thuRsdaY...

wow! todaY has been such a haPpY day. not just for me but, for mY brother and his famiLy as well. without going into manY detaiLs of it all i can just say...tis the season for guardian angeLs. i know without a doubt that in any time of need you will aLwaYs find someone out there worse off than you. that at many times we often forget to count our blessings. they don't need to be big items as i often think it is the little things that count and matter the most. like look at the world we live in... we have freedom. what about the air we breathe, the homes which we have over our heads, our bodies...for some are not hole. what about our hearts...they are free to love manY and yet do we fully use it well. i know that at christmas time for me... i love to give way more than i like to receive. it's the light in that child's eye that puts and amaZing waRm feeling in mY heart. knowing i could share with a stranger that has nothing. a famiLy member or friend that is in need. for me...this is the tRue spirit of christmas. i am not rich by any means. though i am trulY rich in blessings. i will aLwaYs remember what mY aunt told me when i was a young mom with 2 kids and one on the waY. she said to me "connie, please let us give. by not allowing us to do so you are denYing us blessings. one of these daYs it will be your turn to give." ever since then i have reminded mYself NOT to deny others if they are able to help in a time of need. i also remember that it is a blessing to give. this holiday season i may not be able to give a lot of material items. though the one thing i can give is mY heaRt...mY loVe. so to all of you out in blog land... i wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. maY 2008 be one that will be good for us all. look around you and remember...you do have it good, cause someone out there underneath this same big sky has it worse. *hugs*

oh, i believe...

are you kidding me....christmas is one week from tOdaY!!!! i'm serious we need to go back to aPriL. i know i haven't written in awhile but, time just creeps away. i am actually writing this while i am cooking dinner and getting my daughter ready for her program tonight. can you say multi-tasking pro right now, lol. i just wanted to let you all know that i have kinda gotten into the christmas spirit. tree is up (still naked) and so are the decorations and lights. i did my christmas cards for my scrapbook stores. haven't done our personal ones yet. you know i might just do a neW yeaRs letter and card instead. just running out of time. still have loads of shopping to do but, i will get there. i wanted to share with you what has helped get me in the holiday spirit. every year since i have been married my mother started a tradition between her and i. she gives me a nativity on christmas eve. this has been a challenge for her at times as she has to reMembeR what she gave me last year and the years before. it is eXciTing for me cause i know i at least get to open one present on christmas eve. as i put all of these nativities out last week, {all 17 of them} i reflected upon the meaning...the true meaning of christmas. i reminded mYself that i need to teach mY children the true meaning. that i don't want them to think it is all about the gifts and decorations. i want them to know that it is a time for caring, sharing, giving and loving. i want them to know that whether santa can bring them what is on their wish list or not, that it is ok. i have listened to quite a few christmas songs lately as well. none struck me more than the one brad shared with me...the song...do they know it's christmas by band aid. as i listened to the woRds...i really listened. so many phrases struck me as true. i will be doing my best to teach all i come into contact with the true meaning. thank you brad for reminding me. so i think i am definitely readY now. i do beLievE, come on christmas...i am waiting. *hugs*

a sigh of relief...

yep you read that right. many of you know that my second oldest, trevor was in a car/bicycle accident on november 5th. the officer decided to give trevor a ticket {2 weeks later}. so i was summons at my home november 27th {austin's birthday} by an officer of the court that trevor was to appear in court on wednesday, december 12th at 3:30. i get a call yesterday from the court stating the judge needs to reschedule due to and emergency. WHAT?! they wanted to reschedule for january, uh i don't think so. we want to get this over with so we can move on. we want to get it settled so we can get reimbursed for all of the medical bills, dental bills, bike, clothes and glasses. so me being pushy {not really, ok maybe a little} was able to have the court date for tOdaY! yep, today at 3:00. so we go there and realize as the judge is looking up the ticket code that it doesn't look good. fyi...if you are on a bike you are NOT considered a pedestrian, you are a motorist. we as his parents said "we think you need to hear trevor's version of what happened. trevor proceeded to tell him and guess what...CASE DISMISSED! yep you guessed it, trevor is breathing a rather large sigh of relief and so am i!!

babY it's cold outside...

last night all the kids were in bed and we were watching the news and our power goes out. it blinked a couple of times and then completely out! we thought...that is strange. opened our door to notice the entire block was out. need i remind you, it's winter and it has been very cold the last couple of days. no problem right? we got out flash lights and candles. then we thought...HEAT! now haleigh is up and scared. i went and checked on the boYs...all sound asleep and i put their blankets back on. as we did not know when the power would come back on. it's now 11:30 and power has been out and hour...getting a little cold. haleigh got in bed with me and galen decided he would go check things out. the entire two towns were out!!! cops were on main street checking business and were hoping power would be on soon. you don't realize how much everything is connect until the power goes out. think about it... lights, alarm clocks, clocks, stereos, tv, computer, phones, phone chargers and HEAT! as i thought to myself...welcome to austin's world. so little miss and i get all snuggled into bed and i am asleep and my cell starts vibrating. galen said "think you are getting a text" i said no it's a call and who would be calling me at midnight. it was my sister in law. we had been online and i told her the power was out. my computer battery died so she had no idea what was going on. she was calling to check on us. so here i am half asleep, and i was trying to tell her we were ok and then...blink...POWER! needless to say we are all fine and warm. then today at work we had power surges all day long. very frustrating when the computer is a big part of your work. i had a dental appointment today and thought i better call and check on it to see if we were still on. all was a go, so off to the dentist i went. did i forget to mention it has been SNOWING all day!!! it was so nice to see the white stuff falling down. it is pretty late for this being our first snow. here is a picture i took of my house as i left for work this morning at 39 degrees. yes, it is still snowing and we are to receive more. i wonder if we will have no school tomorrow. that would be fun other than i would have to WORK. i better get dinner going. have a great night. i know i will be snuggling in my blankey tonight cause...baby it's cold outside! *hugs*

how do i begin to catch up?? another long one...

i have received many e-mails lately wondering if i am ok and where have i been. i sat and thought to myself...i have been right here. then they say, we have missed reading your blog. WHAT, are you SERIOUS?? how could you be so interested in my blog of ramblings. anywho...thanks for missing me and i will try and do better. i just want to let you all know I am ok. it has just been a very busy start to december. like i said before...i think we need to go back to april so i can start preparing for december. don't have my tree up, decorations are not done, newsletter isn't written, christmas cards~nope, no picture was taken, work cards have been started, and please i do not want to hear any christmas music. i think i am truly a bauhumbug. i know these things need to be done for my children. then i think why do it if we won't even be here. it's hard cause we have to travel for christmas. let me tell ya...this is no fun at all. we have to leave a sign for santa, try and organize with two families (luckily my dad lives in PA or it would be 3) and try and make everyone happy. what about ME? isn't it if momma ain't happy, then nobody's happy. at christmas i feel like i have to hide my own thoughts and feelings for others. to make everyone else happy. i WILL do this for my kids and they are mY number one reason for mY liFe. though seriously...think about it...why do we celebrate christmas? what is the true meaning? are we going over board or do we truly remember? i guess i have ramble enough about this and i should not have allowed all of you in on my little tantrum i am having about christmas. i guess i better get my tree up today or my little miss bug-a-boo is gonna put me in timeout! maybe posting this picture of my dad back in PA last year will help me get into the mood. only wish i could of seen him riding around town on his motorcycle in a santa suit. anywho...let's move on...

