Busy Baby

Brookelyn Shae is one busy baby...really. This little punkin has learned to set up, crawl, and pull up... all this month. She is 6 months, but she acts much older. Anna walked in on her yesterday and she was standing up in her bed and about to fall out of it (She was still using the co-sleep bassinet)... So it's time for her big girl bed (her crib) now. She spent all day yesterday pulling up...it's her new thing and she is loving it This little stinker will probably walk early. She already tries when you hold her hands. Her Uncle Jon and  Uncle Jacob both walked in their 7th month. Anna(her mom) walked at 9 months. Aunt Katie walked at 10 months and Aunt Ashley at 11 months.

She is 17 lbs now. She is eating all baby foods and loving them..all except apple sauce.

 She takes her walker and she runs in it. She already tries to get into everything. So we are going to have our hands full. Another thing she does, is when you tell her to give you kisses, she will...that melts her MeMe's heart.

Everyday she does something new.

She's a busy little girl already,but  I LOVE it!

Update on Bailey

Just stopping by to update you on Bailey. Yesterday, she fell and stuck a stick in her eye,but she is fine. It didn't punture the eye, it only scratched the eye. They gave us antibiotics for the eye and said she will be fine. We are so thankful that she is okay. She is here now and she is spending the weekend with us. Thanks for the prayers for Miss Bailey.

Howellville News

Hello from Howellville! I figured it was a good time for an update.
Our week started off great. On Monday, we took a trip to Peep Forest Park and had a GREAT time! The kids enjoyed the fountains and the playground and I enjoyed being able to sit down and relax with a good book.  I just started a new book "Real Moms...Real Jesus" by Jill Savage. It is another really good book. I just love Jill. She & I have very similar personalities and I think that's why I click with her. Maybe I will do a review once I'm done with it.
Monday night things started going down hill, Little Jelly Bean's alarm went off several times. I called the apnea center and they said to disregard them because they were false alarms and that she was okay. But, I still didn't feel comfortable with that...I guess it's a mom thing,so I set up with her. By morning,she was really struggling with her breathing. She was breathing short fast breaths and couldn't even cry. I called her pediatrician and left a message,but she never called me back. As the hours passed,she got even worse. So we decided to not wait on the doctor, instead we headed to the ER. She ended up spending Tuesday night in the hospital. After several breathing treatments and steroid shots, she started breathing better and feeling better. She really scared us. While we were at one hospital, my son-in-law was at another. He hurt his self at work. He injured his foot. They said that it wasn't broken, but that his xrays showed that he had broken it before. However, he said that he has never broken that foot. So not sure exactly what he has done,but he's been in a good bit of pain and they've got him using crutches for a few days.
On Wednesday, we pretty much laid around and slept as much as we could. After two nights with less than 4 hours of sleep we were all exhausted.
Today, we got up early and took Katie to the doctor. It was time for her re-check on the eye condition she has. I decided to take her to see a different doctor this time. He confirmed once again that she does indeed have the condition "Nevus of Ota". He asked me who diagnosed her to begin with and I told him and he said that her other doctor was exactly right and that is exactly what she has. He said it's just so rare. Then he tells us the good news, that they didn't find any tumors on the eye or any sign of cancer in the moles behind her eye. Then he goes on to tell us that if the moles turn to cancer that they are seldom fatal and that radiation works really well for that type of cancer if it's found early and that nevus of ota can lead to blindness. I looked at him and I thought to myself, why is he telling us this. We will cross that bridge if we have to,but for now I don't want to know this. I didn't want him saying stuff, especially infront of Katie, but then I remembered she is 18 now and not a kid,but she's my baby. I still want to protect her. I don't want anything to upset her and I don't want her to hear all the "if this happens" stuff.  Cancer and children should never be put together in a sentence...ever. God bless the families who have to go through that...I can't even imagine. I pray we never do.
We left that appointment and I was on my way to get Bailey ,when I got a call saying not to come because  Bailey was on her way to the hospital. She has fallen and stuck a stick in her eye. Not real sure what will come out of that. I'm anxiously awaiting the call from her aunt. However,I did get to talk to Bailey for a second and she wanted me to come to the hospital. I told her that I couldn't but that I would be there this evening because I have to take Jelly Bean to another appointment. I hate knowing my baby is there and I am here. When my kids hurt,I hurt too. No,Bailey is not my child, but in my heart she feels like mine and I want to fix all her hurts and take away all her pains and that has been really hard for me. I'll update you all on Bailey as soon as I hear something.
It has been a trying week on my heart. I just try to remember that God will never give me more than I can handle,but I sure hope that things are about to turn around for us. Keep all of these I mentioned in your prayers.
Well, I don't want to end with all bad news...so here is some VERY good news. My Mom is doing soooooooooo much better!!! Praise God!!!! The pain in her legs are gone. After being in constant pain for nine months, and not being able to sleep, walk very far, or even able to lay down, she can now!!!! She feels sooooo much better. I'm so happy to have my Mom back. She actually told me yesterday that Christmas was coming up and that we are going to be able to go shopping together this year. What a blessing. Thank you Lord!!!!!!!!

