Apple Blossoms and Sunshine

My Raylen

2012-02-05T23:18:00.001-06:00

candleridgepark10
Originally uploaded by StephanieLynnSmith

Raylen at 21 months old She was just SO adorable.. (and Jessie in the background ith her hot pink cast on her broken leg!)

StephanieLynnSmith's photostream

2012-02-05T22:59:00.001-06:00

StephanieLynnSmith's photostream on Flickr.

The First 30 Day Challenge…

2012-02-02T09:11:00.000-06:00

The First 30 Day Challenge…

In an effort to become more organized, and healthy.. I am following the 30 day challenge by Crystal!

Organizing my home...

2012-02-02T01:12:00.001-06:00

I had already started on organizing our home, trying to make it easier on me to keep on top of, especially with working almost full time. I do work from home, but it still runs smoother if it's well organized. I have been "organizationally challenged" for many MANY years.. My house is a haven for collections, clutter, and general mayhem. But as the new year began, I decided to make a lot of changes in my life.. and one was my home organization..

Then tonight I came across this blog .... And then this page - 52 Weeks To An Organized Home:Join the weekly Challenges.

So I joined.. I am behind yes.. but just a couple of weeks, and I had already tackled my Kitchen counters, cupboards, and pantry areas. SO I am not THAT behind :)

Join me in organizing your home too!!

Can't believe it's almost FEBRUARY!

2012-01-31T00:47:00.000-06:00

This past month seems to have flown by. Working a lot, working OUT a lot.. taking care of house, kids, pets, and my hunny bunch takes a lot of time it seems.

Becca started back to TCC for 2 dual credit classes, she is taking English Composition, and History. She made 4.0 last semester in her classes, and I am sure she will do just as well this semester.

Both girls have started back to bell rehearsals, after a nice break. They are looking forward to the annual spring break trip. No clue where they are going, but it is exciting knowing they both get to go together.

I made the decision to get serious about my health, and weight. After spending SO much time ill last year, I don't want a repeat of that.. so I am feeding our family healthier.. LOTS of veggies, fruits and lots less fat and junk. NO Dr Pepper for me at all.. (although one day I was very down, and got myself one thinking that would "cheer me up".. nope, all it did was taste very sweet, and make me feel guilty!)

I am also working out at the YMCA a lot, Daryl goes too, about 3 times a week, but I am trying to go daily, either to work out completely, (3 times a week) or do cardio (4 times a week) So far so good.. weight is slowly being lost.. But the best thing is I FEEL better. I am energized, and happy, and looking forward to wearing shorts this summer.. (Daryl suggested Tube tops, but somehow, I don't think that will work.. haha)

We have also been working on getting our home spring cleaned slowly.. I did all the kitchen cupboards, my closet, and my bedroom. Also have plans to do a lot more inside, just need to make more time and do it.

I also have a lot of garden work to do.. I have my "map" ready to go.. just haven't really put it to work yet.

The coming month is going to be busy, busy, busy... Birthdays galore... (Michael's was 2 days ago, he is 25 now!) My nephew Connor will be 9 on 2/5, my baby sister Danielle will be 38 on 2/7, Nora my neice, will be 30 (I think?) on 2/8, My birthday is on 2/14, Athena another neice - (Nora's sister) will be 33 on 02/15, Jessica will be 15 on the 20th. February is such a busy month!

Working from home has proven to be a real blessing to our family. And my new schedule, although a little short on hours, has been wonderful. I work 3 nights a week, but I do have the opportunity to work on weekends to make extra if I want. And I work in my bedroom, don't have to drive across town anymore, my cat sits in my lap while I work, On breaks I can spend time with my family, instead of snacking like I did at work. I am so much happier now than I was a few months ago.. Life is pretty darn good :)

Our Christmas Adventure...

2012-01-10T09:20:00.000-06:00

My husband Daryl, his sister, Sheri, his dad, and his brother John

Around the first of November, my husband's sister invited us to her home in Valatie NY, for Christmas. She also invited their older brother from California, and my father in law from Louisiana. So we all descended upon her for the holiday. The three siblings, 2 spouses, grand-kids, 1 future in-law, Grandpa and Meing. It was a houseful when we were all there. My sister in law had room for our family of 6 to sleep there, and my father in law and Meing had a room also. Her kids no longer live at home, so she had the spare room. My brother in law and his wife stayed near Renssalaer, where their daughter attends school.

Ryan, Jessica, Michael, Grandpa, Chelsea, Alexx, Becca and Steven

All the grand-kids were there except one, who is serving in the Army and is in Colorado Springs.. We did Skype with him... that was awesome..

Christmas Eve preparations

Christmas eve found almost everyone in the kitchen doing some kind of preparations, or help. I will be totally honest, I didn't do anything to help cook, but I did try to help clean up some, Meing usually beat me to it. Daryl helped chop veggies, Michael and Steven cooked potato pancakes, Becca helped a LOT... Daryl's sister in law Susan seemed to have it all under control with the Christmas Eve meal, and Christmas Dinner, she was thoughtful enough to even prepare a special vegan rice dish for the vegetarians.

Christmas day brought a gift exchange, which was quite fun. Our kids didn't get gifts from us, with the trip it just wasn't possible.

We visited there a few days, then headed out for home. The day we left we drove down to Manhattan, Jessica had never seen it, and it's been over 20 years since we spent a day there once. We only had the afternoon/evening, as it took a few hours to drive there

Statue of Liberty in background.. That's as close as we got.

But we saw the Statue of Liberty from afar (the lines were HORRENDOUS! the wait was over 3 hours)

Freedom Tower

We saw the 9-11 site, and the new "Freedom Tower" being built. We rode on the NY Subway system... Ate at the "Hard Rock Cafe" in Times Square.. and also walked through Chinatown. We actually squeezed in a lot of sights on such a short time frame. I WISH we had much longer, there was so much I wanted to do, but finances, and our time constrictions prevented it.

Michael, Jessie, Becca, Steven and Daryl outside the Hard Rock in Times Square

We drove from Manhattan down to our hotel in Virginia that evening, it was about a 5 hour drive (took longer due to the fact Lola our GPS, decided to take us down THROUGH Baltimore, instead of on the highway) But we got to our hotel, which was AMAZING! Hotels.com did well! It was a Hyatt Suites, Two bedrooms, nice living room with sofa bed, fireplace, flat screen tvs, fully equipped kitchen, I would have loved to have that room for a week-long trip! But we only stayed two nights, and the first one we were SO exhausted from the walking in NY, and long drives we all crashed pretty quick.

Next day we hit DC... rode the train in from the nearest station to the Hotel, and got off near the Smithsonian Castle.

Smithsonian Castle

From there we walked down to the Air and Space Museum.. I think everyone could have spent all day there.. There was SO much to see...

Daryl and I at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

From there we walked.. and walked.. all the way to the Capitol Building.

Capitol Building Christmas Tree

Then after viewing it, the reflection pond outside it, taking TONS of photos, we began walking back down to the Smithsonian, so we could visit the American History Museum.. (Would have been awesome to have more time to see the others, especially the Natural History Museum!!!) But the American History was amazing.. We all kind of separated, Jessie and I went off to the "First Ladies Exhibit" first.. Saw inagural gowns for many of our first ladies, and saw some of the White House China..

We also found Julia Childs Kitchen :) fully preserved there in the Smithsonian.. That woman had a LOT of cookware!!!!!!

It was dark when we left to go find our train to head back to the hotel.. But Daryl took a beautiful shot of the Capitol Building from in front of the American History Museum.. We were almost a mile away at the bottom of the "mall" and it was beautiful..

We had to check out of the hotel the next day and head home.. But since I had not seen the one thing I REALLY wanted to see, we made a drive back through DC... on our way to see the Lincoln Memorial, we parked very near the White House.

And across the street from it, was the Washington Memorial... That was a sight to see!

This nice couple asked Daryl to take their photo in front of the Washington memorial, and in return they took our entire family's photo for us.. Which was nice, because up until now, we had not all been in a picture together!

My Family
Steven (31) Becca (16) Michael (24) Me, Daryl, and Jessica (14)

THEN we got to what I really did not want to miss seeing... The Lincoln Memorial..... and it was everything I expected it to be.. and I was so blessed to have been able to say I was there.

Immediately after viewing Lincoln, we had to hit the road.. it's a long drive to Texas, and we had reservations in Nashville for that night's stay on our way home..

After spending the night in a less than stellar motel in Nashville, (QUITE a letdown after our awesome room in Virginia) We hit the road for home... Stopped in Memphis to get a photo of their "Pyramid" right on the Mississippi River.. it was amazing! From what we could gather it's an arena for sporting events.

We made it home around 9 pm that night.. The girls immediately went off to a New Years Eve party, Daryl took Steven to go pick up his car, and see Raylen.. .Michael unloaded our van almost completely.. I fell asleep before midnight.. But Daryl and Michael woke me up to ring in the New Year..

It was an amazing trip, the first we had EVER gone on with our entire family..

Wishlist for my beautiful children..

2011-09-22T18:23:00.000-05:00

We all have dreams of things we want, would like to have, or have happen to us.

I just dream of a better life for my kids. Better than what I grew up with, Better than what we can give them.

I have a list of things I wish I could do for my kids...

Steven - I wish he had someone for him to love, that loves him back like he deserves. I wish he didn't have stress, anxiety or worry over anything. And I wish he had more time with his beautiful daughter.

Michael - I wish he could find happiness. In a job, relationship, in life. I wish for him to succeed and do what he wants in life, and I wish he loved me. I also wish he realized how very much he is loved.

Rebecca - I don't have to wish for her love or happiness.. she has a life filled with those... (she has some wonderful friends, a great boyfriend, and is happy most of the time)

But I do wish we could buy her a car. She works hard in her schoolwork. She has been the most helpful girl while I work, and really helpful while I have been ill. She is always willing to go that extra mile, do for others and help anybody that needs it.

I also wish we could guarantee her the ability to go to the University of her choice. But neither of these look to be financially feasible... She will have to wait on a car, and probably go to a local state school because she can get grants.

She wants to be a surgeon. She has wanted this for over 7 years. She is smart, determined and I want her to be happy... She wants an out of state school.. has had her heart set on Washington for several years. I just don't see how.

Jessie - I wish her joy. I wish her good friends. I wish her the ability to make good choices, and I wish her happiness through her teen years.

I also wish we had the ability to buy her new clothes. I feel awful that 90% of what she has is hand me downs from Becca, or from freecycle. I wish we could afford to just go shopping and buy her what SHE wants, instead of what she "gets".

I love them all so much. I hate that because of choices we made when we were young, our children have had to suffer. I hate the bad decisions made throughout our adult lives has put us in this place where we are so poor. I wish my husband could look forward to retiring in his 60s. Instead he plans to work until he can't any longer, because we can't afford him not too. And I had hoped to help us get on our feet financially, but all I have done is help us make the week to week living a little easier. We at least know we can pay the bills and put food on the table, but we will never ever get "ahead".

I just really wish my kids had everything they wanted, needed, dreamed of and deserve. I would give anything for that.

Needing sunshine...