austin you know turned 17 almost two weeks ago and had the bEst birthday EVER! his dad arranged for him to go to lunch with daddy and two of daddy's friends (Mark & Clay). lunch was about an hour away and to get there it would only be 20 minutes in an AIRPLANE!! yes, you read that right an airplane. here are some pictures of his amaZing ride to get to lunch.

we then attended his brother's wrestling match where oma took a picture of us. it is such a good picture. i usually don't have an pictures of me with my kiddos cause i am always taking them. it is also a tradition in our familY that on your birthday you get to choose where we go for dinner. austin chose eva's right here in town. it is the best yuMmY mexican/american food in snowflake (in my opinion). i was totally excited for dinner, cause i could live on mexican food and i would be a happy girL. my parents were in town and joined us as well. the owner was there and brought austin out fried ice cream with a candle. we sang happy birthday and their tradition there is to put some whip topping on your nose. yep, austin got it...

austin's birthday was fun for all this year and i can't even begin to think that next year....i'm not even gonna say it.

dallin has been wrestling and has been second string. right before thanksgiving he had a wrestle off for first string. as he was up on points and was beating the first string he pick him up and slammed him down really hard. he really hurt him, bad! when he would come back from thanksgiving he would find out the results for both...making first string and how the other boy was. well, dallin made it! the other boy will be on crutches for 4-6 weeks. i felt so bad as we have know the other boy since t-ball. we have coached him and the boys are pretty good friends. this put dallin in the position for regionals. WHAT??!!! he only had two matched before regionals and they were against the two best schools. he tried his hardest and did his best and still lost. yesterday was regionals 20 minutes away. it was 34 degrees when we left in the morning and 11 hours later it was 34 degrees coming home. it was snowing and yet we were all inside watching wrestling matches all day!! it was a very long day for all of us. we were so excited for his first match. it was against a kid he had wrestled for fun while on second string. guess what...he pinned him in 1:15. we were all so excited!!!! this is all we asked of dallin. go out and do your best and have fun. the next match was not fun. he had to wrestle the first guy he had wrestled his first time as a first stringer. he didn't get pinned...but lost. the mom of the other boy said to me, "he is really strong". i was so happy that he held him. he lost 5-0. now he has one loss and it's double elimination. next kid just thrashed dallin. smacked him hard into the mat. he had a hard time even concentrating on the rest of the match as his head was killing him. we thought it was his mouth where he just got the rest of his braces put on. he has a huge bruise on his right shoulder as part of the take down. he lost that match as well. we are so proud of him for sticking it out. he never got pinned and that was just awesome! we bought him a sweatshirt as it was the white mountain regionals. on the back we added a screen. i picked it out and this is what it says...it's not the SIZE of the DOG in the FIGHT, but the SIZE of the FIGHT in the DOG. this is my dallin!! way to go D, i am so proud of you. you didn't even want to wrestle and yet you didn't quit.

******************************

now do you question where i have been for the last couple of weeks. with mY life i realize that it will never slow down. but, i can promise you that mY kids are my liFe and i wouldn't change a thing!! i love taking them to and attending all of their events whatever it may be...soccer, marching band, choir, ffa, football, wrestling, baseball, concerts, parades, softball and the list goes on... i will alwaYs be their biggest fan!

better go potty before you sit down and read this one...it's a book, lol...

wow! it seems like forever since i have really written a deep blog entry. not that all of my entries have to be moving but, as i sit here full of emotions once again... i have so much to say. i was able to spend a much needed evening with mY very best friend, debbie. you don't realize how much you miss someone until they are not around. we use to talk once a day...seriously! we live 3 1/2 hours apart for the last 9 years. we use to talk every day because we had the same cell plan. then she went and changed it and now we are luck if we talk once every couple of weeks. now this is not just because of our cell plans but, our lives. she was working two jobs, owned her own store and a full time mom of two amaZing children. then there is me...a full time mom of 4, a scrapbook sales rep and a part time receptionist. our lives have been truly busy and our schedules have really clashed. so on friday i drove down and we ate dinner together and caught up. we were there for 3 hours!!! with work and my drive down, we knew we were too tired to catch a movie so we went back to her place and tried to watch one. by midnight we were both so exhausted we went to bed! we are getting so old aren't we? i also got to spend part of saturday with her as well. as i sit here and write this my heart is full! i am truly blessed to have her in mY lifE! we have been friends since jr high 23 years ago. i would say the last 15 1/2 years we have been the bEst of fRienDs!! when you find people like this who touch your life daily you never want to let them go. i also spent some much needed alone time too on saturday and it was just so rElaxing. love those times. finished the rest of the weekend with familY. on sunday we had a baby blessing to attend and then we were heading home. this is where mY weekend doesn't end...

i drove my mom's car down so i could spend friday & saturday with deb. on sunday we noticed mom's car was overheating and the battery was giving us problems. right as we were heading out of town i felt it wasn't good to be driving it. we stopped at my aunt's and figured i would stay behind one day to get it fixed. lets just say one day turned into 3!! so here i was stranded with no car and missing work and my kiddos. mY wonderful brother and his father-in-law were able to look at the car and determine the problem. it called for a specialty part, after ordering it once and having them mess up, ordering the correct part, waiting another day, mY brother was finally able to put it all back together. i hated asking for rides everywhere. don't like to asK for help but, love to give it! i then was able to head home last night. when i got home i hugged my kids f-o-r-e-v-e-r (in your best sandlot voice)! it was so nice...i missed them so much and was soooo glad to finally be HOME!!

i have again been reminded that familY is always forever, friends are there no matter what and that your kids will aLways be there for you when ever you need them. last night was amaZing for me and was much needed. *hugs* connie

a quicky...

just wanted to post a quick note to let you gals know to be on the look out for some pacKagEs!!!! all were shipped out on fridaY and i can not tell you how excited i was. never a haPpiEr lady at the post office the daY before december, lol. anywho...i will try and post later. haPpY december...are you readY? i'm NOT!! lets go back to...

aPriL

that would do for me. *hugs* connie

haPpY 17th babY...

wow! i can't believe that 17 years ago today at 5:46 a.m. i gave birth to mY babY (my oldest). i have so many wonderfuL memories of him and with him. he is such a blessiNg in mY life. he has touched mY life and it will never be the same. if you know austin or haven't had the chance to meet him or know him you are gReatly missing out. this young man will touch YOUR life and it will too never be the same. many of you out there know that austin is very special in so many ways. you may have seen the post i did awhile back on him and his dad. if not... i will briefly tell you. he is totally blind from birth, autistic and mentally challenged. he is... tall and handsome. his voice... is like angels singing. his smile...will lighten any dark room. his arms... so comforting and touching. his "i love you" will pierce your heart forever! this is mY young man, this is mY friend, this is mY angel, he will always be...mY baby! i love you austin!!! this is a song we would sing together before he would go to bed a night. we just sang it last sundaY. wow! he still remembered.

