To Grandma's House We Go!

In May, the kids and I went to visit Nanie and SuperDaddy in Midland for about a week! Nanie couldn't do a whole lot because she had just sinus surgery, but SuperDaddy took us to the Children's Museum!




By the end of the week, Nanie did feel well enough to give Ella a pedicure and take a short trip to the pool!

A Freak On The Field!

I have turned into exactly what I swore I wouldn't! I am a baseball mom! Here lately our lives revolve around baseball: practice, and games, and camp, and tournaments. It is a never ending story! A few weeks ago Chance got a new bat, "The Freak"!! And before you think that we have really lost our minds and named a bat, we didn't do it!!! "The Freak" is the actual name of this bat. And just to prove it to you, here is a picture from the manufacturers website: The first night we had it, Chance was so excited that he slept with it! I don't think he has ever been that excited about anything. We kept wondering if The Freak was worth the investment, but this weekend it proved itself to us! Chance's 7 year old team, the Indians were in the tournament for the League Championships! We have a few players on our team who have been in a slump lately. A few of us moms even said it would be a great game, win or lose, if all the boys got a good hit! Well, leave it to The Freak! ALL the boys hit the ball outstandingly! Even the boys that had rarely had a decent hit, used the Freak and hit doubles and triples! We have been riding high since that game Friday night! Saturday the boys played again and it was a nail biter! We were down 9 to 0 in the second inning, but came back to tie it up by the 6th inning and squeaked out a win by one run! We have had an awesome UNDEFEATED season! Tonight will end it all! Chance plays in the Championship game tonight! I will be sure and let you know how it turns out! I have some great pictures from the tournament that I will post next time, but for now here is a a video Chance and I made of his season! ENJOY! (You might want to mute the music at the bottom of the blog so you can hear the video!)

Vacation?!?!?!

Most of you know that we are going to the beach in a few weeks! This will be our first ever Family Vacation! We are really excited, but I for one am also feeling extremely guilty! We have NEVER done anything like this, much less for a whole week!

We found a GREAT house, right on the beach, in a small community called Alligator Point, Florida. Here are some of the pictures that were on the owners website:


This is the place we will call home for an entire week!


This is a look at the inside of the house!


And my favorite...a sunset from the porch!

So, everything looks great, right? So you might be wondering why I am so apprehensive! Well, it's the fact that we are spending more than we ever have before to go somewhere we have never been and I am not even sure my kids will appreciate or enjoy it! I know I can be a worrier sometimes and I am trying just to stay excited, but it is hard. Or it was until yesterday!

Again, God is SOOOOO good! He reassures me all the time that if I just trust the Holy Spirit to guide me and rely on the instincts God has given me then all we be fine! And that brings me to the reason for this post! I wanted to share my devotion from yesterday! It was exactly what I needed and with everyone getting ready for vacation, I thought some of you might benefit as well.

"Ephesians 5:15,16
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time.

It is the wise man who recognizes that vacations can give us time to invest in the relationships that mean the most to us. Vacations can be a time where you build strong family values and make memories.
As Barbara and I look back over more than 20 years of vacations, we'd have to say this is an area where we don't have any regrets. Vacations represent adventure, discovery and shared experiences with our children.

We have made vacations a priority. Both of us work hard, but we've shared a commitment that our children would not remember us as driven workaholics.

Edith Schaeffer calls a family "a museum of memories." If that's so, then our family has racked up enough vacation memories to fill several buildings at the Smithsonian:

We've seen traffic jams created by buffalo crossing a crystal clear stream in Yellowstone and by a herd of taxis at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
We've soaked in the solitude of Yosemite Valley (in the off-season), and we've sat in Wrigley Field cheering the Cubs with 35,000 other fans.
All eight of us have shivered through the night in a tent camping at 8,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and we've sweated on the beaches of northern Florida making sand castles and tossing a Frisbee.
We've driven 4,000 miles to visit Crater Lake, Oregon, and we've vacationed at home when cash was in short supply, walking 400 yards from our back door to fish and picnic on a public lake.
I was recently in a small group of moms and dads who were discussing family vacations. After our time together, it suddenly hit me: Not a single person mentioned a theme park (Disneyland, Sea World, etc.) as one of his or her favorite vacations. Leaky tents and murky swimming holes outdistanced the computerized roller coasters, Mickey and Minnie as the favorite memory makers.