2011-09-15T13:30:00.000-05:00

So, still sick. On top of everything else with the pneumonia, chest pains, cough, etc.. Now I have stomach stuff going on, and fever is back up again. I feel like my world is this big cloudy day and I won't ever seen sunshine again..

Which in reality is so not true, There is plenty of sunshine here in North Texas.. we have had nothing but hot days for the most part.. we did have a break where it got somewhat cooler, but then the high temps came back.

But my life feels "cloudy". I can't work, and so that means no income from me. I can't go anywhere or do anything, because I am sick, and even when I feel "good", I have to rest, and stay away from people. My immune system is now down, so I have to avoid getting OTHER illness' on top of what's going on already.

I called today and told them the fever was up, and the nausea and all that was bothering me. The meds may be causing the nausea, but I finished the steroids, and all I am taking now, is the Blood pressure meds, aspirin, and the inhaler.

So today the Dr said I may not go back to work this next week after all, since my chest xray hadn't improved much. The pneumonia may be viral, or the antibiotic they gave me just might not work on my bug. They said if the xray this coming Monday showed no significant improvement, they would try something else... ugh.. so tired of being SICK.

I was assured by my boss Anthony I didn't need to worry about my job, it would still be there for me, I just needed to get well, and he told me their prayers were with me, which meant a lot.. I'm just in need of sunshine in my life... I feel like wherever I am this cloudy rainy sky is following me around.. even when it's bright and sunny outside.

Back to bed... I am too tired to even sit up at the computer long.

Sick of being sick......

2011-09-14T05:50:00.000-05:00

Third week in my battle with pneumonia.

It has been rough, up and down, and just struggling some days to make it through without losing my mind.

I am still so irritated that when I left the hospital, they didn't tell me I had the pneumonia. I didn't find out till I got into see my doctor the next week. She said it was on the hospital records, they had given me antibiotics to treat it, but never told me I had it. I was feeling so badly while hospitalized I never questioned the meds they gave me, just assumed they knew what they were doing.

But to send me home, telling me I had GERD and esophagus issues, along with anxiety and stress... But even if I do have these issues, they just never told me I had pneumonia...

Went back to the doctor Monday for a second follow up, since I am running a fever, coughing my head off and just not feeling better. Did another chest x-ray.. they said it wasn't worse, but didn't appear to be a whole lot different from my hospital stay. Also more bloodwork.. I hate needles. The doctor also told me the steroids can affect my mood, and they sure did affect it.. My O2 level was 95% at the office.. still not moving oxygen at 100%, but that's normal with pneumonia I think.

We have spent quite a bit just on the medications ...
Lopressor (or Metoprolol) for blood pressure - which has stayed high since I left the hospital, even on the meds.
Nexium to treat the GERD,
Levaquin (antibiotic) I took for 5 days after leaving the hospital,
Steroids prescribed last week... (Medrol doespak.. )
and yesterday she gave me an RX for cough syrup, Phenegran with codeine, and Zorfran because I have been throwing up...
Out of all of them I take the blood pressure medicine, and the nexium daily.. Along with an aspirin a day... I feel like I rattle.
And last but the one I depend on the most, the Ventolin inhaler to help with the breathing - this I have been using several times a day.

To top all that off, my dear sweet husband decided to go vitamin shopping.. so now I also am taking Vitamin D, Magnesium, Flaxseed oil, a multi vitamin, and a spoon full of honey every day.. (Honey is for "boron" he said..) I have no idea what they all will do for me, but he has been researching a lot and wants me to be healthy.

I wonder why our family seems to get sick so much. We eat healthy for the most part, my house is clean, not germy and nasty. But someone is always sick it seems. I just don't understand. And when *I* get sick, it seems to knock me on my behind for quite a while. Takes forever to recover from whatever illness I had. Like this pneumonia.. Although the doctor and several people have said it can take a long time to completely recover.

My doctor has not released me to work yet, it will be at least next Monday (which would make three weeks with not working) But I have to go back in to get checked out to see how I am doing first.

I have lost weight.. 9 pounds total since I went in the hospital. And I have become really fond of orange vitamin water.. I am just so tired all the time. I could sleep all day I think. But it's a restless sleep.. I just woke up at 5 am this morning, with my cough, and congestion.. so here I sit..

My husband has been amazing though. He takes such good care of me, and makes me feel loved and protected. At first when I was in the hospital, he seemed a little angry, that I went in for chest pain and they basically just said it was indigestion, and anxiety. I felt like he thought I wasted our time and money for nothing... Then when we found out I have pneumonia his whole attitude changed...

We haven't started getting bills from the hospital stay yet.. although I have looked at our insurance online, and they have submitted the claims.. about 15,000. worth of them. We have to pay a 250 deductible, then 20% of the total. With me out of work for so long, I don't know how we will manage. I am sure they have payment plans, but it's still a lot of out of pocket money, (on top of all the meds we have already spent $$$ on)

I am trying to not let this stress me out, because I know getting stressed will delay my recovery.. And I am also getting kind of depressed, mainly because I can't really get out, see anyone, do anything... I have to be careful to not get any secondary illness' with my immune system so messed up right now. Not that I have energy.. I did feel fairly good when I went to Mom's night out back on the 4th.. That was my last day on antibiotics, I hadn't started coughing, and aside from the low fever, and tiredness, I felt ok.. then 2 days later the cough hit big time, chest pain was worse, and I felt like a truck hit me.. and down the hill I went...

So now I am tired again.. going to try to get a bit more rest before getting the girls up to start their day..

Been a little sick...

2011-09-07T02:16:00.000-05:00

Last week, on Monday evening Daryl picked me up from work and took me to the ER..
I had been having chest pains that started severely on the way to work, and I couldn't get deep breaths.. I was panicking a bit thinking it was heart attack... Since last March the nurse practitioner at my Doctor's office said I had "angina" I worry when I have chest pains...

So we get to the ER, they triage me very quickly, do a quick EKG it looks OK.. they do my O2 sensor, its about 85%, they then take me back to the biggest ER space I have ever seen, and it did need to be large, it was full of people.. at least 6 people, one of them a Dr, then nurses, aides, I don't know who all else.. They hooked me up immediately to a blood pressure machine, gave me oxygen, and put the o2 sensor on my finger. I started setting off the alarm on the machine.. my blood pressure was very VERY high.. (like 197 over 125 or something like that) They gave me a "nitro" pill under my tongue, but it didn't help the chest pain.. They told me if it WAS my heart, that should have helped.. I had a chest xray, and lab work, and an iv put in my arm (very painfully too!)

The Dr said he didn't think I was having or HAD a heart attack, but he wanted to keep me to watch me, so they admitted me to the Cardiac Care unit. I felt awful, my head hurt, my chest hurt, I wanted to just scream at everyone how bad I felt, but I didn't have the breath to even do that.

The next morning early they took me in for a CT scan of my chest. The doctor came in, told me it looked like my heart was OK, but my lungs looked a little cloudy on the CT Scan.. (what that meant? no one said) .. I threw up that morning, so they started giving me something for that.. (But I think it was all the OTHER stuff they were giving me that made me throw up!) She did say she thought it was some "esophageal" problems, and IF she was still working at the county hospital (John Peter Smith) she could just arrange me to get a scope down my esophagus and take a look.. but at this hospital, with our insurance, it wasn't an easy thing to get done.. (But in my opinion.. IF she thought it was a problem, WHY not get the scope done? Insurance would have paid?? ) But anyhow.. her diagnosis verbally to Daryl and myself, was gastro stuff, and anxiety/stress.... (with the anxiety causing the High blood pressure and headaches I was told)

By Tuesday afternoon with the exception of still having chest pain, and my O2 levels being sort of low, (was measured at 94% before I left the hospital) I was doing OK. I ate a little supper, watched NCIS marathon on the USA channel.. (Big excitement for me, we don't have cable, and I have missed the entire last season of NCIS because I work nights)

The nurse came in and visited with me a bit during the night, I couldn't sleep, and she had some "free time" so she sat and talked to me, it was so nice having someone be so kind. I do have to say EVERYONE at Harris Southwest Hospital was awesome, nice, caring and kind.

Wednesday morning, the doctor came in, said she would LIKE to keep me another night, (I had been having a lot of REALLY bad headaches) but there wasn't a lot they could do for me, except get fluids in me and let me rest.. I didn't tell her my chest was still hurting a lot, nor did I mention the headache was still there, they didn't seem concerned with it. They had the idea it was all gastro.. and I just wanted to go home..

Basically all that came from the 2 day hospital stay was - I found I DIDN'T have any heart issues going on at this time ( I do still have to have a stress test) And I did have anxiety/stress for sure... But that didn't explain the chest pain, or shortness of breath. They DID send me home with an RX for antibiotics - which they said was to treat whatever the "cloudiness" in my lungs was, and also blood pressure medicine, and an inhaler, which they didn't say WHY, just that in case I needed it... but why? I wasn't wheezing, coughing, or anything.. just had chest pain and couldn't breathe well...

So come home, get an appointment with my doctor.. have to wait till today (Tuesday, after going home on Wednesday) I walk in, tell them what was going on, what the hospital Dr said, etc.. she pulls up info from the hospital (Got to LOVE electronic records for this! They had EVERYTHING there on the computer! )

Then the doctor comes in and says.. Well, you know what's wrong?? You have Pneumonia.. I said WHAT??? He said , yep, right there in black and white on the hospital records is a diagnosis of pneumonia, along with the xray and ct scan results to back it up.. He did say he thought I had some GERD issues, and probably stress/anxiety as well, BUT the main problem, chest pain/shortness of breath was from the pneumonia. The doctor today listened to my lungs, measured my O2 .. (was 94% - which is low), and told me I could NOT go to work at least until next week, and even then that was iffy.. and when I did go back, I need to go back at half time, I AM physically exhausted, I am not coughing a lot.. a little congested and have a little cough, which I just thought was from germs at the hospital.. but I am tired.. my chest hurts, my back hurts too, and I have been attributing it to not sleeping well since the chest pain started, but the doctor said it was from the pneumonia... and my immune system is just shot to heck. My blood pressure was still a little high.. even on the Lopressor. Today it was 155/95 which while high, is not as bad as it was in the hospital.

BUT - - -- NO ONE at the hospital ever mentioned that I had pneumonia... so THAT was why I was given an inhaler... Pity no one told me that, I didn't use one at all since I have been home, because having 3 kids with asthma, I know what wheezing is, and I wasn't wheezing... so didn't think I needed it.

But I have taken my antibiotics... I did the inhaler today, didn't notice a lot of help in relieving the chest pain, but I did notice a LOT more "racing" of my pulse.. and I rested.. I rested a lot, and I have a wonderful husband who rubbed my calves when they were cramping, and takes such wonderful care of me.

I am just glad to have an answer to WHY I have been having such severe chest pain the last week.. I have had chest pain before, but they pretty much didn't make a huge deal out of it. They said it was angina, avoid stress.. eat healthy and get exercise... But at least now I know what THIS chest pain is caused by... Just wish it would just go away.

So that's been my lovely week... started out on the 29th thinking I was having a heart attack, and 8 days later I find out I have bronchial pneumonia... :) Off to my sofa to sleep a while now... even sick mamas have things to do during the day, and tomorrow is no exception.. Jessie to bells, then art class.. Becca to class, then I am going to park to visit my friends.. THEN I need to take the toyota down to get inspected.. Maybe I will get a nap sometime.