may the road rise to meet you
may the wind blow at your back
may the sun shine warmly on your face
may the rain fall softly on your fields
and until we meet again
until we meet again
may God hold you in the palm of his hand
amen

as you eNjoy this little video clip listen to the words of this song. i am truly honored to be this young man's mom!! i learn something new everyday from him and i am truly blessed.

lonely boxes...

i am still waiting on some mailing addresses from some of you lucKy ladies. i have lonely boxes sitting around here waiting to go home. please get me these as soon as possible. here is my e-mail address so you can privately send them to me... sccscrapbooking@hotmail.com. i really don't want to mention any names of who i am still waiting on but, if you think you haven't sent it shoot me an e-mail. i can't wait to feel completely de-cluttered. i know getting these boxes to their homes will help, lol. thaNks again for helping me clean out! *hugs* connie

thaNks for touching mY liFe...

i snagged this off of casey's blog. it struck me today. i thought it would be a good one for me to post and share with all of you. read, think and ponder and maybe even read again. i am thaNkfuL for all of YOU who touch mY liFe daily. *hugs*

the following is the philosophy of charles schultz, the creator of the "peanuts" comic strip. you don't have to actually answer the questions. just read the paragraphs straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

how did you do?

the point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. they are not second-rate achievers. they are the best in their fields, but the applause dies. awards tarnish. achievements are forgotten. accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

here's another quiz. see how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

easier?

the lesson: the people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. they are the ones who care.

haPpY thaNksGiviNg!!!

i hope you all had a wondeRful, blessed day with your familY and friends. thaNks for your lovE and support. because of YOU... i am trulY blessed. *hugs* connie

ceLebratioN....

you all know that tayrn was the big winnEr of the RAK but, i have a little secret. all the others that did not win...amanda, felicity, suellen, wendy, tammy, dianna, misty and christine, send me your mailing address through an e-mail and you will receive a fuN surprise. now you all can celebrate with me and have a good time. thanks for helping me clean out!! i feel so light and good. now tomorrow i can stuff myself and not feel guilty, lol. *hugs*

the WINNER is....

here are all the names written down...

here are the names in a hat...

here is mY third oldest, dallin drawing the name. i didn't want to do it. so if you don't win this is who you go after, lol.

drum roll please....

...and the winner is....

*******************************************************

TARYN!!! congratulations taryn. send me an e-mail with your mailing address and i will get your box in the mail. it's already to go, just waiting on YOU!

RAK picture...

here it is... this is what one lucKy WINNER will be receiving in the mail. are you all ready to find out who the winner is? let me check my blog and get all of the names written down and then i will have one of my boys pick out the winner. i will post it soon. hope you all are crossing your fingers. *hugs* connie

MIA...

i know, i have been missing in action lately. are you all dying? you are wanting to know who the winner is, right? well, i am not done. i know...i don't think i will ever be done for my liking. what i have decided is this...i am gonna take a picture of the goodies and tomorrow i will post them and (drum roll please)......announce the WINNER! so if you can wait one more day, i will give you an early thanksgiving blessing. i also have another little secret up mY sleeve. i will let you all in on it tomorrow. i have had a very busy and late few days and i seriously need to go to bed. *night*

faLL fuN...

haven't even started on the scrap room. i know, i know you all wanting to know who the winner will be. i promise i will get to it. trevor came in and told me he had tied a rope to our tree and sis was plaYing on it. i had to stop and get mY camera...for i knew i would want to capture this moment.

so as haleigh climbed the tree was she ever fuN to capture. here are some gReat shots i got of her. i have to reMembEr to capture these day to day moments. as one of my quotes i love so dearly states...enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things~robert brault i don't ever want to miss out on a moment. take a picture of your kids today doing whatever they are doing, unposed. eNjoY your moment and never forget that one day they will be all grown up. you can't ever go back unless you capture that moment in time. these pictures for mE... pRiceLess!!!

RAK update...

k, time for an update. i worked on my room from about 10 a.m. until 12:50 a.m. yes, i pulled an all day/niter. am i finished....define finished, lol. for me i did get a lot accomplished and this made me sooo very haPpY! here are some pics i took through out the day...
picture taken at 11:36 a.m. hey i can see the floor!

picture taken at 12:16 p.m.

picture taken at 6:40 p.m. i think you have to make a mess before you can dig out of all the clutter. not fun but, i am doing it.

picture taken at 12:29 a.m. headed off to bed shortly after this.

i am still not finished going through all of my rep items. i did however get them organized and out of the boxes. yes, all 12 of them, yee-haw! i now have 3 boxes (and counting) of product for my give-a-ways. boy, this RAK is gonna be a good one too. after i finish organizing i will put all of your names in a hat and pull out one lucky winner. when i announce the winner all you have to do is send me an e-mail with your mailing address and you will receive an eaRly christmas present from me. i hope you eNjoY it! i am hoping to be done today and i will post a picture of all the goodies to be won by one lucKy winner!!! are you all getting excited? i hope so cause i am! if you haven't posted yet you still have time. come on you know you want in on the fuN. you have until i day say the word... DONE!!! good-lucK. *hugs* connie

haPpy satuRdaY! make it a good one. i know i am. ;0)

digging in...YIKES!!

you are right christine. you say cookies or frEe scrapbook stuff and everyone leaves a comment, lol. so today is the big day. as soon as i drop kiddos off to school, the hair is going up in a pony and i am staying in my jammies. gotta start digging into that so called scrapbook room. i am hoping to stay aLive and not fall in and to never come out, hehe. it's a pretty big challenge!! i just have to do it though. just do it! it so needs to be done. i have to remember the saying...i think i can, i think i can, i think i can!! ok, so the count down begins...10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4...

ps. keep posting those comments. when i am done with my challenge (the huge mountain) i will stop the postings. lets just prayer i finish todaY!

cLeaNing ouT RAK...

k, you all know what a RAK is, right? if not, it stands for random act of kindness. so tomorrow i am gonna clean out! i have 10+ boxes of nEw product that i have not even touched. it's time that i clean out the old and put in the new. with this being said i am going to give away some of my scrapbook supplies as my RAK. most of you know that i am a scrapbook sales rep for about 25 different companies. when new product is released we as reps receive it. i then show it to all of my stores and after that i put it in a box for goodies and give-a-ways for a store event. i have WAY too much. so this is how it is gonna work...for those who feel like posting a comment i will put your name in a hat. i will draw out one lucky winner who will win a box of scrapbook goodies. what perfect timing huh. you may choose to keep it for yourself, share with a friend or give it as a christmas present for someone. i am not sure what it will entitle yet as i have not started cleaning out. maybe tomorrow as i am cleaning i will stop and photo the goodies and post it. who knows i might have more than one RAK once i dig in. all you gotta do is leave me a comment. i will allow all to participate, that means you family members. so spread the word or not and leave me a comment of any sort. bribing me with a wonderfuL comment will not help your odds of winning, lol.

