I assume most anyone reading this is coming here via Facebook.  In which case you know a lot of what is posted on here.  I thought I would take some time to tell about why I am back to blogging, at least for a hot second. Four weeks ago began as a normal day.  Except the kids were out of school and Mark had the day off work.  There was no rush to the day.  We all lazed about for the better part of the morning.  We had nothing on the calendar for the day and it was nice to just take our time.  I was finally ready to go ahead and shower at about one or so in the afternoon.  I went upstairs to gather my clothes and thought I should go ahead and start a load of laundry before I hopped in the shower.  I sorted about two loads into the basket.  Made the trip down the main staircase.  Made my way to the basement stairs and began my descent down the more narrow, more steep, and not quite fixed stairs.  I hit the third or so stair fro...

We moved into this house almost four months ago.  The amount of work that it needed (and still needs) was even more than I think we realized.  Luckily the inspection showed no major issues.  We got to work firstly doing demo.  Hundreds of square feet of carpet, which lead to thousands of staples, furniture, drapes, wallpaper, odd cabinets, horribly placed dishwasher, and fabric on walls, to name a few, filled a 30 cubic foot dumpster.  Then began the arduous task of putting it all back together. So we will start with a fairly simple reno.  The main staircase.  Beautiful, old, and also gross. So I set about changing that view.  This is after the carpet was up, but before anything else was done. First, was painting the handrails and spindles.   You can also catch glimpses of the wall color coming in as well.  One color that goes from entryway, up through the second floor main hallway.   The next step...

This is a story that began about  a year ago.  What has prompted me to write it? I took  a tumble down the stairs, breaking my ankle essentially five times.  This has left me laid up in bed for the better part of the day.  This is a story that will span a variety of topics, emotions, truth, hard work, heartache, lessons, spiritual musing, friends, and family.  I plan to keep it all as real as possible.  In the process you will see a move and a renovation of a new home.  You will see the loss of a pet.  You will see the addition of new family, both by blood and by God.  You will see a spiritual walk that has seen more highs and more lows than I have ever experienced in my life happen in one year.  You will see life being lived, trying to follow God.  You will see the good.  You will see the bad.  And you might see some of the ugly.  So life goes. We will begin at about a year ago when Mark first mentioned moving...

Sigh. In what is the last push to work on the house and possibly meet with a realtor to see if we can actually list this the house, I am worn. Painting just about everything that stands still takes some time and some elbow grease. As well as the little things: making sure all light bulbs are working, hanging light fixtures, cleaning cabinets and walls, the list goes on. As a result of trying to mark things off the list, I have found a sense of pride in our home. For sure it has its own issues, and we are too far from work for the man of the house, but in painting and cleaning there is a bit of renewed sense of what drew us to this house all those years ago. I know that when the sign does go up (Lord willing by the end of this calendar year), it will be bittersweet. And I know that when it does actually sell (Lord willing without sitting on the market for a loooooong time), it will be cause me to catch my breath. All my babies came home to this house. It has been home. For over a ...

My baby girl has completed one trip around the sun. Currently, she can dance. And talk. And she will take a few steps at a time. She is a joy and a blessing. She is also a little bit of trouble. I am in disbelief that an entire year has flown by. (And Emmaline was kind enough to point out that Xander is using the potty and Elodie is walking, we have no more babies. ) My dolly, Mama has delighted in your presence. At times in the last year, you were the bright spot in dreary days. You have been a blessing not only to me, but to your siblings as well. With your blond hairs and your baby blue eyes, you light up a room. Your personality shines through already and I can see how....shall we say.....determined you are going to be in life. My little princess, you are indeed the baby. You wear the title well. I am thankful each day that you chose us as your family. Thank you. I will love you forever and you will always be my baby. Your Mama

....and listen to a story of a phenomenal woman that I had the honor of knowing. My Gramma, Oleta Marie Herndon, went to rock babies in heaven this week. I know this is what she is doing. Because it is what she did while we had her here on earth with us. This woman, My Gramma, is the one who knew how to love unconditionally. She never seemed to judge. She loved her family fiercely. And boy did she love to rock babies and sing to them. I spent a good deal of time with Gramma growing up. She was always up for playing games. Watching me run and swing in the yard. And rocking me and singing softly to me in her chair. I am sure we all process grief differently. I am sure we all look back with possibly a few regrets and with memories that stick out to us. I am sure this is unique to each person. I regret that I did not get over to see Gramma much in recent years. I always thought there was tomorrow. Even once we knew she was sick with Alzheimer's, I always thought there was ...

