Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you and your family and wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Happy Veterans Day!

I was raised in a very patriotic family. Both of my grandfathers served our country and my dad served during Vietnam in the U.S. Army. My sister and I were always attending VFW events and were raised to respect our flag, our country and those who serve.

As Americans, we have faced a very intense week of loss once again in our country. The fallen soldiers at Ft. Hood and their families need our prayers and support. I cannot imagine the sadness that their family and friends are going through. As a former military spouse myself, it is disturbing to know that such a malice act occurred on a military post. One in which you are suppose to feel safe. But yet, we are made to feel unsafe on our own soil once again.

So today, I not only want to thank those Veterans that served, but their families that serve "behind the scenes" as well. The spouses that are left behind to raise their children....the parents that watch their son or daughter graduate from high school and immediately put that uniform on and bravely fight for our freedom. Military life is one of all challenges and obstacles for all involved.

Thank you for your service and may God watch over you and bless each and every one that serves.

The Beauty of Fall.....

Mia Sue strolling in her backyard

Here are a few photo's of our backyard. Fall is my favorite season. I just love all the beautiful earth tone colors.

We have had quite a busy week. Ray is finally home from the hospital and seems to be recovering well. I think he believes he is Superman because he's beginning to push himself a bit too much. I am just thankful that he made it through that horrible ordeal. I truly was afraid I was going to lose him.

The boys are wrapping up their popcorn sales. Brandon has sold over $1300.00 so far! Brady finished up the classroom instruction for driver's ed and will begin student driving in about six weeks. I hate it that they have to wait so long in between sessions.

I went back to work today after being off all of last week to stay at the hospital with Ray. It was nice to be back with the kids and they sure didn't hesitate to smother me in hugs and kisses.

Well, off to set the coffee pot for the morning!

In Our New Home at Last....

Well, after many months of long week-ends searching for our perfect home, we have finally settled into it. We closed about three weeks ago, but I have been so busy unpacking, painting and making it comfortable, that I haven't really had time to post any new entries. On top of that, Ray & I have both been sick off and on.

But we are finally in our new home. We simply cannot wait to do all the renovations that we visualize. But that will have to be something that happens over a period of time. Renovations don't come cheap ya know! :o)

The past few weeks we have focused on fixing up our living space. First, we had to shop for a couch. Ray decided a sectional would be best........(with a bit of protest from me b/c I thought that it would take up too much space). Well, I believe everything fit together beautifully. So I guess I'll admit he made a good choice.

Once we picked out our couch and area rug, I began sorting through paint colors. That alone challenged me for days. I guess that he & I watch too much HGTV because I wanted more colors and styles than we had walls too paint! Believe me, there are many rooms yet to be designed.

Ray has been busy updating all the electrical outlets and even added some wiring to a few areas that didn't have access to power. Now, if only he were an electrician AND a plumber, then we'd be set.

I've been out of work the past few days sick with strep throat (as usual during the school year it seems). It's been difficult for me to just lay still and rest because there are so many things I want to do around the house. Hopefully, I will be able to tackle at least a small project tomorrow.

I would have taken more photo's, but the battery on my camera died right in the middle of taking these. So enjoy what you can see of our living room! We still have to decorate with photo's and such.......just haven't had time to get them unpacked yet. Hopefully soon because I love having all of our kids pictures hanging around the house.

Hope all is well with everyone. Get ready to crank those heaters up........winter is just around the corner. Hugs!

Birthday Blessings Brandon

Brandon at 5 mths taken in Germany

Well, today my youngest one turns 13. He is now a teen-ager! Wow! That time went fast!!! He had an hour countdown on his Facebook page last night so I have been teasing him that he wouldn't be 13 until 7:37 California time tonight. :o)

Age 1 1/2 yrs.

It's sad how they grow up so fast, but this boy may very well be President of the United States one day. At least he says he wants to be.

My fav pic of Bran & his monkey (yes, he still has him)

Happy Birthday Brandon!!!!

Cat Complications.....

I guess it's not enough that I spend half of my day at work potty training two year olds! I come home and the cat immediately runs into the bedroom and jumps up on the bathroom sink. Next I'm hearing something going down the drain!!!

This isn't the first time I've caught her doing number one in the bathroom sink either! She uses her litter box like crazy but for some reason, she wants to pee in my sink!!!