digiTal scRapbookiNg...

i'm so excited!! i finally feel comfortable enough to show some of mY digital scrapbook layouts. i love using memory mixer's digital scrapbooking program. it is so easy and fuN. i know i only have a few layouts but, i am smiLing. thanks for looking. eNjoY!

oops, it didn't happen...

hey mom and dad...i know you have been dying to see your 3 oldest wrestle so here you go. it takes quite a bit to upload the video so i think i will only post a couple. i was so excited to see such an improvement in him within two weeks. it was a site to see... though very smelly and hot, lol. eNjoY!!! i am still not feeling so well so i am heading to bed early. night

ps. it took way to long to try and upload the first video so i decided against it. i will try and e-mail them to you. sorry to get your hopes up. love and miss you. *hugs*

nope, not a haPppy campeR...

i am not feeling well today. thought it was just my allergies but, i don't think that it is just that. gonna go to bed now. sorry i didn't have more exciting things to say. overwhelmed and not feeling good will do that to ya. not very inspired lately either. i think i am going through something and i can't dig myself out of it. i have lost mY mojo... hElp!!! i need some uplifting thoughts of encouragement. come on dianna...where are you when i need you? night

{bEautifuL}

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.

Difficult moments, seek God.

Quiet moments, worship God.

Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God.

This is a Thomas Kinkade painting. It's rumored to carry a miracle! They say if you pass this on, you will receive a miracle. I am passing this on because I love thomas kinkade and i believe in miracles!!! who couldn't use a miracle?! thanks lhindah... i truly needed this. <3

i'm still aLive...

it's been awhile since i have blogged. lots going on here. i was looking at my counter and was gonna do a big RAK when it hit 1957. HOLY COW!! when i last looked it was in the 1800 now it is past my number. i guess i had some lurkers wondering where i have been. i know i have been gone but, i didn't think anyone really looked at my blog that much. i think maybe i will have to just choose another number or just do a drawing with comments. not sure but when i figure it out i will be sure to let you know. anyways...i just wanted to write a few lines and let everyone know that trevor is doing remarkable! i am truly touched by all the kindness we have been shown by our family and friends. we are truly blessed. thank you from the bottom of my heart!! i also wanted to let you all know that i am still alive. i have been very busy these last 4 days. i hope to try and catch up tomorrow. for now i must turn in for i am berry seepy (yes i said seepy not sleepy and berry not very). thanks again for thinking of me and my family through all of this. i am honored to be blessed with family and friends who love me. night *hugs* connie

inspiRed...

i just had to blog again. i have been a week behind in reading angela's journal on her heart transplant. so i took some time to read and catch up www.caringbridge.org/visit/angelamoore reading her journal entries have been very good for me this evening. we worry about our lives and yet what we are going through right now seem so small compared to a heart transplant. reminds me of the carrie underwood song, so small. you have to see the video it will bring ya to tears. at least it does for me. i am again tearing up at the thought of all of my blessings in this life. for all of my trials i have, me fears, my pain and heartache, my joy, my laughter, my kids, my family, my friends and my loves! i am a blessed child of God! night

hmmm...

i feel like these last few days didn't really happen. were they just a blur? was i dreaming? was it deja vu? then i look at my son and the pictures and realize...it was reaL. i think when something like this happens it is meant for a reason. not saying i am glad it happened. just that it is an eye opener. for me it was. a have had a flood of emotions lately. some good, some bad. ones that i am grateful for and ones that make me do a lot of questioning. one thing i realized through all of this is...we do have guardian angels. how ever you want to think of them is up to you. it might have been a family member who has passed on, a sick relative on their way home to heaven, a family or fRiend thinking of you at that very moment or God himself. i was again reminded that these angels are always with us. we also have the Holy Ghost with us at all times as well. it all depends on what we are doing, what choices we are making for them to seem more present in our daily lives. i am reminded that i am not telling my kids i love them daily. i am reminded that i am not saying my prayers faithfully. i am reminded that my family NEEDS to come first. that i need to stop being selfish and put my needs aside for a bit. i am still trying to wrap my finger around all of this. still trying to not ask the question "why". as i sit here typing with tears filling my eyes, i am truly bleSsed and gRateful. for all the prayers. for all of my family members and extended family members. for all of my friends. for all of the people who touch my life on a daily bases. for my life! at times i get so overloaded, so overwhelmed that i can't function. that i feel like i am gonna go over the deep end. then this still small voice reminds me that i have a purpose. i may not know what it is all the time but, i know i am needed. i know that somewhere out there in this crazy world someone needs me. thanks for listening to me babble. i think i just needed a good cry. k, i'm over it and moving on. have a great night. *hugs*

update...

when i started downloading the pictures i took yesterday and today i saw this one. galen caught a picture of trevor and i that i thought was priceless. i knew i was tired but, didn't realize how tired. i fell asleep rubbing trevor's head. i have a few of these pictures with my children that mean the world to me. i am usually the one behind the camera. i am blessed to have my children. the last couple of days and this experience has reminded me of it. what a honor it is. what a trial it can be. what an experience. what a blessing!



we went to the dentist today and he too was amaZed at the sight of trevor. he is a true walking miracle! he broke his front tooth and cracked the other. dr. birtcher took x-rays and found that there was no nerve damage. he then built trevor's tooth. he said we will need to still watch it for nerve damage. if there is, then the tooth will die and we will have to deal with that. trevor will be staying home again tomorrow and we will see how he is for thursday. again we all want to thank you for all of your prayers. they have been felt and heard. we are grateful for trevor and the importance he is in this life, in our family and to others. he is here to serve a purpose and it wasn't his time. THANK YOU GOD! love to all. *hugs* connie

a blessed ER visit...

