May. 15, 2008 - Ba-NANA Pudding

My mom lived with us for too years before recently getting married. (Just kidding Jennifer -- two years, just making sure you were paying attention)  She now lives about an hour away.  My daughter misses her terribly.  Julia has been asking Nana if they could make banana pudding together.  Early yesterday, Mom had a doctor's appointment, then came to our house -- with ingredients.   Julia was surprised to see her.  They made ba-NANA pudding together.  It was the highlight of her week.

In the afternoon, after Nana had gone, Julia was playing with some toys saying, "This is George, this is Nana, and this is Julia."  I asked, "Where's Mommy?"  She pushed all the other toys aside (except George, Nana and herself) and delcared, "Mommy's not here."  That made me feel great!  

Mom's "house" downstairs is still furnished like it was when she lived here.  This is quite confusing for Julia who constantly asks if "Nana's coming home when she's done with that?"  I assume "that" is George.    She's too funny.

I guess it will be easier for her to understand when we move.  Or when Nana's stuff is not in the basement anymore.  

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May. 13, 2008 - Lake Lure

Part of my Mother's Day gift was a trip to Lake Lure.  Mom suggested that we meet there to drop off Julia to spend the night with her.  They had an event that day called Lure of the Dragons.  Different groups raced paddle type boats for charity.  I forgot my camera (of course) but I snapped this with my cell phone.

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May. 12, 2008 - Garage

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Can you see a difference?

The attic was a mess too but I forgot to take a "before" picture. 

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May. 9, 2008 - Unbelievable!

Last night, my boys had their last regular season flag football game.  During the game, Mito -- a really fast and athletic boy -- ran the ball all the way down the field for a touchdown.  The coach let him sit out the next play to rest while the others tried to get the extra point.  They sent in Levi, #2, in Mito's position. 

It was funny to watch Levi's reaction, "You want me to go in for Mito????"  He started onto the field but looked back to the coaches several time for directions.  He was basically in as a "filler".  They said just go into the endzone and turn around.  So he did, and he was the only kid the other team didn't cover.

Paul and I were sitting on the sideline thinking "OH NO!!"  The quarterback had to throw it to Levi, who has struggled with butterfingers the whole season.  HE CAUGHT IT!!  They may as well have named him MVP at the Superbowl!  It was great to see.

They lost the game and the kids were bummed, but that play was the highlight of the season for us!  Way to go Levi!

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May. 7, 2008 - Sweet Traditions

My fondest memories of childhood don't come from birthdays or Christmas.  My favorite memories are early mornings, seeing my mom in her robe gathering the breakfast dishes and my dad in his work clothes, ready to walk out the door for the day.  It lasted only a few seconds, but the implications will last forever.  The morning good-bye --  it was mandatory.  Dad puts down his cooler, mom puts down her dish rag and they embrace.  Not just a quick "I'm running late gotta go love ya" hug, but a deliberate "No matter what life holds for us, you are my love" hug. 

When Paul and I first married over thirteen years ago, we began this morning tradition.  It is such a sweet time.  Paul puts down his daily planner and I put down my coffee.  We embrace.  A long, loving embrace that means, "No matter what life holds for us, you are my love."  It is followed by the slew of exchanges, "Love", "Have a good day", "Be careful".  Then he's off to work.  Then I pray for his day to be blessed and for him to return home safely.  It is a simple routine, but it means so much.

Our children are watching (when they are up that early).  One day I pray that they too will begin this sweet morning tradition.  

Thanks mom and dad for showing your unconditional love to one another and modeling it for me. 

Thank you Lord for my wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally.

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May. 5, 2008 - UGH!!!

This house-selling thing is for the birds.  A couple came Friday, but we haven't heard back from them. 

A couple was scheduled to come from 3-4 on Saturday.  We do all the cleaning and leave the house for hours -- just because once it's clean, you don't want anyone touching anything.  At 3:45 my realtor calls and says they're not coming because their flight was delayed.  They reschedule for Sunday from 2-3. 

After morning worship, we clean again and leave the house.  At 3:15 we return and notice that they never showed up.  I called my realtor who calls their realtor -- They had put a contract on another house that morning, but didn't notify us.

I always say that it will happen in God's timing, but I get so excited when I think His time for the sell has come, that I am disappointed when it doesn't happen. 

Corey

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Apr. 29, 2008 - Groundhog Babies!

