Watson's World

summer blahs

2009-08-08T18:44:00.005-04:00

Why is it I have the house all to myself, have all kinds of things I can be doing and I've been sitting here on the couch, with laptop on my lap & watching cheesy reality tv all day? I've gotten up and done a quick pick up here and there...but I could have done so much more today. Why do I feel so guilty for not being busy and active every moment?

Random Summer pics 2009

2009-08-08T18:20:00.003-04:00

Taylor is a SENIOR! Class of 2010....

JOne of the Larsen's favorite activities when they come South!

Cousins Taylor & Derek

Izzy seems to be comfortable...she is not your typical dog!

District 5 2009 Season and Tournament Champs~Go Seminoles!!

Megan and Danielle hanging out while visiting.

Facebook...a new addiction

2009-01-20T06:49:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I said I was back and haven't been. I have a new addiction and it is taking up WAY too much of my time...Facebook. I can't help it, really I can't. I have connected with nearly 100 people I went to school with and haven't talked with since 1983-84 (yes, I'm telling my age...but you didn't know I was only 10 when I graduated...right!) It has been so much fun catching up with those people that back in HS you thought would be by your side for life. Well,things happen, you have falling outs, go off to college or move away and just loose contact. Facebook has brought most of us back together and I am so thankful for it. Taylor can't understand my obssesion with it, then I remind her of how much time she spends on her MySpace and her cell. We talked about how a lot of these people and I had a friendship like her, Samantha, Haley and Becca. She couldn't comprehend the idea of not talking to the 3 of them for 20 years...."I just won't let that happen!!" I told her I hope not, but Rhonda, Linda, Sheila, and I didn't think that either....but it did. But thanks to Facebook 3 of us 4 have connected back and I can't wait to see them at our 25th (can you believe that...25th!!) class reunion this summer, if not soon.

I'm back!!

2008-12-21T08:16:00.003-05:00

An Old timey school bus @ the Biltmore House, NC. Our 5th grade
field trip to the Biltmore House in Dec.

Four cousins hanging out at Kid's Planet on Thanksgiving Day.

Yes, that's our youth at Family Fun Day at Christian Heritage

Church Nov. 1. Brittany, Taylor & Samantha.

Megan making to the top on the rock wall on Family Fun Day.

Just another day in Taylor's life (yes, it's a wig!)

Well, it's FINALLLY Christmas break so I can catch back up on my blog. It has been a crazy last 2 months...busy one too. I'm just going to post some pictures from the past few weeks and blog more later today. Enjoy...

Coach of the Year??

2008-10-05T07:15:00.003-04:00

OK, I've been stewing about this all weekend and still do not know what to do. Let me give you some back ground before I let you know what I was told on Friday evening. Taylor; my oldest, has alway lived for softball. In our District 5 Softbal leagues she was always the one who was drafted first, looked up to by the younger girls, and made the All Star Team every year she tried out. She ate, slept and lived softball. In the 8th and 9th grade she played on the high school team, then last year she decided she would try something different and go out for the drama team. This meant she wouldn't be able to do conditioning for softball during the fall 2 days a week (which is not a requirement for trying out/playing on the team...so the coach says). Taylor's drama teacher told her she would work around her softball schedule and even schedule the play when there wouldn't be a game!! Taylor had even called the coach and talked to her about this decision and she told her she couldn't do both and needed to make a decision, she couldn't have it both ways....even though there was a girl who was allowed to run on the track tream AND play on the softball team. Taylor was so dishearted that she didn't even go out for the team. During the summer while playing on her summer team she rememebred how much she missed it and made the decision she would go back out for the Byrnes HS team. Well, conditioning started and Taylor decided that since she was working out with me at Curves she would continue to do that and get some math tutoring afterschool instead of going to conditioning. Then after a few weeks she went to the coach, who is also her homeroom teacher, about starting to come to conditioning. OK...I know it's been a long read and I appreciate you reading this far. This brings us up to last Friday. Taylor comes home and tells me about her talk with coach and she told me she went to talk to her about conditioning and the coach's reply was..."Well Taylor, you didn't play on the team last year and barely made the team the year before maybe you just shouldn't come out this year." And this person has been named Coach of the Year in our state? This person has just put a sword through my daughter's heart!! I told her if that was me it would just be more incentive for me to work my butt off and come out and throw it in her face that I could do it! Of course, she is not me and she is defeated and probably won't play for Byrnes her Jr. or Sr. year. I told Taylor I would go talk to her and the Athletic Dir., but she won't have any of it. OK, I've vented and feel a LITTLE better. What is a parent to do when your baby is just crushed like that???

