Stomach Flu

That's right, kids, I am sick AGAIN! I think I have been plagued in the last year. So, would the person who plagued me, please lift this curse? Ok, thanks! :)

So, I spent all day Sunday visiting my BFF Mr. Toilet. 16 hours, to be exact. Then I went to Urgent Care, in hopes they would drug me up, and send me home. Instead I get an uber creepy doctor, who kept lifting my shorts, "to feel my stomach," for who knows why. Then he proceeds to tell me that he is "enjoying the stomach examination" because only 10% of people are thin enough for him to feel their aortas. So, apparently I am lucky enough, to be skinny enough, to be felt up by Doctor Perv. OH well. I got my drugs and got the hell out of that place. Honestly, I was too sick to care. All I wanted was the drugs.

Anyway- 4 doses of the drugs later, I am sitting here, alive. I feel like POO, but at least I can sit up without falling back over right away. Oh yes, kids, you would have loved to watch that. And poor Andy dragging my limp butt to the toilet, for another visit with my BFF. It was a sight to be seen!

Anyhoo- no best shot Monday, today. Just me saying "Thank you Jesus, I am alive!"

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Seriously- curse...be lifted?! :) Thanks.

Weekly Wrap

I know, I know, I have been terrible with blog writing (anything interesting) and keeping up with my weekly wraps. So, here we go:

1) My brother had a wonderful Birthday, I think. We didn't do anything huge, but made sure he knows we all love him.

2) Matthew's eye procedure didn't take. That 10% of kids that have to have a more in-depth procedure done, well, leave it to my kiddo to be apart of that 10%! We are headed back to the specialist on Tuesday, at 11 am. :( I'm not really sure what they are going to tell us. From what I understand, there is a more in-depth procedure that has to be done in the O.R. and under anesthesia.

3) My sister, Emily, has spent the last week at my house. Literally. I think she is moving in! haha. We had a fun week, though! This week even included a trip to Chuck E Cheeses! :) And numerous other places that I can't even remember.

4) Classes start back up on Monday (notice how I've not complained about them AT all?). I have two this time around. Both 400 level classes. Does this mean the end is in sight?! At least I will get out a couple nights a week, alone! :)

5) Andy starts his Masters program in two weeks. MASTERS. I can't believe it! I am so proud of him. :) I think he's pretty proud of himself, too.

6) My daddy opened a new store this week! They had a huge party, for employees and their families, that we had an opportunity to go to. It was awesome. Lots of good food (an olive bar to DIE for!) and entertainment. Great work, dad! I am proud of you! :)

7) Matthew turns one in ELEVEN days. Does everyone else remember the day he was born, like it was yesterday? This is what we were doing, a year ago.

8) Ashley is doing well! She called my mom this past Thursday (they only get one phone call a week, and it can only last seven minutes), and said that they were having a blast, a little tired, and they all had colds! Pray she feels better! :) If you want to see what they're doing, go HERE. It's like playing "where's waldo?" with the photos, but I promise she's in some of them!

9) Tonight I am going to my sister's Pampered Chef party. Good food. Spend money. Life is good.

10) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is on right now. My son is loving it. I wonder if he knows his mommy used to watch this show, when she was little. I won't tell him and ruin the fun of the show for him. ha ha.

I leave you with photos of Matthew practicing for his Birthday cake. Thanks, daddy, for bringing us cupcakes home from work! :) I know at least one of us enjoyed them!

Happy 13th Birthday, Trevor!!!!

Happy Birthday to My Favorite BROTHER!!! :)

Here's to you, Trevor, for putting up with FOUR sisters for thirteen years!! :) I think you're pretty darn special, and I love you MUCHO! You're such an amazing young man, and I am so proud of all you've accomplished. I can't wait to see where God takes you as you continue to grow!

Theme Thursday: What I want

I want to see this out my window, everyday.....


What do YOU want? Visit Stacy to see more Theme Thursdays!

He WALKS!

That's right folks, the dreaded day has arrived. I have a full-fledged I-don't-need-your-stinkin'-help-anymore-mommy-WALKER! I really was hoping he'd never figure this out. I was hoping he would need me to take him everywhere and help him, always. But, alas, Matthew has mastered the art of WALKING. WALKING. WALKING! AHHH!