Milestone Months Giveaway!

My friend Tracie over at Ordinary Inspirations is hosting this awesome baby giveaway! If you have a baby or know someone with a baby, then you need to enter this giveaway for a chance to win. You will be entering to win one of the Milestone Months onesies like the little baby is wearing above.

They have months one through twelve to choose from!

Also, if you stop by the Milestone Months website you can order each month individully or in packages (3 months) of your choice.

Here is an example...

I sure wish I had found these before,because they are perfect for monthly pictures. I have entered to win one for sweet Brookelyn Shae and I hope you will enter to win too.

Best wishes,

Peep Forest Park

Oh Happy Day! 

Yesterday, we woke up early and packed up our bags  for a trip to Peep Forest Park. The kids had a blast playing in the fountains and on the playground. The weather was hot,but the fountains kept everyone wet & cool. Even the babies LOVED playing in the water.

 While we were there, the ice cream man came through pushing his little ice cream cart. The kids thought that was so cool. I think that was the part they liked best.

 I remember as a child we had an ice cream man that came by everyday at noon,but my kids had never gotten to experience that, until yesterday. We had the best time.

 It was just a really fun day!

(You can click on picture to enlarge it...if you'd like.)

MeMe's Sweetheart

6 months ago God blessed our lives with this

precious little girl. I can't even begin to tell

you the joy she has added to our lives.

We love you so much

Brookelyn Shae

Love,

PawPaw & MeMe

Way to Go Beulahland!

(You can click on picture to enlarge it.)

Our church took part in the "Community Makeover 2010". We were just one church out of 80 in our area that participated. Can you imagine what 80 churches and the thousands of volunteers accomplished this weekend?
Above is a few pics of just some of the activities we took part in.
A few projects & activities that our church did was to fix the roof of a family with nine kids, painted/touched up the home of a widow, cleaned gutters at another home, pressure washed an elderly's home, fed our local firemen, supplied 50 classrooms with supplies, cut grass, and fed all volunteers. It was just an amazing weekend of serving others.
Tonight, they are having closing services and all 80 churches and the thousands of people are coming together to share what was accomplished this weekend!

Community Makeover 2010

Well, it's finally here!!!! After all the work and planning...it is here! To say I'm excited is speaking lightly. I am so excited! I can only imagine how many lives will be touched and changed forever this weekend.
So what is community makeover 2010? To put it simply...It is a group of 80 + churches and thousands of people ,coming together for one weekend to make a difference in our community and in the lives of others, through various projects & activities. It's a weekend of serving the Lord ,through serving others.
Last year, we had 4000 volunteers and 35 churches...so I can't even imagine what a difference 80 churches will make...wow...that's all I can say.
I've been asked to be one of the photographers for this event and that is such an honor. But, I will also get the opportunity to help out with the various projects which is very exciting to me.
You can help too! Yes,even you. How you ask? Through prayer. Pray that God's will be done and that the love of Jesus will show through each volunteer and pray that if any among us are lost ,that this will be the weekend that the seed will be planted ,and that they will come to accept Jesus as the Savior. Keep us in your prayers.
More Info- From Engage Atlanta
And even more info- Paul Richardson Online
 Plus More-Times Georgian

Complete Randomness

This is just another of those RANDOMness post. You know, the kind that is over crowded with things that really don't matter to anyone but me. It's just something to post about I guess.
Well, here is my randomness for today.

While I'm posting this, this is what the kids are doing...so no they are not unattended or out of sight.

