A crazy week!

This past week has been one crazy week! We had so many projects going on plus volleyball games several nights. Kenny and I were trying to get our bathroom in the basement finished before our ward pool party last Friday. It didn't get completely finished but it was definitely usable. The room went from just framed and wired to having everything done but trim, ceiling, and a few other minor things. Kenny did a great job. It is so nice to be married to a man who can do everything..it sure saves money. (Although, things take a little longer and can remain half-done for a while.)It is a really nice size bathroom so I could only get a portion in the picture.


On the day of the party Kayla and Megan had a volleyball game at 4:30. The party was starting at 6:00 pm and Hayli had to be picked up at 5:15 pm. I couldn't be at three places at once, so I left Kenny here at home and I went to the girls volleyball game. I asked Hayli's friend to bring her home from practice. We have never let Hayli ride with other teenagers but I was willing to do it just this once. (it was my idea) Well, long story short, they were in an accident where they were T-boned and both could have been killed. Thank goodness they were okay, minus some bumps and bruises. They were both pretty emotional and knew the Lord was definitely looking after them. The girl's car is totaled but it could have been worse. After Hayli finally got home, there was about 150 people here for the party and she was able to take her mind off of the wreck by hanging out with her friends from church.
I was able to watch Kayla and Megan's first game (at least the first two matches before I frantically left after getting Hayli's phone call) and it was so exciting. Kayla is a great player, that I expected...but Meggie did awesome!! She played first string and made some really great plays. She had the biggest smile on her face every time she would make a play. It was so cute! I am so glad she really enjoys playing. It was really fun to watch the two of them play together.

Saturday, Hayli and I went shopping (ALL DAY) for her birthday and met mom, dad, Kenny and the kids, for a celebration lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.YUMMY! Later, we went to a missionary farewell of a family friend. I love seeing these guys leave for their missions because I know they are going to come back extraordinary men!
Sunday, something sad happened at church...our ward was split. Well, they took some families on the southern end of our ward boundaries and added them to a branch further south. It was so sad. It was like having family move away. It is not that we won't ever see them, but it is not the same.

Yesterday, was Hayli's official 16th birthday!! We couldn't do anything because she had two volleyball games and didn't get done until late. But she had a good day and they won against both teams. We tried to send her flowers and can you believe it, the schools do not allow deliveries...it is a safety issue, they said. So we took her the flowers instead. She was so excited because she has never received flowers like that and she LOVES flowers!


I can't believe I have a 16 year old! Yikes! She is not as excited about driving right now because of the wreck but she is very much still looking forward to dating. This is going to be so interesting on so many different levels! She won't date anyone from school, that is completely out of the question to her,..poor guys! So we'll see....

My neighbors must think we are crazy! We know have a concrete driveway...well at least part of it. The really crazy thing is, it is in the MIDDLE of our long gravel driveway.


Let me explain. Kenny has a pool he is building about 10 miles away and yesterday he had scheduled to have the deck poured. Well, it rained the night before and the concrete truck ended up having a hard time getting back to the pool and began to slide. He had to stop the pour because it could have been bad news if the truck did damage to the house or yard OR if the truck got stuck. In a situation like this, once the truck is filled with cement, you pay for it, no matter what! He knew he was eating the $1000.00 worth of concrete either way, so he decided there is no way he was going to let them just dump it somewhere. If he is paying for it, it is going in our driveway. Well, we can't pour it in the beginning of our driveway because our road is scheduled to be paved and they are allowed 30 feet of our property. We can't pave it closer to the house because we have been having some drainage issues that we MUST fix, which would be impossible if there were concrete there and couldn't be done before the truck arrived in 5 minutes!! In the middle it was the only option. Crazy! Kayla has now convinced him of how ridiculous and lame, I think was the word she used, it looks, so he has decided to go ahead and pave the rest of it.

An update on Chandler: Wed. was his appointment to see the orthopedic specialist because his foot "hadn't healed at all". He took an xray, said "it looks great, put on shoe, you are all better". HUH? I thought it hadn't healed? That's why they call them specialist,I guess.

The Greatest Grandparents.