Two weeks away from ONE. Walking. I can't handle it.

I don't have a photo of this venture, yet, so you'll have to just enjoy this equally cute photo of my brother (who turns 13 on Friday!) and Matt. :)

BSM: Summer Lovin'

Girl pretends not to notice boy...

Girl tries to hold boy's hand...

Girl ATTACKS and steals a kiss... summer lovin' at its finest!

Are you lovin' summer? Head over to Mother May I to see more Best Shots! :)

Good Mail!

Thank you, to all of my new friends who have sent me Good Mail, in the last week! Jody, Tina, and Kelli, I really appreciate the goodies you all sent! :) I need to get on the ball and send out some more good mail! :)

(I can't take pictures of my goodies, because my camera is being stupid. Hopefully it's not broken!)

Theme Thursday: Childhood

Knowing how to have a good time.....


Childhood is having a best friend...


Childhood is having smoothie all over your face and not caring...


Go over to the Land of KA and see more childhood fun!

A Good Mail Contest

So, a gal from Good Mail has posted a contest. The good mail girls are to post some photos and Cindy is going to choose the winner. So, here are my photos:




Wish me luck!!! :)

Two Posts, in One Day!

So I was unloading the photos from my camera today, and I came across these. This was the day before Ashley left. Ugh. They made me cry. I miss her a lot. There have been times when I've though, oh I need to tell Ashley that. And CAN'T pick up my phone and call her! gah!

We bought two hand held V-O-Rs (yea, they are like $10 now... ha ha) and we are going to record tapes of us and the kids and send them to her. I am going to send her the actual recorder and the first tape, this week. That way I can "pick up the phone" and talk to her if I want to. :) Hopefully she likes it!




Oh, and I know she's having fun! Here's a pic of her and her team. She's the really cute one (if I do say so myself) in the dark gray shirt and pink shorts, in the middle of the front row! :)

Anyway- I love you Ashley! I miss you... BIG! :)

Crafty Me: Party Invites

Ok, so here they are: Matt's party invites! I ended up switching to markers and some of the fronts are a little different than this one, but you get the idea. On the inside, the little sentence at the top reads "bah, bah, neigh, neigh, Matthew's turning one, Hooray!". I know, they're not super fancy, but they took me forever to do and they're as crafty as I get! ha ha.

~*~*~*~*~

And just for good measure: a couple of photos of my boys playing ball with their Pa Chip (this is my step-dad, Chip. I don't think I've ever posted a photo of him before). Aren't they cute?? :)

Matt and My New Hair

Matthew did great (and so did I!). He's sleeping now. Everything looks good, so far. As long as we see no regression, then we are in the clear! yay! :)

And as promised... Here's my new hair. :)

Updates!

Matthew: His surgery, for his eye, is tomorrow at 11:30! If you are thinking about it, say a little prayer for him (and ME!). I'll try to update as soon as it's all over.


My Sister: Ashley has a TEAM now! She's been in California (Norwalk) since Friday and they finally have assigned teams. She will be on the continental team (and they have a BLOG! Click the link to read all about it!). Say a prayer for her, too, if you think about it! :) I sent her a package today of various silly things, a nice letter, and pictures Adam drew for her. 7 weeks isn't over yet, is it?? :(

(I stole this photo from their blog. haha. Ashley is the one in the salmon colored shirt and I believe the only one in sunglasses (hahah that's my girl!!))

Other Goodness: I got my hair CUT off. Gone. VERY short. I'll post photos tomorrow.

Grr: So, I didn't put enough sunblock on today when we went to the zoo with Blueberry and Bean (Post some of those pics, Miss Blueberry! They are so cute!!!)... anyway- I'm super burnt on my shoulders. And it hurts. wah!! Just call me Lobster B.

BSM: Flowers

Summer is just around the corner...



What's blooming for you this week? Hop over HERE to see more :)

Seriously...

Does anyone know what I said? I seriously don't remember. I didn't plan anything and I had a few drinks in me. I think I rambled. I hope it wasn't terrible. I think I told them to make babies (yea, I think I did). But... Look at our necks and cheeks... We are some sexy women! ;)

I love you Mrs. Moffett! I'm glad you're back from your honeymoon. How'd that baby making go??? ;) tee hee!