Six years ago...

2011-09-03T22:16:00.001-05:00

Six years ago my life changed in ways I could never imagine.

I first lost my big sister, followed less than 5 months later by my mom, and then my dad.

Six years ago today was the last time I saw my father alive.

My father killed himself Labor Day weekend 2005. It took me YEARS to get over the guilt that "I should have known"...

Since I WAS the last one to see him alive... the last one to speak to him... I should have known, shouldn't I??

I told him I loved him, and to drive safely... his last words to me were "Love you too kiddo"...

I thought I was over the guilt, and the pain, and all that came along with his death... then tonight it's just hurting my heart greatly. Once again, I think... "I should have known.... "

How different life would be if he were still here..

But he's not, I can't change it, I probably couldn't have changed it six years ago... But I still wonder... what would have happened if I had known.. How could I have stopped him? How could I convince him he still had so much to live for? He had myself, my 2 younger sisters, grandchildren, a brother, nieces and nephews... so many people that loved him...

In the end, it was his decision, his choice, and in reality I KNOW it's not my fault... but I still feel guilty.

I loved my dad, even though he was riddled with faults, and made some horrible life choices throughout his 64 years. He was my dad...

He taught me to ride a 2 wheeler in the basement of our home in Alaska...

He brought me orchids back from Hawaii,

One Christmas when I was very young, he drove back to Dublin from Saticoy to get my teddy bear Theodore, because I couldn't sleep without him.

I miss my dad.. I miss my mom too... I even miss my sister Laura, who I rarely got along with as an adult.

And I do feel guilt.. even though I KNOW I shouldn't.

I hate Labor Day weekend..

School decisions...

2011-08-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

Well, it looks like Becca decided to slow it back down a bit, and not try to graduate a year early. She is technically supposed to be a Jr this year, but has wanted to graduate early the past year or so.. Now she is willing to slow things down, take Dual Credit for the next 2 school years (four semesters during the school years, and summer sessions) That would give her at least 24 hours in college upon graduation from High school... So she will pretty much be "ahead" anyhow.

I have selfish reasons for her not graduating a year early.

I want her home till she's at least 18. I will miss her enough when she's grown and moved on, I just don't think I could do it next summer...

SO .. now.. rethinking our school year.. slowing HER down a little... and changing up a few things so I can include both girls on some of our curriculum.

Still lots to do, but this is a little bit of a relief for me.. I really truly wasn't ready for her to graduate next June.

Gearing up for the school year...

2011-08-18T09:24:00.000-05:00

This year is going to be very busy for us. Not only am I working full time, but this is Becca's senior year, and Jessica's freshman year. There will be a lot of work to do for both girls.

Rebecca has SAT to take, scholarship and grant stuff to investigate, colleges to apply to, decisions to make.. And she has to finish up all the work she needs to to graduate in June. She is not only working hard to finish her JR/Sr year in one, she is also taking dual credit courses at TCC this year.

And I just realized I am going to have to get Senior portraits done..

My Becca - a Senior this year!

Jessica will begin her freshman year in 2 weeks.. we are doing co-op also, for some Elective classes, plus she has art classes on another day. She is also busy writing her stories,

My "baby" Jessie - Starting High school this year!

Then for both girls we cannot leave out the fact they have their roles in the Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir. Both girls are senior choir members now.. so that means 2 rehearsals a week, performances, Bass Hall weekend after Thanksgiving, Littlest Wiseman for a few weeks after that.. Spring break trip.. Wow.. spring break.. NO KIDS.. .what will we do ?? (something to look forward to! 31 years of parenthood and Daryl and I will have a full week with no kids at all.. Don't believe this has EVER happened before! )

Then we have their social life that cannot be neglected... Teenage girls NEED to see their friends often.. well, that's what I have been told.

Our friends... They make our homeschool life so much more fun!

Raylen starts Kindergarten next week. I cannot imagine what my life will be like now, without seeing her every week. I have had her to watch since she was a newborn. We are very close, and I love her so much. I told her I was going to miss her when she starts school next week, she told me she would miss me, and she would miss snuggling with me. Then I got a huge hug and a snuggle, while we sat here and watched Inspector Gadget together (smile).

My beautiful 5 year old granddaughter and myself..

I think this will be our busiest school year yet. and I have been homeschooling the kids for 15 years this fall.. Where did the time go?

My beautiful 16 year old daughter..

2011-08-17T08:59:00.000-05:00

Beautiful Courthouses of Texas

2011-07-25T00:45:00.003-05:00

I love taking pictures of the beautiful architecture that is present in most Texas County Courthouses... here is a link to my Courthouse Photographs.

My beautiful daughters

2011-06-19T19:59:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Sweet 16...

2011-06-07T21:24:00.000-05:00

Rebecca Michelle celebrating her 16th birthday...
So hard getting used to her being so grown up!

Mama and her sister and brother

2011-06-05T16:24:00.000-05:00

Old photo found on the hard drive of my computer.. My mom was about 4, Aunt Gail 2, and Uncle Tommy 6. Probably taken at the Limonera Ranch where mama grew up.

Assorted shots from the prom - Taken by Apryl Herrell

2011-05-28T13:18:00.000-05:00

My "baby" girl.. at the prom.

2011-05-28T13:13:00.000-05:00

My beautiful daughter and her friend David

2011-05-27T00:26:00.001-05:00


Rebecca Michelle and David - Prom 2011

My family back in 1989

2011-05-22T22:51:00.000-05:00

Daryl, Stephanie, Michael and Steven, in 1989.
My boys were, and still are so handsome.

When did my baby grow up...

2011-05-21T23:39:00.000-05:00

Some of the most awesome kids.....

2011-05-21T01:05:00.002-05:00


Awesome photo by Tammie Averyt...

Springtime in Texas

2011-04-03T11:40:00.000-05:00

Spring has sprung...

I have been putting in a vegetable garden out back. I had one many moons ago, but the past several years just haven't had the desire, energy, or help to get it going again.

garden area before working in it

after working and some plants

This year I decided I wanted one, so I did most of the prep work myself. Digging up the dirt, turning it, pulling grass out, breaking up clumps, etc.


Michael, Raylen and Jessie helping

. My dear sweet hubby came out and helped me some, which was awesome, and my two middle children gave me some of their (precious computer) time to help a bit as well.

My beautiful granddaughter wants to help also, so we let her help spread the organic humus and topsoil around before we planted stuff.. :)

After getting some of my plants in, my darling Daryl went and got me a load of mulch to spread around. And when I say "load", it's not like a truck load, or even a pickup load full... it was 'the back end of my van with a tarp down on the carpet' kind of load... (smile)

garlic and onions

squash

It's going well so far, my youngest child helped me plant potatos and garlic one day a few weeks ago. We now have tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, lettuces, sage and lavender growing. As well as a bunch of squash with seeds from my friend Sheila, and zuchini, and bird house gourds. I have planted other seeds, (Cucumber and Luffa) but so far nothing has sprouted from them,

lettuce

potato plants and butterfly

I have a bunch of seedlings I planted that are about ready to be put out in the garden as well.. more tomatos, spinach, basil, rosemary, and cilantro. I can't wait for things to start growing and producing!

Yesterday while sitting out back, a beautiful Giant Swallowtail butterfly visited my garden!

We also have a beautiful apple tree in our back yard. Last year there were literally HUNDREDS of little green apples on it.. We got none. The birds and squirrels apparently had quite the apple feast though. This year my hunny is going to get a net to put on the tree, maybe we will actually get some fruit from it finally. I love the beautiful apple blossoms though.. lately they have been my favorite photography subject!

Time is just flying by......

2011-02-20T20:34:00.000-06:00

My beautiful daughter, our youngest, my "baby girl", turned 14 today..

Doesn't seem that long ago, she was this beautiful, tiny thing...

Suddenly it seems I am in some kind of time warp, and my sweet darling baby grew and changed into such a beautiful young woman..

Where was I when this happened ? How did my "Jessie Bear" turn into this young lady.....

Happy 14th Birthday Jessica

You are loved so much!

I have become older since I last posted....

2011-02-16T00:17:00.000-06:00

My birthday was yesterday..

So, I am 48.. not a big deal.. I had a WONDERFUL birthday, got some new clothes, a special dinner out with all my children, my awesome sweetie, and beautiful granddaughter. Then at work my desk had been all decorated up, and I got tons of sweet birthday wishes on my facebook as well.. it was a spectacular day.. The very best birthday I have had in years.. seriously.. since before my parents both died.

But I am now (sigh) 48 years old... I don't FEEL 48.. .

It's really not a bad thing, growing older. I have learned a lot in my lifetime, put up with a lot, changed a lot about myself, (for the better I hope), Lost a lot, loved a lot, cared a lot.. sometimes maybe too much.

I have a wonderful husband, who I have loved since I was 15... that's 33 years.. I wonder how many people at my age have had that kind of love in their lives, I wish everyone was loved as much as I am, and loves their significant other as much as I love mine.

So it's not bad growing older, (and wiser I hope). and I look forward to next year, and the year after, and many more to come. My kids growing up, going to college, moving out, (hopefully!) getting married, giving me more grandchildren to adore... Life is just getting better...

And a belated Happy Valentines to you all!

I get so wrapped up in the "It's my birthday" part of the day, sometimes the "Valentines Day" part gets a little muddled..

Wonder what it would be like to be born on a different holiday, like say for instance -

14 Clean out Your Computer Day - (second Monday of Month)

14 Ferris Wheel Day

14 National Organ Donor Day

They all fall on the same day as Valentines Day, (at least this year) and my birthday -

Hmm.. Ferris wheel day.. (I don't like heights!)

Clean our your computer day.. (Well, it could stand to be cleaned out, I AM running low on disk space!)

OR national Organ donor day.. I really should make sure I am registered as an organ donor..

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines day.. mine was awesome... couldn't have asked for a better birthday, Valentines day, simply wonderful day ever...

San Antonio Strolling....

2011-01-30T14:17:00.000-06:00

I took my daughters on a little "Mini-Vacation" to San Antonio last weekend. It's about a 5 hour drive from home, and I haven't been in a few years, (Daryl and I went alone in 2005) But the girls haven't been since they were 2 and 4.

We had a great time, spent time sightseeing, eating, and seeing some of our extended family. My cousin Rhonda lives in San Antonio, as does her daughter Sherre. I was SO glad to see them! I have been in touch over facebook for a while with the two of them, but it's so much better spending real time with them.

We visited the Alamo,

and two more of the Missions on the mission trail -

Conception,

and San Jose.

We also did the riverwalk boat ride tour, walked around downtown a little bit, and had just a really great time.

The girls had a little trouble getting along 24/7, but that happens here at home as well, so wasn't totally unexpected. I was VERY happy I had "LOLA" with me... (My GPS!) she found our routes everywhere we needed to be, and was 99% of the time perfectly accurate!