Okay, I am going to take some blog space and brag about what great grandparents my kids have. My kids absolutely LOVE them! They love to be around them at every possible opportunity! EVERY Sunday I get asked if they are coming down or if we are going up there. We vacation with them and they are the best vacations we take. My kids enjoy traveling but if my mom and dad are coming then it is that much better. I can see why they love them so much...take yesterday for instance. The day was a big day for Hayli because she was going to attend a party where you were suppose to dress up. I had taken her and some of her girlfriends shopping the night before ( an entirely separate blog I will have to share later...hilarious!) to find dresses, shoes, accessories, etc. Well, we finally found Hayli's dress (anyone who has shopped with Hayli knows what a hallelujah moment this was) at a store we like called Forever 21 at 9:10pm and the store closed at 9:00 pm. In the rush to get out the door she notices the dress has a small tear at the seam. They won't discount it and there is only one other dress like it, which is a size too big. The tear is in a place where the belt for the dress will cover it up but she stresses that the dress may tear more and she will not feel comfortable in the dress. Too late to worry about it at this point and we will just have to think of something tomorrow. Let me just point out... I do not sew. Not from a lack of interest but from a lack of having a clue. So, tomorrow comes and Hayli is getting more stressed and decides she is going to call Grandmom to the rescue. Well, I tell her, Grandmom is really busy on Saturdays and probably won't be able to help. (Remember, the dress could totally be worn with out ANY signs of the flaw) Grandmom says she has plans to go to a friends house for the day that just had a baby recently. But guess who comes to our house to fix Hayli's dress..yep, grandmom, and granddad too. As soon as they get in the door Grandmom remembers she didn't bring needle or thread. (Sadly, I don't have any) Granddad goes right back out the door to go buy some needle and the right color thread!! This is early in the day and when Granddad gets back with not just needle and thread but needle and about 8 different kinds of thread time is whittling down. Hayli shows my mom where it needs to be fixed and she gets to work. When it is finally done, Hayli suggest maybe Grandmom could make a few stitches at the neck line so the dress would not be so low cut and she wouldn't have to wear a cami under it. Well, she then has to try it on again so Grandmom can see where and how to stitch it. Time is ticking and Hayli still wanted to go to Tanger and find some jewelry. Grandmom and Granddad stay so that when she gets back they can be sure the neckline is right. By the time we get back it is getting late and I know my dad has to have serious ants in the pants.(you have to know my dad is known for his antsy pants and I am just like him) But they decide they are going to stay so they can see the finished product, i.e. Hayli. An hour later I am finishing rolling her hair and she says, "You know, I have the greatest grandparents in the world." Yes, honey, you do!

p.s These pictures are of the finished product and her greatest grandparents in the world.

Good bye to stinky blue..at least for today.

I took Chandler to the doctor yesterday knowing he would be getting his cast cut off and we could say good bye to stinky blue ( his cast was blue and boy, did it stink!) We knew there was a slight possibility that they may have to recast if it hadn't healed completely. After the doctor x-rayed his foot yesterday he said it had not healed AT ALL!! So, off we go now to an orthopedic specialist to find out what the next course of action should be. Needless to say, it will involve another cast and we will have stinky blue 2. However, for today he has a little break because they put on a temporary cast so the ortho.specialist wouldn't have to cut off one that was only a few days old. I did get a second to wash his foot before they put on the temp. one but it was going to require more than the generic soap they have in the doctors office to get that stinky stank off his foot. So, it is only half as stinky as it previously was. He asked if he could keep his cast when they cut it off...the doctor said sure, I said "No way!" Poor guy, when the nurse took him back to x-ray his foot, she told him how bad his foot smelled ( this is after my attempt to wash it ). He knew it was true but it still hurt his feelings. He told me about it when we got in the car and it really made me irritated...a mom thing I guess. He has been dying to swim and we are having our ward party at our house a week from today and chances of him swimming went from 50/50 to 0! He is bummed.

I don't know if pools are capable of loneliness but if they are this one must be suffering a very severe case. It hasn't seen a body in about 4 weeks! It is sad really, considering it hasn't gotten below 95 degrees over the past month or so and the pool is the perfect solution to heat exhaustion ( well, probably not. That probably involves something more medical than that.) I love my pool. Why is it that we never have time to get in it? It's true, the kids have started back to school...but only in the last week. I think Kenny probably swam 5 times this season. Myself, maybe 10 times. It just isn't right. I said once the kids got back to school, things would slow down and I would go swimming every day and just live the life.. um,unfortunately, no. I know my swim season will be coming to an end in a few months ( although we have swam on Halloween ) and I am determined to find time to catch a few rays and swim a few laps...or just lay like a limp rag doll on float. Starting next week, I will make a point to visit my pool at least twice to ease it's pain. It's the least I can do.

