone just talk, my actions can speak much louder than my words.

Two weeks later we had a whole service about foster and adoption at church. A few different couples who are in the process or have finished the adoption process from our church discussed the process and what all is involved.

Tonight we went to our first meeting for the C.A.L.L. This group is a nonprofit that is suppose to help ease the process of getting qualified to be foster parents. We filled out a bunch of paper work to start getting our approval started. They even had someone there for fingerprinting. We did not have this done since it was already so late and we had the two youngest boys with us. Needless to say we were about to pull our hair out with Ti.

By the way some total stranger left their little girl in the nursery with Tim.  Tim had went back there with Ti and the father and daughter came back a little while later and the father just left their little girl. WEIRD Not for sure they would be good foster parents. When we were going to leave Tim had to go find the dad to come get his daughter because we didn't think they would want her left back there by herself. The guy told Tim and he could just bring her to him and then Tim politely told him "I don't work here... I was just back there with my son"    Totally weird situation. I would never just drop my kid off for someone else to watch. Especially my daughter with a man I didn't know. I know this was totally off the subject but I was sure you would want to hear this story.

Our next step is to take our CPR training and our two weekend of classes. My goodness you have to train a lot. I sure didn't go through this much training before I had my own kids. Maybe I should have.

Some things I want to remember...
Andrew "Let's make sure we don't get a girl"
Dad "Andrew, we are getting a girl"
Andrew "Well, lets not let her see a barbie doll so she won't want to play with one"
Mom "We will have to buy some girl toys"

Andrew "Let's name her trawlalala"
Mom "No"

Mom "What would you think if she was black"
Noah "That wouldn't matter"
Andrew "Well that would just be weird, we couldn't see her in the dark"
Noah "Andrew, You can't see us in the dark either"
Mom & Dad ....trying not to laugh.

Andrew took notice tonight when they said that we could have up to eight kids in our home counting our own. He went to the meeting with us. He was hoping we would get a child tonight. He was disappointed when we told him that wasn't how it worked.  At some points we will have to decide for sure what we are capable of taking care of. Currently we will probably only take a child under the age of two and probably we would prefer a girl. Of course as soon as I say this God might decide something different for us. It will probably be around May before we will even be approved.

This whole thing of course kind of makes me nervous. One of the quotes that stuck out to me tonight was the question "what does a family look like to you?" I am not for sure what our family looks like in the future but something I do know that if God has called us to do it he will make us capable.

We realize that this is not for everyone and some will think we are crazy but if God wants us to do this we must follow. Please continue to pray for us on this journey that we will be open to what the Lord has planned for our family.

He loves Puzzles

2011-01-15T22:47:00.004-06:00

One of things that Ti is really loving these days is puzzles. Of course a tractor must be near by. What can I say he is super smart.

What to Do????

2011-01-12T21:33:00.000-06:00

I have a dilemma. I have a little extra cash burning a hole in my pocket.....with all this extra work I have been doing. Hence the lack of blogging.

Anyway we have had this coffee table for about ten years.

There are some things I love about this coffee table. Things like the top raises so you can sit on the couch and play a board game on it and not get a back ache. Can I get an AMEN. I also love that it has wheels and can be moved around easily.

But there are also some things I hate about this coffee table. These pictures are not good but can you see all the marks on the top. This is caused by my lovely children and various other children and adults alike. Anything will make a mark. The rolling of a toy car over the top of it or doing one's homework on it. The wood is extremely soft

So here is the deal. I need for you to look at some coffee tables and give me a suggestion of what you think would work best for our family.

I am thinking that something like this would be cool. But the corners look really sharp for us that have toddlers running around. I wonder how many stitches it would take after your kids head hit one of those corners. I will need to weigh the cost of stitches and the convenience of game playing for this table.

I also kind of like this style that is an ottoman and a coffee tables.

Choices....Choices

So be a sweet heart and go to this web site and give me some suggestions.

Getting Connected

2011-01-11T22:22:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday we started another semester of small groups. This was suppose to be a fellowship so the kids stayed with us instead of going to Kids connection. We had 25 people in all.

Tim made the chili and I made the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls. The chili was great but the cinnamon rolls were just OK. They didn't rise like I though they should have. I am definitely going to try it again. I think I might have killed the yeast by either mixing it to much or maybe the mixtures was to warm when I put it in and therefore killed it. Either way I don't like not to succeed at something so I am just going to do it again to prove that I can. Any suggestions would be welcome from those of you that might really how to do this whole bread thing.

