tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85563316116179183922024-02-21T00:15:18.351-06:00OUR FAMIILY TREASUREFor where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.comBlogger419125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-82730756626301460992012-03-17T00:01:00.000-05:002012-03-17T00:01:00.550-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx2uTvcgITYXbT24OXgnEmWFhqMbVA-DQwGWT8dtVmN0aLwbTH87UdW5xOMJ_ps1W-sB3U4JnGVZMAgfuxpEk52JW1Yjmqwm7jDtseTyMYeg5yblFAw1YO4NTy6o8DoghwiizDsazS_U/s1600/meis4year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx2uTvcgITYXbT24OXgnEmWFhqMbVA-DQwGWT8dtVmN0aLwbTH87UdW5xOMJ_ps1W-sB3U4JnGVZMAgfuxpEk52JW1Yjmqwm7jDtseTyMYeg5yblFAw1YO4NTy6o8DoghwiizDsazS_U/s640/meis4year.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The past four years can be summed up with the words to one of your favorite books: </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i> </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I love you best. I love you most. </i></span></b></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I love you high. I love you low. </span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I love you deep. I love you wide. </span></b></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH!</b></span></i><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">I think my favorite part of this book is when we read how God loves us best, loves us most, loves us high, loves us low, loves us deep & loves us wide. He loves us this much!! If there is any one thing I pray that you have learned from us it is that you are never alone, you are always on His mind, always on His heart and as much as we love you...bushels & pecks...He loves you even more!! </span></i></b></div>
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<i style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-You-This-Much/dp/0310232686/ref=reader_auth_dp">*I Love You This Much by Lynn Hodges & Sue Buchanan</a></span></i><br />
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<i style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>There is not a thing in this world I would not do for you. You are my sweet sunshine! You are our amazing, bright, beautiful, kind, hilarious, wonderful, cherished, high heel loving, dress donning, & baby doll toting sweet heart. You have brought so much joy to us as a family and we are all so blessed to call you ours!</b></span></i></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-23170337708097038732012-03-13T13:08:00.004-05:002012-03-13T13:08:51.158-05:00A Park is not just a park...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So our first official day off for Spring Break and Big Daddy took off work. We decided since it was supposed to be the prettiest day of the week we would do a local park crawl. So we mapped out the local parks and went to each of them. We decided to take a spiral and make it an official day of review. So at each park the girls would tell me about the amenities, the favorites, the negatives and then their opinion and star rating...based on 5 stars (which will be symbolized by "*"). </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pf9fsYt1vG4/T1-GQle3ieI/AAAAAAAAEu8/gyt_2wUcJHg/s1600/park4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pf9fsYt1vG4/T1-GQle3ieI/AAAAAAAAEu8/gyt_2wUcJHg/s320/park4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Park #1:</div>
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Love's review: It love it!, favorite: climbing wall ****</div>
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Hope's review: Good. , favorite: monkey bars ***</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7l4pWsAagzA/T1-GUNwMVNI/AAAAAAAAEvE/VPm1w4WxDEM/s1600/park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7l4pWsAagzA/T1-GUNwMVNI/AAAAAAAAEvE/VPm1w4WxDEM/s320/park.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Park #2: </div>
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Hope's review: Not so good., favorite: slides **</div>
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Love's review: Really great. favorite: fireman ladder ***</div>
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Oh, see Big Daddy on the walking trail...adult bonus!!</div>
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Park #3: Love's review: I like it!, favorite: small climbing rock ***</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hGIqWfz7qI/T1-GcUpMf-I/AAAAAAAAEvU/0qGh3rlPu0I/s1600/park3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hGIqWfz7qI/T1-GcUpMf-I/AAAAAAAAEvU/0qGh3rlPu0I/s320/park3.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
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Park #3: Hope's review: Boo! favorite: large clilmbing rock *</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvpbjx8cTdq5-IcnIJksYuxwgB1OOaUVgVmi5eutlWs2TB0f0uefRBhh5b570LWq-bXi59JpplOEtUNs26e7-Xx7C-nNM6lrNp3AX2nxA8K2fIG8FQU4SyGyJMLHSRdJW9d8pOheL-OI/s1600/park6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvpbjx8cTdq5-IcnIJksYuxwgB1OOaUVgVmi5eutlWs2TB0f0uefRBhh5b570LWq-bXi59JpplOEtUNs26e7-Xx7C-nNM6lrNp3AX2nxA8K2fIG8FQU4SyGyJMLHSRdJW9d8pOheL-OI/s320/park6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Park #4: Hope's review: Super, Super, Super Awesome!! If this were the only park I'd be perfectly fine! favorite: merry go round *****</div>
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Love's review: Very, very great!! favorite: merry go round *****</div>
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Adult bonus: nice walking trail!!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KhW4GuXrgJg/T1-GoDpNXwI/AAAAAAAAEvk/bwOz6WY3rFc/s1600/park7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KhW4GuXrgJg/T1-GoDpNXwI/AAAAAAAAEvk/bwOz6WY3rFc/s320/park7.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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Park #5 Hope's review: The best park ever!! I want to come here all the time! favorite: walking in the creek looking for fossils, crawdads, tadpoles, and minnows! **********(yes it WAS a 5 star system)</div>
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Love's review: I really, really love this park! favorite: getting her shoes and pants wet in the creek and walking in the water with Daddy. **********</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYQjSWa-7lU/T1-GyLYrLpI/AAAAAAAAEvs/-Vql_tWZEDU/s1600/park9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYQjSWa-7lU/T1-GyLYrLpI/AAAAAAAAEvs/-Vql_tWZEDU/s320/park9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And finally, our last park for the day Park #6:</div>
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Hope's review: Pretty good! favorite: tall plastic climbing wall ***</div>
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Love's review: Not good. favorite: nothing ...zero *</div>
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And that brings us to the close of our very first official review. </div>
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I can tell you that nature out does man made every single time. The two parks they loved the most had the most natural scenery and access to be a part of nature instead of a large plastic or metal play area randomly placed in the middle of a flat field. They were also the two most crowded parks. So, we must be part of poplar opinion. Oh, and one last thing. Parks need restrooms. That was a general consensus. </div>
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Well, off for day two of Spring Break! </div>
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<br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-65120328254590433472012-03-13T12:33:00.000-05:002012-03-13T12:33:51.545-05:00The Cowgirl Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went to a really cool first Birthday Party for my nephew's twin boys. It was rodeo theme and had a lot for the girls to do. They of course wanted to wear their cowboy boots they received for Christmas. They look so adorable in them. They would wear them 24/7 if they could.</div>
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Hope really took to roping. Her uncle spent some time showing her how to set up her rope, swing it, and throw it. She spent most of her two hours right here, ya know...roping. She was fairly good at it. She managed to rope the horns just enough times to keep her interested in doing it more. Needless to say, she would really like one of these roping dummies in her own backyard.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C25znsR7Cl0/T199daxjHBI/AAAAAAAAEuM/gtzNzqxMJdc/s1600/jo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C25znsR7Cl0/T199daxjHBI/AAAAAAAAEuM/gtzNzqxMJdc/s320/jo2.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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I love her look of concentration. I happen to think she is a natural. But, I am her mother ;)</div>
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Hope has told us recently, "My life long dream is to ride a horse." Don't tell but someone has a birthday coming up and that dream will come true! :)</div>
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And then there is Love...who is perfectly pleased with her cupcake.</div>
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And a sit and pose on the dummy.</div>
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Here the girls are waiting for the "cattle drive." I think it may be a bit overrated. It was basically taking about 30 Longhorns and pushing them down part of the street. Think Six Flags gun show, except no guns, no noise, less time and way less exciting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfez4NwWLaPfFF6lecIiT6kee_r6wwoEeT05Q74Hg9OTg8HmBW-TOV3TBSxTVMMan8swQEDQcxWV_ZFzAvvROj5iPJArdZEFwX91fCBWqmhQi7DzgrhXgXixxh1ayq74p88jbZFBPRZ8/s1600/jomei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfez4NwWLaPfFF6lecIiT6kee_r6wwoEeT05Q74Hg9OTg8HmBW-TOV3TBSxTVMMan8swQEDQcxWV_ZFzAvvROj5iPJArdZEFwX91fCBWqmhQi7DzgrhXgXixxh1ayq74p88jbZFBPRZ8/s320/jomei.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Well, then we called it a day, pardner!</div>
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<br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-9426384169223886902012-02-17T13:18:00.002-06:002012-02-17T13:18:55.385-06:00Continuing On...<br />
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This post was started back in September. I think I updated all the things that are no longer relevant. :)<br />