I'm hoping that once we move here in a few weeks that this crazy new habit of hers will disappear. I was able to grab the camera and capture a few quick photo's of Miss Abigail doing her business.

Now, if only I could get Ray to potty train her to use the toilet!

NObama in our schools....

I'm sure that most of you that get a daily dose of the news has heard about Obama planning to address all of the students in public school today. As a parent, I am appalled that families are being told that their children WILL BE punished if parents chose not to allow their children to participate.

I know that as a parent, my children have not even been allowed to watch a G-rated movie in school without parents having to sign a permission slip. Even when Britt was a Senior in HS I had to sign a permission form each time they were showing a particular film in science or history. Why do parents not have that right in this situation??? My children haven't even received an informational letter to inform parents that they were going to be exposed to the indoctrination of Obama today!!!

Our parental rights are being violated by Obama. The only choices parents are receiving are punishment over indoctrination. My boys have been told not to participate and my soon to be 13 year old will speak his mind over it.

Does Obama not having anything more important to do than interfere with our families???? Shouldn't he be consoling soldiers families that have lost loved one's serving our country??? Shouldn't he be creating jobs to help our families have employment and finances coming into their homes so that they can actually survive???

This isn't a matter of whether or not you are a democrat or republican either. It's a matter of our rights that he feels he is entitled to violate.

Remembering.....

Today has been a pretty long day for me already and it's not even 3 pm! We had our preschool Open House this morning and to have 30 two and three year olds in a room with all their parents at once is CHAOTIC!! Whew! Take the parents away and I do much better. I know the rest of my week will be just as challenging as children deal with separation anxiety and parents have a hard time just walking away from their little one crying out for them. But they always settle down and do much better than their parents expect.

Today would have been Roxy's 6th birthday. For those of you who don't know about my Roxy, she was the one that inspired me to start my blog. She found me just a few weeks after moving to NC. She was a beautiful Plott Hound. How I loved that sweet girl. She helped me deal with a lot of depression issues and even though Mia has been with me since she was 6 weeks old, Roxy was just special.

Today is also the anniversary of my grandpa's death. He has been gone for 15 years now. He was the most important man in my life growing up aside from my dad. I never have gotten use to the idea of him being gone.

So, today is a bit bittersweet for me.

The boys seem to like school and Brandon has been upset that he hasn't had enough homework. Go figure!!! Brady has enrolled in 3 out of 4 honor classes this semester so I'm hoping he'll keep his focus and continue to make me proud.

Well, off to walk Miss Meadow......if the kids aren't needing me, the dogs are! Have a great week!!! :o)

Summer's Over? Are You Kidding Me???

Well, this is it! My very last day of summer vacation. It seems like it just started yesterday!! I am a bit excited to get back to work but to be honest........I've enjoyed sitting around the house and resting up a bit.

Brandon is extremely eager to get back to school. He decided to drop band and join the chorus. That makes me ecstatic!!!! Hey, someone has to follow in my footsteps!

Brady made it home Saturday and I don't believe he's as excited as Brandon is to hit the books. I'm hoping that he'll get accepted into the Fall Driver's Ed. program so he can finally get his learner's permit.

Josh is doing well. He sent us this picture of him and some of his co-workers. Evidently, there's a lot to be discovered along the California terrain. Don't worry, they destroyed the plant.

Josh is in the top right hand corner....

Other than gearing up to go back to work tomorrow, there really isn't much going on. We've had thunderstorms all week-end. But for some reason, I've found them relaxing. Never use to so I'm not sure what's up with that.

Hope everyone has a safe return back to school!!!

NASA Adventure...

NASA in Florida

Brady sent me a few photos yesterday via mobile phone and I thought I'd share them. He should be home within the next few hours. That takes some stress off of me! :o)

He said that they did endure some pretty fascinating weather while sailing. They got to go snorkeling and all he could talk about was the large angel fish and eel that surrounded them. I can't wait to see photos from his adventure at sea. Of course, I advised him to take a few disposable cameras so that his good equipment didn't get damaged so I'll have to wait until they get developed the good old fashioned way.

Since the troop is only allowed to travel a maximum of 500 miles per day, they stopped by NASA yesterday.

(Not sure what it is....LOL) Some space craft!

Only Brady would take a picture like this.....Neal Armstrongs car