many of you know (and some don't) that we spent yesterday afternoon and into the late evening in the er with our 2nd oldest. trevor was riding his bike home from school and was hit by a car going 25 mph just around the corner from our home. let me tell you that when i received the call from my husband at work i about lost it. he received a call from the neighbor who witnessed it and they called him. he then called me and i flew out of work like you wouldn't believe. i was filling in for a co-worker who just had a biopsied done. so as we both were driving trevor's route to come home we were a mess. galen got there before i did. we both were warned by the police officer and ambulance to slow down. we both said "that's our son". when i got there the police and ambulance were there with a lot of on-lookers. trevor was a mess. i was a mess. i was trying to keep myself together for him. i gently hugged him and told him i loved him. this is the most scariest feeling i have ever felt. the thought of possibly loosing a child. i was then listening to everyone trying to find out the story of what happened. lets just say everything is still kinda a blur. i think i am still trying to recover. we refused the ambulance but they phoned the er and they were waiting for us. before we could leave trevor begged me to go tell the driver (she attends his high school) he was ok. my son...thinking of others before himself. he is sooo known for this. so off to the er we headed but, not before trevor was given a blessing. we also had to get all of the other kids squared away. when we got to the er they were waiting for us and took this very seriously. they treated him as a trauma patient and got him on a board, neck collar and strapped him in. trevor was so good. i guess he was crying at the scene but, i wasn't there yet. then he didn't cry again until they cut his clothes off. he did choke up quit a bit when he thought about this weekend. his high school marching band made state. trevor plays the trumpet. it has been over 17+ years and they have all worked so hard to get to state. he said "i'm going". we said "doesn't look good trev". after he thought about it he said "maybe just to go and watch and support". all i could say is "we'll see". the er doc comes in and does all the major checking of him and asked if he was wearing a helmet. of course he wasn't. he said "you will from now on, right"? lets just say trevor had his guardian angels with him. i think his namesake and great-grandparents were with him. he was truly watched over and blessed! after many long hours in the er trevor was released from the hospital with lots of bumps and bruises, a broken tooth a messed up face and 6-10 stitches in his chin. he did cry when they did this. (for those of you who get queasy you may not want to read this next part) first they numbed him and came in 3 times to scrub out the pavement from his face. then the doc came in to stitch him up and was using a scalpel to still get gravel out. he was digging in his chin back and forth (ya, i was not looking). he then had to cut away some more skin and continued to dig into his chin to try and place the insides back together. he was able to now stitch him up the best he could. he stated it will be his hollywood scar. we heard many stories of this same incident while at the hospital from docs, nurses and firefighters that did not have good endings. trevor on the other hand... blessed and lucky. i have always called him my miracle baby since birth...he still is! we are going to the dentist today. his face and mouth is pretty messed up. this looks like where he took the brunt of the accident. i will post later. he is pretty doped up and resting so i think i am gonna try and get some stuff done. thanks for all your prayers and calls. we know that they were heard. we are truly grateful! we know that this could have been very tragic. this er visit...we were truly blessed.

ps. so much more happened but, you get the important part of it...he is alive and safe! no head trauma, broken bones or internal damage as of now. to many details to write about, not enough time.

having some much needed fuN...

it has been a pretty fuN day today. i am spending the day, evening and night with rhonda and joann. i am so excited to just have some much needed girl time. we are working on christmas crafts, scrapbooking, digital scrapbooking, watching movies and just having some great girl time. it is so what i needed!!! well, i am gonna get back to my fuN. i will try and write more tomorrow. night

{must get sleep}

not feeling so good. i have had a headache all day and running a slight fever. so i have been hanging on the down low today. stayed in my pj's, laid on the couch with my blankey. just wish my phone was broken. forgot to turn them off and all they did was ring today. didn't have enough energy to talk with anyone. so i am sorry if i didn't return your call or pick up the phone when you rang. my head was and still is killing! i am hoping to go to bed real soon and get a much needed good night sleep. sorry this is so blah but, that is how i am feeling right now. hope to be better tomorrow. night

got mY quick fix for comfort todaY...

can anyone tell me why food is so comforting? i know that food is a bad source of comfort but, it is comforting. i guess you need to look at it and take it in moderation. todaY was not that daY for moderation. i sat down after work and ate 2 shredded beef tacos, an entire bag of homemade chips with homemade salsa and my cherry pepsi. all of this from our local mexican food place. can i just say YuMmY!!! so i probably gained my 6 pounds that i lost last week back but, it feLt GOOD!!! it was much needed too. i know i will be hating myself later. gotta run to a benefit dinner/auction for a young man who is a senior at the boys' high school. he was diagnosed with cancer and it is already at stage 3. please keep sonny and the romney family in your prayers. *hugs* to all.

weLcomE novEmbeR?

i can't believe it is november! where has the year gone? first of all, i am trying to not feel like a failure. why? i have not blogged everyday like i wanted too (i said try not, you guys). you know who you are when i say that. i won't mention any names. i can just hear it in your voices now as you read this and the uhhhh sound you just made. i didn't realize what a difference my life would be like having a job outside of the home. i love my job, i do. it's just makes getting everything accomplished that needs to get accomplished each day harder. second, i can't believe how many orders i have done for my scrapbook stores. october is usually a slow month but, overall my stores have kept me really busy. last night i was trying to finish orders up before midnight for a special that one of our companies was doing. so i stayed up waaaaayyyyy to late to get them all done. why am i blogging so early? i woke up before my 6:30 alarm FREAKING out! i though i forgot to send in the order that needed to be in by midninght. so i grabbed my phone (which is my alarm) and came straight out to the family room, turned both computers on to see if i did what i needed to or if i was dreaming. wouldn't you know it my laptop is giving me tRoubLe! i need to see if that order is placed! why is it doing this to me? doesn't it now i am already freaKing out. so i sit here and try to type this blog on my desktop waiting for my laptop to think. why must they do this to us? they must have a brain to know when a time is so important to us to NOT WORK! anywho i will get off of my tangent now. november...WOW! i just received an e-mail from a good friend oh so kindly reminding me that christmas is only 55 days away. thanks lhindah, no stress, right...NOT! just another reminder that...no picture is taken for our christmas cards, no christmas letter is written, no christmas cards are done, no shopping for christmas has even been started, my oldest will be 17 this month YIKES, my second son can get his driver's permit YIKES times 2, thanksgiving is around the corner, all the birthdays yet to come this month and next, taking down halloween decorations to put up thanksgiving ones then christmas ones and the list goes on. so THANKS lhindah, really THANKS for STRESSING ME OUT!!!!! breathe....ok in and out, in through the nose, out through the mouth. JANNA, how come it's not working? maybe i need to listen to mY breathe music as i finish this up?! awe.....better. well my laptop still won't do what i need it to do. i will have to call later to my work company to see if they got the order. i need to get in shower and get ready for the day. i will have to call this good for now. welcomE novEmbeR...

nEw bloggers...

i am so excited to tell you of two new bloggers. of course one of the reasons i'm so excited is because they are mY stores! i sell scrapbook supplies to all of northern arizona for my sales rep job. please go check them out...scrap-n-etc and route 66 scrappers. they are still new at this but, i can't wait to see all the great things they are doing at their stores. waY to go gaLs, i'm so proud of you!!! i also need to send a shout out to my other stores... 3 scrappin sisters, scrapbook basics, the scrapbook den, j'anns treasure chest, paper and metal scrappers and scrapbooker's corner and more. i am so impressed with these stores. they are all in rural arizona and they are going strong. keep up the good work ladies!

{i've been tagged...again}

i got tagged from my friend, taryn choate and i'm supposed to tell 7 random facts about me. this will be hard because i can never think of things to tell about me, but i'll give it a try just for taryn.

