Side effects...

There are lots of side effects we deal with in life. Every single thing we do has side effects. I generally only think about that when I am thinking about medications, but they really are everywhere.

I have had one crazy week! Heavy on the side effects.

Carlton left his insulated coat and overalls here. He called Scott and asked if he could "email them" to him at the ranch. Scott told him nope he couldn't but we could mail them. Side effects of a son who simply does not listen nor care to pay enough attention to the world around him...one of the reasons he is where he is...

Caleb left for Germany...a side effect of being in the Army. BTW...He is loving it, I think his actual words were "it's AWESOME". Another side effect of that same choice (being a neat soldier) is that Caleb will be deploying to Afghanistan way to soon for momma. Some effects are simply huge!

My sister Christie called today and she is out of prison. This sister is Seth's birth mom and the last time she was out she got pregnant with Seth. That has been over 8 years ago. The same side effect is likely with the same action and the same consequences apply(she cannot parent). Another prayer request(no more babies). I cannot think of a sweeter "effect" than my Seth, but I am ready for grandchildren, not starting over. That said, should need arise, it is not an option to leave a baby without family or in danger....again...another prayer request.

My daughter is marrying the man of her dreams...a wonderful thing! But the effects are still huge at this point to deal with:) A wedding, loss of daughter (well, loss of her being close to home), the gain of a neat new son!

I have been working with an unwed mother who worships with us. She desired to place the baby up for adoption. I spent months working with her....SO VERY PROUD OF HER!!...this week she changed her mind and I had to share that with the adopting family. Her circumstances have not changed....but peer and family pressure finally prevailed. Those effects, while not wholly mine, will last forever and make me sick and sad.

My side effects are really piling up. Such is life. I know that. But this week and crazy weeks like it sure do increase my time with God! God knows I have a point where "enough is enough" and I sure hope he thinks it's soon.

Deer Hunting

Jacob has had a good week hunting. The little boys love hearing all about it. Seth had just come in from playing in the snow when Jacob asked Seth if he wanted to see what was in the back of his truck. Seth was ready to go, but had no shoes on. Jacob said, "Hop on" and carried him to the truck to see deer blood. It has to be a guy thing..lol. I had no desire to go see it. But as they left the house, big brother Jake and a rosie cheeked snow frozen Seth, I smiled. I absolutely LOVE that part of my family. I love big brothers, I love the bonds they are creating with the younger boys. I love that my little boys look up to my big guys...for the most part(speeding tickets aside) they are an great bunch of fellows! I know I am their mom, and of course I see all the blemishes, but at moments like this? All looks mighty good!

New hair:)

My new hair do:) What a fun morning. I went early to get my hair "done". A new color and a new style. I may never get it this straight again...lol:) Sarah took this as I walked in the back door(talking on the phone with my coat and purse..a silly picture but my hair looks good!). Thank you once again Andrea and Leigh Ann!!

Snow Days:)

For the first time in many many years we have snow, real snow. The kids got out of school for "snow" yesterday and today and it actually snowed! We get out pretty regualring for inclimate weather and nothing ever happens. The kids have LOVED it! Rarely do we have snow that sticks and then ever more rarely does it stay after we have plyed on it.

Many many snowballs have been made and lots playing. It is a dry snow(also unusal for us) so the kids don't immediately get wet and come in. Pretty neat days we have enjoyed!

A few pictures......

This is not the "cutest" picture of Doug...but it is likely one of the most accurate ones..lol! Doug is usually one of my big sports organizers, but rarely the snowball leader...he spent a lot of time dividing teams and rolling balls...his aim was deadly:)

It looks like they are cleaning off the cars, but in actuality they had a snowball making assembly on top of the cars, although it appears some eating of snow was going on too!

Tasha, who most obviously, has had more than her fair share of snowballs:)

Daniel gave and took ....or rather I should say he threw and recieved:)

Seth and a hiding (not too well) Ryan:)


Bless Bronte's heart...he LOVED having everyone outside playing!

But Jacob is still his first love:)

Rosie was not involved in the snow ball war...as you can see by her very nice and snow-free clothes:)

Michael was not a snow warrior either...he and his new binoculoers were in the field "looking".

