I am dreaming.......

of a WHITE Christmas.

Growing up in the south we always sang “White Christmas” as one of our Christmas carols, but it really did not have any significant meaning since we never had a White Christmas until this year. Santa and his elves arrived in our area a little after midnight with only a little bit of sleet falling, and I was sorta bummed thinking that the sleet would be all that we would get. Imagine my surprise when we got up on Christmas morning around 6:00 and everything had changed to what looked like a snow globe with beautiful flakes swirling around.

Mt. Juliet, TN

I have tried countless time to sit and blog this month. Took a well deserved week off the first week of the month and spent it at the House of Mouse….will blog this later when I can give it the honor it deserves.

Last week was a very hectic week at my house. There was an ER visit, a Community report due, a day spent at Vandy, hitting practice, speed school and ball practice, softball booster meeting (which I missed by being at the ER, but I had already prepared the reports) plus all the regular things that happens with three school age children and a full-time working mother, but this is how the week ended. Baylee and her Sox team played ball in Mt. Juliet, TN. This is the first weekend I have not had a wedding to shoot for Gray Photography in about a month so I was able to make the trip. I have never been to the town of Mt. Juliet and I had no idea that when we pulled in to the ballpark this is what we would find.


Hayden spent two days fishing on the banks of this creek. Charles Hunter’s family had their RV and they spent the weekend at the park so we had a nice place to call “home camp”. I was able to sit in a chair in the outfield by the camper and watch the entire game with the best seat in the house while Hayden and Maycee played. The kids and I had a blast playing and being out in the fall sunshine for two days. Some people do not understand how we can be at the ball field for two days or even an entire day, but I can assure you that if we had been home then we would not have gotten to enjoy the sun or each other. I would have missed out on seeing Hayden fishing the creek, and I would have also missed out on seeing him take a fish off the line for one of the girls. I was very proud of my young man. I caught a glimpse of the man that he is going to grow up to be. One that is considerate of others. One that is nice to girls. As a mom I hope that I am raising him to be a courteous young man who opens the doors for ladies and comes to the rescue to a “damsel in distress” whether it is a fish on the line or a flat tire. God blessed me with some awesome memories in Mt. Juliet.



Maycee caught this salamander in the same creek and I finally talked her into letting it go. She really wanted to bring it home with us. I am glad I was able to convince that it needed to stay at its home and not ours.

Sox.....

Baylee and her fellow travel team members have decided to play as the Sox this fall and next spring. They have played as the Gator Girlz, the Kreepers and now the Sox as a tribute to some of their dads who played slow-pitch softball in the 90's and were really quite good playing all over the state of Tennessee.

Rattlesnake – Sonoran Desert

Hayden has been under the weather and missed Tuesday of school. Last year, Hayden and Maycee both had perfect attendance for the entire year. I think that is awesome considering they were in 2nd and Kindergarten. I am just hoping that this is the only day he misses. This is the child that hates the doctor’s office and cannot swallow medicine without throwing up. Needless to say we were at the doctor twice – once when they opened to get an antibiotic and once immediately after lunch when he threw up the first dose of amoxicillin. I gave him the options – 19 more times of that or a quick shot. Smart boy chose the shot that lasted only 13 seconds and we know that because he counted….and we are much better!

I guess I have been in a fog lately because I have thought all week that next Monday was September 17th giving us an extra weekend to prepare a diorama on rattlesnakes in the desert. Last night at roughly 11:00, I (oops – I mean we :) ) finished the project and here it is……I only have two blisters from the glue gun and a complete mess on the kitchen table, countertop and floor…………BUT it is finished and turned in today! Hayden – I so enjoyed spending time with you on this and I think I learned more about the Sonoran Desert than you!

It is official....

I have begun shopping for Christmas. My first gift came in the mail today from one of my most favorite places...Shutterfly.

At this time, they are having a great sale on Christmas cards and photo books. Last year I did not even get to send cards, but THIS YEAR my cards are already designed and on the way to me for safekeeping until December 1.

Hope everyone has a safe and family-filled weekend! We are off to Cullman tomorrow for a little bit of fall softball action with Baylee's 16U team called the Sox.

Four weeks of school under our belt.........

Four weeks into school and……………
this is how someone’s tennis shoes are holding up.

All three of my children are so different……
Baylee – who has more shoes than I do and rarely wears anything but sandals or flats except for softball and speed school where cleats are her normal preferred choice.

Hayden – who takes his shoes off each day and puts them right where he is supposed to.