Let the games begin!

I am so excited that volleyball season will officially begin this Saturday. It is going to be very crazy because Hayli plays Varsity at her school and will have games every where. Megan and Kayla play for their private school and sometimes they have games on the same day. This is Megan's first year playing and she made the Blue team which is Kayla's team. I am super exited that she made the team. It will be fun to watch them play together. Granted, they go to a private school where the level of play can be somewhat...sad! But it will be a great experience for Meg...somewhat frustrating for Kayla because she is an experienced player and is itching to play at the same level as Hayli. She will get to play high school next year and that will be a whole different ball game.



School is back in and I have begun teaching seminary. I was really worried about getting up so early and being "with it" but actually it has not been bad at all and I am not tired at all...well, until about 2:00 pm and then I want crawl in my bed and take a little nappie poo. No such luck on that one. Who has time for a nap? I wish I did, but then I would think I was wasting time and being lazy and would never get relaxed enough to fall asleep. So, I just press on and about 6 or 7 pm I become the wicked witch of the south. Not really but I am thinking about it! We went to the Braves game last night and took the kids. It was so much fun. We LOVE baseball. Well, pretty much all sports but especially baseball. I grew up going to my brothers' games and it is in my blood. I can remember biting my nails off watching my brother Jody pitch. PRESSURE! I felt it for him and I always feel for the pitcher more than any other player. Anyway, back to the story, I did not want to leave the game. It was just getting good and the Braves had finally got on the score board. Aybar made an incredible snag at third base (right infront of us ) and then there was a VERY exciting throw from Francoeur to Giles, then to Aybar, making for an intense out. (again, right infront of us. We had season tickets on row 4!!) But as I looked at the clock, I was already counting down how many hours I would have left to sleep by the time we got in the car..umm, actually found the car, then drove home...etc. I couldn't enjoy myself as much as I would have liked, but all in all, it was a BLAST and the Braves won..Go Braves! Before you know it, the Dawgs will be on the field and what is better than fall time in Georgia and college football!

Reminders.

Yesterday was a very emotional day. We had the funeral for a dear member of our ward pass away after a very long battle with cancer. We know that Heavenly Father has a plan and that the separation is short and she was so ready to go. For the past week or longer she has expressed her desire to go. The emotion was because we will miss her and my heart aches for her husband who fully understands the eternal perspective of things but I know he has lost a part of himself. Whenever I attend a funeral it really brings home the realty of how short our time here on earth actually is and that we never know when our time on earth or the time of someone very dear to us has come to an end. It really makes me think I need to take advantage of every moment I have with my loved ones. Hug them a little tighter, talk with them a little longer, and always let them know how much I love them. Sometimes we get so busy living life, we take for granted what means the most to us. I wish I didn't have to attend a funeral to be reminded.

Pictures say it all!

I have to explain some family history as to why this is hilarious (and my dad playing tennis is NOT the hilarious part.) Umm..my family is what you would call competitive! We are all athletic and enjoy playing things together that will allow us to display our extraordinary skills! It doesn't matter if it is on the field, on the court, on the track, or at the table playing games...we are competitive. We have most definitely passed this trait down to our own children. My children are, for the most part, competitive but I would say none come close to being as much so as Hayli. She has been that way all her life. She has been a top competitive gymnast, diver, cheerleader..among other sports such as softball, track, and her favorite, volleyball. She truly gives 110 percent and can be a fierce competitor...and THAT is what makes this so funny. Okay, on this particular day, my family had gotten together at my sister's and decided to hit the hard court for a mean game of tennis. My brother was paired with my niece Ashley, who plays for her high school and my dad was paired with Hayli. In the above picture, I have cut it in half to show the incredible skill, focus, and determination in which my dad can still throw down.(note the air time...go dad!) His partner on the other hand..........









ummm..no, not so much. She clearly is not as determined or even paying attention that her partner is about to slam a serve and there could possibly be a return! My mom took this picture and when I saw it I knew I had to have it! It makes me laugh every time I look at it. I have given Hayli such a hard time but even she thinks it is funny(sorta)....maybe her competitive streak isn't as strong as I thought......NAH!!