Sarah and Paden. Paden was unfortunate enough to be attacked (abet with "only" snowballs) by my Indians. I keep meaning to call thing something else. I am a big "your children live up to your expectations" mom and they seem to be living up to my expectations with my moniker. SO ...If I start calling them Angels I wonder how that will go? humm..I will try. Anyway, Sarah and Paden spent the evening getting even, which was really a silly game of chase with lots of laughing. It is a pure testimony to the ego of children when you realize my little "Angels" really thought they could outrun Paden. They didn't (Hard to get faster than a 6'3" athlete...lol...but they all tried!).

Letting go...

Letting go of our children is really tough. They go to college, but they still come home. My experience has been that not until they are "grown" do I have to worry about truly "letting go", meaning my influence and my control is gone(or at very least dwindling). Today I let my son Caleb "go". He is headed to Germany to serve his country for at least two years there and he will then likely serve at least one term in Iraq or Afghanistan. So for the next three years he will be away from home.

I am about to "let Chelsea go" but that's just to Georgia:) It is (I think right now) so much harder to let a child go around the world and know they are not coming back at the end of the semester or at the end of vacation.

I am so very grateful to have a neat friend whose husband serves in the Army as a PA and they are stationed just 30 minutes from the base Caleb will be stationed on. It is comforting to know that on the other side of the world there is a wonderful "momma" just 30 minutes from my son! I truly think it's a God thing!

This letting go is terribly hard and while in theory I thought it would be a very therapeutic thing(you know, raising my children to be wonderful Christians and good citizens and then watching them leave home to live life to their fullest)...but it really isn't nearly as fun feeling as I thought it would be. I wonder when that moment comes?

For now, I am grateful for the spirit and confidence my son shows and ever so prayerful for his future.


This was our day:

Chelsea and I were up early and out the door with Caleb (Chelsea helping carry his huge load).

We met Scott's parents at Cracker Barrel in Franklin and had breakfast. Today was Bill's birthday.

We waited for Scott to meet us at the airport in Nashville....



They gave up passes to go back as sit with Caleb until he boarded his plane...I am ever so thankful for those extra minutes! Scott gave Caleb some special scriptures he had printed and laminated to keep in his wallet. He gave them to Caleb and Caleb was putting them in his wallet.

Caleb and his backpack...it weighs almost as much as him:)

Chelsea took several pictures as they began to board Caleb flight, it is hard to be sad with such a funny guy!

Jake's Swiss Army Light

Jacob bought this little bitty flashlight tool at the automotive store on clearance. It can shine! You can feel the heat of the beam from 20 feet away...so it makes a super nice sunlamp, it's a ipod charger, a phone charger....I laughed (boys and their toys ya know). It's like a Swiss Army Light..does about everything. As long as this light and hunting are NOT joined he will be just fine! We have already talked about that at length!

An Unexpected Surprise!

I am one of those people who hates surprises. I do. I love "knowing". I think it probably says I like to be in control of situations...although personally I think I'm just nosy:) This year marked lots of surprises for me. For the first time my children, my grown children made major purchases for me. They even kept it all a surprise! Even Mercedez spent some of her soccer referee money on a handy dandy kitchen gadget! Sarah having her gift (well, Hers, Chelsea and Caleb's together)sent to my Dad's house (as though I would open it!). I now have some incredible Kitchen Aid kitchen tools that I certainly look forward to enjoying this year and many years to come.

Christmas morning brought a totally unexpected surprise. A gift card in my stocking for a "cut and color" EVERY 6 WEEKS FOR THE YEAR OF 2010!! Can you believe that? I can't. I was stunned. Don't get me wrong (I was stunned HAPPY), but WHO does that for someone else? My sweet friends Andrea and Leigh Ann! They gave it to Chelsea to slip into my stocking. Talk about a surprise! A whole year? I think Andrea must have read my silly toilet bowl and hair color blog..haha:) I do try to color and rarely take time...but this year? With one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received I called to make my first appointment! Thank you so very much Andrea and Leigh Ann!!!

So now the question is what color? Not gray that's for sure and what cut? So many many choices:)