We found some awesome vegetarian friendly places to eat every day, and the girls never seemed to go hungry... which is good, considering a lot of places DIDN'T have vegetarian offerings. (There wasn't a single place on the Riverwalk we found, -in our price range- that had things Becca could eat.. . so we looked elsewhere) But Fralos, Adelante's, and Spaghetti warehouse all were great choices for my 2 vegetarian girls. (Becca mostly vegan, plus no sugar, Jess just no meat, she eats all dairy still)

But it was a good weekend, topped off by a VERY fun night at Dave and Busters with my cousins. The girls had a good time with all the games, and mom had a wonderful time having grown up conversation, and catching up with Rhonda. So much has happened over the past 30 years, that I had not been in contact with her.. and we are NEVER letting that happen again!

Rhonda and myself at our hotel

My cousin's daughter - Sherre -

On the way home we stopped by Austin, to visit the State Capitol Building. We sat in on the Senate meeting for a little bit, and it was quite an experience!

Rebecca drove part way down, and on the way home, she drove all the way from Waco to home.

She did AWESOME! I know she will be an excellent driver when she gets her license. She has been putting that learners permit to good use, getting lots and lots of practice in!

It was really a great get away, seeing family we had not seen in YEARS, and enjoying the time together... I can't wait to go down there again! Maybe NO kids next time, so Rhonda and I can hang out more!

Keeping on keeping on....

2011-01-11T01:03:00.000-06:00

Work finally did pick up as promised... not in the "few weeks" we were told last September, but it has finally picked up. Looks like I will be getting at least 40 hours a week now, which is OK for us financially, but the hours are 3 to 11 (and Saturdays). That makes it kind of hard to do a lot of things with the girls and their homeschooling activities. As long as things are in the morning, and I can be home by 2, I am OK with things, but some stuff goes past 2, and those things we will just not be able to participate in.

I know my girls are going to be annoyed, especially if I say "NO" to a park day, or other activity. But I pray that they understand I am doing this for the GOOD of our family. Getting our bills paid off, new tires for the car, Daryl and Jessie need new glasses, just many things we have to have the extra $$ for.

We (The girls and I) are taking a 4 day trip to San Antonio the end of next week, it was going to be a very tight trip, no extras, eating in our room, etc.. but with the extra $$ this week, we can at least spend a little on the trip. Not a lot, but more than originally budgeted for. I am REALLY looking forward to this trip. Seeing family I haven't seen in years and years... A break from the day to day stuff here at the house, Getting the girls in a different atmosphere, maybe we can all three get along for more than a couple of hours at a time. I just need this trip.

But after that, all the work hours $ will totally go towards the things we need to pay off, and need to get.

I am glad I sat down and worked on menu plans for the week, I think I am going to follow the advice of a friend and plan for the month.. shop once for staples, then weekly for perishables. Would be easier if I had more storage room.. my pantry cupboards are very small. But I also think I am going to do a little Once a month cooking next weekend. Putting together meals that Rebecca, Jessie, Michael or Daryl can get prepared fairly quickly while I am working.

I really like it when we are so super busy at work, today the 6 hours and 40 minutes went by very fast, I was on the phone constantly, my voice was nearly gone at the end of the night, but it was so much better than when it was slow.. the time was just dragging by then.

Anyhow.. working working working... chores in the morning, school stuff for the girls, Raylen a couple days a week, (Which I REALLY need to get my Monday and Friday home schedules worked out, today I couldn't get Jess to get up, I was tired, Ray was crabby, it was just a hard morning...) I hate setting earlier bedtimes for the girls, I kind of like seeing them when I get in from work, but then they don't get up in the mornings... Daryl waited up to see me tonight though. He went to bed about 15 minutes later, but at least he stayed up to see me, hug me, and tell me he loved me..

I should be in bed now.. but when I get home at 11:30 or so, I am physically EXHAUSTED, but my mind is just going non stop, I know I can't sleep... I had a light snack, and a glass of tea (I know, didn't need the caffeine.. but it was that or orange juice, and I really wanted to save the last of the juice for the morning!)

This is a very rambling post.. I have been awake since shortly after 7AM so my thoughts aren't flowing as clearly as I would like.. I guess I could wait till tomorrow to write a post, but then I will be too busy being mom, wife, and call center agent to get it done...

Trying to be a full time mom, and working full time is HARD!

2011-01-07T09:57:00.000-06:00

This week has been difficult for me. I am now working full time, getting off at 11 at night. When I get home, Daryl is either in bed, or still at work. I think I have seen him one night this week briefly. This morning he came in around 4:30, I tried to stay up and wait for him, but crashed around 330. Then I was up at about 7 waiting for Raylen to get here, he woke up at 730, showered and ran out the door, not evey saying goodbye or anything... I ran outside to try to catch him, he seemed annoyed to have to stop the car, but he did get out and hug me and say goodbye. I guess it's because I am just so tired, but it really bothered me.

20 minutes later, I got a phone call from him. He just wanted to say he loved me and was sorry he left so quickly, he was just running late.

This working full time for me at nights, and him working days, is so very hard. AND I have to work on Saturdays, so that makes 6 day work weeks for me. And less time to see him. I know we need the money, but I am so worried this is going to hurt us, and our marriage by not ever having any time together. I try to talk to him at least 2 times a day on the phone. I always call him when I am on my way to work, and then on my first break at work I call him. It's not much, but it's all I can do.

The full time hours WILL be so helpful, but it's tiring and stressful.

I know lots of mom's work full time. When I first got my job, I got a comment from one of my sisters about how she's always worked full time and her kids are fine.. Well, I not only work OUTSIDE the home full time, I am also still a full time homeschooling mom, I take care of my beautiful granddaughter 2 days a week, and have to STILL do all the mom stuff at home.. (groceries, laundry, some cooking- Rebecca will NOT cook any meat at all) and then there is all the homeschooling stuff, activities, schooling, classes, etc.

I am exhausted today. and still have 2 more workdays till I get a day off. I like working, being around other adults, and helping our family out financially. I really wish I had more help around the house I think. Then I wouldn't feel like I am being pulled so much, and stress about what isn't getting done at home while I am helping our family out.

I hate coming home at 11:30, and doing the dinner dishes that were left for me.... or realizing I forgot to do laundry earlier in the day, so I have to stay up till the clothes are washed, dried and hung up for Daryl. Then I see basket full of laundry sitting there with someones dog LAYING on clean clothes and I just get so aggrivated.

I know it's hard on the kids, with me working full time, but they are old enough to do things around here without my constant supervision. at 23 (24 in 3 weeks!) 15, and almost 14, you would think they could SEE things need to get done.. Dishes... vacuuming, tidying up, folding or hanging some laundry, etc... but it never happens until I TELL them to do it. Maybe I am expecting too much maturity from my children.

Ok, I am tired. It's only 945 am.. I have been awake 3 hours, after sleeping a little over 3 hours, and I am EXHAUSTED already. Raylen has had breakfast, we are enjoying watching old cartoons on netflix (Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, and Tweety!) I think Memaw will curl up on the sofa and rest while her little angel watches these for a while. And then I hope Uncle Michael might spend some time outside with her!

I am thankful I have my job, Thankful I have my kids and husband. I do feel unappreciated at times, and think that my family may not realize how much of myself I give to them on a daily basis.. I am working FOR our family.. I am not doing it for fun, or for "spending money" or for any selfish reasons at all, other than the fact I like to be able to eat, and drive a car.. I guess that is selfish.

Time for this tired Memaw to build her little angel a "nest" on the floor.. she has been asking for about 10 minutes, and no one else is willing to do it, so I will go make a blanket/pillow nest for a 4 year old.

Ringing in the New Year

2011-01-01T17:32:00.001-06:00

We had a blast last night, saying goodbye to 2010, and welcoming 2011. We had some friends over, the Zambeck family. Regina, Mike, and their kids - Quinn, David and Ariel. It was so much fun.

Mike and Regina

Jessica, Rebecca, Ariel, Quinn and David

The kids hung out, played a little Guitar Hero, acted a little silly, played Pirates Dice, talked, acted silly, jumped on the trampoline, sprayed each other with 'Silly String', and acted a little silly some more!

They had a good time I think.

Regina, Mike, Daryl and I all played a game we recieved from our friends The Graves family for Christmas.. "Scribblish". It's a cranium game, and was fun.

We had fun. Scribblish, Texas Hold 'Em, and nice "grown up" conversation!

At midnight we all had our glasses of Sparkling Welch's grape juice, and tons of popping, noisy, streamer shooting things!

Ariel enjoyed the noisemakers!

It was a great way to end a somewhat rotten year, and say hello to what I hope will be the best one yet!

Happy New Year everyone!

Christmas Merriment

2010-12-28T14:30:00.000-06:00

It was a nice day here at our home. This was a very "frugal" christmas. We didn't have a lot of money to spend, we watched sales, were very blessed with gifts of gift cards and some cash that helped make things a little more "merry" for the kids.

We got Steven some casserole dishes, and a few boxes of Betty Crocker potatoes. ... And some new utensils to use on the pans his grandma gave him.

Michael seemed pleased with a replacement power supply for his laptop... He also got a little red laser pointer light, he had a very good time driving the poor dogs nuts with it!

Rebecca was very happy to get a small box with some clothes, she also got a Scooby doo hat to match a shirt, and a really cute plaid furry trapper hat - with pom poms :)

Jessica seemed most pleased with the camera she got - we lucked out and found it on Amazon Gold box special! It's awesome, and takes really nice photos for such an inexpensive camera.

The girls also each got books they had asked for -

Rebecca the Hunger Games series,

and Jessica "The Lost Hero" and a set of 'Fablehaven' books.

Steven and Raylen came over, and she got to open her gifts from us, and her great grandma. She liked her Zhu Zhu pets, and her travel size Hungry Hungry Hippos game!

Daryl went to get his mom, Steven took Raylen to her mom, then he came back, and we did group shots of all my kids. I know it drives them crazy, but it's my tradition - every year, two photos - one in front of the Christmas tree, and one out front in the yard... They are wonderful being so patient with their camera toting mama...

Even Zooey wanted in the shot... Hard to get everyone looking and smiling all together :)

Steven Glenn Smith 30, Michael Wade Smith, 23

Rebecca Michelle Smith 15, Jessica Nicole Smith 13

Christmas sadness...

2010-12-26T22:25:00.000-06:00

Christmas was really nice with my husband and kids. But I miss my family.

I miss my parents, both died in 2005.
I miss my sisters. One died also in 2005.
The other two don't seem to miss me like I do them.

I miss the gatherings of us and all our kids.
I miss my wonderful nephews, and nieces.

It makes me very sad thinking about how they are so close physically - one on the west side of our town, the other about 40 minutes east.. but we aren't really close at all.

I guess when my parents died, so did the family gatherings. That makes me so very sad.

The Littlest Wiseman

2010-12-15T15:31:00.000-06:00

The Littlest Wiseman 2010

Here are some photos of my girls taken the night of the "Photo Shoot" for the production of The Littlest Wiseman.

There are also a couple of Group Shots -

the one of the entire cast, choristers, and bells, they call a "Monster Shot",

there is also a large shot of the entire bell choir,

Jr's are in Blue, Seniors in Red.

Some of the Senior Ringers

Rebecca and Max

The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir 2010

In this shot - Jessica is in back row, third from the left (Blue robe). Rebeca is in Red, second row, second red robe from the end :)

Gotta say it - I LOVE MY PEEPS!