Think about it. Tonight at the dinner table share your favorite vacation memories as a child and as an adult. Then talk about what you really want to do this summer.

Prayer:
Ask God to help you build relationships and make memories this summer with your children.
Discuss: What can you do to emphasize relationships during your next vacation?"

My moms big thing when I was growing up was "We are making memories!" And she was right! I have tons of vacation memories from when I was a little girl. And most of them were not from big fancy travel destinations! My fondest memories are of the journey to get where we were going! So I urge everyone out there to enjoy your kids and your vacations this summer! Even if you can't afford to do anything elaborate, Make some memories with your kids!

Fun OUT of the Sun!!!

The heat of summer is upon us here in the Deep South! Thank goodness for A/C and the JumpZone!!! We have a gym here in Madison that has a room full of inflatables for the kids to jump on and slide down to their hearts content! It is a great way to spend a hot afternoon!
In the last two days, we have had two birthday parties to attend there! My friend Shea captured some wonderful pictures of the kids and I thought I would share them! I have NO Short Term Memory and Can't remember which ones I uploaded here! So I am not even going to try and write captions! Just have fun looking at the kids having fun! (The sweat is from playing so hard, not because it is hot! Believe me they keep it like a freezer in there!)

Southern Belle All Around

I just had to share, because:
1. I am SOOO excited!
2. It really is pretty dead on.
3. And this is one of my favorite movies of all time!!!

I took the Which Steel Magnolia Are You Quiz on Facebook and here are my results:

Shelby Eatenton Latcherie (Julia Roberts' character)

You are Shelby. You are a breath of fresh air! You are the girl next door, America's sweetheart, and you love to laugh! You may make impulsive decisions because you would "rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special." Although you're a southern belle at heart (and your signature color may even be "blush" or "bashful"), you still get caught doing things from time to time that might even "frighten the fish"! You're a risk taker, sometimes at a cost to yourself, so slow down. You may make a decision in haste that you'll someday regret!

Back to childhood and into menopause...all in 24 hours!!!

Last night I went with friends to go see Star Trek! It was the BEST movie I have seen in a while! I loved it!!! The only thing missing was my brothers! I was in NO way a tomboy growing up, but I was raised with two brothers! This meant that when it was time to go to the movies as a family, my choice rarely won! So over and over I was forced to watch Star Wars, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, and any other "boy" movie you can imagine!Now though...I am eternally grateful! My boys think I am so cool because I know that Hans Solo and Indy are the same man!!!! So, when the opportunity came to go see the new Star Trek, I couldn't pass it up! I wanted to screen it before allowing my kids to watch it (which I will definitely be doing) but I also just really wanted to watch it! If you get the chance to watch this movie...DO IT!!! You will not regret spending 2 hours in the cool air conditioning of the movie theatre and watching a movie that is non-stop action from beginning to end! And to both my brothers...I wish you were here to go see it with me! It's just not the same without the two of you!!

Ok, now for the second part of this post! I have made no secret of the fact that I have not felt well for a while, but it looks like an end is in sight! I had a phone appointment today with a doctor in Arizona! I recently sent in some saliva samples to have all my hormone levels tested and it looks like that is the problem! Without going into details I just want to share that there is a plan in place to get me back to me!!! I can't wait!!! So, once my prescriptions get here, I will keep you all posted on my progress! If nothing else comes from this, I have learned to listen to my body! Thank you to all my wonderful friends and family who have helped, prayed, and listened over the last few months!!! I hope one day I can do the same for all of you!

One last thing before I close this one out! Today is my baby brother's 28th birthday! I hope it's a good one Josh! We Miss You!! Happy Birthday!

What A Mighty God We Serve!!!!