What is wrong with you people?

Okay, I realize that BB Allstars is a reality show and not exactly the most educational or informative show I could be watching OR that it is worthy of a national debate but PEOPLE...WHAT ARE YOU THINKING???!!! These Allstars are driving me crazy. Dr. Will is the most egotistical player I think I have ever seen in BB history. What was up with his speech last night at the Veto ceremony? And every time I hear him in the Diary room about how insulted he is that he is not nominated I want to throw something at the TV. Why do they not see him as a threat or at the very least a total annoyance with his I hate everybody, please nominate me, I'm the greatest BB player in history, I am now pastey white self. (BTW his spray tan at the nomination ceremony was HILARIOUS!)I have been out of town and just watched it today and I think it is CRAZY that they say they want to keep Will in the house. WWWHHHHYYYYYYYY? I know this is worthless television but it is my one guilty pleasure...well, until Survivor comes back on!

School of hard knocks..literally!

What is it about crutches that makes kids think they are so cool to play with. They are for injured people who after about a day on crutches want to pull their hair out. Ask Chandler..he decided to play with some adult crutches. ( which were suppose to be in the basement ) He thought he might go from the top floor of our house to the main floor which is 16 hardwood steps. He went head-first down them instead.. knocking his head in several places, busting his lip, cutting the top of his nose, bruising his legs, hurting his left ankle and breaking his little toe of that same foot and then fracturing his right foot...note the cast and CRUTCHES!!!! He is very lucky however, although his injuries aren't nice, it could have been a lot worse. We are just grateful he is okay. After about an hour with his cast on he is whining "it's hot and sweaty" and "mom, it's too tight." Oh, I know sweetie but you have to keep it on for a month. "I don't want to not play or swim for a month!" I know honey.
Let's just say, lesson learned!

The Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday Meggie!
Today is Suzie's birthday and poor girl had to spend half of it taking an entrance exam required for kids entering her grade at the private school she attends. Yuk! Hopefully, we will be able to salvage what is left of her special day and make it a good one!

Milestones.

Life is all about milestones. When I was a kid I would count the days until that upcoming life changing milestone. Once we become older and we have children of our own, it becomes about their milestones...the first time they roll over, when they take that first step, or when they loose their first tooth. Soon it is when they start school, when they turn eight and are baptized. Then it is all about the AGE and the freedom that comes from each advancement. When they are twelve they are ready for middle school and get to go onto YM/YW's. Once that long awaited moment comes it is met with their longing to be fourteen so they can attend dances, Youth Conference, and high school! But alas, even though that day was surely the highlight of their lives..it is not near as great as it will be when they turn SIXTEEN! Then the dreaded ( for mom and dad ) double D's..driving and dating! (group of course) However, turning eighteen to them, will be the greatest of all because it is off to college and they are officially ADULTS! Shortly after, the harsh realty will set in that ADULT= responsibility! This year we are reaching or have already reached many milestones in our family. I am truly enjoying the changes that come from each.



Chandler has reached the exciting milestone of turning eight. He had been so looking forward to that day when he could be baptized. It was a wonderful day. He is my only little boy and I enjoy him so much. He is a typical boy, I think...if this means he plays outside all day (even forgetting to eat sometimes ), he could wear the same thing every day and if it hasn't been washed that makes it even better, and he jumps over everything, throws everything, and destroys quite a bit in the process. I love watching him pal around with his dad but at the end of the day he is still momma's little boy!









My little SuzyQ. Her milestone is the one that breaks my heart! She is going to be an official MIDDLESCHOOLER! The end of the innocent. She is going from the somewhat kind and nurturing world of elementary to the harsh, crazy, eat you alive, world of middle school! what happens to kids between elementary and middle school? Somehow, they become hormone raging, fist fighting, teenager wannabes, trying to figure out where to fit in. I dread her being in this environment. Luckily, we have had great success with private school and a HUGE majority of those issues are not such a problem. Kids will still be kids but over all it is a much calmer environment. Doesn't the idea of someone being mean to your child make your blood boil? The very idea of someone hurting my Suzy's feelings gets me very upset. Aren't all parents that way? She is so sweet, creative, smart and makes friends so easy. I hope her experience will be a positive one and that she will make good friends. Oh, if I could protect my kids from the world...but it just doesn't work that way.