1. i'm addicted to tatoos and want more.
2. if somebody tells me i won't do something, I WILL!
3. i'm not good at taking my own advise. i would much rather give than receive in this department, lol.
4. i'm a good kisser, so i've been told.
5. i don't like to be mistaken or to not get my way.
6. i love to dance! what i mean by that is... i can shake my "behind" 'til the cows come home.
7. i am the "queen" of multi-tasking.


k, now i have to tag 7 other people. after you write your random facts, you must tag 7 others, write a comment on their most recent blog so they know they were tagged, and give them the instructions. i tag: wendy, tammy, brad, christine, ann, dianna, amanda...good luck! do it for the fun of it and because you love mE!

haPpY biRthdaY haleigh nicole......

i can't believe that my baby is 11 today! where has the time gone? i remember bringing her home 11 years ago and feeling so blessed i had a little girL! i wish only the best for her in this life. i scrapbooked this page using the song from rascal flatts... mY wiSh. the words are truly amaZing!! i wish all these things and more for her todaY and everyday of her lifE! thank you God for giving me this little giRl to enjoy. i am honored to be her mother. she is the light of mY lifE and gives me strength like no other. i know that i must continue to live each day to the fullest for her and mY boys. they are mY rocK!!! haPpY birthdaY babY!!! hope you have a grEat daY. love your mommy always *hugs*

overwhelmed of emotions...

how is it that when you are all full of emotion you can't get the words out. i have been dealing with this all week. so much to say and can't find the right words. through out this week i have been happy, sad, giggly, depressed, loved, tiRed, sick, afraid, overwhelmed and soooo much more. i have been thinking way to much lately about lifE...mY lifE. what do i want to accomplish, where do i want to be, what dreams do i want to reach, how do i want to be remembered, am i a good mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter, cousin and niece. am I all i want to be? no, i don't want to join the service (though i am very thankful for my brother and sister who served). i am just mixed up and confused. does any one else out there feel like this? is this just and early mid-life crisis i am experiencing? i have had so much laid on mE this week that i can't seem to take one more thing. i should remember that i CAN'T solve the world's problems. that i CAN'T always be there for everyone (right jo ann)? that again...sometimes... i need to take care of me. i am trying really hard to learn this. i am trying to listen to what i am told by all. this is a true challenge for me. i have never been one to apply what i am being told, to take my own advise. for me, it is easier to give it than take it. how do we do this and not feel selfish? i guess it all comes down to balance and self esteem. i need to work on this. i need and have been told to go back and read what i have written. do i have to? i don't want to? did i really say that? ok, i will try that's all that counts, right? to try? now that i have pretty much made no sense i need to go to bed. i have not gotten enough sleep all week. that's probably my problem. ok, just another excuse. *hugs* boy i could use one right about now. connie

ps. i need to send my prayers and best wishes to angela moore and her family. she just received her new heart! may God continue to bless you and give you strength to heal.

thaNks mom...

today my mom and naoma came over and helped me settle in my new house that i have been in for 4 months now. thaNks gals!! don't think i could thank you enough. it has reallY helped mY mood. wanted to share something that my mom shared with me today. she made me sit down and look at the pictures while she read. i didn't want too, i wasn't in the mood. though i did it and this is what it was...

To a Phenomenal Women!

• i've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

• i've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled christmas tree lights.

• i've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

• i've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life". i've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

• i've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. you need to be able to throw something back.

• i've learned that whenever i decide something with an open heart, i usually make the right decision.

• i've learned that even when i have pains, i don't have to be one.

• i've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.

• people love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. i've learned that i still have a lot to learn.

• i've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

please send this to five phenomenal women today. if you do, something good will happen... you will boost another woman's self esteem!

wow!! i so needed this today. moms aLwaYs know what's best. thaNks again mom. i love you mommy...

so ladies and gentlemen...i hope you have a good weekend. take time to make someone smile!! with your smile... you never know who's day you may have brighten or SAVED! *hugs* connie

{time}...

another day where i have so much to say and not enough {time} to write. i am tiRed and i have a very busy day tomorrow. i think i am just gonna call it a night and try tomorrow. though i know i will be busy, i just can't even think straight right now. too full of emotions and my brain won't shut off so this is it for tonight. sorry to those wanting to read more. i know i said i would tell about my son's band concert and other things that happened today...like getting a nEw scrap table, but i just can't think anymore. {time} will have to wait...

it's all good...

how can i not be in a good mood? i am sitting here doing my blog listening to my michael buble cd!!! haPpY, haPpY music...makes a very haPpY connie! it has been such a good day. got everyone where they needed to be so i could go to work. today was my first official day on my own. in to work i go and i was early... again (patting myself on the back). got everything all set up and ready for the day. i transferred calls with ease, i took messages like a pro and i even think i earned some bonus points. things in my world seem to be slowing down and falling into place. todaY is a daY that i so look forward to. a day that i wish i had more of in my life. a day where you talk to family and friends and all is well with them. when i hear this...it makes me happy. i gotta steal something one of my friends shared with me yesterday...There is a saying that "nice guys finish last." I have learned that this is true. I have also learned that last place is okay when it means you helped someone get to first place. I would rather be last and happy than first and miserable. wow!! this is so true for me. i would rather make sure everyone else is happy than myself. in doing so it makes me haPpY! i do however believe that you do not need to sacrifice your own happiness for others. i have done this... and find myself continually doing so. this should be one of my {21} day challenges i need to work on, lol. why is it that i seem to put everyone else before myself. i don't mind this at all but sometimes...i need to remind myself...i need to come first... just sometimes. anywho... i gotta go. getting my hair done tonight. hey...mE time and i am putting myself first! i'll try and write later.

first daY in the rEaL woRk worLd...

wow!!! can you say everything that could go wrong did this morning. it started with last night being sooo tired and crying myself to sleep right after i set my alarm. i felt like a kid getting readY for their fiRst day of school. remember it has been over 14 years that i had been in the real world work force. alarm went off this morning and i cried again. wondering to myself...did i make the right decision, could i do this, was i gonna be good enough, how was the rest of my day gonna go and what about my other jobs...including being a wife and mother?! my daughter missed the bus, two older boys ran late and i was fReaKing OUT!!! needed to get myself put together, get my daughter to school (without being late), my two boys to high school and me to work by 8:30 and it was 7:45, YIKES! guess what... I DID IT and i was to work by 8:15!!! my day at work i think went well. i had an amaZing trainer and the office manager was very helpful too. we did experience a leak in the bathroom but, overall it was good. tomorrow will be my first day on my own. crossing my fingers now. everything else went ok after i got home. still had all the things to do as though i wasn't working outside of the house but, i seem to manage ok. i think once i get a regular routine going and the kids understanding we need to move a little earlier, we all will do fine. had a good conversation with a friend today that has put a perma grin on my face. can't seem to wipe it off no matter what i am doing, need to be doing, thinking about or multi-tasking! thanks ;0) i better get everyone settled so i can be to bed again by 10:30. it's a new dawn, a new day, a new lifE... in the rEaL woRk worLd in the morning. *hugs*

all they days in between thursday and today...

it has been a very busy few days. i'm gonna try and go back and recap if i can.