Some days I think God looks right into my heart, my head,and my life and knows EXACTLY what I need to hear! This morning when I got up to do my devotion I was awestruck at his pinpoint accuracy! One of the things I do every morning is read my daily couples devotion from Crosswalk.com. This is what I read this morning:

A Mother's Influence by Barbara Rainey
Proverbs 1:8
And do not forsake your mother's teaching.


As a mother, I have my days when everything is relatively easy and I wonder why I ever struggle. The children are loving to one another and circumstances seem to flow smoothly.
But there are other days when I wonder if it will ever be fun again. I struggle with guilt and discouragement. Will these children ever grow up to walk with the Lord? Am I ruining my kids for life!?

Because of my humanity, my identity is subject to attack by my emotions, by other people's perceptions and expectations, and by my abilities and failures. Learning the truth about myself and standing on that truth is a lifelong process.

I believe that if I persevere, God will give me a ministry of influence to the next generation. Most ministry activity is by adults to their own generation, but mothers can literally shape the future. President Teddy Roosevelt once said:

When all is said, it is the mother, and the mother only, who is a better citizen than the soldier who fights for his country. The successful mother, the mother who does her part in rearing and training aright the boys and girls, who are to be the men and women of the next generation, is of greater use to the community, and occupies, if she only would realize it, a more honorable as well as more important position than any man in it. The mother is the one supreme asset of the national life. She is more important, by far, than the successful statesman, or businessman, or artist, or scientist.

To have that influence on the future through my children demands that I objectively evaluate my life as a mother in light of that goal.


Isn't God good!!! I'm not real sure why this was in the "couples devotions" But Whatever Works!!!! God got it to me! It is nice to be reminded that I am doing the right thing! That even when I feel like I get nothing accomplished in a day, I am doing the most important job! I am raising my kids to love the Lord and love others! I am encouraged to keep pressing on! To stay on the path he has laid for me! I hope it brings some of you the same encouragement!

Just in Case You Didn't Hear...I am Mom of the Year!!!

I need to give a huge thanks to my friend Shay for sending this to me!!! You made my day girl! Thanks for all you do to encourage me!!!!


http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=Vp5wLstp3yPdyK.ZWaNNbjExMjM4Mjc3&referred_by=15565570-n3rtutx&p=moveon

I am working on posting the video on the blog, until I figure it out, you are going to have to copy and pasted the link into the address bar!!! You aren't going to want miss this!!! Check it out!!!

A balanced life?!?!?

I can't figure out how much activity vs down time is normal! My life is constantly 90mph! And no matter what, I am left feeling a little guilty! If I focus my day on Jewelry, I feel like I have let my kids down and that they are not going to "learn" anything that day. And if I spend the WHOLE day actively involved with my kids, I feel like business is going to suffer. Who knows where to draw the line?
I know that there is a way to balance it all, but I think I am having a hard time executing the balancing act! I am open to suggestions here. Somebody tell me how to do it ALL!
I know part of the problem is that at my core I am a perfectionist! I want to do everything and do everything Well! I know some of you are thinking if I would just choose one thing to focus on at a time, there wouldn't be a problem. BUT the problem is that's NOT going to happen!
I love Premier! And I know that it is where God wants me right now. I also Love homeschooling. It's not easy. And there are days when I think about sending them all to school, but again it's where God wants me! Any time I think about quitting, this wave of encouragement comes over me and I know it is the Lord! So, for the time being, I am going to do it all. I will be wife, mama, teacher, jewelry lady, daughter, sister, and friend! I may not be on my "A" game every minute of the day, but I am constantly strviing to do my best!
So if anybody has any practical advice on how to make my daily life function a little more smoothly, please let me know. If y'all struggle with this too, tell me! I want to know that I am not crazy, or maybe I am. Maybe you all really do have it figured out! For now, I am just going to keep on keeping on! God loves me! I am walking where He wants me! I have peace about what I am doing, I just need figure out more organized way of doing it! Thanks for listening to me ramble! I feel better just getting it out!

Have Jewelry, Will Travel!