They built an awesome tent using a blanket and 4 bar stools:)

For lunch today, I decided I really wanted a fried green tomato...

not the movie...lol (although it is awesome too). No, I wanted

the kind you eat and I wanted it on a sandwich. 

So I headed out to the garden to pick a few...

and found these yummy little things:)

Aren't they dandy?

So I added them to the lunch menu too...yummy!

Then I headed to the kitchen and started cooking.

This wasn't the only cooking I did today.

I also cooked up a batch of laundry soap.

My friend Kristy gave me the idea several months ago

and even sent me a bar of

soap ...she's a sweetheart for sure!

So I made my own and it saved me $$$$$.

Here is my recipe...

Or to be exact....

Homemade Laundry Soap

First, mix the grated soap in a saucepan with 4 cups of water, and heat on low until the soap is completely dissolved. Add hot water/soap mixture to 3 gallons of water in the 5-gallon bucket, stir in the washing soda and Borax, and continue stirring until thickened. Let the mix sit for 24 hours, and you will have your own homemade laundry detergent and it is much cheaper than buying it and yes you can use any kind of soap you like.

~~~~~~~

As you can tell it worked well on my towels.

 The weather was pretty enough to hang them out to dry on the line,

 which also saved us $$$$$$....and that's ALWAYS a good thing.

See my sweet little baby grand-daughter....

She is the apple of her MeMe's eyes.

She is 6 months old now and growing like a little weed.

She is learning to belly crawl and can say ,"mama","dada",

and "boh boh"(bottle)...not "meme" yet,but we are working on it.

She can also set up by herself now.

She's a sweety for sure.

Her adorable little bonnet was made by my friend

Julie over at The Rodman's Road Of Life

It is perfect to protect her little bald head on

these sunny summer days.

Thanks so much Julie!!!

We love it!!!!

I hope you are all having a great Thursday too:)

If not, just look on the bright side, tomorrow is Friday:)

Well, that is my randomness for today.

Now, I'm off to a two hour meeting with DFCS...grrrrr

Family Reunion

Hubby's mom's side of the family

The "Dudley & Holder" side

had their family reunion on

July 18th.

(Click if you would like to enlarge picture)

~~~~~~~~

"Our most basic instinct is not

for survival but for family.

 Most of us would give our own life for

 the survival of a family member,

yet we lead our daily life too often as

 if we take our family for granted."

~Paul Pearshall

Updates From Howellville

Here in Howellville we have been VERY busy this weekend. On Friday, we had our regular girls night out. We went shopping & out to eat. I always enjoy spending Fridays with my daughters and with friends.  It's something we started a few years ago and I've really enjoyed the time with my girls. I hope it's something we always share. The boys have their boy's night out with dad too, at the same time we do...usually.
On Saturday, my plans went down the drain, but that's okay...it turned out to be a great Saturday. We had originally planned to attend the annual Homespun festival ,that we always attend. But,the weather wasn't good. I just couldn't picture us taking the babies and it coming a down pour on us(since Homespun is held outdoors), so we decided to pass that up. Instead ,we went to the movies.

The big kids watched "Grown Ups" ,but the little ones and me watched "Despicable Me"..which turned out to be a really cute movie.
I forgot to mention, we also had little Bailey this weekend! She called us on Thursday wanting to come, so we went and got her and she stayed all weekend! I always enjoy having her here with us.
On Sunday, Hubby's mom's side had their family reunion (Dudley & Holder). We had a great turn out and some delicious food. We had a really good time.
After the reunion, my bunch went over to my mom's. She is recovering from back surgery and is doing really good!!! PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!!!! I couldn't believe how good she was doing. It made my whole day seeing her feeling better. I expected to see her laying there in pain. She was actually setting up and smiling from ear to ear. She was so happy to see us & the kids.
As I said it's been a very busy weekend,but a really good one.

New pictures coming soon!

Anyhow, I hope you all had a great weekend too!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have resolved that from this day

on, I will do all the business I can

honestly, have all the fun I can

reasonably, do all the good I can

willingly, and to dwell on things

more pleasantly.

Happy 6 months!

Happy 6 months sweet baby girl!

Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip

This is what we are having for lunch today.