fRiday...
i was rushing around all day trying to get everything done before i headed out of town. i was leaving for the weekend to attend the armstrong family fundraiser in phoenix. i was to get there by noon but, all those last minute details made me really late. i ended up getting there a little before 5 p.m. remember i am 3 1/2 hours away so it wasn't like i could just get up and go. it was a great success. kristan did such an amazing job getting everything all organized. she had some great help from a lot of wonderful women and men. for more info on the event you can check out her blog or the armstrong family fundraiser blog. i stayed there until almost 10 p.m. until my eyes were about to close. i knew i still had a 30 minute drive to my in laws were i was to sleep my little self for the evening. with the drive down and not sleeping but 4 1/2 hours thursday night i was pretty tired. i had a hard time even doing my blog that night but, i did it. i was hoping to have a wonderful nights rest and to get to sleep in, ha! forgot to call my in laws so i had to sneak into their house. i felt like i was in high school again. talked with my sister in law while sneaking in for two reasons...needed the light to stay on on my cell phone, and if i couldn't get in i needed directions to her house. two...she was worried about me and wanted to make sure i got in ok. all worked out and i got in and got settled. i was so excited about no kids, a bed to myself and sleeping in! NOT!! their dog needed out so i needed to take care of him. was trying really hard to be quiet not to wake the in laws up. did however enjoy the bed to myself but, the alarm clock was set and woke me up in the middle of the night. then sleeping in, ha...up bright and early by 7 am. guess i could call it sleeping in but, my body had a mind of it's own. woke up with a massive headache and laid there for a bit. texted a few people who i knew would be up and then i fell back to sleep for an hour. finally got up at 9 a.m. on to saturday.

saturday...
i was to spend the entiRe day with my best friend debbie. doing girl things and just hanging out and catching up. we haven't done this in like f-o-r-e-v-e-r! guess what...she had to work ALL day and then needed to spend the evening with her husband. what's up with that, it was girLs day! i slowly got myself moving along. visited with my mother in law and talked with my sister in law to try and make some new plans for saturday. i went and visited a friend from jr high and daughter. it was great! we hung out, caught up and enjoyed watching her play. nothing i think is more awEsome than watching children play. only thing is...no camera. i know, i know what you are thinking... me a scrapbooker and no camera. let me remind you i had to go to plan "b" since i was stood up by my best friend. had i thought about it we could have used our cell phones or got a disposable one, duh. anywho... guess we'll have to keep the memories in our minds. maybe they can write it down so they can remember their day. i know it was very relaxing and enjoyable for me. oh, forgot to mention i had a strawberry creme from starbucks!!! now that was yuMmY! don't have them where i live and have only been there three or four times, EVER. after my plaY i got to enjoy some alone time shopping. i had a birthday gift certificate for months and i was FINALLY getting to use it, thanks jody, allie and doyle! got some gREat buys!! after this was said and done i had realized why i STILL had a headache...hadn't eaten all day. silly me, guess i thought i could drop a few, lol. now i talked with my sister in law who is an hour away from where i was to find out we were going out, just the girls, YEA! it's 7 p.m and i have a drive and i was hungry. got to her house snacked on a slice of pizza that i had to pick mushrooms off of but, i was grateful and it hit the spot! thanks guys. it's now 9 p.m and us three girls got to go out. no kids, no husband, no phones just uS! we had a great time together and have some fuN memories! you girLs know how to rocK!!! another late night/morning. went to sleep at about 4 a.m. but was woken up by a little one who needed fed. then couldn't seem to get comfy on the couch and then finally the last time i checked my phone it was 5:33 a.m. and i don't remember anything until about 7 when i heard 7 little ones come down the stairs. all i remember is hearing my nephew say..."shhh, my aunt connie is sleeping on the couch we need to go outside". thanks "b" for remembering i was there. so again another sleepless night and i was up and ready to go home by 10 a.m. then...

suNday...
forgot that i talked with deb about meeting for lunch. ya, that didn't happen. after i got all ready to go i looked at the time. you guessed it, i was to be there right then. it was 11 a.m and i was over an hour away. she still wanted to get together and try to catch up real quick so i met her at the mall. i ate at the food court while we visited. i missed lunch at... the cheesecake factory. man, won't do that again. they have great food and amaZing cheesecake! i so wish i lived closer to deb. we never have enough time. we still need to do a girl trip so we can hang for more than a day. caLi next yeaR right? i hope so and i am looking forward to it. anywho... left her and made a few pit stops before heading out of town. pit stops were much needed. got my fixes, lol and i was off. had my neW michael buble cd and i was set! my 3 hour drive home was awesomE do to mY days away and my tunes. couldn't ask for a better weekend...sleep or no sleep. it was fabulous and much needed. always the same thing though...never enough time.

i will post about today on a new post. if you hung in there and read this entire entry. THANK YOU!! hope you had some free time to read (as this was a way tooo long entry) and that i didn't warn you ahead of time. (this is why i need to blog dailLy) you are a true trooper, an amaZing friend, a lurker or maybe all of these. maybe you just wanted to see if i mentioned yOu in my blog, lol. you know who you are...the ones that make my day by leaving all the comments. for me it's fun to read the comments and to know that i am looking at the view counter getting eXcited cause people actually do read my nonsense. THANKS again.

yaWn...

i have so much to write about but, again i'm very tired. had a long, rough, sleepless night on a couch at my brother's. i then had a 4 1/2 hour drive home. i will try and catch up tomorrow on my weekend. i start my official woRk week tomorrow. i need to turn in so i can get up eaRly, ugh. this is a new challenge for me and i need to try to make it work. i think once i have my routine down it will be some much easier. have a wondErfuL night. *hugs* connie

what a day....

whew... what a day.... just like the title says. relaxing was so enjoyable.... ever notice how busy you can get when you are relaxing? it was a good kind of busy though. very good. fun memories. very fun. hardly keeping the eyes open... write more tomorrow... *hugs*

to tiRed...

it is still officially fridaY. i have so much i want to write about but, my eyes just won't stay open and my fingers keep hitting the wrong keys. i will write tomorrow when i am awake. mental note to self...write about event, my day and night, what i have to look forward too. falling asleep again. *good night*

as the saying goes...

so much to do and so little time. i have a lot to do before i leave in the morning to head to the armstrong family fundraiser. we still have room so come on by. there will also be a silent auction open to the public from 3-9pm. lots of great items to bid on. even if you can't stay and scrap please, stop in and bid on the the awEsome goodies. can't even think straight right now. am i helping wendy do her blog, writing an order, packing, doing laundry or is this my blog, lol. anywho... i have way to much going on in this brain of mine. i will try to write later or in the morning. *hugs*

headache is still lingering...

anyone know how to get rid of it for me? just got home from my oldest son's choir concert. it was amaZing!!! they had 4 different choirs (mixed, women's, honor and madrigals) and they were all awEsomE. the last one was acappella to an all time favorite...africa by toto. yes, i now had to add it to my play list because it put me in a good mood. again muSic... touching the soul. my night is ending on a grEat note. i truly believe any music...whatever your choice... sings too you.
in other news...i start a JOB tomorrow! this is not the original one i interviewed for, it's a different one. i am going to be a receptionist at re/max traditions. i haven't been in the true work force, working for someone for over 14-15 years. it will be a little strange getting up early, as i am sooo not a morning person. the nice part i can work around my children and i will be home when they are! so i need to turn in early so i can be up oh so bright and early for work. *night*

mY bEd is suRe looKing nicE...