2010-12-04T18:22:00.001-06:00

I have the best, most supportive wonderful friends in the world.

My "Wednesday" friends don't even know all the details of whats going on in our lives, but have been so loving, and supportive. I have to define this group as my "Wednesday Friends" but I do have "Friday friends" as well.. just not as well acquainted with them... I have started to form closer friendships with at least 3 of the Friday group, which warms my soul, and makes me feel so lucky..

I often felt 'alone' even if I thought I had good friends before.. My best friend and I had not talked in a while, she was busy working (Nurses rock you know! but do keep very busy!) , We stayed "Best friends", but for a while lost some contact with each other, we talk more now, but it's usually over the internet. (Thank goodness for the internet! it had been years since we had hours long conversations during soaps.. I miss those days!!!)

Other friends really were just acquaintances, and after we didn't see them on a weekly basis, those friendships sort of just fell away... I did have a lot of friends in our Co-op we used to belong to, and I think if I hadn't left, I would still have those women as friends, but by making the decision I did, I did lose a lot of friends. I had stayed during a really hard time for me personally, and left in support of another friend.. but doing so I lost half a dozen wonderful women in my life.

But then I found a group of awesome women in Burleson, (and Joshua, and Crowley, and yes, I think even Fort worth!)

I don't get to Wednesday park days often, I don't go on field trips, but I am still counted as one of them, and treated as an equal..

What is so awesome is with these women, - no one snipes about another, they never make digs at someone's friends, even if they are having problems with them.. (including being dumped over politics on FB.. no one was negative about it!) There is no backstabbing, gossiping behind backs, saying negative things to others, etc.. they are just wonderful, good women. I have never EVER heard a single one of them ever speak badly of another in the group.. which in a large group of women is just a super nice thing to have!

A couple of them have grown children like I do, but younger ones as well.. most have kids younger than my girls, and most are much younger than me. But the wisdom, kindness and love I get from these women is just amazing.

So...
you guys know who you are.. you know how much I love you, and appreciate you. You are awesome, and really, some of the best friends a girl could ask for. I don't deserve you, yet you still let me be part of the group... so Thank you all, I love you so very much and am so honored to know you all.

Tree and Lights

2010-11-30T00:00:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we got our Christmas tree set up and decorated.

And my awesome hubby got the lights on our house. .

Jessica decorated her tree house, and Raylen sat and watched her.

Becky did the lights (with a bit of help from her brother Michael)

All three girls put the ornaments on the tree...

Raylen did the bottom section, she did very well hanging all the "pet and kid safe" ornaments on the lower branches..

Pulling out all the ornaments got me quite sentimental..
There is a brass angel with a bell and my name etched on it... Daryl gave it to me when we were dating.

There is a reindeer from Steven's first Christmas..

Michaels, Beckys first Christmas ornaments.. Can't find Jessy's, we think it somehow got lost over the years.. (one time we had to store our attic things elsewhere while getting it re-insulated, and an entire box of Christmas ornaments disappeared)

So many memories in these ornaments.. and so many more to come.

Happy Birthday Daddy...

2010-11-20T11:30:00.000-06:00

Larry Gail Dickerson 11-20-40 / 09-05-05

My dad would have been 70 today.

He was not perfect, he made a lot of mistakes.. (a LOT) but he was my daddy.

He was a career Navy man. We traveled a little, he traveled more.

We lived in California (Dublin, Santa Paula, Oxnard, Alameda) ,

Guam (where I was born),

Kodiak, Alaska, (My favorite place!)

Carswell AFB, Fort Worth (where our house was, is now a strip mall)

And then Everman, Tx, and Kingsville Tx. Where I got married.

My parents and sisters moved on and lived in San Pedro, CA, Guam again, Mississippi, Virginia,

And then when Dad retired they came back to Texas.

My dad died Labor Day weekend, 2005.

8 weeks after my mother died of cancer.

Dad's death was a suicide.

I was the last person to see him alive. I had no clue....

I miss him a lot. For years I struggled with the guilt, that "I should've known"

I forgive myself now. It wasn't my fault.

But I still miss him.

Happy birthday Daddy.

Love, Stevi

Potluck

2010-11-18T08:51:00.000-06:00

Yesterday one of the groups we belong to, had a potluck Thanksgiving lunch at the park we meet at.
There was a TON of food, from pasta, tamales, turkey, chicken, taco salad, tiny meatballs, desserts (pies, brownies, cupcakes!) lots of goodies!!! After we ate, it FELT like Thanksgiving- we were all so stuffed!

The girls had a good time, Jessy has a few friends in this group, and Rebecca (who normally isn't able to attend park days on Wednesday due to Anatomy) Found a friend there she had met previously at the FRIDAY park group! (I swear, it's so funny! at first there was just US at both park days, now they are overlapping in so many ways!) And the boys she babysit's were so glad to see her! One was her little shadow most of the day ! Jack loves his Becky!

It was wonderful fun. Lots of hugs, chatter, and just being with friends. This is a wonderful group of moms and kids, (and dads too!)

I just love my friends!

Making our Holiday's Merry...

2010-11-15T17:24:00.002-06:00

2005

It doesn't matter if we have money, or gifts, we have each other.

Year after year, I stress over the holidays, and year after year, it always turns out ok.

Christmas 2005 - The girls big gifts- American Girl's dolls

.

This year I am not going to let it get to me as much. I know my kids are all old enough now to understand our financial situation, and that just because 'so and so' might get the latest video game system, or game, or ipod, they are OK with what they WILL receive.


Raylen 2006

Steven and Raylen Christmas 2009

Steven and Raylen Christmas 2007

It's a big challenge for me to not worry about things, but I have decided I am doing as much as I can to help our family, and worrying about what we can't do, helps no one. And it just makes me miserable. I choose to NOT be miserable :)

So- a few memories of past Christmas' preparing my heart for this one - My kids sure have grown and changed ..

2004

Steven Christmas 2005

Michael Christmas 2005

2006


2007


2009


2008

Pondering the Holidays...

2010-11-12T02:03:00.000-06:00

Okay, so here we are, 2 weeks from Thanksgiving. I haven't been working much, so my paycheck tomorrow will be only about 65.00. That might cover Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe if I am frugal and shop smart.

Then we have Christmas coming up. I had hoped I would have been working the hours originally promised to me, all this time since I was hired in August. Turned out I had 3 good solid weeks of full time work, then sporadic, almost nothing weeks... and now good 'part time' hours.. (about 20 hours this week). IF we keep up at 20 hours a week, for the next 3 weeks at least, we can get the girls a few things for Christmas. And the boys even, and of course Raylen. It won't be laptops like we WANTED to if I had kept working full time all this time, but they will get something IF the hours keep up.

Daryl and I won't be giving each other gifts this year, as much as I have been longing for these boots.. and season 5 of Supernatural, it's not in the cards this year.

I asked my girls to come up with 'reasonable' wish lists.. and I know they understand the financial constraints, so I don't expect that they will be too disappointed with whatever it is we manage to gift them. For Raylen, I have a beautiful wooden cradle that was given to me, and I have plans to make a doll quilt, and pillow to put in it for her, and if I have time, I will make her a matching one. I am also going to make her a couple little dresses, (she loves to wear dresses!) I have fabric and patterns already, it's just getting time to do it. But I am going to MAKE time. I may hand make a few more things for people, I just don't know if they would be appreciated by teens and adults..

I also want to bake, make snacks, and holiday foods... BUT I don't want to eat any of it, haha.. so I think I will make things, leave a small amount at home for the kids, and either send it with Daryl to work, or take it to my job to share.. that way I get my satisfaction that I did the baking, but I don't have to have it around the house! And sugar, flour and cocoa are not that expensive! In fact EGGS were only .49 a dozen for large ones just the other day!

Anyhow.. right now it's Thanksgiving I have on my mind.. Watching sale ads, will stock up on things we need this week, and then three days before I will buy our Turkey.. no room in our borrowed refrigerator to store one in the freezer beforehand.

If I keep working, my paycheck in 2 weeks will be a decent one, I am just praying it keeps up this well until at least the week before Christmas, that way I will get 3 more "better' paychecks before Christmas.. (Even though the last one we will get on Christmas eve, I will still be happy to use it for the holiday.. )

Aunt Cissy - more memories

2010-11-06T16:58:00.003-05:00

So, last night while laying down, I started thinking more about my aunt Cissy. More memories came to me, things, smells, just memories.

The thing that hit me first while laying there was - She LOVED Roy Orbison - ooby dooby was a favorite song. She told me about this once about 26 years ago, that she just loved Roy... That's why I posted the video right before this..

Cissy loved to use a lot of cumin when she cooked - when I make taco meat, I always think of her when I put in the cumin. I can see myself sitting in her kitchen at the table while she prepared dinner with my mom - Tacos were always a big favorite.

Cissy saved her change from shopping to finance her garage sale days... every time she broke a bill to pay for groceries, the change went in her change purse, to be used for garage sales...

She collected dogs.. glass, ceramic, wooden, whatever, she had 100s of dog figurines, I have most of them now.

She also liked to do paint by numbers..

Her mother (my great granny) loved to sew, crochet, stitch, but not Cissy - she just never got into that.. She was a good daughter to her parents, she loved her brother "Jamie" (My grandpa Jimmy) very much, and was so heartbroken when he died in 1972, (he was not very old - maybe 53?)

Cissy and Cleon used to drink.. a lot. They were regulars at bars in Saticoy, I remember being a little kid going into the bar with them, We (My sister Laurie and I) would play shuffleboard.. I remember the sawdust, the beer smell, and all the people that were just so nice to us, because we came with Cissy and Biggen' (Cleon was called Biggen') My aunt quit drinking by her 60s I think - Cleon would still, and after retirement he would go to the bars when they opened up, drink, come home at 2 pm, cissy would fix him "dinner" and he went to bed... that went on for years and years. Cissy took such good care of him, and in her final years he took care of her.

She and my uncle took my older sister Laurie and I on a road trip to California in 1974 - our parents came out later and we went back with them. But the road trip was so much fun. I got squash blossom necklace, pig tail pendants, a beaded Indian headband, and an Indian doll that trip.. My uncle Cleon said I was really getting into my heritage. I am sure the items we got were not Choctaw Indian, as they are native to Oklahoma, I am thinking probably more Navajo, but I didn't care.. and neither did Cissy and Cleon.

I regret only being able to talk to her on the phone for the past 5 years, I wish I had gone to visit her. The last time I saw her in person was 2001. She was still the same as she had been my entire life.. a little older, and slower moving, and a lot more "gray haired", but still my Cissy.

I am glad she is not suffering any longer, and is at peace, but she is loved, and missed more than words can ever convey.

Roy Orbison ooby dooby

2010-11-06T16:47:00.000-05:00

Saying Goodbye to a wonderful woman

2010-11-06T00:11:00.001-05:00

My great aunt Cissy passed away overnight last night. She had been ill for a couple of years, she had a blood disorder, that wasted her away from being a well built, sturdy 6 foot tall woman, to weighing about 100 pounds or less. She was pretty much bedridden, and eventually developed dementia (the past few months). But I prefer to remember her as tall, strong, and beautiful.