I am so excited! I just got home from training, and like usual, it was Wonderful! I am always so uplifted and inspired from spending time with my fellow jewelry ladies! To have so many godly women on a mission in the same room is awesome! And the best part is, they all want me to do my best, and that's what this post is about!

I have been given a contest. I need to hold 12 shows in the month of May. So I need 12 friends who are willing to open up their homes (or my home, if necessary), invite their friends over, and earn FREE jewelry! I love my job! I love giving away jewelry and serving other women, but I can't do my job without you!

If anyone is interested in FREE jewelry and in helping me win my contest, please let me know as soon as possible! Please let me know how I may serve you!

You Are What You Eat!

This is a video from an awesome website, foodmatters.com, it will make you think twice. you will have to pause the music at the bottom to watch the video with sound.

Sometimes a FUNK is a God thing!

As I write this I am enjoying some VERY rare quiet time! Currently, I am sitting at my parents “country” house, trying desperately to keep an internet signal. My children are all (believe it or not) watching a movie TOGETHER! I have not heard a peep from them in almost an hour!
We are patiently (and I use the word loosely) awaiting the arrival of my parents. It is so rare that I have this much time to myself and it has really given me time to think! My life is at such a GREAT time right now! I am in awe of God’s unbelievable timing and workmanship.
I really have no idea who even reads this blog, but I am assuming that most of you talk to me on a regular basis. But, for those rare few who might have NO idea what is going on in my little corner of the world, I want to give a quick recap of the last few weeks so you too can stand in amazement of God’s infinite wisdom.
I really don’t know where to start or what to say, so I am going to take some advice from one of my favorite teachers and “just write”!
Most of you know that I sell Premier Jewelry! I started doing this last fall and I absolutely love it. Not only does it allow me to dress up and be girly, but I truly believe network marketing is the way of the future. And based on this year’s tax refund I will be telling everyone I know that they should work for themselves!
The past few weeks have not been fun at my house. My body has been going through something that I can only describe as a FUNK! I was tired, achy, sleep deprived, unmotivated and living in a fog! I will admit that all of these symptoms had me more than just a little down, but I do not believe that I was in a state of depression. The doctors were at a loss. I was asked everything from “Are you hearing voices?” to “Are you homicidal?” How do you make others realize it is not all in your head! And if I heard it once, I heard 15 times that I was just stressed. I had taken on too much in recent months. Well, that is NOT okay with me! I am 31 years old I should not be exhausted just from living my life! Oh if I had only known then what I know now! God brought me to this breaking point so that a wide array of things could come together at precisely the same time! I have some wonderful, Godly women as friends. And more than one of them sent a prayer up on my behalf. But ONLY one came to me knowing what I was going through.
This is where God’s awesomeness comes into play! Had I not joined Premier, I would have never met this certain friend! Cindy knew what I was going through because she had been there! And even better, she had a solution!
There is an amazing company out there who is harvesting, bottling, and marketing the most amazing plant found on this planet (So Far)! The acai berry is all over the media right now for its unbelievable antioxidants, but THIS company is keeping it as close to its natural state as possible and people are seeing UNBELIEVABLE results.
Normally I am a skeptic, but like I said there is nothing normal about my life in recent days. I was so desperate to feel better that trying the product was an easy decision. The hard part would have been trusting the company was legit, but because I have learned the true nature of network marketing, that too was a non-issue. I really believe if it had not been for my knowledge of how network marketing works I would have never trusted a company that didn’t advertise or sell in stores.
And just because God is SOOOO awesome, He took it one step further. I have another friend who “just happened” to mention a certain book to me, that it would change how I live my life. And oh was she right. I am not even going to mention the name of the book, because you wouldn’t believe me if I did. But if you really want to know, call me and I will share this wealth of knowledge with you!
In the midst of my Funk I told those people closest to me that this was my wake up call! I refuse to live the rest of life dependent on anti-depression medicine and sleeping pills. God did not design me to pump my body full of synthetic, man-made, chemical combinations! Now that I have taken a good look around, it shocks me to know how I have treated my body up to this point! Now don’t think that I am going extremist on you! I don’t think I could live as a vegetarian, although I am contemplating looking into what the Bible says about eating meat. I am not giving up all forms of sugar or any other outrageous idea. But I have decided to pay much closer attention to my body, what it needs AND what it doesn’t.
Now, as for my FUNK, it is gone! I have been steadily taking the acai product I mentioned and I feel GREAT! As a matter of fact today was my third day to go without my crutch of anti-anxiety pills that I have “needed” for 5 years. I now know that I don’t NEED anything but God!
I am sorry if I have rambled or gone off on tangents, but the last week has just been one big train wreck of AMAZING happenings in my life and I had to share. Thank you to all of you who called me, texted me, and prayed for me! I am doing sooooooooo much better! Praise God for knowing what we need and when we need it! Our God truly is an AWESOME God!