Well, I left off with sharing about Hunter & Faith so what about my little ones?</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-WLwEZhsMh4zLRCdsmgnu593E481csR5PSq_A9_VZsR2MJUa0hq4RNMLMK25eXq54ku27qf_C4gipx8m9MSIzDOMooRNYZnMnw4QFPoDn6-5Ac400Xn8qHa-igifOxVhfyYKhCTS2Nc/s1600/school4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654799800223969858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-WLwEZhsMh4zLRCdsmgnu593E481csR5PSq_A9_VZsR2MJUa0hq4RNMLMK25eXq54ku27qf_C4gipx8m9MSIzDOMooRNYZnMnw4QFPoDn6-5Ac400Xn8qHa-igifOxVhfyYKhCTS2Nc/s400/school4.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 216px;" /></a>Hope is now in the 2nd grade. She is doing really well and already at the top of her grade for reading. She would be ahead of 2nd grade but her fluency (speed & expression) is not where it should be. She likes every word to be correct and doesn't like to go ahead until it is. I tried her on Junie B. Jones books, thinking she would love them like Faith did. Well, nope, not all. She wants to correct her grammar all the time and tell me that it really isn't funny if you speak that way. Oh well...so we are in some other books. She immediately informed me that she felt like her chapter books were far too easy. "Suddenly...suddenly...that seems like a level A word to me mom." Oh the joys of having one who likes to push herself. She basically taught herself double digit addition and subtraction this summer. She is a gifted learner.(Update: She now loves Junie B. Jones books! She has incredible fluency and has about exceeded a grade ahead in reading according to their "tests". She is far more expressive than I was even in Jr. High. She actually would be many grades ahead but the fluency assessment gets harder.)<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LEMbLQIxwDU/TnnidQVaZmI/AAAAAAAADG4/ipbKzfoa1B8/s1600/florida4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654799799369229922" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LEMbLQIxwDU/TnnidQVaZmI/AAAAAAAADG4/ipbKzfoa1B8/s400/florida4.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 251px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>She had a blast in Florida on our vacation and during the summer prefers a pool to just about anything. She can swim like a fish too! And, I am sure you can tell, she has lost handfuls of teeth. She has a permanent dentition that will rival any large man. Her new teeth are huge and have managed to help baby teeth fall out that are supposed to remain for years from now. The orthodontist already loves her and knows she is going to be one of his big cases. He referred to her as the only case so far with this huge set of teeth and this small of mouth. That sounds like fun...doesn't it?<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tv7CeeTq6tE/Tnnidq35QGI/AAAAAAAADHI/co-KJ4HxraI/s1600/jojo.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654799806493180002" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tv7CeeTq6tE/Tnnidq35QGI/AAAAAAAADHI/co-KJ4HxraI/s400/jojo.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 275px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>She is back into soccer for this Fall. She has been on the same team now for almost two years. She loves her coach and is just now starting to make relationships with the other girls. She generally just stuck to herself. She is A-mazing. I'm not exaggerating either. She has the natural athletic ability and drive that I have never before witnessed. She even talks to herself in her head and says stuff like..."your job isn't to be number 3 it is to be number 1" or "you need to be up front not back here or you won't win". Sounds like we talk a lot about sports to her...but we really don't. We have never emphasized that winning is anything. We still ask her after every game...did you have fun? She has been scouted by a couple of select teams already. We do not want to go that route. We want her to just enjoy it and let her explore her interests.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y1qEsaS3ofw/TnngxHb9TjI/AAAAAAAADGo/Xe-klHvVDn8/s1600/237.5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654797941554892338" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y1qEsaS3ofw/TnngxHb9TjI/AAAAAAAADGo/Xe-klHvVDn8/s400/237.5.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 390px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Speaking of exploring...her soccer team is now a softball team too. Well, most of them. They are all first season girls and to date have not lost a game. Hope is incredible at fielding the ball and plays pitcher. Sounds like a big deal but we are at coach pitch level, she mainly fields and throws them out at first. I have to give it to her. When we started she could hardly throw a ball and now she looks as good as anyone when she does. Her soccer/softball team is made up of girls just like her. They are all just naturally athletic and do really well at sports. I like that she is trying something new. :) I would normally have not allowed two sports at once but with the entire team going, we felt like we wouldn't have that opportunity again. Now, they are all hooked.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RghSfmKSApk/TnngxVfmL6I/AAAAAAAADGw/F-G4Lh9lWqs/s1600/088.6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654797945328250786" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RghSfmKSApk/TnngxVfmL6I/AAAAAAAADGw/F-G4Lh9lWqs/s400/088.6.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 377px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEipuGJudFw/TnnlERV8f7I/AAAAAAAADHQ/0nFsf1UmSjM/s1600/meimei.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654802668678053810" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEipuGJudFw/TnnlERV8f7I/AAAAAAAADHQ/0nFsf1UmSjM/s400/meimei.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 370px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Well, Love began Kindergarten this year. She was really excited about it...for about 3 days. Then we hit a rough patch. I am not even going to candy coat it...it was just plain awful for a full month. We are talking bawling...full blown tears and wailing. Bless her little heart. It was just about all I could bare. I am usually pretty strong for my kids but I had to wear sunglasses just to hide the tears I was crying right along side of her. She is a very young Kindergartener - like real young. Her birthday was July 31st and she turned 5 but she is still very, very young. It was crazy. Then one day...poof! It was over. And now we are finally back on to the days of loving school and looking forward to it each morning. Recently just had a conference with her teacher and due to her age and lack of maturity we are still evaluating whether or not she will remain in school. We will meet again in October. Her teacher said that with her being so little and so young that all the other kids and staff tend to really favor her and help her do things. (Update: Love came home to homeschool the end of Jan. She struggled with tremendous separation anxiety after Christmas break. We tried to make it through but eventually took her to the doctor for consistent chronic stomach aches while at school, or mentioning school, or the night before school, or even the morning of school. She was crying much more than the beginning of school and no longer even liked the thought of it. Her pediatrician recommended we bring her home and she has been back to her smiley joyful self ever since!)<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VvY6N4HMLmw/Tnngw4TIlAI/AAAAAAAADGg/-AYALGFyGFo/s1600/206.5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654797937491350530" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VvY6N4HMLmw/Tnngw4TIlAI/AAAAAAAADGg/-AYALGFyGFo/s400/206.5.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 238px;" /></a><br />
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Love played her very first season of soccer this past fall. She did pretty well for her size. She can kick a ball the length of the field. She was intimidated by the taller girls and would generally steer clear. She did not however care for the heat. I ended up coaching her team and we did pretty well. We took 3rd in a 7 team tournament. She loved the trophy and medal. She had planned on playing again this season but at the last minute decided against it. She just wanted to stay home with mom.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6AAalCvwPyT7Uhgt28CcfppULgLI1UsrPwA50yI6t7xfM23UiLsoJVtz5ZuFfMgXbw_0xR86S9vvdp4wfZw-SE10svbMvipS87ZAddHMUGOD642L54ltxmnmXaNfa1UQrAExpgkrU-A/s1600/mei3.5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654802676503127986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6AAalCvwPyT7Uhgt28CcfppULgLI1UsrPwA50yI6t7xfM23UiLsoJVtz5ZuFfMgXbw_0xR86S9vvdp4wfZw-SE10svbMvipS87ZAddHMUGOD642L54ltxmnmXaNfa1UQrAExpgkrU-A/s400/mei3.5.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> I really think her talents are going to be more creative. She loves singing, dancing and drawing. She is quite good at all three too! She is our artsy child. I have to say, for the most part, this is new to me. She also loves to paint and play with playdoh and moon dough. She is our first of four who truly seems to be herself when she is creating something. She goes through the paint, paper, chalk and other supplies pretty quick.</span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XNT8aNTvxQ/TnngwjspnCI/AAAAAAAADGY/casp_4WBkBo/s1600/school5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654797931961228322" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XNT8aNTvxQ/TnngwjspnCI/AAAAAAAADGY/casp_4WBkBo/s400/school5.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 212px;" /></a><br />
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Well, like I said earlier in the update...Love is homeschooled now. She has been such a delight! I love to have here. She loves learning and being home so it suits her really well. I do believe we will most likely try public school again next year. I think when she matures she would like to be back among her peers. She has a true love for learning and enjoys the social aspects of school as well. But, as I have learned over the years...nothing is set in stone. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. She is getting really close to reading and can sound out most three letter words and spell quite a few as well. She is doing well with her sight words and is now on her way to rhyming much more consistently. She still struggles a bit with counting to 100, and recognizing the teens but can add and subtract well. Teaching at this age is new to me. I know I do not want to leave learning gaps at this age and really want her to have a great foundation. Another thing I did not know was that as a homeschool student she still qualifies for her speech services through the ISD. This is wonderful! In fact, it was the main reason I did not put up a fight to pull her any sooner our of school. If I would have known she would still receive the therapy I probably would have just kept her home <br />
in that first month of school.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmM4Vv_lMU44VERFu_yd7RC5CqQKIzCFyoN8drpFabe-wcqbPwYsdcpZAzwZeuTMmyodXQ-xpb7MxVvsFNAQL_13ug_kaT409TiD0jrdKmOr01PspS3glYJeySLPhOL8TJ2vze4xmDY-Q/s1600/florida2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654797926725489634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmM4Vv_lMU44VERFu_yd7RC5CqQKIzCFyoN8drpFabe-wcqbPwYsdcpZAzwZeuTMmyodXQ-xpb7MxVvsFNAQL_13ug_kaT409TiD0jrdKmOr01PspS3glYJeySLPhOL8TJ2vze4xmDY-Q/s400/florida2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a><br />