This groundhog is the closest thing to a pet we have.  She lives in the red building in our back yard.  This weekend is the first time this spring that her new babies have come outside the burrow.  The mama usually doesn't let me get within 50 yards of her before she scurries back into her hole, but since her babies were out, she had to stay with them and I was able to get close enough to get some pictures and video.  It was funny to watch her.  She remained frozen with her eyes on me while her babies crawled all over her.  I didn't get so close to be a threat.  I was afraid she might attack me

One of the babies (there are at least 4)

Mama and babies

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Apr. 28, 2008 - House

Wife loved our house, husband likes another house. 

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Apr. 26, 2008 - The House...

is still on the market.  We have the contract with the couple that needs to sell their house, and there is a couple from Atlanta that has their house on the market that is interested in making an offer when they get an offer.  Wow, that was wordy.  There is also another "very interested" lady coming to see the house tomorrow.  Yes, on Sunday??  She wanted her appointment between 10:30 and 11:30.  HELLO, doesn't she know she is in the Bible belt.  Everyone goes to church here.  

Side note: I've heard that an out-of-towner said of this region, "Everyone here seems to go to church, but I'm having a hard time finding the Christians."

Anyway, she is coming between 1:30 and 2:30.  If you think about it please pray.  We would really like to get this behind us and be able to move on. 

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Apr. 25, 2008 - Funny Dreams

Last Friday I judged try-outs for a local high school cheerleading squad.  I used to do this every spring, almost weekly.  However, it has been a couple of years since I've been able to judge.  I guess remembering the nervousness and stress of those girls caused me to dream that I was trying out.  Oh the horror!!

I was completely unprepared.  I didn't know the words to the cheers, not to mention the motions.  The judges allowed me to look at the words, but I had to come up with my own motions on the spot.  

Aren't dreams funny!  Once I dreamed that I couldn't find my classes at school because I didn't have my schedule.  And finding childcare for my kids while at school was diffucult too.    

Have you ever dreamed your teeth were crumbling out of your mouth?  You wake up and put your hands to your mouth to make sure they are still there.

What about the never ending wad of bubble gum?  I've dreamed that I'm trying to get the gum out of my mouth but it just keeps coming and coming.  EEEEEWWWW!

Wonder what the psych books say about me?

Corey

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Apr. 24, 2008 - Update on my "Sucker" :)

Julia didn't sleep well last night.  She kept waking up whinning.  She has gone a whole week without her "silky baby" but we gave it back last night in hopes of soothing her.  Silky baby in hand = thumb in mouth.  Apparently it did the trick.  We all rested better afterward.  As a matter of fact, she is still sleeping :)

Corey

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Apr. 23, 2008 - Pregnancy Dream

Yesterday my boys had hair cuts from my niece who is expecting her first child.  She's going to be a sweet momma.  She has already "planned" how many children she wants.  I tried to explain the regret I feel almost daily for having had my tubes tied after having Julia.  I remember a lady trying to warn me that I may have regret.  I thought, "but you just don't understand, I came from a family of four, my husband came from a family of four, it's just 'reasonable' that I only have four."

My niece is also from a family of four and she says that's her limit.  I pray that over the years she will be strong enough to rely on God to guide her. 

When I was making the decision to have my tubes tied I acted like a child with her fingers in her ears, closing her eyes, and humming.  I didn't want to ask God if this was the right decision.  I was afraid of His answer.  I just wanted to get it over with.  Looking back, I see how foolish I was.  I have rejected God's opportunity to bless me more in this area.

Last night I dreamed that I was pregnant.  I was so excited that God had healed my body in spite of my disobedience.  I know that if He chooses this can happen.  Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

***I know there are many differing views on this subject.  Please understand that my point is to go to God.  What does He say is right for your family and your situation?

Corey

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Apr. 20, 2008 - Little Miss J is a Big Girl

Julia found her thumb when she was three months old.  She has sucked her thumb and carried a "silky baby" for her whole 3 and a half years.

Last Wednesday, Paul and Isaac had dentist appointments.  I took Julia along to watch because she will have an appointment in August.  She was so excited.  She began counting down the "sleeps" a week before.  While at the office, she and I looked over a brochure about thumb sucking and the harmful affect it can have on teeth.  I showed her pictures of "bad teeth".  I also asked the dentist to mention it to her.

I was fully prepared to begin weaning her by only allowing her to suck it in the car and at night.  Then only at night, and finally put away the "silky baby" and stop the night sucking.

She had other plans.  She quit cold turkey.  She said, "I don't want bad teeth."  It has been five days now and she has gone without the silky baby and thumb even at night.  Occasionally she will say she wants to suck her thumb, but we will try to get her mind on something else.  She is doing so well, I don't want her to regress.