Oh my......just under two weeks to go. The nesting has begun. The freak outs are coming. In no time we will be a family of six.....wow. I am trying to get some small things done around the house. I find it amazing how God shoots you with a burst of energy in the final moment before you bring a new life home. Just little odds and ends to take care of. I have also found it funny how I worry at times about the kids sharing rooms. Yet, due to a mother in law who is kind enough to come and clean and organize our house, the kids all slept in Xanders room because of the smell of the cleaner. They only needed to sleep there Friday night. Three days later......they are still sleeping in there. I think it is great that the kids seem to love to be together that way. I hope it is something they never really outgrow. That closeness. Our family will have an exciting few months coming up. Not only bebe number 4, many holidays, birthdays......but some special things for my oldest kids. We ...

I think I super stink. Only two posts this whole month? Yikes. What a slacker. I do not have anything profound to say today either. Just felt like something should be put on here. The weather is sucking my brain out of my head. Enough with winter already. Sometimes I think I am odd. Well, I am fairly certain I am odd in a lot of ways. But I was thinking about this today... It is a Saturday. And being the Facebook addict I am, I read a lot of status updates. One friend had said she was going out tonight. You know, with adults. For a second I was envious. A night out with adults?!?!?! How stimulating! How fun! How exciting! Then it passed. And I realized that if I actually con someone into keeping all of my kids, I would rather go out to dinner alone with Mark. I am otherwise fairly content to be at home. I wonder if this makes me super odd. Do not misread me. I will leave the house. I am not a hermit and am not afraid of the public. It was just that for that one mo...

I am fully aware that is has been eons since I last posted. And one would think since it had been so long I would have something profound to say. That someone would be wrong. Twelve years ago today, Mark proposed. (I know, cheesy.) We had already discussed marriage. I mean, at the old age of 19 and 20 and after dating for a whopping four months, who has not discussed it? So Valentine's Day was just the "official" popping of the question. Funny what you remember...... We went to see Fools Rush In (love me some Salma) and had a late dinner at Macaroni Grill. Mark proposed on the Plaza. It was freezing cold outside. Twelve years ago....we celebrate our twelve year wedding anniversary in May. Yes, I can do the math. We dated for five months before getting engaged and then were engaged for just over three months before getting married. Making that eight months from start to finish. Is that not normal? Ah, well. So it goes. I would do it the same way all over aga...

Today is the day my oldest son turns five years old. I am not sure where the years went..... My Boogie, You bless me each and every day with your love of life. Your enthusiasm and your imagination never cease to amaze me. Your love of music and your ability to be reached through music is inspiring. Your energy is endless. Your love knows no bounds. You were given to me for a short time by our Heavenly Father. I was entrusted to care for you, love you, and guide you. I was given this honor and an honor it is. You touch people by your very existence. For the last five years you have graced me with your humor and your love. I am watching you grow into a young man. One who told me the other day that when he can drive, he will borrow my car and take me out on a date. I am holding you to that. One who loves with no end in sight. My Boogie, thank you. For being you and allowing me to be your mommy. I will love you until the end of time. And for always, you will be my baby, my Boogie, my son.

Today is the day. Today is the day that America will swear in the first African American President. Today brings hope for many, many people. I do not think my kids get what today means. Not in the short term and by far not in the long term. My kids are living history in the making and I do not think they quite get what that means. Emmaline was about a year and a half when 9/11 happened. She has no idea what that was, but she was with me as I watched those towers fall. And it is documented in one of her baby books as well. She was living history in a way that I never did. All three of my kids are here today. As the inauguration plays on the t.v., they wonder why mama is making them watch the news. (we never watch the news in this house) Today marks a change not only for us, not only for America, but for people all over the world. Today I am thankful for the change on the horizon. I am thankful for a sovereign God who knows all. I am thankful for the One above who has His hand in ALL thi...

That I suck. Thanks Mimi for the reminder. (-; Um, too much to update? I guess I will give it the old college try. December was crazy. After about the 16th or so there was a lot of life to live. We made a trek for an out of town wedding. Emmaline played the role of flower girl so we had to be there for the rehearsal as well. Made for a long weekend vacation. The wedding was gorgeous (a cousin got married and now we have another chick in the family!) and Emma did her job well. The kids had fun staying in a hotel and it was nice to take a break from every day life. It was crazy, but fun! Emma also had to go get her hair done at the salon and she was not a fan. But she put on her big girl panties and did great. Emmaline's hair do The flower girl...isn't she gorgeous??? My monkey's Stay still... for one more. A family picture After that we ran right into Christmas and family celebrations. We had a lovely holiday with all the people that we love. Christmas Eve was ...