yep, you guessed it...one of those daYs. i am thinking i need to crawl right back into my pj's and get into bed! still recovering from being sick last night and have the headache from %*^@!! lots to do but, don't feel like i am getting anything accomplished. i did get up and shower today!! making this short for now. try and write more later...

sicK...

too sick to write. need to get some much needed sleep as i have been sick all afternoon. hope it is just a quick 24 hours or less. though i think i got a little food poisoning from lunch today. *hugs* oh, not too tight.

monday and bluE skies...

last night i was awaken by a little girl and a bad dream. didn't really get to find out about the bad dream, she just wanted to be next to her mommy. so she crawled into our queen bed and slept with us (until mom was getting squished) then daddy put her back to bed. then about an hour later i heard this beep. not to sure what it was. then i asked galen if it was his phone and he said i don't know (it was 4 something in the morning and we weren't quite with it). i asked him to check, he said yes and said it was a text message. i said it must be christine, she must of had her baby!!! so i checked it and i was right. the text came at 4:23 a.m. letting us know that at 3:15 a.m. little dusty fox {after his dad's grandpa} was born. she was five days late but, that pedicure on saturday must have worked. so excited to have a new little one in the family!! congrats you two, we love you!! this makes 13 grand kids on galen's side (9 boys and 4 girls). ok sister in laws we need more GIRLS! they ain't coming from me or sister sherri so you three need to get a movin'. i was so excited to wake up late this morning. the kids have no school today or tomorrow (fall break) which is weird cause we have never had a fall break before. so it was nice to yet again SLEEP IN! though with it being monday... life is busy. we add all the activities onto the calender and plan out our week as a family. for me i need to catch up on laundry, house work and work. always have loads of e-mails to check after a weekend. i can call the e-mails done at this time. will need to check them again after a bit. i can take a few minutes and write in my blog, which i love to do!! if you have noticed i got the song dianna told me to check out on my blog. thanks to an awesome friend who found it for me. so i have been listening to it and the words. i soooo need this song! i need to listen to it everyday...i need to remember to be thankful. don't know if i am, enough. this songs reminds me so much of my oldest. he was born completely blind. he is 16, blind, autistic and mentally challenged. when i watch him, how can i NOT smiLe. his world of darkness yet, you will always find a smile on his face. he can lift any one's spirits by his smile. to see his world through him...is truly amaZing. i am adding this scrapbook layout i did of him and his dad. as i read what i wrote 4 years ago it put me in a better mood. a thankful, blessed mood. here is what i wrote... {lead me, guide me, walk beside me... imagine...seeing the world through austin's eyes. austin being born totally blind at birth and with other disabilities enjoys the outdoors so much. he may not see the world like you or i but, we know he sees it. with help from his mom and dad, austin gets to see GOD'S creations through touch, smell, taste, sounds and through our eyes.} today...i see clearly that God has blessed me not only with blue skies but, an amaZing son. for that~ i am truly thankful.

a littLe of this and a littLe of that...

i didn't get to write about my saturday and sunday so i thought i would kinda fill ya in real quick. not writing on saturday put me in a major withdrawal mode. didn't realize by making this a habit and not getting to do that habit would put me in such a tizzy. we had a crazy busy weekend. we drove down late on friday and arrived at 1 in the morning. we needed to be at the baptism by 9:30 a.m. i did not know that a 15 year old boy would take so long to get ready. i was able to get ready before him and that is very unusual for this gal. needless to say, hE made us LATE! we did however make it there in time to see the actual baptism take place, whew. after the baptism we had a luncheon with all the family and friends that attended. it was nice to just sit and relax and enjoy everyones company. we were all hoping that galen's 2nd sister would have her third baby (on sat she was 3 days over due) while we were there as well. we have been very lucky with this sister. every time we have been down there she has had a baby. it's great to be there when we get a new niece or nephew in the family. anyways, no luck baby didn't come. we are all so anxiously awaiting as we don't know what she is having. they didn't want to find out this time around. while we were there i was able to meet up with my best friend, deb for lunch at the cheesecake factoryand then off to the mall. haven't been there in like f-o-r-e-v-e-r. got some much need essentials that i only get once a year. after this i went back to my in laws to meet up with galen for our date night with my brother and his wife and her cousin and husband. what a much needed night without kids. had a gReat time. thanks guys and gaLen too!

sunday was wonderful as i got to sleep in. this never happens for me!!! we got up and decided to head home early. so we packed the car and the kids and off we went. stopped off at my aunt and uncle's to drop off some pictures of my kids and to check on my cousin bre. she has been in the hospital for a month and a half trying to keep her little girL inside. when we got there i found out she was released and she was there at her mom's. it was nice getting to chat with her and check on her baby status. she is now 33 weeks and still pregnant, yeah!!! go home and tried to get caught up on work, e-mails and my blog and i was just so tired. so this is why i am writing today, to play blog catch up on a littLe of this and a littLe of that, lol.

{so...}

yesterday was so hectic with all the things that needed to be done and with what i was needing to do, blogging didn't make the list. so sorry to the many of you who read my blogs daily. do you ever realize how many times a day you say the word sorry. i didn't until i thought about it. it's so natural that it slips off our tongues so frequently. so here it is...
sorry: adj 1: feeling sorrow, regret, or penitence 2. mournful sad 3. inspiring sorrow, pity, scorn, or ridicule.
i thought to myself more than half of the time i say the word {sorry} it is for none of these reasons. it is just a word used way to much for not the RIGHT reasons. so when i apologize for not writing yesterday i feel regret. for myself, for not writing and for not sharing my day and thoughts with others. i just read my comments today for the last two days and they brought me to tears. WOW!! of course i am gonna cry when my mom gets on my blog and posts the most beautiful words to me. i am blessed to have the bEst mom in the woRld!!! she is mY woRLd! don't know what i would do without her...she is one of my best friends. i don't know many mothers and daughters who get to share such and amaZing bond as we do. then i read the comment from brad...ok, if he is brought to tears how can i not be brought to tears again. now dianna...what great words of wisdom i needed to read. i now need to look up that song and add it to my play list. thank you to all of you. for not only taking time out of your busy day to read my blog but, to post such much needed comments. i am to overwhelmed right now to really continue. don't think i will be posting about yesterday or today. i think what has been written here is enough. so my title you wondEr?? think about the word sorry...how do you use it? how often do you use it? do you really mean it? i was always told sorry means: you will try to never do it again. this is how i look at sorry. so i am going to try and not let it just slip off the tongue so easily. i want people to know when i say it... i truly mean it! sorry is now so...{so with dot, dot, dot} unless it is truly meant to be said as {sorry}. night and *hugs* to all