It's "Got Me" Day

March 9, 2006



Tomorrow is Ella's "Gotcha Day" as they say in the adoption world. But in our house it is now known as "Got Me Day" thanks to Ella! It seems like just yesterday that Gary and I were in Guatemala picking up our sweet baby girl from her foster mother.
It has been three years now since she has been with us and we wouldn't trade her for the world. I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures from the final days of our adoption journey.


This is us getting off of the plane. I don't know how well this one will show up on the computer, but it is my absolute FAVORITE! You can see the excitement on my face to have my WHOLE family together for the first time. And Chance in the foreground running to us with the anticipation of meeting his sister. No other picture sums up the excitement, joy, and love, that was waiting for Ella!

This one just reminds me how much of baby Jackson still was when Ella came home! My babies...sigh! Time flies soooo fast.


And the Happy Parents! Do think we could smile any bigger?

This "Got Me" day is special. For those of you who have been with us from the beginning, this is just as much for you as it is for us. We had to complete 4 post placement visits with a Social Worker after Ella came home, and the last one was this past week!!!! YEA!!!! We are done! She is OURS! No more red tape! I don't know who we would be without Ella to brighten our days. She is what every parent could want in a little girl. She loves to shop, wear make-up, dance, and talk non-stop! She is my partner in crime. I love her girly-girl side. However, she has tomboy streak in her that comes out every so often. It must come from having two brothers. Her daddy LOVES the fact that she likes to get dirty, wants to learn to hit a baseball, and has asked for a pink gun! In the words of HER FAVORITE song, she is the "Best Of Both Worlds!"
I think we all get caught up in our day to day lives and forget what little miracles our children are. And their birthdays seem to be all about parties and toys and friends. I think every kid needs a "GOT ME" Day! It's not about presents or cake or any other superficial tradition. It simply for us to celebrate, as a family, the day that we all came together! I guess in our house it is like a family anniversary. I don't know how other women feel, but I knew when my family was complete (and when it wasn't). To have a sense of completion is an amazing feeling. And now it is DONE!
We are a FOREVER family!


We love you Ella Bella, Chikamunk, Sugar Honey, Ella Rosie, Princess Chatterbox!
Welcome to the Family! FOREVER!

All about the J Man!

For those of you who don't know...tomorrow is Jackson's 5th birthday! WOO HOO! We are not having a party! Last year we started just trying to do something special as a family. This is not as inspirational as it might seem. With 3 kids...I am tired of planning parties. And twice as tired of presents we don't need or have the room for.
So this year, for the boys' birthdays we are going to Sea World in San Antonio. Jackson's birthday is in March and Chance's in is August, so we are hoping to make the trip in between somewhere. They are really excited.
We are going to spend the day together tomorrow, probably bowling or a movie! And of course there will be cake...Pokemon if you must know details!
Anyway, I thought since it is his special day I would share some little known facts about Action Jackson!
1. I went into labor during Alias...MY FAVE! and he has not stopped interrupting since!
2. He will jump off of anything and everything if it stands still long enough!
3. He wears his cowboy boots EVERYDAY!
4. He is going to be just like his Uncle Jake when it comes to love: It takes him a while to take the leap, but once he's in...he's ALL in!
5. He is built just like SuperDaddy and Uncle Josh, short and stocky! The doctors guess he will reach a full height of 5'10.
6. We call him our little carnivore. He would be content to meat and nothing else!
7. He his the most competitive of all my children. He plays to win or he doesn't play!
8. He absolutely idolizes his BIG brother, to the point that we have learned to just ask Chance what is going to order to eat, because Jackson wants the same thing!
9. He still sleeps with a "silky" every night!
10. He has the most infectious laugh and I LOVE finding things to crack him up!