AND

Maycee – who just lets hers fall off her feet and that is where they land until we start searching the next day for the “lost” shoe….however I am not sure her shoes are going to make it until fall break which is only 5 weeks away.

School is in session......

It is the 2nd week of school at our house and we are getting in a routine. Our routine consists of: rush in the mornings to eat breakfast, rush to get ready, rush to school and rush in the traffic around school which consists of something like Nascar pit stops........then be glad to get work to sit down and work 8 hours......then rush to school to pick up, rush home and clean out backpacks, get homework, cook and eat supper, baths and bedtime........then the "mom" falls in bed exhausted to attempt to recharge for the next day. I totally understand why my mother used to be so ill in the afternoons when we would get home from school and work. I am hoping that it gets better as time goes on and the routine smooths out.

Birthday

Today has been one of the best birthdays ever…. and it is always good to get flowers from your boyfriend!!!! Just want to thank everyone for taking a minute out of their busy day to wish me a happy birthday!

Motivation

Locker room door for the Lady Falcons.....

TOUGH GIRLS - Maycee and Baylee

Just want to take a moment to brag on my tough girls and give you an update on my week even though it is only Wednesday.

MONDAY - Maycee had a severe allergic reaction while playing softball. It happened during an inning in the field. She was playing 2nd base and during the time it took to play that inning she went from fine to her eyes swollen almost shut and wheezing. Dr. Paul Sain was on a nearby field and told us that we needed to go to the hospital. Many thanks to Sandy Stout for scooping her up and taking her over to him. Maycee was worried that she would not get to the regional game at LCHS and see her sister playing ball which is where we were headed after her game, but I did not have the heart to tell her we would not make it. Arrived at the ER….typical scene with people lined up around the waiting area and I thought “OH CRAP – it is going to take forever”, but one look at Maycee had the nurses scrambling and we were ushered back immediately. They did not even ask for my insurance card – said they would get it later and that is when I got scared! Dr. Wilkerson (who had an awesome bedside manner) came in, looked and listened and ordered an IV. Within a half hour after arriving Maycee had an IV in arm and was dozing peacefully. We still do not know what caused this….and we are now on a daily allergy pill plus an epi-pen if this occurs again. Many thanks to the Treolas, Monty Hall for the two dollars, and anyone else that took care of Hayden at the ball field while we were at the ER! Crisis moments make you aware of whom your true friends are……

TUESDAY – Typical crazy morning going to school. Had to escort Maycee in and explain the night before. She did not want to miss since she has perfect attendance and wants an award next week. School called me twice with her eyes itching and we went to the doctor for a follow-up. Maycee and I got out of the Drs office with lots of time to spare before picking Baylee up from ball. I was envisioning a home cooked meal with my babies, clothes washed and picked up, and an early night to bed…………….until the phone rang and I was informed that the TOC trainer, Michelle, thought that Baylee broke her hand during ball practice at LCHS. To make a long story short, we wound up at TOC in Madison seeing Dr. Maddox. Baylee has a torn tendon in her ring finger on her right hand and is in a splint for a least two weeks and maximum of six weeks. There are a lot of things riding on her tendon healing so we are praying for it to heal quickly and be “good as new”.



WEDNESDAY – Regional Championship game with LCHS versus Riverdale Warriors in Murfreesboro at Riverdale. Outcome depends on location of sub-state game which is to be played on Friday night. This Lady Falcon team is made up of a lot of tough girls but also is made up of a team of sisters….sisters whose common love for a game has created bonds that will forever last. I am proud of each and every one of you!

Bay and Bug - Jammers Style

It seems like a lifetime since I have posted, but it has been long enough for the dead bare trees to start showing little glimpses of green and for the buttercups to be in full splendor. I am so thankful that the cold damp winter seems to be over. Attitudes are just better at my house…must be because the kids are able to go outside and duke it out instead of being stuck in the house.

Baylee is knee deep in high school softball and seems like the rest of us are well. Hayden and Maycee both practice twice a week and often we just go from one park to the next grabbing a soft drink and snack on the way. I am glad that my kids are healthy and able to play.

This post was going to be about random things, but it is going to turn into a post about ball. Baylee has always played softball and you cannot pick your children’s friends, but you can place them in situations that guide them to friends of the same hobbies and interests. I am thankful for the girls and their families that Baylee has played with over the years. Tanner who is one of the pitchers for the high school has played with Baylee since they were 7 years old. Our families have spent many a meal and many a night together…..from Panama City to Cincinnati, Ohio and everywhere in between. Their family has also been there for the birth of Hayden and Maycee. We have a lot of history with the Sanders family and the Mann family and for that we are thankful….we have laughed and cried together over the years, but we have remained true to one another. Thanks for all the memories!