This is one of my favorite "lunch"recipes. I often fix it for a quick lunch for me and the teens. However, when I fix it,we do not add the bleu cheese dressing, because none of us like it,but you might. Also, you can use any kind of cheese you like. We usually use mozzarella.
We also serve ours on flour tortillas chips. We buy the flour tortillas and cut them in squares to make chips and then we bake them to make them crispy. They are not nearly as fattening as bagged chips or crackers. You can actually even buy them in fat free or low fat.

Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip

1 package softened cream cheese

2 cups cooked chunked boneless skinless chicken breast

chunky bleu cheese dressing

hot wing sauce

1 package shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Spread cream cheese in bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Mix hot wing sauce with the chicken and pour on top of the cream cheese, spread the chunky bleu cheese dressing over chicken mixture and top with Monterey Jack cheese.

Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve with your favorite crackers or chips.

What A Month This Has Been...already.

It seems July and August tend to be our most busy months and this year seems no different. We've had alot and I do mean alot going on here. It has been a great month in it's own way ,but also a trying month for our family. I figured, I would take a moment and do a family update (for those that do enjoy keeping up with our family). Pretty soon, our family updates will be found over on " Our Family Yearbook" Blog, but until it is done (Fall 2010), I'm going to keep adding them here.
Instead of adding hundreds of pictures,I decided to just add my calendar with a few pics from this month of things we've done. You can click on the picture to view it larger.
As you can tell we've been on the go. We are a family that enjoys activities and we stay pretty busy. It seems someone always comes up with something to do and the rest of us just kinda follow along:)
Once upon a time, someone said, "You shouldn't homeschool your kids, because your kids will be deprived of activity and socilization and they will never be normal"....this same relative now homeschools. I'm glad I showed them that it's not like that. We actually have more freedom...really and we do actually get out and do things together.
This month has also came with it's fair share of problems. As some of you know, my oldest son was really sick for about 3 weeks. I took him to the  doctor and the doctor sent us to have some scans done. After a few tests and two weeks of waiting for results, they finally called today and decided what was wrong with him. They said his lympnodes were inflamed. I've never heard of it,but that's what they said. I took him in complaining with pain next to his private area. Within a couple of days the pain moved to his chest & back. Within a week, he was hurting all over, vomitting, running fever, having back spasms, and losing weight...over 20 lbs to be exact. He was one sick boy, but he started feeling better about 2 days ago and seems to be improving more every day. It really scared us all and not knowing what was wrong, was the worst of all. We do not know for sure what caused it. They just said he was probably fighting off some type of super germ/sickness. I thank God that it wasn't anything else.
Also, after being off the NG tube for a few days, sweet little Jelly Bean had a set back. She decided to stop eating again and started loosing weight. So we had to put the NG tube back in,but we took it back out yesterday and she is doing good. On Saturday, we also had a big scare with her. She stopped breathing on us again during the night. She has done this a couple of other times since we've had her. It's like she gets so sleepy, that she forgets to breathe. Thank goodness her heart & lung monitor sounded off to alert us. After I jumped up from bed, grabbed her up,and played around with her, she woke up and started crying and then her breathing went back to normal. She knows how to get me out of the bed.... fast.

I was out and about yesterday and I found a new book to read. Everyone that knows me,knows I love books. I am especially fond of books written by Christian authors that encourage and inspire other brothers and sisters in Christ. We all need it on this journey. The book, "Traveling Light" is by Max Lucado. Little did I know that it would be exactly what I needed right now. I've just started reading it and I'm only on page 40,but what I've already read, has spoke to my heart and helped me to see some things I'm hanging on to.

This book is about "Releasing the burdens you were never intended to bear". It's talking about how we carry baggage(burdens) that weigh us down and how we can let them go and free up ourselves from guilt, discontent, worry, anger, jealousy, resentment, frustration, etc. This book is based on the 23 Psalm and explains what that verse from the Bible means in great detail. Once I'm finished, I'll tell you more about this book. If you can relate to feeling weighed down and buriedup to your head, then this may be a book you would enjoy too.

*Prayer Request*

As I write this my mother is in surgery. This is the final surgery they can do on her. They've done everything they can to help my mom with the problems she's been having. Please keep her in your prayers and pray this is the surgery that will take away the pain she's been living with daily. Mom's really had a hard time and she is discouraged.

Also,

My Nanny fell a few weeks ago. She fell during the night and was not able to use her alert necklace to call for help. She lay bleeding for 3 + hours ,before she was found. She lost a huge amount of blood and had to have several staples in her head. This week they gave her blood in hopes of building her up. She just hasn't been doing well at all. Please keep her in your prayers.