Love still enjoyed the water this summer. She was just about the cutest thing on the beach. She worked hard to keep her pail full of water. She has already been asking when she can go swimming again. She enjoys being outdoors. She is our big pretender. She is always someone's mom, teacher, doctor, chef, puppy or cashier and has her baby dolls to play along and listen if her friends won't. She looks up to her big sister Hope so much! She enjoys playing with her and being read to her by her. When I ask her if Hope is her best friend, she always laughs at me and says, "Noooo! She is my big sister!" Which, in her mind, completely trumps the best friend title. I think I would have to agree...being a big sister myself. Ha!<br />
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Well, here a couple of more recent photos. Hopefully I will post again soon. It is always on my back burner, it just never seems to get to the cooking stage. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR9OuHkAymslDDmD8xvXnHQQXcbecGMrXOLGMlIm58WIat8aPyWBz3WgXkjS0NeIPaFeQ04BjO1asuP4KEHpBBvnPWn7nPWPaiBviu7wlCkRCWAK1F9ZIba0ymoOiXCbaTMXaizlgmYo/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-9924085894467572712011-11-30T13:20:00.000-06:002011-11-30T13:20:01.534-06:00Little Lincoln<div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BR8Jp7MFU00/TtZ_FM1ogdI/AAAAAAAAErs/rOFGA5N-YNE/s1600/Lincoln.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680867707296711122" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BR8Jp7MFU00/TtZ_FM1ogdI/AAAAAAAAErs/rOFGA5N-YNE/s400/Lincoln.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Please help my sweet friend <a href="http://3girlsand1redthread.blogspot.com/">Shandra</a> bring their beautiful son Lincoln Quan home from China! Their family is raffling off an Ipad 2 to cover the orphanage fee of $5000. Tickets are 1 for $5 or 5/$20. Drawing will be held Dec. 10th. Every single dollar brings them closer to their son. Reminds me of this quote: I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do.♥ Together we can make a difference :) Just let me know through comment or click on her name and comment her for the link to paypal! Thank you guys so much!!</div>
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</div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-32638827344087424732011-09-18T09:52:00.007-05:002011-09-18T11:45:28.564-05:00It's Been A Long Time...First let me say that I am sorry for not keeping up with our blog. I have not only missed sharing with you guys but also miss having a place to come to and reflect back on life not only in photos but in words as well. I miss hearing what I had to say...ha! As conceited as that may sound I do mean it. But not in that way. You know how you share something on your heart and it pours out in words so much easier than if you told the same story 10 times to 10 different people? Well, that is how our story has been told lately...in person. So much is lost when it isn't fresh on your mind and when you have other people there to ask questions or call on the phone or a kid who needs to go potty. Anyone know what I mean? I also miss keeping up with all of the blogs I read. I feel like I have moved away and have no idea what is going on with some of my best friends. I have missed you guys so much!!<br /><br />So, without going back into all that I've neglected to tell you...I will start with life now.<br /><br />We are in a busy season. A season that I feel overwhelmed. Not with heartache but with time management. We have 4 busy kids. Hunter will be 17 in two months, Faith is 15 1/2, Hope turned 7 in July and Love turned 5 a few days after her. I think it is kind of cool how there are 10 years between Hunter and Hope and 10 years between Faith and Love. The little girls are the biggest playmates...they remind me of Hunter of Faith when they were little. Hands down they are the best of friends. I hope that with them being both girls that their relationship will stay close. Faith and Hope are the next set of buddies, they are a lot alike. They both have witty humor and they both love sports...especially soccer. Hunter and Love are pretty close as well. Hunter has a soft spot for his littlest sister and she still thinks he is great...which works for him. :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXiwjgk7SyQ/TnYXf945vrI/AAAAAAAADFo/Yx4HxIojAlA/s1600/pic17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXiwjgk7SyQ/TnYXf945vrI/AAAAAAAADFo/Yx4HxIojAlA/s400/pic17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653732220166848178" border="0" /></a><br />Hunter is our laid back, no hurry to get things done kind of guy. He loves spending time with family and friends and is probably the most affectionate 16 year old boy I know. He is a hugger. I love it! Hunter has been driving for almost a year. He has been working off and on. He had a fairly steady job at the beginning of summer. It was physical labor. Believe it or not, he would rather be working with his hands and doing the more laborious jobs than sitting in the air conditioning and working behind a grill or a cash register. Whatever suits him, I suppose. He moved on to lawn mowing later in summer and the drought we have had here has pretty much killed that job. He is a junior this year. He has a lot of work ahead of him and he is searching to find what it is he really wants to do with his life. He is exploring options of trade school, military, working for a large company, or college. I would say college is probably his least favorite option at this point. I heard some really good advice from a wise man once. He said, "College is for people who either love to learn or have to go to get the degree to do what they love to do. It is not for everybody and it is not a place to go after high school just because you don't know what else to do." Up until I heard that and let it sink in did I ever even consider this as an option. I want him to do something he loves...and not think about how much it pays. In an ideal world, I would like that option to be able to support a family-in the future. If we could find a career that could include: outdoors, hunting, fishing & camping...well, we would have a winner. So, I am thinking maybe the agriculture route for a career. But, who knows? Oh, and he has been "working out" with Big Daddy. I am told to look out for him by December...he has already built a lot of muscle and his shoulders are broadening. He is looking less like a boy and more like a man. Makes my heart conflicted in feelings...happy to see him growing up and sad to know his years here with us are numbered.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5MeETL6_xA/TnYXgyU36qI/AAAAAAAADGA/5gjQyIajBQk/s1600/fish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5MeETL6_xA/TnYXgyU36qI/AAAAAAAADGA/5gjQyIajBQk/s400/fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653732234242812578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlImSY_VCacWx-Afv4AxePbOTCIHz1PEYcy9jTR6P0ERhGTLzTszmIZu1rdnlQjsBL_BOgK9nDXNPIzZMKwdZ0lAk8H0xxRtCLwucwjv0HefLJrQ1e-c0dpQTnpRle1BQ4jkitgdYVpE/s1600/ken9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlImSY_VCacWx-Afv4AxePbOTCIHz1PEYcy9jTR6P0ERhGTLzTszmIZu1rdnlQjsBL_BOgK9nDXNPIzZMKwdZ0lAk8H0xxRtCLwucwjv0HefLJrQ1e-c0dpQTnpRle1BQ4jkitgdYVpE/s400/ken9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653733107002417010" border="0" /></a><br />Faith is my focused and goal driven child. She has more self motivation than a lot of adults. She has had her permit for about 6 months. She is a sophomore this year and is doing her best to move ahead to her junior year. She is taking quite a load of classes this year. She really wants to graduate early. She also has her very first part time job. She works for a neat little yogurt shop here in town. She is loving the financial aspects but not the "working" so much. She thought it was fun the first week but as she comes to her one month mark of being employed, it has lost its luster. She is saving for a car. She is also playing select soccer again this season. She is playing indoor and outdoor soccer right now and practices twice a week. It is pretty time consuming but she loves it and it keeps her in shape. She has a new coach this season. He gives her very little slack. He sees so much potential in her and isn't really willing to accept less than what he knows she is capable of. Which works in her favor, but she isn't really enjoying the work it takes to get to that last little bit of effort. Her game has improved even more than I could have imagined and she is so much more productive on the field. She has her eyes set on her future. She wants to be a pediatric nurse. She sees herself in an oncology department. She does well with children and has always been a huge help to us with the little girls...especially when they are sick. She wanted to be a lawyer last year. She thought because she was good at arguing her point that it just might be her forte'. Once she realized the schooling behind it, she wasn't that excited about it anymore. She thinks that would be too far into life before she would start a family. In her plan, she sees herself married after college and kids before thirty. She sounds so much like me it kills me.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAZmPvzETCk/TnYXguHqFqI/AAAAAAAADF4/PLqAV88jsyU/s1600/ken10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAZmPvzETCk/TnYXguHqFqI/AAAAAAAADF4/PLqAV88jsyU/s400/ken10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653732233113638562" border="0" /></a><br />Well, that will have to do for now...more later.Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-89106297294981180642011-03-17T23:13:00.008-05:002011-03-18T00:41:22.641-05:00Happy Forever Family Day!<div style="text-align: center;">Three years ago today....<br />This was the last picture we received before meeting our precious little Love in person. She was adorable! I could not wait to see her, hold her and love on her! This photo made me wonder...is she taken care of, is she happy, is she ready for what is about to happen, is she ready for her little life to be shaken up again?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rIvUi8ODmC4/TYLdsR7xmNI/AAAAAAAADE8/iSuP2pYhBkw/s1600/carlimei61.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 307px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rIvUi8ODmC4/TYLdsR7xmNI/AAAAAAAADE8/iSuP2pYhBkw/s400/carlimei61.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585270240690936018" border="0" /></a>Here is the first time I held her...she was all smiles, reluctant but willing.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zZmzD151OY/TYLcJOqiagI/AAAAAAAADE0/jZTTbceFZPs/s1600/meimei.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zZmzD151OY/TYLcJOqiagI/AAAAAAAADE0/jZTTbceFZPs/s400/meimei.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585268539006282242" border="0" /></a>Is she not the most precious little thing?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgTSst9hHLI/TYLcI9fF0II/AAAAAAAADEs/G6PjhwzwU2I/s1600/babygirl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgTSst9hHLI/TYLcI9fF0II/AAAAAAAADEs/G6PjhwzwU2I/s400/babygirl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585268534394867842" border="0" /></a>Daddy was instantly smitten with her...she had him even before hello :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3aIpla5ep7g/TYLcI4XfZGI/AAAAAAAADEk/KZyxACvv4AI/s1600/dadncarli.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3aIpla5ep7g/TYLcI4XfZGI/AAAAAAAADEk/KZyxACvv4AI/s400/dadncarli.