Look for upcoming posts about some others…….

Thankful.....

Sometimes in this fast paced world it is so easy to let one small thing get you down. I am struggling right now trying to balance all the balls I am juggling between work and home so I decided to make a list of things I am thankful for to remind me how blessed and how much God really loves me.

I am thankful
· That I am saved….
· That I have wild and healthy kids
· For Baylee…who is not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believes in
· For Hayden…who is analytical and often just wants his sisters to leave him alone
· For Maycee…who makes me laugh and keeps me from being lonely or sad
· That I have a supportive Mom and Dad
· That Kevin is still my friend and that he is a good daddy even though sometimes we don’t like each other

· That I still have Gran here to talk to and enjoy time with
· That I have Carlie who is like my daughter too and who loves my babies like they are hers and that I have her momma and daddy for family as well
· That I am able to work
· That I still have my 3 high school best friends to confide in and share the joys and sorrows of life…as well as being my prayer warriors
· That I have bosses who have taken me in like their own (which can be a burden as well)
· That I have a house for us to live in
· That I am able to feel the sun on my face which I hope to do if the rain ever stops
· That I am able to run and do cartwheels with my children even if I am sore the next day
· That I am able to pursue a passion in photography with Cathy

Looking at my list makes me feel better on this yucky cold dismal spring break day and I am fortunate to have these blessings that most people are not fortunate to have…..

Sometimes I want to blog and the words do not come and then sometimes the words just flow out of the fingers….such as today!

Addiction.....

Confession time....I have an addiction and it is Sundrop. A wonderful citrus soft drink made in the South that is not good for the body. For the last several years I have had many stomach problems with acid reflux and heartburn. If you take these two things and pair them with Sundrop and nerves, then you get a lethal combination that demands attention and the maximum dose of Prilosec allowed a day. The last time I had a Sundrop was Saturday, November 13, 2009, and the time before that was back in the early summer of 2009………until yesterday. I had a not so brilliant idea to drink one yesterday in a glass bottle with a yummy candy bar. It was a good idea going down, but I am paying the price today. It is probably going to be a Sprite and saltine cracker day due to the pain and stomach upset. Note to self….DO NOT DRINK A SUNDROP no matter how good I feel or how bad my mouth waters when I see one.

Wonder Woman

I was just sitting here at my desk thinking "I am soooo tired today" and I reflected on what I did yesterday - it is NO wonder I am tired because I was the following:

• MOM
• Counselor (to a friend)
• Receptionist
• Bill Collector (which I hate)
• Legal Assistant
• Friend
• Short Order Cook before and after church
• Referee to Hayden and Maycee over something stupid
• Wash woman for 3 loads of clothes - YUCK! and they are still not folded but that can wait since they are clean!
• Personal Trainer - this is a joke, but my boss is doing this program call Egoscue and he hates doing it and HATES when his wife rides his butt so I am assumed the role of Motivator and I sorta enjoy it since I get to ride his BUTT!!! I told him yesterday that I was not on his clock because he was on mine!
• Girlfriend - but I think that someone got the short end of the stick on this one yesterday!
• Last but not least.....Nursery worker at church!

I am sure every working mom has days like this, but I really needed to just put it down to remind me of why I am always so tired! I need an adult vacation in the worst way without menus that include a "children's toy"! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!!

2009 in prospective

My reflection of 2009 is LOSS, LOVE and APPRECIATION. My children learned quite a bit about cancer this year....they learned that when we are in public and someone has lost their hair it is often due to the medicine that they have taken to kill those nasty cancer cells and that they need to smile and not stare. They have learned the true LOSS of people we love...LOSS of people whose phone numbers were saved in my phone and talked to on a regular basis. My little ones lost a friend whom they loved dearly that brought root beer to church on Wednesday night suppers and sat at our table. We lost a friend that I took on her senior trip and who loved unconditionally. We lost a friend that we saw each school morning as our car took a very special little boy with a huge heart to school each day and who loved his mother with all of his heart and who we also loved. I am not going to name these individuals as it simply hurts too much to see the names in print as we are still hurting and miss them so. I have learned APPRECIATION from our losses as we all need to appreciate each day as God gives it to us and also who He decides to bless our paths with. LOVE on each other and never take anything for granted. I am not making a resolution this year because I am simply going to try to live my life with God directing my path.