7 Weeks is a Long Time

As you all know my siblings and I are awfully close. Well tomorrow (at 6:30 AM- to be exact) one of my "little" sibs is off to do something I'm not even sure I could do. She's leaving everything and everyone she knows, in order to serve Jesus. I am beyond amazed at her bravery, her willingness, and her attitude towards what she is about to do. She is going on a seven week missions trip across the United States and has a 67% chance of going to Mexico, as well. They will be serving those in need (in various ways) and sacrificing many of their own needs to do so. She will be riding in a bus, with no air, in some of the hottest parts of the United States (as well as some of the parts that have been hit so severely with tornadoes and flooding).

As she prepares to unselfishly go, I sit here selfishly mourning her leave. I've done nothing but cry at the thought of not seeing her for nearly two months. She has become, over they years, many things to me beyond being my sister. She is my concert buddy, my singing in the car buddy, my CSI partner (sorry we never made it to COSI, Ash), my candy eating cohort, black nail polish instigator, mystery book reader, Starbucks buddy (white chocolate mocha- I'll go drink one for you!), and truly a BEST friend. I never would have imagined almost 18 years ago, when she was the first baby I had ever held, and when I changed her little diapers, that she would become so important in my life or that she would become the woman she has.

She is a gem in this world. God's shining vessel. She listened to God's call, and she is following it.

And as James 1:12 says "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

May you receive many crowns for all that you do, Ashley.

Ticka, ticka, ticka, Baby... I love you (forever!!) ! :)

I'll miss you! Hurry home. Don't forget to use one of those 7 minute phone calls for your favorite older, but shorter sister!!! :)

Theme Thursday: Living on the Wildside

When we live on the wild side, we allow our two year old to play with weapons.



Feeling wild? Visit Stacey to see more wild shots!

Also- Go HERE to see our boating video! :)

On the Boat

Here we are on the boat. Adam was very distracted. I got him to talk a little, at least. Enjoy! :)

Our Trip: Photo Style (of course!) *edited with more photos*

The trip started off EARLY Friday morning; we left our house around 4:00 AM. We picked up Nonnie and Pa (well, they drove in front of us) and we headed on our way. (I'll leave out all of the details about how sick I was. Kinda kills the mood of the happy post!) We stopped around noon for lunch and a much needed stretch. The boys (including Pa and Daddy) played, while mommy was sick and Nonnie was maker of the lunch.



Arriving in Charleston, never seemed like it was going to happen! We finally made it around 8 pm. We all crashed. It was a long day.

Saturday, mommy and the other bridal party members were treated to pedicures and manicures. MUCH needed. (Mother of groom, Amy, ME, Sister of Groom)


We then went straight to the Citadel Beach House, where the wedding took place, to rehearse!


The rehearsal went well, and Adam met his new BFF of the trip (Kayla).




The rehearsal dinner was at Sticky Fingers in downtown Charleston. I have no photos of this. Why? I have no clue. Out of 408 photos, you would think I would have some. hmph.

The next day was D-Day (ha ha) and it started out at a fabulous little hair studio. They opened just for us, had drinks, food, and it was wonderful!!

(my hair was so cool looking! I wish I could duplicate this on my own!!)

The wedding was amazing! No photos until the reception, however, because I was a little busy... and Andy was manning Adam. As soon as the professional photos are available, I will post a link to them! :)

(This is one of our teachers from High School! It was so neat to see her again, after eight years. EEK. Did I just say 8???)

(This is the best man. Can you BELIEVE I walked down the aisle with him? He joked and said he was just going to pick me up and chuck me down the aisle. ha ha ha. He could have done it, too!)

So... we also did some traveling about. Here are some of my favorite photos:

(Paula's restaurant!!!)

(Forest Gump's bench)

(I wish this was better. Matthew's facial expression was hilarious!)

(On the boat)

(Jimmy and Diane- our distant relatives. WE LOVE you guys! Thanks for letting us stay with you!!)

And finally... we got to head home!


(The truck we saw on fire!)

And since we've been home.... Adam got a BIG boy bed (Andy's old bed), We had a party for Ashley (she leaves on her 7 WEEK mission trip on Friday), and we've done a lot of RESTING!

(Me, Ash and Carly (my newest niece! 3 months old already!!)

(Kayleigh and mommy :) )

Ok, I think that's enough for now! Enjoy!!