I hope her resolve continues.  And mine too.  I didn't think it would be so emotional for me.  My baby is growing up.  Sniff Sniff. 

Corey

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Apr. 18, 2008 - TOUCHDOWN!!

Luke (#7) caught a pass and ran it in for a Touchdown last night!  That's MY baby!

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Apr. 18, 2008 - New Pic from Mom

Mr. and Mrs. George!

Hopefully I'll get better pictures soon.  This one she sent by e-mail last night.

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Apr. 16, 2008 - Wedding Bells

It has been close to three years since my father passed away from heart disease leaving my mother a young widow.  He was 59 years old and she was 55.  The past few years since his death have been turbulant, to say the least.  But, God is gracious, and with His strength, we all cope with the sorrow, pain, and change that comes with losing a loved one.

A year or so after Dad's passing, Mom began to pray that the Lord would send another man into her life.  (Not just any man, she was very specific about her request.)  She enjoyed being married and missed that bond that you can only share with a husband.  Several months ago, God answered that prayer.  His name is George. 

My sister and I were supposed to meet her for lunch a few weeks back.  We had to reschedule a couple of times because of various issues.  Mom wanted to tell us together that she was engaged, but couldn't wait for our schedules to work out.  Instead, we both got a picture message on our cell phones at the same time.

This is how she announced her engagement!    Then it was a race to see who could get her on the phone first.  I won!

So, tomorrow night (Thursday) my mom will marry again.  I have no doubt that she will be well taken care of.  (She better be, George )

CONGRATULATIONS MOM AND GEORGE!!!!!!  LOVE YOU!!!!!

Corey

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Apr. 11, 2008 - Flashback Fridays

Kellieann at Hilltop Academy has Flashback Fridays.  Her posts are a joy to read.  Today she posted about her experience playing softball growing up and encouraged the readers to comment about their sports memories.  She's also having a drawing and give away.  I decided to use my comment on her blog as my entry today.

Softball. Ugh!  I was on the Green team the first year. (age 6, I think)  I guess they weren't creative enough too give the teams names like Shortcakes.  It was a great team and we won most of our games.  The next two years however, I was moved to the Yellow team because my two cousins wanted to play and we had to be on the same team.  Disaster!  We lost most, if not all of our games.  I was not interested enough to know the score or the won/loss stats.  I was in the outfield on my hands doing cartwheels more than being involved in the game. So the next year I was enrolled in gymnastics :)  I loved gymnastics for the next three years until I was 11 years old and as tall as my coaches.  Not good for a gymnast!

I wish I could post pictures like Kellieann does, but I haven't installed my scanner.  I may work on that today.  Pictures add so much interest don't you think?  Anyway, Pop on over to her blog and check it out.  You won't be disappointed.

Corey

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Apr. 9, 2008 - End of a Short Era

This post may be a huge let down for many of you as it is for me.  The RV era is over.  Sorry Christine, you won't be able to live vicariously through my experience.  Thank you Kristy, Amy, Jennifer, Kat, Kellieann, and Christine for your thoughts and prayers over the past couple of days. 

We still are selling our house, and scaling down our "stuff", but leaning towards and apartment.  Not nearly as exciting as an RV.  There goes my blogging material .  So, to honor our two months as RVers, here is my list of things I love about RVing (in the backyard).

1.  Everybody is soooooo close. 

2.  Everything you need is within a few steps.

3.  You figure out what you truly need.

4.  I learned that cooking is not the enemy, being seperate from my family while cooking (and cleaning) is the reason I avoided the kitchen.

5.  It only takes a few minutes to clean.

Now, to make myself feel better, here are the things I won't miss about the RV.

1.  Everybody is sooooooo close.   

2.  There is not a lock on the bathroom door, or bedroom door.

3.  Showers must be quick! quick! quick!

4.  Single-ply toilet tissue is less than ideal.

5.  It only takes a few minutes to clutter.

I thank all the ladies who have encouraged me over the past couple of months.  You guys are great!  Julie, I hope I can still be the coolest person you never met!   I'm sure my crazy life will not leave me blogless, so don't be a stranger.

Corey

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Apr. 9, 2008 -

All is not decided...glimmer of hope.  Pray for wisdom and peace in our decisions.

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Apr. 9, 2008 - Bummed

We spent the night back in the house last night.  I cleaned out the RV to get it ready to sell.  I guess we can look at it like we took a two month "vacation" (very expensive vacation) in our backyard.  Being back in the house feels like defeat.  I need coffee.

Corey

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