I have never really been a daddy's girl. I know there is a difference in the father's relationship with his daughter. Growing up I was mama's girl. My sister was older than me by five years and got married young. She moved far away, so by the age of 14 I was basically an only child. My mom and I spent a lot of time together. Our relationship was always closer than most, I imagine. But even though I was mama's girl, I knew there was something special and different about my daddy and me. Today, my kids and I called Papa, told him to get ready, we would be on our way soon. We were going to get him and take him with us to Bass Pro. Why? Why not. Daddy is an outdoor man. He knows his stuff. We had not been to the Bass Pro here yet and it seemed like a nice and fun thing to do. Little did I know.... As I watched my own father take each of my kids by the hand, or pick up my youngest child from his stroller, something came over me. This overwhelming feeling. That...

Rock on Tank. I promise to get to more of your games in the future. I suck. I just got done watching one of the most awesome things I have ever had the honor of watching. A slide show of my nephew, aka Tank. The pictures told the story of him well. Kicking it on the soccer field. Pure awesomeness. Seriously. Pure awesomeness. While I did not get to many games (as stated above because I suck) I did get to the final game of the HIT tournament. In time to see Tank get a yellow card for taking down that silly kid. And to capture second place. Be sure and send me the schedule for the next session. I am going to print it, highlight it and come to more games. That way, when he is playing Pro ball, I can say, "I knew him when...."

I have often felt very blessed by the family I have. Both my family that I was born into and the family I married into. I know that what I have surrounding me is rare. It is the norm around here is go to my sister's house once a week, if possible. She has three older kids with lots of activities so it can be hard. But at the very least, it is once every other week. Not only is this great for our kids, it has been for us as well. I am not sure that I have ever felt as close to my sister as I do right now. She is undoubtedly my best friend. Not only that, but her kids are.....awesome. They just are. I love them as if they were my own kids. You just have to know these young people. I send them e-mails sometimes and the responses I get.....I read them over and over and wonder how I got so lucky to be their aunt. They are just that phenomenal. No joke. It is beyond words what those kids mean to me. It seriously warms my heart just to see them. To see my nieces and nephew...

I say this a lot. This kid is.....so strange. I have been doing some preschool with Davis. Mostly to keep him out of trouble while Emma is doing school. But also because he was not writing any letters. I was at a loss because Emma learned her letters in preschool. As in one I paid to send her to. And because she seemed interested in learning her letters. Oh. And she is not left handed. I was first not sure how to teach Davis to write because as I said I did not teach Emma. Then, I thought it could not be too hard, right? Wrong. Davis.....marches to a different drum. Actually, I am not sure it is a drum at all that he is hearing. I think it might be some bagpipes or some other different instrument. It may not be an instrument at all. This kid, he is like a puzzle to solve. And he keeps things to himself. For example, he never really drew a lot. He would color and scribble on paper but never really drew any sort of picture. Then one day I notice an animal drawn on the doo...

We have started the new home school year. Yes I realize I am nuts. No need to point out the obvious people. So far, so good. I am enjoying the more free schooling we have adapted for this year. Fits my personality better. And we all know, if mama ain't happy..... So it goes. Another year to begin. I am not sure what it is about this time of the year. But I like it. The weather is cooler already. It is as if with fall comes a new chapter in life. Or just as the leaves change, so does your view. A new beginning if you will. I hate to admit this out loud, but having the baby hit me harder than I expected. Everyone said that adding number three was seamless. Once you have two, one more is no big deal. Either they lied or I am a freak. Because it kicked my arse. I think I am just now coming out of the baby fog. And it feels good. Do not get me wrong. I love the little guy. But it has not been easy. Mostly on my mind. Which as anyone who knows me can attest to, is...

My youngest boy turned seven months old last week. I took some photos that day of my little guy sleeping. I sat and watched him. Marveled at the sight of him. Sighed because he is growing too fast like they all do. My sleeping angel.... Sweet perfection.... Kissable feet.... Chubby fingers.... Xander has learned how to sit up big and proud as well. He gets the tongue thing from his father. I think he knows how adorable he is.... **Sigh** Pure love that boy. Pure love.