Cissy was my mom's aunt, her dad's sister. My mom's parents abandonded her and her brother when they were like 2 and 4 years old, they split up, and left the 2 kids with my mom's paternal grandparents. Cissy was their daughter. She was there while my mom grew up. She never had kids of her own, so I think my mom and uncle were special to her.

In her 20s

In her prime she was beautiful. Her Choctaw indian heritage shone through. She had awesome lovely long black hair, she would roll it using cologne to dampen it, and roll it up on big curlers to get nice smelling soft big curls...


About 17 years old

And she LOVED having her picture taken. I have an old footlocker FULL of photos she sent back to me a long time ago. There are hundereds of photos in it, most are young men, who were probably her beau's. But there are a lot of her, alone, and with her beaus. She really liked having her picture taken.
She also like clunky jewelry. Big necklaces, noisy bracelets, she was a big woman, and liked big jewelry! It's funny the memories that come back about her, now she has gone.

Cissy in 1967 - about my age now.

Cissy and Cleon LOVED traveling, They had a red wood trim station wagon named "Big Red" and a camper trailer they pulled behind it. And they traveled a lot both before, and after Cleon retired.

They both began to feel their age, and Cissy battled breast cancer (and beat it) But Cleon's vision began to fail. They quit traveling, and quit doing other things - Like Garage Sales -

My aunt loved garage sales... her weekends were planned by the garage sale ads.. she used to ALWAYS go every single Friday and most Saturdays. (But she knew the good stuff was always out on Friday) She also loved to prowl the goodwill and salvation army thrift stores.

When my parents would go to visit her, they always brought back a TON of what we lovingly called "Cissy Junk". I loved it. It was like Christmas every single time. When I was pregnant, she would send back tons of baby stuff, she always kept the kids in mind when she went garage sale-ing. In fact, Jessy's very favorite blanket, was a quilt, Cissy had sent to us when I was pregnant with Becky. She would send so much stuff, some was really "junk", but I always found treasures in her boxes! My hope chest came from her, I have a ceramic doggy collection, that she passed to me. I have many things that bring back memories of her.

My mom used to talk to her every single week. And after mama died in 2005, I made the decision to continue calling her. I called at least twice a month, usually weekly, until she got so very sick, and didn't even know who I was, (like 6 months ago) Then I talked to Cleon.

My Aunt Cissy was very special, and will be missed so much. I wish I could go to California and say goodbye, but it's just not possible, I want to be there for my Uncle Cleon, but I know he really doesn't care if we come or not, he said his goodbyes I think already.

Missing my mom

2010-11-03T11:52:00.001-05:00

Halloween is over.... Thanksgiving just around the corner. Then Christmas. Where did this year go?

For the past 5 years or so I have really begun to dread the holidays.

I miss my mama.

Mom loved Christmas, she loved decorating, loved watching the grandkids open gifts. It and July 4th were her favorite holidays. My mom wasn't the kind of mom that did tons of holiday baking, or homemade gifts, or anything. She just loved decorating her home up, and celebrating. She had the most awesome nativity set. She made it when I was small, when we lived on Guam. I loved her nativity. One of my sisters owns it now. I have searched for many years for a store bought one that I love as much as my moms, but still haven't found it. When she got her's out, even from a very young age, I always knew it was CHRISTMAS.


Christmas 2004 - Last one with Grandma Sue

When we lived in Alaska, we went and got our own live tree - it was awesome - mama and daddy put tinfoil on the wall behind it to reflect the lights..

We moved to Texas in 1971. No live trees anymore, But that year we got a beautiful big artificial tree...

my mom insisted on using it for years and years..

Stockings Christmas 71 - Rachel, Stevi (me) Laurie, Dad and Mom

Dad and mom finally replaced it in the early 2000's. But Mama never really warmed up to the new tree dad bought..- it wasn't the same.

We had some ornaments that were older than my little sisters.. my favorites were these open bells and balls that had little angels in them. She also had glass balls I bet were older than me. As we girls all grew up, got married, had kids, and lives changed, so did her decorations.. she got this train one time to go around the tree.. then she got a disney musical thingy that she set out every year.

My mom loved Christmas. she's been gone 5 1/2 years now, and dad's been gone almost that long also. I miss them. I hope somehow, somewhere they know how very much I loved them, because I don't know if they knew that when they were alive. I tried, but somehow I always feel like I failed them..

Miss you mom, so very very much.

Halloween Part 3 - PARTY!

2010-10-31T11:58:00.000-05:00

Last Night was my dear friend Marianne's annual 'Halloween Bash'.

Daryl and I decided kind of last minute to dress up, so I was a "baby" and we pulled out his costume from a few years back, as a 'hippie'. Couldn't find his blonde wig, so on the way to the party we stopped and picked up a new one.

Daryl, Raylen and myself before the party


Raylen and Memaw

Marianne and her family, always do awesome decorating, and even more awesome costumes.

We visited with the Graves Family, in Seattle, via Skype. It was awesome to see them. The kids had their costumes on as well when they first began, it was just such fun! My girls were thrilled to "SEE" their friends again. We really need to get our webcam up and figure out Skype ourselves ! But this was an awesome way for the Fort Worth kiddos' to see their friends who couldn't be here for the party.

Ozzy (Quinn), Kelsie, Sarah, David and Batgirl (Becky)

Cheyene - Zombified

Pirate Girl

Marianne's husband Mike in his demonic costume, Shannon, and my husband, the hippie

We had a great time, kids had a blast, even Raylen had a lot of fun, (at one point she was chasing little boys around!) Lots of great food, and visiting with friends, there and in Seattle.

My sweet little granddaughter

2010-10-30T16:28:00.000-05:00

My four year old granddaughter is a big fan of Taylor Swift.

Here she is singing part of "Love Story" She is just so darn cute.

Halloween Part 2

2010-10-29T21:39:00.001-05:00

The girls went to a Halloween Dance tonight, before they went of course I had to take photos.
Tthen my friend Regina (who was chauffering them tonight) got here with her 2 boys, and so there were more photos... Mine aren't that great, (I know Regina's will be awesome! Can't wait to see them!) But I am sharing anyhow!

My beautiful girls


David

Quinn

Halloween Part 1

2010-10-29T20:06:00.000-05:00

Yesterday one of our homeschool groups had a trunk or treat. It was opened to other groups, so there were a lot of kids. Several of our "friday group" intermingled with our "wednesday friends" .... (That's a story in itself, complete with a few of my Wednesday park day friends, accusing me -lovingly - of cheating on them with Friday park day friends, haha)

But Trunk or Treat was awesome.. the teens had fun, didn't do much in the way of the activities and stuff, but they had time to hang out, dress up, and just be kids.. *I* had a fantastic time, visiting my friends, (we haven't been to the park on Wednesday in a while, so I was quite happy to see my mom-friends!) Just a ton of fun!

Friends

2010-10-23T08:07:00.002-05:00

I was one of four sisters growing up. Not close to any of the other three... One was 4 years older, and after she hit her teen years, I don't think she was ever very kind to me again. The other two are 6 and 11 years younger than I am. Needless to say, we had never been close. Not that I didn't try, but distance, age differences, life differences, all just seemed to work against me.

**** EDIT**** At one point my youngest sister and I had become very close, then life happened, things happened, we just don't talk, or see each other at all like we did during that time... It's not that I don't LOVE my sisters.. I do, both of them, very much. They are great moms, good wives, wonderful people, but we aren't as close as I wish we had been. I always wanted that sister that would be my "best friend" like I see so many others have.. it didn't work that way in my life.. My sisters aren't close to my age, I married at 16, they were 10 and 5.. so, before they get upset, or offended, this post wasn't about making them feel bad, or anything, it was about how I have found the support and friendship from these women that are part of my life....     *******    ********

Then I met my friends...   I have the best friends in the world.. I have about a bunch of 'sisters', not by birth but by choice, and I love them so much!

My very best friend is Lisa. Wish I had photos from when we were younger. We met at the bus stop, the first day of 8th grade. We have been best friends now for over 34 years. I love Lisa like a sister, we have, over the years told each other everything and anything. She has never judged me, and even if we disagree on things (like breastfeeding - I think that was our biggest disagreement in all our friendship) We still love each other..I wish we saw each other more often in person. But we do have facebook.. years ago we could sit on the phone for HOURS talking, (even after we were both married) We would sit on the phone, while watching "All My Children" about 23-24 yrs ago, and chat the entire time.. I do love my best friend.. I miss her, but am so glad for things like email, facebook and voice mail, haha.. that's our main means of communication!

Marianne - Marianne is the one who if I was ever going to do something to get me thrown in jail for, she would be right with me doing it too..    She is amazing. Marianne and I have been friends for a very long time, since our now driving teenagers were not even double digits in ages.. We have stood beside each other in the face of adversity, (and not -so-nice people) and we both survived :) I love Marianne.

I have this group of moms I have become quite close to in one of our homeschool support groups over the past couple of years. I don't see them as often as I would like, mostly due to the fact, my girls are so darn much older than their kiddos, so the activities just aren't the right fit.. BUT the moms and I get along great, and talk on Facebook a lot, (several times a day it seems - sometimes for hours! - those comment threads have reached the 100's) These women are awesome, amazing, and I love them so very much. There are like 6 of us that chat constantly, most of them see each other a lot, I don't participate so much, but they still always make me feel loved, and welcomed.

Ann, Kara, Helen, Julie, Sheila, you guys are totally awesome.. and I claim you all as my bestest friends :)
There are others in this group I consider special friends too, Denice, Tammie, Becky, well, there are just a bunch in this group that are such wonderful women. It's the nicest feeling knowing they are part of our lives.

I also have some newer mom friends, I feel I have started becoming close to - it's hard because they already had their friendships in place, and I feel a lot of times I am intruding.. I met these mom's at a different homeschool group activity. They all have kids my girls' ages, so that gives us common ground. But they have been a group for a long time, and I don't know if I will ever be "one of them" but I try. One of them, and her family moved quite a distance away recently, I would have loved the chance to have more time to become a better friend.. She is just, well awesome. I probably use that word a lot, but it suits her perfectly. There are a couple more that are in this group I have been feeling a kinship with, so I am hoping with time I can "fit" in there, as well as I do with my other mom friends.

The best thing about all my friends, is they are loving, supportive, and caring. I can't imagine having better women in my life. I love all of ya'll, and appreciate you more than you know.

Old Photos - Recognize anyone? Leave comments!

2010-10-18T23:49:00.000-05:00

Some of the cakes I have made...

2010-10-18T20:40:00.000-05:00

I don't have a lot of my cake photos on my computer.. I need to dig some out and scan them.. but here are a few of my cakes I have made over the years..

Cake Pops - first try - made them for park day friends

Playing with Fondant - Rebecca's 15th birthday

From Rebecca's 11th birthday - a 70s theme party

From Becky's 13th birthday - 50's theme

Jessicas 10th birthday

from Rebeccas 12th birthday "Family party"

from Rebeccas 12th Luau/Pool birthday party

Monday Monday....

2010-10-18T08:24:00.001-05:00

I have an old Mama's and Papa's song running through my head right now. Monday, Monday...