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585268533020812386" border="0" /></a>I love this photo, she is liking the loving but still you can see the curiosity in her eyes. I think she wanted to trust it but then when our eyes would meet even for just a second...a big 'ole head butt would follow. I know, there may be no correlation. But I wonder...maybe her little self was protecting her tender heart. It was hard for her to make eye contact for a little while. And she was just dealing the best she could with the circumstances she had endured.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oIRDwpvaQo/TYLg0kQlhnI/AAAAAAAADFM/Pml4gzF58kY/s1600/meimei2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oIRDwpvaQo/TYLg0kQlhnI/AAAAAAAADFM/Pml4gzF58kY/s400/meimei2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585273681583900274" border="0" /></a><br />And this one...3 years later. She is living proof that God heals hearts. That He has the power to bring a peace that surpasses all understanding. It can't be a good feeling to know that before age 2 you have been in 3 different families, it can't feel like "forever" when forever has not been before. Even little hearts are tender and needy and rightly so - deserving of that full blown affection and unconditional love and...Forever. Which is what we have been blessed with. Our beautiful baby girl, while we do not share the same blood we share the same heart. When she hurts we hurt, when she is sad we are sad, when she rejoices we rejoice and when she smiles....everyone smiles. She has a smile that will not only capture a room but will steal your heart. No.Joke.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fG26EGy0Gfs/TYLkoP-zm2I/AAAAAAAADFU/uL69PSIIOfs/s1600/mei.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fG26EGy0Gfs/TYLkoP-zm2I/AAAAAAAADFU/uL69PSIIOfs/s400/mei.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585277868028697442" border="0" /></a>Have you ever loved someone so much that it hurt in the best possible way?? Does that make sense at all? Well, that is how I would describe our love for her. If it is even a inkling of how the Lord loves us at all, which, I honestly believe it is...I get it. I am undone just thinking about it. My God...how in the world were we ever enough to be entrusted with Love's precious little self ? It is just too much, too rich, too wonderful, too good to be true. Oh, but it is...True. Thank You God!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Zb4agtqEVCJuW0bcNBD3hO4RqZIXltYdIm9JbsIC4l9ziChAYWsSuDC4r62xW1JHKsRh0iayf_J7RbjJ9-EtiXz1_6EFGPOs_4USgibEQTYYuHx5HZI6fzxkkjTFBTJWEO3F739rfL8/s1600/0290.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 378px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Zb4agtqEVCJuW0bcNBD3hO4RqZIXltYdIm9JbsIC4l9ziChAYWsSuDC4r62xW1JHKsRh0iayf_J7RbjJ9-EtiXz1_6EFGPOs_4USgibEQTYYuHx5HZI6fzxkkjTFBTJWEO3F739rfL8/s400/0290.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585280250521083458" border="0" /></a>We are beyond blessed to call you OURS!!<br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-47985754226942674452011-02-20T10:03:00.005-06:002011-02-20T13:12:50.883-06:00Do you ever just need a Word...<div style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer: It is going to be long.<br /></div><br />Do you ever just need a word? Like a word from the Lord? I know I do. I have been in a funk lately. Not feeling far from God or anything just feeling overwhelmed with life. Nothing hard or taxing or difficult just everyday ordinary life. Is it just me or does it happen with anyone else? I feel guilty sometimes for thinking I have so much to do that I just don't want to do it. I would love to just sit and read my Bible and have the arms of my everlasting love wrapped snugly around me for days upon days.<br /><br />But, you see I have a husband to love and submit to, children to train, day in and day out - and seriously it can be hard. I feel like a large amount of the training is on my shoulders as I am home all day with them. I have two teenagers...a future husband/daddy and a future wife/mommy to lead into life guiding them and letting go of them all at the same time. Knowing that I not only hold molding their future in my hands but the very future of their spouses and children. It is pressure. I also have laundry to do, dishes that need washing, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, bathrooms to clean, shopping for all the things no one notices until they are gone like food and toilet paper, bills to pay with a budget that fails often, meals to prepare, homework to supervise, homeschooling the teens, finding time to spend with each of my children daily and my husband (which may only be a quick trip to CVS). And that is only inside my own home. That does not take into account any extended family or church.<br /><br />It is a lot. And sometimes it gets to me. I can make myself a pretty good helping of woe is me...so much to do so little time. And it is funny, if I pour myself into my family the way I know the Lord wants me to all the other "outward" appearances fall behind. If I keep up all the cleaning and such all the relationships fall apart. I can not do both...at least not both of them even to my standard at the same time. I admit it. And that is when the house falls apart and we have company who comes over at the last minute. Which I do love. I love me some company. But, for the first 15 minutes all I can think about is they are going to see me failing. I mean my only job is to be a wife and mother - a homemaker I wrestle with myself..they are probably thinking..."what does she do all day"..."how is her house this messy if she stays home"...and just for the record...the reason my house is messier is because I am home all day, which means so are my children...so I can not clean and leave the house to sit alone...it is used...every inch of it- all day, everyday by a minimum of 4 children. And then I remember...they may not be thinking that at all. In fact, that is me letting those thoughts keep people out of my home and therefore away from my heart. Because, if they can see my home this cluttered how in the world are they going to miss how dirty my heart feels sometimes. Disturbing, huh?<br /><br />But, the Lord has a fabulous set up just for me...well, you too :) He brought this verse to me:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">~ Philippians 4:8</span><br /><br />And so I begin...<br /><br />I think...I know it is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">true</span> that God loves me, cherishes me, wants what is best for me, wants me to bring glory to Him and has given me unique talents and gifts in which to do that. I know that the Holy Spirit is inside me -guiding me. I know He will never leave me or forsake me...ever. And that God's truth is the only truth which I should live my life by.<br /><br />I think about how <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">noble</span> this whole life thing is actually meant to be. I mean seriously God has me here for a purpose. A purpose to carry out. He could have easily entrusted my work with someone else but He chose me for an appointed time and place to do His work. This blows my mind...all the time. And if my only job is to serve my family then I will do it...gladly with love and awe knowing it is what He wants for me.<br /><br />I think about what is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">right</span>...how to live...how to live and lean into righteousness. To know that I do have a model in which my behavior should line up with...Jesus. Him and Him alone.<br /><br />I think about what is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">pure</span>. How to respect the fact that little eyes are on my actions as much as my words...well, even more than my words. I must strive to live a pure life. Pure from things in which will not bring glory to the Lord. Whether it be a TV show, a type of music, a book or a conversation that can lead thoughts, then minds, then hearts down a path not intended for bringing Him glory.<br /><br />I think about what is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">lovely</span>. You know there is nothing more lovely in this entire life of mine than knowing I have a Savior. A Savior who not only loves me with all that he has but gave his very life for mine.<br /><br />I think about what is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">admirable</span>. Instead of sitting there thinking that my guests or friends or family are thinking..."what does she do all day" "why is she not achieving more with all the time she has". I think about how wonderful it is to have them. How cool it is that our paths are crossed. And then I think about what is good and honorable and admirable about them. It lifts my spirits to know that the Lord has allowed me to do life or cross life with some of the most wonderfully loving and compassionate people.<br /><br />I know my life is <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">excellent and praiseworthy</span>.</span> Not because of me but because of Him.<br /><br />I praise Him and thank Him for my husband...all that that includes, a partner in life, a co-parent, a strong to my weak, a spiritual leader to our home, a provider.<br /><br />I praise Him and thank Him for my children...all 4 of them and the laundry that I get to do and the dishes I get to wash and the crumbs I get to sweep and the teeny tiny pieces of cut up paper that I get to vacuum, the homework I get to hear, the schooling I get to be apart of, the meals that I am able to prepare for them, the molding of character I am entrusted to do, the love I am overwhelmed to be able to give.<br /><br />I thank Him for allowing me to be a full time wife and mother. A teacher to our children. Who while I tend to get caught up on all the details of homeschooling and the knowledge they need for college -He has allowed me to pull back and pour His word and truths back into their lives...daily, and without interruption from friends, teachers or administrators. And that is huge. Really huge. I am truly thankful for not only the opportunity but for the confirmation.<br /><br />I am not saying that I do this all the time. In fact, I may have had one of my weaker nights last night. It was a weight. I was choosing to bear it and the moment I let go and the thoughts of all that was on mind trickled away. The things on which I think not only affect me physically but emotionally and most of all spiritually.<br /><br />Is my house any less cluttered this morning than last night. One word....no. I am not going to lie, a clean house brings just about as much joy to me as any one thing possibly could, other than people. But, I am going to focus my thoughts on those things that matter and not let myself be sucked under into this raging battle in my mind of so many things to do and not near enough time in the day to do any of them well -to the point that my mind and body want to go on strike. Because when that does happen...where is my heart? I mean, really...where is it? Not focusing on why I was created or who I am to be serving or who I am to be loving. Who actually wins this battle? Not me. The darkness that would like to bind me up with thoughts and things and keep my mind off of Jesus. Darkness wins. And well...I think it has won long enough around here. You can have my house but you'll have to have fight for my heart. Isn't that what this is all really about? Well, for me...yes. I think so. Oh, and enemy...the King of Kings and Lord of Lords has my back...just so ya know :)<br /><br />I know for some of you, you may think I have gone and lost it. But the thoughts were pouring out and I couldn't stop or edit them. So, if you think I may need to be medicated...you may be right. But I am going to tell you there is nothing more spiritually freeing than to have the Word of God bring you back around from what felt like a heavy burden. It is a shot in my heart of the best medicine.