The adults played a game of Spoons and Taboo. Devonna was the proud winner of spoons and of course the girls won at Taboo. The guys weren't even close. WE RULE!!!!

We haven't decided what we will be studying this semester but we are leaning toward a study on knowing what we believe and why we believe it and how to defend our faith.

Everyone is welcome to come join us. The food is usually pretty good (as long as I stay away from the bread making) and the fellowship is great.

Christmas 2010

2011-01-06T21:13:00.001-06:00

This working thing has got me a little behind on blogging.

We did Christmas a little early this year because we were going to the grandparents on Christmas eve and didn't want to hall the presents around. The boys slept till about 8 which is late for them. When they finally did get up we talked them into snuggling in bed with us for a while. I am afraid these days will not last very much longer.

Mom "Boys I think Santa knew we were not going to be here on Christmas morning so I think he stopped by early"

Dad "Did you guys notice their were more presents under the tree"

Andrew "Mom, you guys are Santa" with a big sigh after this statement.

We have never made a big deal about Santa. We kinda mention him a little but we want them to really believe in the true meaning of Christmas. A Saviour was born so that we might have eternal life with him one day in heaven.

Noah has been the reader of the Christmas story for the last few years. Maybe next year Andrew will help out in this area.

After the story was read out of the Bible. Andrew retold the story with our nativity set. Ti helped in his own way.

Ti is SO SO SO into reading books these days. Seriously he looks at books for hours during the day. He absolutely loooooovvvvveeeesss "TWAAAAAIINS and TWUCKS"

One of Andrew's favorite gifts was his paper jam.

Noah played with his yo yo so much it is already broken. We are going to have to get him another one. He was using it constantly after Christmas. Well that is until it broke. That is what I get for buying cheap toys.

Will Andrew learn how to train his dragon??????

This was one of those gifts that you know won't work but because they wanted it you go ahead and buy it. Needless to say now I think they believe us.

Did I mention that Ti loves books.

Ti wasn't really into opening presents. He wanted to play with what had already been opened. He would have been perfectly satisfied to just have one box to open.

We had a great time celebrating Christ's birth with the kids.

P.S. By the way I am the coolest wife ever because I bought Tim an Ipod touch for his present. Just ask him.

Traditions

2011-01-04T21:11:00.000-06:00

Every Christmas we make cut out cookies.

This year, Noah even helped make the dough.

Andrew wore his Dad's apron. I am sure that it was because he didn't want to get anything on him. He such a neat and clean child.....

We really didn't let Ti help much. He was more into eating the dough than actually cutting out a cookie.

The cookie recipe I used was not very good. We didn't really like how they tasted.

But you know if you put enough icing on something you really can't taste the cookie.

HURRAY FOR ICING AND SPRINKLES.

15 Years and Counting

2010-12-25T22:19:00.000-06:00

We celebrated fifteen years of marriage in Cancun last week.

This was the view outside our window the first morning.

Hotel's pools.

Our Hotel

This is the result of me asking various strangers to take our pictures in various places we visited on our little retreat.

I have no idea what this tree is I just thought it was cool looking.

Iguanas were everywhere.

This is one of the sink holes we visited. It was beautiful. It was fresh water and was suppose to be good for your body to swim in due to the calcium content.

One day we visited the Mayan ruins. AMAZING. I can't imagine all the work that was put into these structures.

Sculptures off all the people who had their heads cut off for being captain of the losing team in the games they played. It didn't pay off to be the caption of a team. This was just a small section of the wall that these were displayed on. They played this game five times a year.

Observatory

Going to a different country was kind of an eye opener for me. This little boy below is eleven years old. His name is Angel. He was trying to sell me these little handkerchiefs for a dollar a piece. I can't imagine having my child going around talking to strangers much less trying to sell stuff to them. We are so extremely blessed to live in the United States.

We would never see Policemen with machine guns at the mall or stopping people on the side of the roads for searches. Sometimes I am discouraged about the sin that is so evident all around us here in the states but this is nothing to what I saw in Mexico. Christianity was not evident anywhere. Will Angel ever here about the only way to go to heaven. Will he always be selling items to tourist at the pagan worship areas of the Mayan ruins. I do know that God loves Angel enough to send his only Son just for him if he was the only one on the earth. I am going to pray that someone will tell Angel about the one and only true God and His son Jesus.