Start of a new week, lots to do this week. A lot on my mind. Daryl has a doctors appointment tomorrow to have a mole looked at. Daryl's dad is back to his home in Louisiana now, and is having hip replacement surgery tomorrow, I have my dentist appointment on Wednesday. Jessy has Writers club today, Bells Thursday and a Geography fair on Friday plus regular schoolwork. Becky has bells, anatomy class, and lot and LOTS of schoolwork.

~~And I am working tonight.~~. yay, I am excited about hours, not so excited about working with tooth pain, but I have missed my job, and we definitely can use the income I bring home. ** just got a call from Anthony, my supervisor, not enough work to spread around, so I am now OFF the schedule for tonight... boo....

But still got that song in my head.. Monday, Monday... Off to make it as good a Monday as I can.

At 'the house in town' and "The Ranch"

2010-10-14T02:27:00.001-05:00

I overheard my father in law refer to his property in Sanderson as "The Ranch" and I thought, cool.. it now has a name.. so instead of saying we went to Sanderson, to his 'property', now we can say we went out to "The Ranch" (he also has a home in town, a mobile home, with an addition built on, and a big ole barn as well)

So our first night in Sanderson we stayed at the house in town..

Across the street is a yard with a bunch of goats. And next door to his house, there are a couple more goats, and a horse that live there.. It's really cool, you are "in town" yet, feel like you are on a farm!

It is nice that they have this place, as well as the cabin in the desert.. here there is water, electricity, air conditioning, and CABLE !! Which for the girls and I, is a huge treat! Big highlight of the stay at the hotel, and at the house in Sanderson was the ability to watch "The Food Network" .

Then on Friday we went down to spend a while at the property -

The "Cabin"

Daryl, his brother and the girls went for a little ride on the ATV's, and there was picture taking, and a little bit of exploring...

getting the big ATV started

exploring - it's been 2 yrs since we have been here - not much has changed!

Jess and Daryl's brother

then that night we went back to the house in town for some dinner, visiting and relaxing.

Daryl's dad - John

Meing

Daryl's brother John (also known as PeeWee) Daryl, and their Dad

Daryl and Becky were helping Grandpa by moving a board.

Saturday Daryl, the girls and I packed up and headed down for the last 2 days of our trip, to spend at 'the ranch'.

We went four wheeling,

The girls shot some guns, (only injuring plant life and rocks!)

Shooting the Shotgun

loading a shell...

Shooting the 357 Magnum...

shooting the Ruger 22

I got some cactus which is now planted here at home in Fort Worth,

And we enjoyed cooking out and watching the stars...

The Sunset on Saturday night was amazing.. and I got a shot of the moon as well...

we absolutely love our time there, wish it was a little closer so we could go much more often!

Our lovely all too short vacation ...first 2 days....

2010-10-12T22:08:00.002-05:00

We spent 5 days away from home this past week. One day traveling (well we didn't leave until noon, so actually HALF a day traveling) - to Austin.. Stopped in Hill County to visit their courthouse and get some lovely photos...

Then on to Waco, to McLennan county courthouse - which the internet neglected to tell me was under construction- there was no good photo angles at that courthouse. So we just drove up the street, and Jessy and Daryl got out and walked over to the bridge over the Brazos and Jessy got a bunch of photos..

Then on to Belton, to visit the Bell County courthouse, it also was very pretty.

We finally got to Austin aruond 5 - Daryl's brother was in meetings, so we found a hotel room at a Ramada Inn, really good price, we then went to dinner at Fuddruckers (Becky almost ate her entire veggie burger! it was that good!) After that we went back to the hotel, and enjoyed watching Food Network for a few hours before falling asleep.

we picked up Daryl's brother the next morning around 8:45, and headed off to Sanderson. We ate lunch in Sonora Texas, at a DQ..
Just outside Ozona there is this really pretty "parking area" that has an awesome view.. we always stop for photos when we pass there, this trip was no different - Also saw our first 'critter' of the trip.

then got into Sanderson around 4 or so. Will do another post with "Sanderson" photos tomorrow...

Short notice quickie vacation

2010-10-05T14:31:00.001-05:00

So, Daryl and I both have time off this week. Since I haven't been on the schedule, I asked to not be put on the rest of this week and that was not a problem at all.. (didn't really think it would be) And Daryl managed to get Wed/Thur/Fri off as well. So early tomorrow morning, we head towards Austin - We get to stop and visit county courthouses on the way, for my "Courthouse Photography" that I like to do.

Then we spend the day in Austin, visiting the Capitol Building, and general sight seeing in our great state's capitol city. Tomorrow night we meet up with Daryl's brother, who is in Austin for work. He lives in California, so we don't see him often. (And he doesn't really seem to like me much, so I always feel strange being around him, even though Daryl and I have been together over 30 years, I still feel he thinks I am not good enough for his brother... )

We will spend the night in Austin (Still have to find a room, going to do Priceline later to do that), Thursday morning, we will all head down to Daryl's dads property in Sanderson. Since we are picking up John (AKA PeeWee - daryl's brother) we are taking the van. I don't think 5 of us would fit too comfortably in the Corolla. I can see 3 kids in the back, but not 2 teens and one adult.

We will be in Sanderson Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and come home on Sunday.
Daryl's dad John (same as Daryl's brothers real name, which is why sometimes it's just easier to refer to him as PeeWee) and his girlfriend Mieng will be there, and we will visit, go four wheeling, maybe let the girls do some target shooting, and go hiking some.

Next week John (Daryl's dad) is having hip replacement surgery back in New Orleans. I am glad we get to spend this time with them before that.

I will be blogging with photos when we get home! There is no internet connection in Sanderson (much to the dismay of my teenage daughter.... how will she survive 5 days with no internet??)

Boys and Girls...

2010-10-04T18:58:00.002-05:00

So my girls had some friends over to hang out today... We are just so lucky to have met such awesome people through our home school park day friends.. And the greatest part of these boys being their friends, is they live within walking distance ! SO awesome!

Guitar Hero, Super Smash Brothers, and Time Splitters 2 - All seemed to be enjoyed greatly by these four teenagers.

Of course there is always the back yard - The trampoline seems to be a huge hit with our girls and all their friends..

Rebecca was reluctant to let them bounce her up..

Quinn didn't mind at all!

This was during "David Pinball" I think

All in all a fun afternoon....

Mondays will not be the same for the guys, without Zack, Aidan and Eli there..

BUT! We are going to try to help ease the pain by making David and Quinn (and Ariel was here a while too!) come over to hang out with us now on Mondays.

We really love our friends!

Newly discovered...

2010-10-03T14:53:00.001-05:00

At my friend Kelly's home last week (was it just a week ago yesterday?), I discovered a new beverage.. I had seen them in the store, but had not tried it myself. After one glass I was hooked.

I went to Central Market in search of this deliciousness.. bought a 64 oz. bottle and was happy to find it was just as good as it had been at Kelly's. - Although it may have tasted a bit more delicious, when it was drunk in the company of such good friends!

Albertsons has it also, and on sale this week (with a coupon) for .99 But they were out of the Mint&Honey flavor...

so I settled for the Citrus..

But in researching this company, (Sweet Leaf Tea - which by the way is based in Austin Texas - sounds like a good idea for a road/field trip) anyway - research showed there are many more flavors than I found in either Central Market or Albertsons!

So I will be in search of different ones to try :)

Thank you Kelly Graves - for introducing me to a new world of chilled green tea goodness.

Favorite Vacation Spot #2 - South Dakota

2010-10-03T10:45:00.001-05:00

Summer of 2009 we decided to take a real family vacation. My first suggestion was down to Padre, and Corpus to the beach, but Daryl wanted us to see things we have never seen... So a road trip to South Dakota was planned.

First stop, after camping an night in Kansas was Cawker City - brief photo op of the Worlds Largest Ball of Twine

From Kansas to Nebraska - both states were long drives with not much to see but fields, and fields, and oh, did I mention FIELDS of corn? Lots and lots and lots of it...

Then South Dakota! Two full days of driving, and we made it!

We stayed at an amazing campground in Custer. It was called "Beaver Lake Campground" (Although I never saw the lake, or any beavers, but it WAS a beautiful place to camp!)

(make sure you buy DRY wood when starting fires - wet, or even DAMP wood smokes a LOT)

Our main reason to visit South Dakota, of course was Mount Rushmore

But on the way there we also saw:

The Crazy Horse Memorial

We didn't stop, (kind of pricy) but got a few good photos right from the side of the road.

Then we passed this BEAUTIFUL lake - Horse Thief Lake -

of course we couldn't pass by without getting out, exploring and taking more pictures!

We Pulled over at a little parking area - and caught our first glimpse of Mount Rushmore -

Just the side of George Washington - but still quite awesome!

Then on to Mount Rushmore

It was the most awesome thing - and I am so glad Daryl wanted to go!

We had a lot of fun in South Dakota - Drove through Custer State Park on our way back to the campgrounds -

Then that night we went back to the monument for the "Lighting" of Mount Rushmore

The Next Day we visited the Jewel Cave National Monument

I didn't go on the tour in the caves with Daryl and the girls, but they had a really good time.

Then we walked around to the original entrance. It was a really beautiful place to visit.

That wasn't the end of our vacation - but that was the last big thing we did in South Dakota -

We went on to Colorado from there - but that's "Favorite Vacation Spot #3" :)

Saying Goodbye.....

2010-10-01T16:39:00.002-05:00

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

The words of "An Old Irish Blessing" say so much of how we feel.

We are going to miss our friends. We had no idea when we became friends last spring how attached we would become to this family. The most awesome mom in the world, and four of the kindest, sweetest kids you could ever meet.

Now they have moved on, Back home to Seattle, after a five year stay here in Texas. Back to their families, and their roots. But they leave so much of themselves here in North Texas, in our hearts.

I didn't get many good photographs today, I don't know if it's operator error, or just the tears in my eyes, but these few tug at my heart..

2010-09-30T23:31:00.001-05:00

Playing with my photos

2010-09-30T22:58:00.001-05:00

Geography Fair coming up...

2010-09-30T21:16:00.001-05:00

Ok - so our Wednesday friends are having a Geography Fair the end of October. (10/23). So Jessy has decided to do Japan.. This happened because I saw some awesome bento box pages, and we want to mess around with them, so decided that exploring Japan for the Geography fair would be a good idea ..

I am kind of excited to 'play with our food' in the Bento Boxes..

And I am terribly happy Jessy decided to do Japan for the fair. Last time we did Alaska, and prior to that, we did Spain.. So Japan is a nice change.

I think we are going to have to go visit World Market, and see if we can find some fun stuff to add to our exploration of Japan. It's kind of fun going off on these massive learning experiences.. We are doing the Civil War for our History study beginning next week, And now Japan for Geography..

I do love being able to go where her interests take us... The joys of homeschooling.

Favorite Vacation Spot #1 Sanderson Texas

2010-09-30T00:22:00.002-05:00

Sanderson Texas

Daryl's dad has some property in Sanderson, with a place to stay he has put out there. (A travel trailer that has a room added on, and water he hauls down and stores in big containers - Plus a generator for electricity)

Sanderson is also known as "The Cactus Capital of Texas"

And there definitely is a lot of cactus out there..