I could go on, but I don't want to bore you or embarrass him. Just wanted to let all of you in on the joy that is Jackson!
Happy Birthday Bug!

An Encouraging Word

So, since we started this homeschooling adventure...we have received a huge range of responses. We have support, we have understanding, we have encouragement, we have confusion, and we have criticism. No matter what each of you thinks, I want to thank you for at least being honest with me. And I want you to know that we are LOVING life right now.
1.I love my kids...and having them with me.
2.Our house is MUCH more relaxed than it was before.
3.The kids ARE learning...tons!
4.and they behave BETTER!!!
Anyway, I could go on and on about how right this decision was for our family. But the real reason I wanted to post tonight was to share something I read today. For those of you that are in this homeschooling boat with us, you will be uplifted. For those of you that are lifting us up in prayer and in support, you will be encouraged. And for those of you that are skeptical, I hope this will help you understand why we do what we do.

"We can sum up very quickly what people need to teach their own children. First of all, they have to like them, enjoy their company, their physical presence, their energy, foolishness, and passion. They have to enjoy all their questions, and enjoy equally trying to answer those questions. They love to think of their children as friends, indeed very close friends, have to feel happier when near and miss them when they are away. They have to trust them as people, respect their fragile dignity, treat them with courtesy, take them seriously. They have to feel in their own hearts some of their children's wonder, curiosity, and excitement about the world. And they have to have enough confidence in themselves, skepticism about experts, and willingness to be different from most people, to take on themselves the responsibility for their children's learning. But that is about all the parents need. Perhaps only a minority of parents has these qualities. Certainly some have more than others. Many will gain more as they know their children better; most of the people who have been teaching their children at home say that it has made them like them more, not less. In any case, these are not qualities that can be taught or learned in school, or measured with a test, or certified with a piece of paper."
-John Holt in Teach Your Own

You Are What You Eat!

You know how they say one day you look in the mirror and you realize that you have become your mother, well that has happened at our house. However, it is not the mirror where we are seeing the similarities...it is the calendar.
Chance had his last Basketball game Friday night and we are already getting ready for baseball. We bought a new batting helmet yesterday, we have paid our fees, now we are just waiting on the coaches to call.
I remember growing up: that our years were measured by sport seasons and it seems I am headed down that pathway again. I hated baseball growing up. It is such a long a boring game to watch, but somehow, miraculously it is infinitely more interesting when your own child is on the field. I will never understand people like my Daddy who go to watch Little League even when they know no one on the team, but I am slowing coming to grasp the mind of the parents who wear the shirts bragging "My child is #19"
So if you happen to see me cheering like crazy as Jackson is running the bases or Chance is catching a fly ball, please be kind. Don't take the opportunity to rub it in my face that I am turning into everything I swore I wouldn't become. Just know that I am a MAMA and everything changes when you have kids!

Spontaneous Sale-A-Bration

Join me for my Spontaneous Sale-A-Bration! What is this you say? Let me tell you!

Right now Premier is offering an AWESOME Gift with Purchase Promotion that ends on Friday. I want YOU, my friends to get in on this GREAT deal. So, just because you can’t come to a show doesn’t mean you have to miss out.

This is a relaxed, friendly event with a come-and-go, open house feel. Come see the Spring Line. Take advantage of the Promotion…Oh and don’t for get Prizes!

Since there won’t be a hostess and SOMEONE has to get ALL the FREE Jewelry…That someone might as well be you!

Anyone who places an order during the Sale-A-Bration will be entered into a drawing for the hostess benefits…aka FREE jewelry!!!