Everywhere we went we were offered alcoholic drinks.They really wanted us to buy their tequila. They even took our picture and put it on a tequila bottle to try to get us to buy it. I can only imagine the problems they have with alcoholism in Cancun.

On a much lighter note every time we go on vacations food is a BIG deal. We try to eat at places we normally wouldn't eat at. This was one of the best desserts I had while we were gone.

This was the best meal I had the whole time we were gone. It was super YUMMY. Went to Mexico to eat Italian food. lol

We split this hamburger when we got there at one of the restaurants at the hotel. We were not impressed with this meal. Their hamburger meat had a different texture.

We had a good time but I was really ready to be back in the states with my kids by the time we got home.

I Choose You

2010-12-23T08:00:00.001-06:00

As anyone that knows me very well knows that I am just not a very "sappy" person. It is hard for me to be all sweet and cuddly but for this post I am going to try to be. :)

Today I have been married to the above handsome man for 15 years.

Timmy,

15 years ago when I chose to say I do was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

You are perfect for me.

I appreciate all you do to help me and our family have a good life. I appreciate your work ethic and how well you provide for our family.

I love that you are a Godly example for our boys. I love that you are committed to raise them to know about Jesus and to love Him.

I love that you encourage me to do things that you know I enjoy such as work. Or how that you make sure to take care of the boys while I have my alone time at Walmart. lol

I realize that marriage can be hard work. I am thankful that you put out an effort to not only make it bearable but to be enjoyable.

I love that your love language is giving of gifts. This works out well for me since I like to receive gifts. lol Thanks for putting a lot of thought into trying to give me gifts that I will really like.

I love that you enjoy giving to others as much as I do.

I love that you will do research for me. How you will find out exactly what the best product for the price is for whatever I am looking for. I know that I can rely on you doing the purchasing of large stuff for our family and I love that I don't have to worry about anything.

I love that you know how to work all the TVs, dvds and the remotes. I love that you will set the recorder for shows that you know I want to watch.

I love that you will help me get caught up on the laundry. Also how you will help me clean and cook if I am running behind. Which seems to happen a lot.

I love that you help out so much with the kids. I especially love that you clean up the puke and poop. I really really really appreciate this.

The list could go on and on. I appreciate and love you . I chose to marry you 15 years ago and I will continue to choose you until God decides for one of us to go home.

I Choose You!

Santa 2010

2010-12-15T23:05:00.001-06:00

While looking at the lights on the Fayetteville Square we visited with Santa.

Ti wouldn't be in the picture without me.

Another Favorite Thing

2010-12-13T23:02:00.001-06:00

This is what the boys did for decorations in their bathroom. What a great memory I want to keep.

One Of My Favorite Things

2010-12-11T22:38:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite things we do at Christmas time is to get the nativity scenes out. What a great opportunity to talk about the true meaning of Christmas. I got a new one for the kids after Christmas last year on sale. Our old one had a few to many legs chewed off the animals, and baby Jesus wasn't looking to good either.

I didn't realize that the angels fought but obviously in Noah's bible they did.

Notice the missing foot on the camel. Don't worry he is from last years set. I don't we are missing any feet yet on the new set.

Ti really wanted the camel to fit into the barn.

Where if the camel won't go into the barn the barn should go on top of him.

Yes, there is a spider in the middle of our nativity scene. Last year it was an extra ape. I think that I liked the ape better.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-10T21:29:00.000-06:00

My dad acting goofy for the camera.

Miles and Noah. Cousinly love.....

Ti and his Karli.

Miles and his favorite aunt.

Memaw

Ti playing with toys at Grandma Disheroon's house.

Nannie and Pops

Playing Cards

Grandpa Disheroon, Andrew and Jezebel.

Grandma Disheroon and Noah

Playing a little Apples to Apples

Austin

Memaw and Ti

Papaw teaching Ti to do a little picking.

Ti's First Haircut

2010-12-07T22:38:00.000-06:00

Ti got his first haircut the other day, at least one that was not his momma hacking at it. He did great. Heather at the Kutting Krew has a very cool airplane chair. She also put on a movie for him to watch while she worked. That is one smart hair stylist.

He is a cutie, isn't he.