Well, I guess that is about it. I hope you all are having a good week.

Keep us in your prayers.

God bless you all. ((hugs))

BTW-I'm sure I have a few words not spelled right. I type fast and tend to mess up from time to time. I usually use spell check ,but it seems to not be working today...sorry.

Today's Devotion

Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.


Thoughts-
It is easy to acquire the mindset that the situations we face in life are much worse than anyone else. We can become so consumed by our troubles that they are all that we see and think about. As a result we spend endless hours swimming in a pool of self-pity. During these times we are not edifying God with our lives or our actions. The cure for a heavy heart is the presence of God, simply sitting quietly before Him and listening as He speaks His comfort and wisdom to our hearts. There is nothing in this life that is more fulfilling or precious then the time we spend taking every situation and every worry before Him. There is no feeling greater than the joy and peace that replaces our load. God is never annoyed by us; He is always there and ready to listen to us, to calm us, to give us rest, to renew our sense of purpose and self worth, to heal our hurts, and to give us hope. Life will continue to have its disappointments and every day will not always be good, but the presence of God is our retreat; it is the sanctuary for our souls.

Boys Will Be Boys...

Playing in the rain and getting dirty is one of their

 favorite things...next to teasing their sisters...lol

~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday, we had a nice summer shower

and the boys went out to play in it.

I set on the porch with camera in hand and just watched.

They had sooooo much fun and giggles.

It was even more fun with friends:)

He was standing where the water was running off the house.

Slip and Slides are more fun in the rain!

You should try it sometime...even if you are wearing jeans.

Boys

Boys come in all shapes and sizes

Always adventurous and full of surprises

With misshapen halos and mischievous grins

Dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy and yet all the while

Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.

And no greater treasure has brought home more joy

Than a curious, active and *sometimes* sweet little boy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boys...

The world would be a boring place without them.

Don't he look like he is just being sweet??? LOL

Well, don't let that sweet smile fool you.

He was trying to figure out what he could do next....

After much thought, he had an idea...

He had a wonderful awful idea...

See his perfect little brother just standing there

doing nothing at all but being cute..lol

I knew it didn't look good...

Jon + Bucket =A soaked little brother

There is never a dull moment around here,
because I'm the VERY blessed mom of some
mischievous boys.
~~~~~~~~~
But noone was hurt in the process
and they all cleaned up just fine!

I love having boys!!!!!

Speaking of boys...

Tonight is boys night out ,but not with their Daddy this time.

I'm taking the boys out to their favorite restaurant and then

to see Toy Story in 3D. I'm excited about it!

Update...

Hubby decided to join us:) The boys wanted Stevie B's and we went and watched Toy Story. Toy Story was really good. Jacob LOVED it! Jelly Bean enjoyed it too. She never made a sound the whole movie. It was just a nice evening spent with my favorite boys and Lil Bean:)

Have a goodnight everyone!

~~~~~~

(Please note- The two other boys in the pictures are not mine.

The dark haired one is my past foster son that was over to play,

and the younger one is my friend's little boy)

Grape Salad Desert

Ingredients:

2 lbs green seedless grapes

2 lbs red seedless grapes

8 ounces sour cream

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, to taste

Topping Ingredients

1 cup brown sugar, packed, to taste

1 cup crushed pecans, to taste

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,and he will direct thy paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Got Happiness???

If anyone would tell you the

shortest,surest way to happiness

and perfection, he must tell you to,

make it a rule to yourself to thank

and praise God for everything that

happens to you. For it is certain

that whatever seeming calamilty

happens to you, if you thank and

praise God for it, you turn it into
a blessing.

Uh Oh!!!!

This is what happens when you

give teenagers chalk...really.

They decorated the walk...

the porch...

the side of the house...

the driveway...

their daddy's truck

and even our front door...really:)

~~~~~~~

(Tiffany drew the Beware of children right at the front door...

Yes ,she meant to draw the "F" that way...lol)

Our walkway

This is what you see as soon as you turn in our driveway.

This is what is on the side of our house...geeee Katie...lol

awwwww....I thought this was sweet:)

By Katie

By Tiffany

So beware this could happen to your house too,

if you give a teen sidewalk chalk.