<br /><br />And finally, to my guests last night, you know who you are. I love y'all and am sorry you had to see me like that. I knew immediately I was due for some unloading and could hardly hold it in. So thankful the Lord gave me you two in such special way :)Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-67436663252935792372011-02-04T11:28:00.006-06:002011-02-04T12:28:53.753-06:00There's No Business Like SNOW Business...<div style="text-align: center;">Our day in pictures...at least for now. I am sure there will be more :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxEP1HfojI/AAAAAAAADEU/cnYMNqb4Poc/s1600/jojo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxEP1HfojI/AAAAAAAADEU/cnYMNqb4Poc/s400/jojo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569901877897699890" border="0" /></a>First one out this morning...not surprised...love her expression!<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxD70n0hKI/AAAAAAAADEE/JZelbHAvPuQ/s1600/jojo1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxD70n0hKI/AAAAAAAADEE/JZelbHAvPuQ/s400/jojo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569901534167467170" border="0" /></a><br />Beauty</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCrD5DzXI/AAAAAAAADD8/wwLVMF4Grho/s1600/jojo3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCrD5DzXI/AAAAAAAADD8/wwLVMF4Grho/s400/jojo3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569900146696899954" border="0" /></a>Still smiling after "eatin' it" several times<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya3tp8TbKkR6RKmB_iALPZdmYBKgvaytS4OR8zXPrzeoF3mkYd9ZI0BJbXzPDLj-_Z9bcdd6fmL1zrVcWKRyMMjwob_Z3n-2L83nSzfEruOw1ON_1u8nW5sRXrBsPrOq-qCQm29Fb2-A/s1600/meimei.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya3tp8TbKkR6RKmB_iALPZdmYBKgvaytS4OR8zXPrzeoF3mkYd9ZI0BJbXzPDLj-_Z9bcdd6fmL1zrVcWKRyMMjwob_Z3n-2L83nSzfEruOw1ON_1u8nW5sRXrBsPrOq-qCQm29Fb2-A/s400/meimei.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569900143197134642" border="0" /></a><br />Love's attempt at the snoball<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCqFmuQfI/AAAAAAAADDs/kjl6jsj2GN0/s1600/meimei1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCqFmuQfI/AAAAAAAADDs/kjl6jsj2GN0/s400/meimei1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569900129976992242" border="0" /></a>Which, unfortunately came back to get 'er :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCqE2Rp3I/AAAAAAAADDk/0djMytgY3a4/s1600/girls2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCqE2Rp3I/AAAAAAAADDk/0djMytgY3a4/s400/girls2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569900129773791090" border="0" /></a><br />My littles<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGg2_8XDcC7SbRcHnZ61lhKgC4Q38C-dG9lhyphenhyphenHH-bBYsA6ucjsvcOCLMZQoqhxjixl-GLK_Froeylcav9qzSdTC6syaLb_7Rc5mmVO3vP2Z_ZYDeK3CkD7Vqg8fUiHq1ioxQPstBuc48/s1600/girls.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGg2_8XDcC7SbRcHnZ61lhKgC4Q38C-dG9lhyphenhyphenHH-bBYsA6ucjsvcOCLMZQoqhxjixl-GLK_Froeylcav9qzSdTC6syaLb_7Rc5mmVO3vP2Z_ZYDeK3CkD7Vqg8fUiHq1ioxQPstBuc48/s400/girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569900121977482626" border="0" /></a><br />Cuteness</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9MzP0tDZz7Pey0708OaBd5cNakQgsVGZw1gaKize-u-1fW-ENBAt7gtUwUE9kQJUi2iqi8efgJxtpfm2qMpM31tN-40P9EdQP5ufyWucHH02wrlvJZU7JOW1NrajBec4qbpE80vd28Q/s1600/girls1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9MzP0tDZz7Pey0708OaBd5cNakQgsVGZw1gaKize-u-1fW-ENBAt7gtUwUE9kQJUi2iqi8efgJxtpfm2qMpM31tN-40P9EdQP5ufyWucHH02wrlvJZU7JOW1NrajBec4qbpE80vd28Q/s400/girls1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569899694196083330" border="0" /></a><br />My middle chicks..these two are something else<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCP8ySZ4I/AAAAAAAADDM/J5BbOGlf-dE/s1600/girls3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCP8ySZ4I/AAAAAAAADDM/J5BbOGlf-dE/s400/girls3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569899680932980610" border="0" /></a><br />Hope taking her best shot at Faith<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCPdMsJGI/AAAAAAAADDE/jadFJ9DVkXQ/s1600/girls4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCPdMsJGI/AAAAAAAADDE/jadFJ9DVkXQ/s400/girls4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569899672453784674" border="0" /></a><br />And again<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCPKMG4rI/AAAAAAAADC8/gHD8jw2DCGU/s1600/tucker.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TUxCPKMG4rI/AAAAAAAADC8/gHD8jw2DCGU/s400/tucker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569899667351069362" border="0" /></a><br />Our big dog Tucker loves the snow<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCK6W5BRVka5BYMgaAIDf-Wb_Nj4kU9rox2x4xQyM44xCeN2JRui3ygLKfJCOqzP4TpxMC_I-cxtQmQwisEQFUofziyf39KT9fBnXPjznUjIZCdu3JyXShxsY6PINcaEx6UgiXC1-6cg/s1600/home.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCK6W5BRVka5BYMgaAIDf-Wb_Nj4kU9rox2x4xQyM44xCeN2JRui3ygLKfJCOqzP4TpxMC_I-cxtQmQwisEQFUofziyf39KT9fBnXPjznUjIZCdu3JyXShxsY6PINcaEx6UgiXC1-6cg/s400/home.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569899663635963442" border="0" /></a><br />Our snow covered home...all nice and warm and toasty :)<br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-62569821140242093562011-01-24T12:13:00.003-06:002011-01-24T12:35:09.344-06:00My "friend" JoanneI am not sure you can actually call her my friend. And it sounds so creepy to be the one to admit I lurk on her blog from time to time. But, I guess if the shoe fits I better put the stinkin' thing on. Well, back on Jan. 11 of this year....a very fit, together, God loving, Greek learning, homeschooling 38 year old beautiful mom of two precious girls and a well...Simple Wife to a good man had a life changing experience. She is known in the blog world as <a href="http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/">The Simple Wife</a> she is not what you would typically picture for a woman would have a major stroke. But....she did. <br /><br />We have been praying for her and her family since we heard. I am not going to lie. The 38 year old thing...well, it hit awful close to home. I'm 38...at least for another couple of months. And folks, she is in far better shape than myself. I have wondered and "watched" and "heard" as her husband and friend keep us update of her condition. Her story is here....<a href="http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/">The Simple Wife</a> (just click on title). I would start around the 11th to truly witness all of God's healing power. And y'all He has been doing some amazing, miraculous works through her mind and body and family and friends. Encouraged to say the least!! God is so good...I mean, <span style="font-style: italic;">really good</span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>.<br /><br />Today, I woke to a twitter announcement from her husband that she squeezed his hand! She is on her road to recovery, whatever that may look like. Her right brain was significantly affected and her left brain looks wonderful. She is a voracious reader...guess which side of your brain you need to read?? So, who really knows what her journey will look like this way forward....well, I know who knows...and He has his hand on her. :)<br /><br />There is a particular post that about broke me....<a href="http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/the_simple_wife/2011/01/god-stuff.html">read this from her husband on the 17th</a>. It just makes me want to reiterate that God <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> good....<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">all </span>the time.<br /><br />If you'd like to check on Joanne quickly there is a button on my side bar on the right just click and it will send you to her blog.Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-37198729673464745002011-01-15T08:51:00.003-06:002011-01-15T09:04:14.537-06:00A blog to share...My dear friend Shaley just started up her blog. She leads the youth girls at LTC. Her blog shares her passion and excitement for the Lord and the girls she loves so much. I am not sure there is a better woman for the job of closing the gap between girls and God. She is the real deal. I love her so much and I know you will too. So, without further ado...please go and check her out at:<br /><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ltcyouthgirls.blogspot.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 185px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TTG3MriJwwI/AAAAAAAADCk/OSJS_3dBBkQ/s400/bubblechandelierbannercopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562428443251557122" border="0" /></a>(just click on the banner above)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You'll be blessed by the discipling she is doing for the Lord.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She is such a treasure!<br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-74928200764486082962011-01-13T18:23:00.003-06:002011-01-13T20:48:45.832-06:00Had to share...I know I need to update with Christmas photos and info...I will, promise :)<br /><br />But I had to share this with you just real quick.<br /><br />Today, I went to a dental conference. I keep my dental hygiene license in check just in case we may need me to work, or that I might want to work a day or so a week...for fun.<br /><br />Anyhow, these conferences always freak me out. I have to drive where I don't want to. Park where I don't want to and then to top it off I don't know a single person going. Sounds like fun, huh?