New Arrivals and Departures

Yesterday brought two new arrivals to the house. Or rather two new arrivals to the yard:)

The first was Doug's new car. I laughed at him, this boys sure does love cars! He suggested today he might need to purchase blinders....true. He traded and (crazy but true) HE was given money back! He put that into what I laughingly called his "ticket account" on account he is likely gonna get some! A super fun day for Doug:)


Second arrival was not shiny or red...He was black, a beautiful black Lab. His name is Maximus (Max). Paden got him for Sarah. Sarah is so happy! If he and Bronte continue to be sweet to one another he may have a long happy life with us. We made all the kids stay inside today as we introduced them properly. The kids watched from window:)

Max is super sweet, but he does like chewing. As you can see below....lol:)

I think Bronte is enjoying having a buddy to run and wrestle with....well, so far:)


Departing today was Jacob's vehicle. He has put lots of money into keeping it running and finally decided (with impending transmission trouble) to stop. He put a for sale sign on it and a $500 price and I cannot tell you the response! People left messages in his phone, talked to brothers at the house, called Scott at work and even stopped me in Wal-Mart! After school he had 6 different cars in the driveway. Jacob was first come first get and all the others waited in line to see if they had opportunity to buy. Within 45 minutes business ended. Jacob a happy guy!

What a day:)

So many things happened today. I was up and out of the house a bit after 5am this morning headed to a family session with Sam in Kentucky. I arrived 3 minutes before 9 (right on time). It was a scary/ surprising/frustrating/"we'll see" kind of meeting. I may blog about it later, but for now I am still processing.

I left Sam and headed to Nashville to meet Chelsea(who left Atlanta to meet me). We shopped for me a dress (with no luck), but did find Chelsea a beautiful dress for the rehearsal dinner. We drove from Cool Springs on down to Columbia and registered at two neat places. We were so blessed to have Bo's mom (Renea) meet us and share the evening with us. Renea, Chelsea and I all ate a late dinner at O"Charley's (a special treat by Renea!). Chelsea is so very blessed. Bo is such a wonderful young man and he is so wonderful because he has been raised by incredible Godly parents! God sure is good:)

In the course of the day I missed a phone call from Caleb(and nearly cried). How very frustrating and upsetting. On a sweet note Sarah's boyfriend Paden texted me while we were shopping that Caleb was on Facebook chatting. He thought I would like to chat too. I sure would have had I been home. I am actually one of those anti-social people who turns off the chat...but have found myself leaving it on in hopes of catching Caleb. I appreciate any and all "heads ups" that he is there!

I did catch the call from John. Today John competed in the Regional HOSA competition. He participated in the exporaneous speaking competition....and WON FIRST PLACE!! My John is awesome, plain and simple! Next is the State! Last year he won the Tennessee State competition....mom is praying for good things this year too! John is a perfect example of "make it great"...he does in a SUPERB way:)

Before and After

What a difference HAIR makes! I am not such a big stickler on hair issues. For the most part (obviously) I let my children choose. Until big events...like family pictures, weddings, HOSA competitions, so on and on.....

John's before and after are truly significant!!

BEFORE::


AFTER::

41 days...

41 days sounds like a long time...it really does....but it's not. A tad bit more than 5 weeks. A month and a few days. QUICKLY. Quickly Chelsea and Bo will be at the church, and quickly they will be starting their lives together.

So much to do and yet all I want to do it sit and enjoy. Enjoy these last days, the end of this era of parenting. Last Friday night when Scott got home he watched everyone so Chelsea and I could go to the theater. I sat and watched a movie with Chelsea wondering how many more times that would happen? Kinda goofy to count movies, yet I find myself doing that.

I am silly like that. Caleb's last night home I cooked his favorites and when one of the kids called to see if Scott was on his way home to eat with us they asked, " Are you going to be here for Caleb's last supper?" I smiled as the caller told Dad, "Well, that's what mom is calling it!" I was not really thinking about Jesus last supper, I was just counting the "last's" before he left for Germany.

I think mom's do things like that...they count. They enjoy and they soak up the moments they have:)

So for me? It's 41 days of soaking ....and then I start counting again...only the other way. It will be the first time Chelsea and Bo visit as husband and wife, the first married this and the first married that...and even then I will be soaking those moments up too!

It's been a while...

I lined up people today to take pictures, it's been a while. Seth said, "That's it? I love you mom!" haha..He was just so happy we were not doing a group shot! These are the school age children I have living at home...seems to be on the slim side:)

Jacob, age 17 (18 in March)


John, age 16(17 in Feb). This is John's before picture...later today we will have the after picture...after mom cuts all this hair:)


Mercedez, age 14


Rosie, age 13


Tasha, age 13


Michael, age 12


Isabella, age 12


Mary Lita, age 12


Daniel, age 11



Ryan, age 11


Victoria, age 10


Seth, age 8

Is it really Saturday?

Snow is still lingering. Actually snow is still falling. I am beginning to wonder if Seth's "6 days without homework is actually going to come true? I sure hope not. I have to be in Memphis on Monday with Zack, in Kentucky on Tuesday with Sam, in Henderson on Wednesday to talk with the photographer and ready for EU by Friday. I think that's all possible? haha.

This morning my children thought they might starve. We (or rather I) waited until 9 am to cook breakfast, hoping to have everyone up and eating at the same time. Over the last few days I have felt a bit like a short order cook with all the staggered coming and going of my kids. I scrambled way to many eggs and then boiled another dozen for those kiddos who could not make it to the kitchen due to sleepitist.

Scott was finally home after traveling all week. He called all week and when he would ask what I was doing I would reply "invitations". Seems they have been snuck into every single free moment all week! This morning we got up and he gave me his addresses to send. This application has stayed open on my computer all week so I could drop into my seat and run out an address as needed....

I have lists on top of my lists....so much to do! I have EU kiddos here this weekend, Monday morning I have the Xi Chi Delta officers retreat at my house, and then every single weekend overwhelmed with activities until Chelsea's wedding. Little lists are smack dab beside BIG ones. The mundane things in life such as laundry and eating still have to happen....at least I am pretty sure they do:)

I think maybe the crazy is suppose to cover up the "I can't believe my baby is old enough to be getting married" thoughts. It is hard to believe. Life passes so quickly!

You know it seems only yesterday that this sweet daughter ......


was this sweet baby:)

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.