You can also earn tickets by bringing a friend that I have not already invited and by booking a show between now and July! Could this get any more fun!
All you have to do is come, shop, eat, and visit and you could get TONS of FREE Bling!!!

I am so excited! I can’t wait to see all of you! Stop by, bring the kids (because you know mine will be here) and check out the jewelry!

Come Shop on Tuesday between 4pm and 8pm or Wednesday between 10am and 3pm!

It's me...AGAIN

Okay! So I don't post for a week or so and then BOOM...twice in one day! I can't sleep! There is nothing on tv. I really don't feel like reading! And I have had all the facebook I can take for one night. So here I am, babbling on like a sleep deprived lunatic!
I realize it has been a LONG while since I actually just sat down and told it like it is. I always give little bits here and there about our life in Madison "The City" but I never really say much.
I know sometimes I sound a bit blunt and slightly passive, but in reality are life is ROCKIN'! Homeschooling really is going well for all of you skeptics out there. We are using the Abeka curriculum plus a wonderful website, www.time4learning.com. My kids (yes...I have already started teaching Jackson) love the lessons on the computer. They can do all of it by themselves and I can print out a detailed report on their progress. I am so much more aware of what they are learning than I was.
And yes...I will admit it: I LIKE having them home. We truly have a good time together. Not that all the stress is gone, by no means, but we are more relaxed. I have a good schedule planned for once Jackson and Ella are home full time,m but until then we are just winging it.
Jewelry sales are moving along as well. I have another show tomorrow night. Gary and I went to Dallas to a conference and now we are truly in this together. He sees the value in what I am doing and the possibilities for success. I won't bore you with all of the details, but I have set a number of goals for myself and we are steadily working toward those...TOGETHER!
I guess I have rambled enough for now. I may go track down an advil pm or something. If I don't get to sleep soon I won't have anytime to enjoy my bed before the boys take it over...a WHOLE other post! I hope this gets you caught up our little family. We are plowing through life one day at time...but we are doing as a FAMILY!

In Sickness and in Health!

Sorry it has been a while. Ella had the flu all last week. She is finally feeling better and back to her old self. Tonight at dinner...we had salad...she asked for some "more dress up please" instead of dressing. Oh the things they say.
Gary and I have decided that after Feb. Jackson and Ella will be joining Chance at home full time. The homeschooling is going tremendously well and I really feel led that this is what God wants from me at this time. I appreciate all of your support. Thanks for all you concerns over Ella. So far no one else is showing symptoms and we hope to keep it that way.
Sorry if this is rambling, that's how it is in my head. No wonder I feel like I am running in circle half the time!

All Together Now...AAAAAAWWWWW!

Can I just say that being an aunt is ALMOST as awesome as being a mom! Tell me she is not one of the cutest babies you have ever seen. For those of you that have not had the pleasure of an introduction...This is MY niece, Ann Coleman Pettit. She will be four months old on the tenth of February.

Must Love Jewelry

I am so sorry I didn't explain better! I just take for granted that everyone who reads this knows what is going on in my life! So here is the DL for those of you who need an update.

In September I started working with Premier Designs! They are a direct sales jewlery company. Bascially I go into peoples homes and have "Jewelry Shows" I am Loving it! The money is GREAT and I have met some WONDERFUL people. And not to mention I get tons of jewelry WHOLESALE!!!

If you want to know more check out my new blog www.mustlovejewelry.blogspot.com

And as always, if you need to purchase something... LET ME KNOW!

REVIVAL

Okay...I am back by popular demand...HA HA HA! Sorry it has been so long, but between Jewelry and Home School, life is CRAZY! We just got back from Dallas. Gary and I spent the weekend being motivated and encouraged in our business venture, while the kids had non-stop fun with Nanie and SuperDaddy at Great Wolf Lodge. They got to hang out at the indoor water park, eat all the junk they wanted, and Ella even received her first mani-pedi! AHHHH life is good! Enjoy the pictures and I will post again soon.
No pictures of Chance because he was too busy to stand still for the camera.