<br /><br />But, I'll be if the Lord didn't sit me right down next to the most wonderful little resource ever. I have been homeschooling the big kids now for a bit. And I have been searching and researching on exactly how to do all this high school thing without hurting them and their chances of getting into a college...well, any college in Texas...I have my limits :) Anyway, back to my new friend...we were making small talk and I told her I dn not work. She told me she used to not work either when she homeschooled her boys...who graduated from homeschool and went to A&M. Ummm...yeah. So, I grabbed her number and email and my new bff will be hearing from me soon. She said she had sooo much to tell me that we couldn't squeeze into our 5 minute breaks. I am excited! And she told me that A&M is a very, very receptive college for homeschoolers. That they love them. Well, you can imagine...I was expecting a day of listening to boring lectures over stuff I already knew and lo and behold the information I have been scouring for sat down beside me. Thanks Lord :)Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-18999558648072714112011-01-10T07:51:00.006-06:002011-01-10T08:45:41.423-06:00My Guys :)The bond these two have is pretty special to say the least. I think they are possibly the closest father and son relationship that I have ever witnessed. Which makes me happy :) But, what makes me overflow with happiness is that the Lord gave <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span> these two. And I am certain I could not have hand picked any two guys in the whole world I could love even an smidgen more :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsR5sCvQJI/AAAAAAAADBk/0AtJvFuoWA8/s1600/my%2Bboys3.jpg"><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Image" title="Add Image" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="addImage();" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);;ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" class="gl_photo" border="0" /></span></span><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsR5sCvQJI/AAAAAAAADBk/0AtJvFuoWA8/s400/my%2Bboys3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560557847691870354" border="0" /></a>Me: Could I get a picture of you two (knowing that Hunter detests photos....)?<br />Well, it is a photo...not that you look like you liked getting it made.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsR5SAniEI/AAAAAAAADBc/I5sCt3IXqmA/s1600/my%2Bboys.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsR5SAniEI/AAAAAAAADBc/I5sCt3IXqmA/s400/my%2Bboys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560557840703653954" border="0" /></a>Big Daddy: Come 'ere boy! Show your Daddy some love!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsR5Ptay4I/AAAAAAAADBU/5PoKmSF1YPc/s1600/my%2Bboys4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsR5Ptay4I/AAAAAAAADBU/5PoKmSF1YPc/s400/my%2Bboys4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560557840086256514" border="0" /></a>Me: Was that so bad?? Now, can I get one with both of you looking at the camera? It's not like Daddy is gonna hold your hand or something.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsT-u4sE7I/AAAAAAAADB0/2Kr6b2r9HQU/s1600/myboys4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsT-u4sE7I/AAAAAAAADB0/2Kr6b2r9HQU/s400/myboys4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560560133377627058" border="0" /></a>Oh...wait! :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsRihtr4NI/AAAAAAAADBE/kU36YrirV6s/s1600/my%2Bboys1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsRihtr4NI/AAAAAAAADBE/kU36YrirV6s/s400/my%2Bboys1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560557449782223058" border="0" /></a>My final photo...love it! These guys of mine both changed my life in such a big way. Big Daddy made me a wife and Hunter made me a mom. These are two of my finest treasures :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsRiaAcHWI/AAAAAAAADA8/uDeETcWDTK8/s1600/myboys5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsRiaAcHWI/AAAAAAAADA8/uDeETcWDTK8/s400/myboys5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560557447713398114" border="0" /></a>I still can not believe that Hunter is driving. I see it everyday and still can not believe it! But, here they are off to the deer lease with the little girls :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsRiJWWB0I/AAAAAAAADA0/ZcS-surE7LM/s1600/colton1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsRiJWWB0I/AAAAAAAADA0/ZcS-surE7LM/s400/colton1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560557443241871170" border="0" /></a>I bribed Hunter with the car keys to take these photos. I know...it was wrong but hey, a mother's gotta do what a mother's gotta do! He does not like these and specifically asked I not post these. So let's keep it on the down low, k?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsRh8fPimI/AAAAAAAADAs/w85bHbV2EH4/s1600/colton.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TSsRh8fPimI/AAAAAAAADAs/w85bHbV2EH4/s400/colton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560557439789533794" border="0" /></a>Who knew I'd have two big guys in my life so soon. It seems like just yesterday this son of mine was talking about being "Daddy's deer hunter" and "Travis" off of Old Yeller and rockin' a bowl haircut. He was the most precious adorable boy ever made...well, he still is...but that teenager thang...it sometimes dims the cute factor a tad. But, seriously, there is not a son that is loved more.<br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-27866780426212692302010-12-07T15:36:00.002-06:002010-12-07T15:40:14.671-06:00Well...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TP6pGa7hvRI/AAAAAAAADAM/18FLtlPKMjs/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TP6pGa7hvRI/AAAAAAAADAM/18FLtlPKMjs/s400/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548057718740335890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(it reads - Kylie Jo is sad)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At least she expresses her feelings :)<br />Nevermind that it was because she was playing monkey in the middle with her sister and her two friends. One who happened to be over 6 feet. Needless to say, she pretty much stayed the monkey...and it made her sad :(<br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-44255544791271261602010-12-06T07:55:00.001-06:002010-12-06T07:57:27.647-06:00Two of My Treasures<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPzrfkZ-OrI/AAAAAAAADAE/EanYHJsN9IA/s1600/girls.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPzrfkZ-OrI/AAAAAAAADAE/EanYHJsN9IA/s400/girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547567768594692786" border="0" /></a>I forgot to post this with the others...and I loved it too much not to share :)<br /><br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-68434131779561000772010-12-05T00:56:00.003-06:002010-12-05T09:21:06.920-06:00Christmas Parade<div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday was our annual Christmas parade for our city. This is one of our traditions...we always go :)
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPs4EtPf-BI/AAAAAAAAC_8/jTqUMI6N1w4/s1600/christmas.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPs4EtPf-BI/AAAAAAAAC_8/jTqUMI6N1w4/s400/christmas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547089019552135186" border="0" /></a>My sweet girls waiting for it to begin
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9ZB6RHk7xe21s7TVkecFrq2SpUcKIdTDYBnGq1iTDcwzUN7_EUTioFUtqVV1mWzMlHEhvEa0MNvUSa0vrDLnrugMul-9vsRuV2IBCPYIzdBfGuLNlw_4otGqySYTSp0HA9Ekm-rBpCQ/s1600/christmas1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9ZB6RHk7xe21s7TVkecFrq2SpUcKIdTDYBnGq1iTDcwzUN7_EUTioFUtqVV1mWzMlHEhvEa0MNvUSa0vrDLnrugMul-9vsRuV2IBCPYIzdBfGuLNlw_4otGqySYTSp0HA9Ekm-rBpCQ/s400/christmas1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547089015067884274" border="0" /></a>With Daddy <3<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPs4EKAygdI/AAAAAAAAC_s/nWurBELMcO8/s1600/christmas2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPs4EKAygdI/AAAAAAAAC_s/nWurBELMcO8/s400/christmas2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547089010095194578" border="0" /></a>With Mommy <3<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-h4NurEEtgU02w9z3jV0q3m9T8srveyFNkm3A1G0zRLAR7lXr1QLP8tIAG17bp-JcDtG0QvYvWRQxOwM_YUnGtxG6cathagd9ta5aKdwVdpp7c4mxhpjvTExmyRPjhWoDqAt0JUJqdE/s1600/christmas3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-h4NurEEtgU02w9z3jV0q3m9T8srveyFNkm3A1G0zRLAR7lXr1QLP8tIAG17bp-JcDtG0QvYvWRQxOwM_YUnGtxG6cathagd9ta5aKdwVdpp7c4mxhpjvTExmyRPjhWoDqAt0JUJqdE/s400/christmas3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547089006380134178" border="0" /></a>Faith and her friend
<br />These two giggled like little girls when the miniature ponies came barreling through. And when a little boy on a float with his family came by. He had on a Santa hat...that completely covered his face and his parents were none the wiser. He was still smiling but he had no clue what was going on.
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexElUXCBIDwcUCYNZTTXLqmWSynWZJfsY086yMzvjPegEe6Hqy9LLCx6oMdzf9PJacM3mLb8sKh0sc0IG9H1-ctoexalNrYUPdmEA0vsw71ztYNFMoudyLNruF9t8fFHDO7HGp_ap6Qw/s1600/christmas5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexElUXCBIDwcUCYNZTTXLqmWSynWZJfsY086yMzvjPegEe6Hqy9LLCx6oMdzf9PJacM3mLb8sKh0sc0IG9H1-ctoexalNrYUPdmEA0vsw71ztYNFMoudyLNruF9t8fFHDO7HGp_ap6Qw/s400/christmas5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547089000572257218" border="0" /></a>And for the finale, Santa...they were sure waving :)
<br /></div></div></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-25997398849466642352010-12-02T08:24:00.005-06:002010-12-02T08:34:25.961-06:00Hope's Card<div style="text-align: center;">Hope has "down time" in first grade. Her teacher tells her she can draw. Sometimes they are very detailed and other times are like she didn't have much time. She usually comes home with cards to each of our family members. This particular card she brought home the day after Hunter passed his driving test and got his license :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPetI7S0jMI/AAAAAAAAC_U/UNDnLPPDg0o/s1600/colton1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPetI7S0jMI/AAAAAAAAC_U/UNDnLPPDg0o/s400/colton1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546091834997247170" border="0" /></a>In case you need any help...."I hope you have fun with your drivers license"<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPesrpuOzLI/AAAAAAAAC_M/gmxcM40HFkE/s1600/colton.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPesrpuOzLI/AAAAAAAAC_M/gmxcM40HFkE/s400/colton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546091332064169138" border="0" /></a>Here is a close up of her quick drawing of Hunter holding his license. Notice the little drawing of his license. Her cards always make us smile :)<br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-853955982485446122010-12-01T08:21:00.004-06:002010-12-01T08:45:48.080-06:00The Tooth, The Whole Tooth, & Nothing but the Tooth...erh, I MeanTeeth :)After decorating our tree, Hope wanted me to wiggle her tooth...it was sooo loose! So, we pulled that little sucker out in no time. No tears, just smiles...here she is showing off her newest "empty hole". She already has two "empty holes" on the bottom. So, now there are three, how is she ever going to eat?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZaokyj6QI/AAAAAAAAC_E/6PgqV38VZso/s1600/052.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZaokyj6QI/AAAAAAAAC_E/6PgqV38VZso/s400/052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545719644270356738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZaoSPnmGI/AAAAAAAAC-8/fDg3GRl1OM8/s1600/kj.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 343px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZaoSPnmGI/AAAAAAAAC-8/fDg3GRl1OM8/s400/kj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545719639291959394" border="0" /></a>Yesterday, while we were walking home from school, she said nonchalantly, "Will you pull my other loose tooth?" So, I said sure if it was ready. Which I already knew it was. And in a minute or so after being home...the other tooth was outta there! Here she is with her new NO front teeth smile :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZanyylMdI/AAAAAAAAC-s/GrS-NpND-3w/s1600/kj.