Sweet Kayla! Her milestone is one I can remember so well. Turning 14!! This allows church dances, youth conference, and EFY!! She is so longing to be able to participate in these things. She has watched her older sister be able to do all of them and hear how much fun they are! I told her the other day I thought when you are the oldest you can't wait to do things that you will be able to when you reach that certain age but it is not as bad because you don't really know what you are missing. But when you are younger, you know EXACTLY whet you are missing because you have an older sibling to remind you! She is such a social bug and thrives on being with people! She will start high school shortly after she turns 14, another milestone. She is so adorable and is pretty darn smart! She will have a blast going to the dances. Most of her friends are already going and that makes her even more anxious. No one likes to be left out. They look forward to her going too because she is so fun to be with and can definitely get her groove on!




Hayli's milestone is the least we are ready for. My baby is growing up! I am not ready for the double D's. Her driving scares me to death. Not her driving specifically, it is just the act of driving itself that I am afraid of. So many kids are killed nowadays on the roads! I got my license when I was 16 and was out driving on my own..with very little experience! It is a wonder I didn't kill someone or myself. (I did have an accident within a week or two of getting my license but thank goodness it was minor!) The second D ( dating ) I am less concerned about...although my husband is going to probably have a nervous breakdown until she leaves for college. ( Too much interest in his little girl and he doesn't think any are good enough for her...typical Dad, right?) We are VERY fortunate. When it comes to boys, Hayli is unteenagerly-like smart! She is very spiritual minded and the idea of having a "steady boyfriend" is years down the road in her mind. She wants to date ALOT but she just wants to go out with good guys, mission bound a must, with no pressure. Needless to say this narrows her choices, but she is perfectly okay with that! She is kind of shy and wouldn't know if a guy liked her if he advertised it on a billboard. She is so beautiful inside and out! It is going to be interesting to watch..I hope her Dad can survive it!

I'm on a blog binge...somebody stop me!

Okay, today I blog for the first time in my life and next thing you know I am blogging three times already today. Hello! Did I forget about the whole "I don't have time to blog" and "I don't need another commitment" GEEZ! Maybe it is because I have been sick the last few days and have been preblogging in my head with the idea that I wouldpossibly blog today and now it is just all rushing out in this big blog binge! Step away from the computer!!!!!! Well... since I am already blogging, it wouldn't hurt to just put up one small blog about my two youngest kiddies, right? They are so cute together. They are two peas in a pod except Meg is a girl and Chandler is a boy and 3 years younger than his sister. Nevertheless, they hardly leave each others side during the day. Where one goes the other goes...unless Meg has a friend over, then Chandler is usually demoted to annoying little brother. I am glad they have each other! Chandler loves Megan to death and Megan loves Chandler when none of her friends are around...but even then she'll let him hang around or be their little slave. And he is happy to do it!

So sweet....

Sisters....




I am constantly in awe of the dynamics between my girls. They are sisters...sometimes that means they are the best of friends and sometimes it means they want to rip each others hair out! One minute I hear them yelling at each other about why something one borrowed from the other last week is still on their closet floor DIRTY and the next minute they are laying on one or the others bed laughing and talking in some secret code that only they can understand or making up crazy dances to video text. It is fascinating! I love having daughters. They are moody and emotional but I have begun to get a glimpse of the true friendships I will have forever!

To blog or not to blog...that is the question?

Seriously, this has been a question I have asked myself many times. First of all, I DO NOT have time to blog! And we all know nothing is worse than an irregular blogger...you check their blog periodically and it is the same as it was the last three times you checked. Somehow there is this commitment there to not just blog at your leisure but to entertain everyone who reads your blog! Well, that is too much pressure for me. I do not need another commitment in my life. Furthermore, I am very much against kids and the whole myspace thing. I have seen good kids be exposed to not very good people and things and because of that my kids have not been allowed to have one. ( Not that they ever really wanted one to begin with. ) So I had to ask myself, is having a family blog that much different than kids having a myspace? I have come to the conclusion that it is. I may decide that it is not tomorrow, who knows, but I do enjoy reading my families blogs and even their friends and families blogs and it is all very family oriented. So today.. I will blog!