We spent several days there during Spring Break of 2008 - Jessy was 11, and Becky was almost 13.

The girls also learned how to handle a gun while there - There are javalina, and other wild things, and so now at least they have a small bit of knowledge how to protect themselves if needed.

We had a wonderful time there... Can't wait till we get a chance to go again..

Sadness...

2010-09-29T21:12:00.001-05:00

My darling girls are losing friends to distance this week.. They aren't losing the friendships, love, affection and joy these friends brought, but losing the physical presence of this family will be so very hard.

I find myself so sad over the thought of not seeing them again. Knowing we won't see them on Fridays, that the boy's won't be able to come over, hang out and make me glad that my daughters have such fine, morally grounded young men as such good friends... If I had to hand pick boys for my girls to become friends with, I couldn't choose better young men. And their little sister has become my girls favorite little person (I think more so than their niece even!)

I wish we had more time with them. I wish we had the past 5 years to spend with them. I know that wouldn't make the parting any easier, but then we would have so many more good memories.

We have been trying to squeeze so many 'moments to remember' into such a short time..

Friday will be hard, our last gathering, last hugs, last time spent together. But we can look forward to visits hopefully, Perhaps for the prom.

I am happy for their family, they are going home.. back to where their family is.

We love you, and will miss you Graves family.. probably much more than you know.

Raylen

2010-09-27T20:36:00.001-05:00

My friend Apryl took this at the park last Friday..
She is an AWESOME photographer!
I think every single photo she takes is absolutely amazing!

GO KARTS!

2010-09-27T16:23:00.002-05:00

The kids had an awesome time riding GoKarts this afternoon! My girls had never been to the track before, but did really well -

(Well... for the most part! - more about that later!)

Chatting about what a "great" driver Becky was!

Jessy - She did great!

Ok - Becky had a few issues with this one corner - she only wiped out 5 or 6 times here :)

Most of the time she did well ;)

Occasionally she was facing the wrong way though ;)

And she is getting her learners permit this week!

Watch out world!

Zack and Isabel - he is awesome, and a wonderful big brother!

FUN TIMES!!!!!

Thanks Marianne, and Regina, for suggesting this!

We had a BLAST!

Great day Hanging out with best friends...

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Great friends!

The Zambeck, Graves, Gentry and Smith families..

We had SUCH a fun time today

(The Herrell girls were missing from this photo, they left before I could get a group shot!)

Group shot up in the tree house

Herrell Girls, My girls , Zack, Quinn and Aidan

Eli way up in the tree :) About 5 feet above the treehouse!

Going to miss the guys

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Zack, Aidan, and Eli (moving to Seattle this next week)
David and Quinn (we are blessed they live very close to us!)
and Becky
Lots of fun with these boys!

Rebecca - July 4th 2010

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My Jessy - 13 1/2 years old

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Jessica Nicole - Growing up far to quickly for me

Where does the time go...

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Wow, I said I would get back to blogging, and well - I just didn't get it done. My life seems to have just flown by lately. I am now working - was full time, now part time, well, very PART TIME right now, but had been full time, till the company lost a big contract, now we are just waiting till more work comes in to get more hours.

My girls have been very busy -

Becky has been doing her high school online, through a virtual school, she is making all A's, which I expected she would, plus she is busy with Bell Choir, an additional Anatomy/Physiology class, and her fairly active social life.

Jessy has also been busy, school, activities, bell choir, and friends as well! We seem to be having activities most days of our weeks!

We also are still watching Raylen, now though, just on Monday and Fridays. She goes to preschool Tu/Th, and her mom is off work on Wednesdays.

This week will be very busy - we had a birthday party today we attended, then tomorrow is Bell Choir rehearsal for Becky, and Jessy is going to the movies with her friend Kyle and his grandparents, Then Monday we have a bunch of the girls' friends coming over to hang out, Tuesday - Bell choir rehearsal AGAIN, Wednesday Park day, Thursday Jessy's bell choir rehearsal, and Friday we are attending a going away party for some dear friends we have met at our Friday park day gatherings - they are moving to Seattle... we are all so sad.. Then Friday night, Jess is having a slumber party with three of her friends.

I have a feeling by Saturday evening I will be ready to CRASH!

Anyhow - Trying to blog, this one is kind of just a "catch up" thing.. I hope to post some photos, and share some of the joys in our lives lately.

Botanic Gardens April 2010

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Raylen-Single Ladies.mpg

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Photos from our visit to the Botanic Gardens

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Rebecca Michelle almost 14 yrs old

Jessica Nicole 12 years old

Raylen Christian Smith 2 1/2 years old

My Beautiful girls

The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir

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I have had a few people ask me about the bell choir my older daughter has been involved in for a year, and my younger is joining next month. It is called "The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir", here is a link to a page with their history - http://dorothyshawbellchoir.org/Brochure1.pdf

Their tour history is amazing - the choir was founded in 1964 specifically to be a part of the Christmas pageant, "The Littlest Wiseman". Since then the group has evolved into a world renowned bell ringing organization. here is where they have traveled in the past - (note that there was a break in the early-mid 2000's, Mr. Walsh had passed away in 1999, and his wife Mary D. passed away August 2000. But the choir is getting back into the swing of things and going back on more tours in the future!

Colorado Springs, Colorado – 1966
Galveston Texas – 1973
Bella Vista, Arkansas – 1974
Colorado Springs, Colorado – 1975
Berea, Kentucky – (Berea College Winter Dance School Performance) - 1976
Florida – (Disney World Performance) – 1977
San Antonio, Texas – 1978
Brazil (San Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Belem, Recife) – (Network Television Performance) – 1978
Hobbs, New Mexico – 1979
England – (Canterbury Cathedral Performance) – 1979
San Francisco, California – (Golden Gate Baptist Seminary Performance) – 1980
Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Hawaii – (Tokyo concert attended by Prince Mikasa of Japan) – 1980
Houston, Texas – (Rice University Performance) – 1981
Colorado Springs, Colorado – (United States Air Force Academy Performance) – 1981
Germany, Austria and Switzerland – 1981
Washington, D.C. – (Kennedy Center Performance) – 1982
Brownwood, Texas – 1982
Nassau, Bahamas – (Christ Church Cathedral and Governor’s Mansion Performances) – 1982
Italy, Switzerland & Germany – (Audience with Pope John Paul II in Vatican City) – 1982
New York, NY – (Carnegie Hall Performance) – 1983
San Antonio, Texas – (Queen’s escort at Fiesta) – 1983
Tyler, Texas – 1983
Ireland and England – (National Concert Hall of Ireland, Network TV and Westminster Abbey Performances) – 1983
Various towns, Illinois – 1984
New Orleans, Louisiana – (World’s Fair Performance) – 1984
Portugal and Spain – 1984
Cleveland, Ohio – 1985
San Francisco. California – (American Guild of English Handbell Ringer’s Director’s Convention featured choir) – 1985
France, Belgium, Luxembourg & Germany – (Mayor’s Christmas Eve Service for the city of Paris Performance)– 1985
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – (Schulmerich Handbell Factory Performance) - 1986
Australia and New Zealand – (Carols by Candlelight Performance for audience of 30,000) – 1986
Mobile, Alabama – 1987
Florida – (Epcot Center and The Magic Kingdom Performances) – 1987
Colonial America Christmas – (White House, Colonial Williamsburg and Washington Cathedral Performances)– 1987
Vancouver & Victoria, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington – 1988
Los Angeles, California – (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers Area VII Festival featured choir) – 1988
Scotland, Wales and England – (St. Paul’s Cathedral, London Performance) – 1988
Louisville, Kentucky – (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Performance) – 1989
Boston, Massachusetts – (Christ Church Cambridge Performance) - 1989
Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein & Austria – 1989
Atlanta, Georgia – 1990
Colorado Springs, Colorado – (Colorado College and First Presbyterian Church Performances) – 1990
Spain & Portugal – 1990
Phoenix & Scottsdale, Arizona – 1991
Spokane, Washington & Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – 1991
England & Ireland – 1991
Mobile, Alabama – 1992
Charleston, South Carolina – 1992
Victoria & Vancouver, British Colombia , Seattle, Washington & Portland, Oregon – 1992
Honolulu, Oahu, The Hawaiian Islands – 1993
San Antonio, Texas – 1993
Scotland, England & Wales – 1993
Hershey, Pennsylvania – 1994
Vermont & New Hampshire – 1994
New Orleans, Louisiana and The Mississippi Queen Christmas River Cruise – 1994
Washington, D.C. & Virginia – 1995
Colorado Springs, Colorado – 1995
New Orleans, Louisiana and The American Queen Christmas River Cruise – 1995
San Francisco, California – 1996
Atlanta, Georgia – 1996
Germany, Luxembourg & Belgium - 1996
Kansas City, Missouri – 1997
Ireland – (Arbour Hill Prison Chapel, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and University of Limerick Concert Hall New Year’s Eve Concert) – 1997
Saginaw, Michigan – 1998
Boston, Massachusetts – 1998
New York & New Jersey – 1999
Houston, Texas 2000
Atlanta, Georgia; Orlando, Florida; and Mobile, Alabama – (Epcot Center Performance) – 2000
Kansas City, Kansas and Chillicothe, Missouri – (Chillicothe Arts Council Series Performance) – 2001
San Francisco and Napa California – 2001
Colorado Springs, Colorado – 2002
Victoria & Vancouver, British Colombia, and Seattle, Washington – 2003
New York, NY – (Carnegie Hall Performance) - 2004
Houston, TX – 2005
Houston, TX – 2006
Ireland – 2007
Houston, TX - 2007
Corpus Christi, TX - 2008
Houston, TX - 2008

The senior choir left right after the last performance Friday night for Corpus Christi, and will go to Houston the day after Christmas for 4 days.

Anyhow, this is probably more info than anyone wanted :) But I am so blessed to have this activity in my daughter's lives. As a homeschool mom, I appreciate the structure, and guidelines this group follows. The kids represent, homeschoolers, public schoolers, and private schooled kids. They all have to maintain a a/b grade average, and have the highest marks in citizenship. They also must behave and dress modestly. I am seriously so glad to have my girls involved in this - it is a wonderful opportunity for them!!!

And it's not all just practice, perform, practice.. They had a square dance on Dec 5Th, which was SO enjoyable! Daryl and I attended to chaperon, and help with clean up, and the 50 or so kids that were there had a GREAT time!! And then there was the reception last week, at the Colonial Country Club (where a major golf tournament is held annually). And when on tour, the directors make sure the kids get to sight see the area they are visiting, and see anything of note that is in the area. And after getting to know the directors so well, we trust them completely with our daughters. The producing director Jack Noble White is also in charge of the Texas Boy's Choir, and our oldest son was a member of that group back in the early 90s. Mrs. White taught in the choirs private school, and made sure the boys had their schoolwork with them when going on tour. (My son traveled all over the US when he was in boy's choir) . Anyway, We trust Mr. White, and Kent and Scott (Director and asst director) completely.. so I know our girls will be well cared for on the road!!!

Again. probably not of much interest to anyone else, but I am just so pleased, and blessed to have this organization available for my kids.. and at NO COST to the families involved either!!!