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZanyylMdI/AAAAAAAAC-s/GrS-NpND-3w/s400/kj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545719630848668114" border="0" /></a>I guess she can really sing that song, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" and she would be telling the tooth...I mean, truth :) As much as I would like to say this molting, if you will, is over, I can't. She has a very loose tooth on the bottom and it will be any day and that baby will be out too. I am not pushing her on that one...it will not be replaced until around age 9 or 10...in 2 or 3 Years!! I think the reasoning behind all the tooth loss is her permanent teeth are going to be some big ole doosies! They get in the way of the roots of their baby neighbors and the babies get confused and their roots begin shrinking from the pressure. Which makes them loose and fall out. Does that make a lick of sense? At least that is my hypothesis. And being a registered dental hygienist, I think I <span style="font-style: italic;">might</span> know what I am talking about. But, I could be wrong, so don't quote me, ok? :)Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-37385300908469878512010-12-01T07:55:00.006-06:002010-12-01T10:57:59.099-06:00O Christmas TreeBig Daddy and Hunter returned from their hunting trip on Sunday. We had already been shopped out at this point. So, what is next on our list? The tree, of course! We went to our usual (actually very unusual) Christmas tree spot and made our purchase within a few minutes of arriving. IT is gorgeous...and I'm not just saying that. It smells like Christmas in our house because of it and a little help of a lovely B&BW "Fresh Balsam" candle. We had first laid eyes on our tree when we were searching the 3 trees that fit what we were looking for. I had Big Daddy drag the tree to his truck, and it was heavy. Then I noticed it had a huge dead spot in the back...will not do. Then I had him drag the other very nice option to our tree...ummmm, nope, not that one either. And, yes, you guessed it, he drug the third option to his truck....which I had him bring back option 2 to compare side to side and out in the open. When it hit me...they are all beautiful!! But, it was option 2! A 9 foot noble fir that smelled so good and had a big fat trunk. I knew we would need a sturdy one with all of our decor and such :) By the way, Big Daddy was such a sport, I think it helped he was right there in the midst of people coming and going from the store. It helped him not to lose his patience with me...which, really, how could he not? I was pushing it, I know. It also helped that the little girls were with us, jumping up and down and cheering and laughing and people were stopping by and telling us how "now that is what it is all about". Our girls spread Christmas cheer just by being their fun little selves. In fact, I believe our Christmas tree search encouraged others to buy their tree. We had people watching us drag the trees to and fro...who wouldn't be inspired? Ha!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD95u95HNzSFX5wM84-IAq4PieNd8cp7C14TNYUf11_N2UzATn6EIsWGOz67Z-I_AY5DihtJLVo5WApFT4AyizwLFSz0MNFQLVKnCMeRWSQ-U8oLemUmHuwi6MogW5cISI92mR-f5C4s4/s1600/tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD95u95HNzSFX5wM84-IAq4PieNd8cp7C14TNYUf11_N2UzATn6EIsWGOz67Z-I_AY5DihtJLVo5WApFT4AyizwLFSz0MNFQLVKnCMeRWSQ-U8oLemUmHuwi6MogW5cISI92mR-f5C4s4/s400/tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545713467969345842" border="0" /></a>The girls beginning to place their ornaments, even Faith has to tippy-toe :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZUrQ48rsI/AAAAAAAAC-U/XmPav5PqwlY/s1600/tree1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZUrQ48rsI/AAAAAAAAC-U/XmPav5PqwlY/s400/tree1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545713093398277826" border="0" /></a>Pretty proud of their decorating and pretty proud of each other...love these girls!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSyWOQuWQQS3qEP9dm991lmQOLirE-Hr7iHBzh2FBuGvZo5v4D53sQS2yMj1QO14TWMoCqrnzLG_9yq7ZEGDb0YN2E3McHvo4mxeqYSwI5X_rYQA8HvPXpW0xGurgQWuzUWdKvbIg00A/s1600/tree2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSyWOQuWQQS3qEP9dm991lmQOLirE-Hr7iHBzh2FBuGvZo5v4D53sQS2yMj1QO14TWMoCqrnzLG_9yq7ZEGDb0YN2E3McHvo4mxeqYSwI5X_rYQA8HvPXpW0xGurgQWuzUWdKvbIg00A/s400/tree2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545713089726318418" border="0" /></a>Just so you can see that full height of the tree...our ceiling is 9 foot and we could not have bought one inch taller :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZUqA92tqI/AAAAAAAAC-E/9bSXr1aia-c/s1600/tree3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZUqA92tqI/AAAAAAAAC-E/9bSXr1aia-c/s400/tree3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545713071944021666" border="0" /></a>These two would pose for hours if I wanted them to.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZUp07K9MI/AAAAAAAAC98/-sDp-TCLmhY/s1600/tree6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TPZUp07K9MI/AAAAAAAAC98/-sDp-TCLmhY/s400/tree6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545713068711539906" border="0" /></a>And then there is Faith and Taco. I love how she has taken to him like her very own baby. Of course, I'd have preferred a pic with the little girls. I'll take what I can get though. Love this girl too!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And in typical Hunter fashion...no photos...he needs a haircut, so he says. Whatever!<br /></div>I vow to get at least a photo of all 4 kiddos between now and Christmas day. I also vow to attempt a family photo...although I am going on record that it might not be that spectacular. It is the memory after all, right? :)Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-3597503032033887222010-11-30T20:27:00.004-06:002010-12-01T00:58:15.844-06:00Thanksgiving<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZTofBncWHlmvEMtEqZsK82kVLNaQ55qc1RTXIuKEAAKT3XG3UoqcI5iXSFMoEnJPiJY2j6-Z478aF71mE9-hj8PLgA-Dih2brFdv8XvCMx6KptSd0dynSKowKoYTu04pDD1l5nwHYYU/s1600/thanksgivingfood11-1-10slw.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZTofBncWHlmvEMtEqZsK82kVLNaQ55qc1RTXIuKEAAKT3XG3UoqcI5iXSFMoEnJPiJY2j6-Z478aF71mE9-hj8PLgA-Dih2brFdv8XvCMx6KptSd0dynSKowKoYTu04pDD1l5nwHYYU/s400/thanksgivingfood11-1-10slw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545538487436455010" border="0" /></a>Just in case your wondering....the above photo is not of our meal. Although ours was every bit as tasty as this one looks :)<br /></div><br />We hosted Thanksgiving dinner here for our family and had about 25 people stop by at one time or another. We had a wonderful day full of food and family. I'll share our menu with you:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Thanksgiving Dinner 2010</span><br />Roasted Turkey<br />Mashed Potatoes & Gravy<br />Sweet Potato Souffle<br />Poynor Dressing<br />Broccoli, Cheese & Rice Casserole<br />Green Bean Casserole<br />Baby Carrots<br />Corn<br />Baby Green Salad with Cranberries and Almonds<br />Crescent Rolls & Dinner Rolls<br /><br />and for dessert:<br /><br />Cherry Pie<br />Pumpkin Pie<br />Chocolate Lush<br />Pecan Pie<br />Pumpkin Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce<br />Sugar Cookies<br />Brownies<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">To answer your next question...No, I can no longer fit into any of my clothes :)<br /></div><br />The roar of the children over the adult conversation brought back memories of our childhood. There was chatter, laughter and fun with all the little people running around. The kids took the big blanket and used it to "sled" down the stairs, sometimes tandem...cool, huh? The adults hung around for coffee and desserts and seconds and our conversation was interesting to say the least :)<br /><br />Then we began our plotting and planning for our attack on Black Friday, which actually began late Thursday. My mom, sister, Faith and I all left here around 11:30 to go to Wal Mart which was nuts!! Deals were had my friend :) Then we made our way to Ihop for a very early breakfast. Then we dropped Faith off and hit Kohls, Target, Game Stop, Walgreens and JC Penney. Y'all I did fabulous...and was quite simpled out by the end of our shopping. We had all been up over 24 hours at this point. We took a few hours to get cleaned up a quick nap and hit the mall with all the kids. And, it was NOT miserable. It was lovely really. And we topped off the night with the yearly Olive Garden visit. Yummy! The next day we did all again....it is every bit about the bonding as it is the bargains. It is such a blast being with my girls and my adorable little nephew!!<br /><br />And the boys were off hunting - their tradition since Hunter was only 3. From what I hear they had a wonderful weekend of male bonding...even our nephew got in on it. He shot his first buck.<br /><br />So our Thanksgiving traditions continue, we are just growing up and the memories are becoming more and more precious. I wish I had pictures to show you but I just simply got caught up in the day and how much I have to be thankful for. Which, I think is exactly the point.<br /></div></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-35365960523180591772010-11-21T13:59:00.003-06:002010-11-21T15:30:31.000-06:00The Youngest, the Eldest and the Dog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TOl6OX5Ep3I/AAAAAAAAC9k/tk354HYAYzA/s1600/ma1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TOl6OX5Ep3I/AAAAAAAAC9k/tk354HYAYzA/s400/ma1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542095203806259058" border="0" /></a>These two have a pretty beautiful relationship. MaMa always has time for Love. And Love always has time for MaMa. MaMa is good about reading her books on the stairs if everyone is busy talking in the living room or telling her stories while snuggling under a blanket - the blanket that Love covered her up with to make sure MaMa was warm :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVmiMj7gqD-C4ynCInHz0VZgQ7TblWZGE6qpzqceSCQPY_7pd3gVV76EoXr8b5ZA-_YlzmnWiLFvqQLXPnhyphenhyphenAwzxPGnBGybrpZ_NqTgxPjEP8u5ogXlkyTjw5kC80MmH0pPRqzyv1wrw/s1600/ma.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVmiMj7gqD-C4ynCInHz0VZgQ7TblWZGE6qpzqceSCQPY_7pd3gVV76EoXr8b5ZA-_YlzmnWiLFvqQLXPnhyphenhyphenAwzxPGnBGybrpZ_NqTgxPjEP8u5ogXlkyTjw5kC80MmH0pPRqzyv1wrw/s400/ma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542095199894708402" border="0" /></a>It's hard to believe these two are 85 years apart in age. If you can see what I see - they have quite a connection :) And if Taco (the dog) could talk I am sure he'd tell you MaMa never moves if he is laying in her lap. She doesn't want to disturb him.<br /><br />MaMa has recently expressed that she doesn't feel like she makes a difference. Like she doesn't do much that matters, she doesn't really get to help out or be useful. I can tell you this - when I was growing up about the age of Hope and began reading she was the one who sat there patiently with me as I sounded out words and read first sentences. She was the one who would play Old Maid and Slap Jack with me until I was tired of playing...which would take a while. The one to take me school shopping all day or let me write these awful poems and tell me how wonderful they were. That is what I remember more than anything...the time, her being there. Her being present in our conversations and our time spent together. She never made me feel like she had something better or more important to do. And now she does that for my children. Such a sweet time. She did it with me and now with my youngest...and to think she questions her importance of being here...the difference she makes. Now if that isn't something I don't know what is.Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-27613964705221064012010-11-19T18:19:00.000-06:002010-11-19T18:20:59.781-06:00These Two...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TOcUNtIx3JI/AAAAAAAAC9U/p7E8ZXgSHfQ/s1600/kbob2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TOcUNtIx3JI/AAAAAAAAC9U/p7E8ZXgSHfQ/s400/kbob2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541420092189957266" border="0" /></a>are a couple of my favorite people :)<br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-27600222242427124522010-11-15T22:09:00.008-06:002010-11-15T22:56:27.471-06:00Oh Yes Folks...He's Legal<div style="text-align: center;">To DRIVE that is :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TOIITsgs_kI/AAAAAAAAC8U/-3eoPAurLlg/s1600/116.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TOIITsgs_kI/AAAAAAAAC8U/-3eoPAurLlg/s400/116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539999626077994562" border="0" /></a>Getting the car out of the parking lot<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye0KPcgM8q-4CtfLe2e99Gw_dU2x7RKC6eoEMg9Gv39L11OyGBTnpXFY7NSapYWb0dHuq_dMZ5BKDvD2Gr_UX0-86uxXbbjL2ioWNyAPx4rSEn4-95JPKBGq428wbn7G_E__LbAQp9io/s1600/118.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye0KPcgM8q-4CtfLe2e99Gw_dU2x7RKC6eoEMg9Gv39L11OyGBTnpXFY7NSapYWb0dHuq_dMZ5BKDvD2Gr_UX0-86uxXbbjL2ioWNyAPx4rSEn4-95JPKBGq428wbn7G_E__LbAQp9io/s400/118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539995620983078130" border="0" /></a>Pulling up to pick up the lady who may or may not pass him<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODTTkBZ1F3fmE7ldvwxnhZ7yJ7KVt0ilWTjGKul6lNXZtQrRd3A6RbGNVsow-n3wvLIE4zjcHq0buwj22e4W6u0cTzbMlb4T5B5PdQdjYSwF8x9FE8C2FKnBqNUNBfSC1w9fc8r7fyZs/s1600/120.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODTTkBZ1F3fmE7ldvwxnhZ7yJ7KVt0ilWTjGKul6lNXZtQrRd3A6RbGNVsow-n3wvLIE4zjcHq0buwj22e4W6u0cTzbMlb4T5B5PdQdjYSwF8x9FE8C2FKnBqNUNBfSC1w9fc8r7fyZs/s400/120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539995624276306914" border="0" /></a>And he parallel parks "on a dime" according to previously mentioned lady :)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS25fI7VJejSYoaix_EXKBI_DqUm8A80uxJmKGIFak2cXKqYkSUPLN5Ph-5W7TEoTWph4_RDHN91_O9hcI4V5VYBFNzBreiNnx2aEkEhTPmSbgD07OwpVBeIuivpDuwpJ4PVUYb5lmunU/s1600/121.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS25fI7VJejSYoaix_EXKBI_DqUm8A80uxJmKGIFak2cXKqYkSUPLN5Ph-5W7TEoTWph4_RDHN91_O9hcI4V5VYBFNzBreiNnx2aEkEhTPmSbgD07OwpVBeIuivpDuwpJ4PVUYb5lmunU/s400/121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539997798007956338" border="0" /></a>And begins the test out and about the neighborhood<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TOIErVJj6FI/AAAAAAAAC7k/xOmNjC8llkA/s1600/122.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TOIErVJj6FI/AAAAAAAAC7k/xOmNjC8llkA/s400/122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539995634077263954" border="0" /></a>Signing his (insert drum roll here) DRIVERS LICENSE<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiCgIrMhSgUYsytOGUkE4RTAL3AKTYgwdP8S-tMOYI8YIDzwE9vEYJRyjQw7UhhTzQFOB_A317GW-jGWdTjXwQsyYtJEdW3VBS0T9a_jhA1XVEYtSWf4zJo-lRCdPo3oe_hsQF-EFj20/s1600/colton.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiCgIrMhSgUYsytOGUkE4RTAL3AKTYgwdP8S-tMOYI8YIDzwE9vEYJRyjQw7UhhTzQFOB_A317GW-jGWdTjXwQsyYtJEdW3VBS0T9a_jhA1XVEYtSWf4zJo-lRCdPo3oe_hsQF-EFj20/s400/colton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539995642819126578" border="0" /></a>Appreciating a good test when he sees one :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdC2E8ejCYHG2fg93bvLbz0qBySyGKTpXWYEqt-CbckL7VSwiFxNcbLXSoQI3RfDKezzPaaSWD1Z1TsJisX-VQxj5qqzbfSTZHGxEMqOUkNeiuEFRCfOhUSxm13tHXAY4eh8ds8bTt4U/s1600/boys.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdC2E8ejCYHG2fg93bvLbz0qBySyGKTpXWYEqt-CbckL7VSwiFxNcbLXSoQI3RfDKezzPaaSWD1Z1TsJisX-VQxj5qqzbfSTZHGxEMqOUkNeiuEFRCfOhUSxm13tHXAY4eh8ds8bTt4U/s400/boys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539998853676540786" border="0" /></a>"I KNEW you could do it Son!"<br /><br />We arrived at the DPS and had quite a wait this morning. It was filled with my humor (which to be honest - is pretty stinkin funny). I'm good like that. Hunter really did not care for it. He was stressed to say the least. He even listed his address three doors down from us. Did I mention he was nervous? He took about 8 minutes to fill out a paper that should have taken about 1 - if that. He is so afraid to make a mistake. First born through and through. He was gone for around 10 or 15 minutes. He walked up with the instructor, no smiles as they near us. Finally she blurts out "He Passed!" And cue the smiles. I think I may have done a jump up and down thingy. I am not sure if he could have said anything or not...he looked a little shocked and maybe just in disbelief. He did it folks. He is legal. My baby boy who just turned 16 passed his drivers test. She told us he was an exceptional driver. That from parent taught drivers ed. is quite a compliment. But, as for our auto insurance, well...she's seen better days. But seriously we are so proud of you Hunter!!<br />Now, if you could just run a couple of errands for me...No, I'm not kidding :) I think I could used to this :)<br /></div>Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-24716390779174050712010-11-14T12:00:00.003-06:002010-11-14T12:28:55.694-06:00A Plea for Help from Homeschool Moms!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TOAnbJficYI/AAAAAAAAC7E/U_YVgxpS0sk/s1600/back%2Bto%2Bhomeschool.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TOAnbJficYI/AAAAAAAAC7E/U_YVgxpS0sk/s400/back%2Bto%2Bhomeschool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539470889023861122" border="0" /></a>Hello! We have a bit of a situation here. Our extremely small private Christian school (which was basically a certified teacher homeschooling my two oldest plus two other students) has had to end her career. Her husband was recently diagnosed with cancer, and it is everywhere. While performing exploratory surgery they took out half of his colon and his appendix. They had to close him up and hope that chemo will take care of or at least slow down the rest. While I wish things did not have to end the way they are...I understand. If that were my husband...I'd retire too - immediately. There is no replacing that time with your husband, especially when given such a bleak diagnosis. So, if you feel led would you mind sending up a prayer for Martin and Margaret Liemer? They are a super sweet couple married 49 years and she was great with my kids.<br /><br />Anyhow, I am needing advice for online homeschooling, the kind that does the lesson plans and grading if possible. Or if you have a great system or what specifics you have used and liked. We have Hunter who is a sophomore (contemplating returning to public school) and Faith who is a freshman (who under no circumstance will return). We could do private school but it is already almost 3 months in the year and it expensive. We could do traditional homeschool but to be honest I have tried that and it didn't work so well before. And to be honest, I am intimidated by the prospect of having to teach Geometry and Calculus to my kids. I made fairly good grades in high school and college but folks...its been a while and I learned to get through the test not to carry the knowledge if you know what I mean.<br /><br />So, I know you for sure could be helpful. I am not opposed to any option but I am counting on you guys to help me....begging really. Angie??? :)<br /><br />Their teacher had them on Accelerated Christian Education Paces...anyone used these before? I do have the curriculum to finish them on these through the end of this year.<br /><br />So now that you have heard my plea...help! Please? :)Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556331611617918392.post-83112210694149170222010-11-10T08:59:00.003-06:002010-11-10T09:21:08.139-06:00A Couple of Funny Girls :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQtIvkP4Fu6VAVFmhMeWOSDZtOWe4Y9IiNHACZjid-aS1ncB6H8-mPcGO1zDuT7hhz96_r6GZq0tXyY-CU-S-Rse0FfkG7NNYaC1bXzURA_AerYqvAKeW6-BNJGmbObZw1-G6KFAb_g4/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQtIvkP4Fu6VAVFmhMeWOSDZtOWe4Y9IiNHACZjid-aS1ncB6H8-mPcGO1zDuT7hhz96_r6GZq0tXyY-CU-S-Rse0FfkG7NNYaC1bXzURA_AerYqvAKeW6-BNJGmbObZw1-G6KFAb_g4/s400/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537941108456110802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We received I.E.P. from school yesterday. It is an "evaluation" of sorts that fills us in how she is doing in her speech class. There was a special notation under the section of understanding "where, who, and what" questions. It said...Love understands 100% of "wh" questions. When asked "Where does milk come from?" Her initial response is always "Wal-Mart" :) Hahaha!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TNq1xXZeAUI/AAAAAAAAC6s/rAkA9DoYmn0/s1600/062.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TNq1xXZeAUI/AAAAAAAAC6s/rAkA9DoYmn0/s400/062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537938551504503106" border="0" /></a></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TNq1wwZQsGI/AAAAAAAAC6c/RzDoCPdzf68/s1600/kyliejo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_muE0V4MEuAc/TNq1wwZQsGI/AAAAAAAAC6c/RzDoCPdzf68/s400/kyliejo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537938541034647650" border="0" /></a>This morning while getting ready for school Hope has this conversation with me from another room:<br />Her: "Why are you under there?"<br />Me: "Under where?"<br />Her: "Underwear, underwear....you said UNDERWEAR! Hahahahhah!"<br />She was still chuckling and claiming she "got" me when I dropped her off at school.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxMVZ3RzVhTVMGM6lr-BS2BlgTJqAeKgyGUjn3WTpsdiOYXdCDsWHBfdbgll84NkvltiYlmc8PNRJOPT_zpylAL1duWoaXuXUO1ZWh1K3ZkqOKrH8gsKaI7XrDAhEkGdmcWlC28HLSDg/s1600/kyliejo1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxMVZ3RzVhTVMGM6lr-BS2BlgTJqAeKgyGUjn3WTpsdiOYXdCDsWHBfdbgll84NkvltiYlmc8PNRJOPT_zpylAL1duWoaXuXUO1ZWh1K3ZkqOKrH8gsKaI7XrDAhEkGdmcWlC28HLSDg/s400/kyliejo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537938533164490818" border="0" /></a>In this picture..."Hey mom, take a picture of me. I look like those boys who wear skirts." I think she meant a kilt because of the plaid?? Ha!Sugar Mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17547574737577988190noreply@blogger.com0