A Letter to Myself in 1984

2008-08-16T11:10:00.005-04:00

Fairview Park High School
Fairview Park, Ohio

Dear Me in 1984,
First of all, Honey, we need to talk about the eye make-up. If God intended you to have electric blue eyelashes, He would've made you Smurfette.

Second of all, you're not fat. Look in the mirror and memorize what 115 pounds looks like, because you will never, NEVER see it again. The little babies you will someday house in that flat belly of yours will stretch it out to inhuman porportions. And you know what? You will think it's beautiful.

You seem to be awfully preoccupied with the wrong kind of boy. Right now, the ability to block a 40-yard touchdown pass seems like a very important trait in the opposite gender. It's not. But I also know that, deep in your heart, you're wondering if there's more out there than jocks in letter jackets. You're wondering if you'll ever find someone to understand that deep part of your soul you haven't shown to anyone in your little hometown. You'll find him. He'll knock your socks off. He'll challenge you until your head spins, all while loving you just the way you are--and you will never be the same. (Trust me when I tell you you're getting a much better deal.)

You don't understand yet what a treasure your family is. You love them, and you depend on them, but you haven't yet learned how much of the world lives without the kind of support and love that surrounds you. Thank them for the sacrifices they make for you, and spend a little more time listening to them. And you know that little brother who bugs you endlessly? Someday he won't be there to bug you. Go easy on him.

You're spending a lot of time wondering if this faith of your parents is worth claiming as your own. That's okay. Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions. If God is who He says He is, He can withstand the doubts of a teenage girl. Know that the day will come when He'll be more real to you than anything you've ever known. Until that day comes, stop agonizing over your inability to truly believe. He's working in your heart, and He'll accomplish His work--in His timing.

One last thing. Your life isn't going to work out quite the way you think it will, as you sit there scribbling away in your 12th-grade English Lit. notebook, dreaming big dreams. You have very grand hopes of changing the world, and the good news is that you will accomplish this--though not in the way you're dreaming right now. You'll change the sheets of a little girl who has gotten sick in the night, and you'll make sure she feels safe and warm in a way no one else can. You'll stroke the face of your daughter after she has a bad dream and cover her with prayer. You'll share your faith with a second-grade boy in your Sunday School class and watch the light of understanding flip on in his eyes. You'll sit at the kitchen table with a girl whose confidence has been shattered, and you'll build her back up. You'll love a man more completely than you can imagine, and with him you'll build a home where it's easy to laugh and safe to speak your mind. Yes, a tiny corner of the world will be forever changed by what you do more surely than anything you could do in your big city dreams.
And it will take your breath away.

Love, You in 2008

Going to the Dark Side

2008-08-14T22:54:00.005-04:00

Well, I knew it would happen one of these days...but already?? Sunday night I had to go and pick up some reading glasses. For someone who has always had near perfect eyesight, it's been kind of difficult to accept the fact that I needed the glasses or grow longer arms!!

Please Pray

2008-08-02T08:34:00.002-04:00

Please keep our family in your prayers this week. Thank you.....

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. - Matthew 7:7-8

[God says], do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

Wanna Laugh??

2008-07-31T07:40:00.002-04:00

Whenever I'm in a bad or sad mood the girls know exactly what needs to be done. They sit me down on the couch, turn o the tv and pop in one of our favorite movies. We watch this movie quite often...not because I'm in a bad mood that often, we just LOVE it. Here is one of my favorite parts....take a look and have a laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjFCmJCzF1A

What I've Learned

2008-07-31T06:41:00.003-04:00

Megan at 2 yrs. old

In my spare time (yeah right) this week I was looking through some of the girls early scrapbooks (volumes 1-3 out of 60 some) and it reminded me of a few things I've learned through the last 16 years.

I’ve learned that permanent markers are, sadly, quite permanent.
I’ve learned that you should never underestimate the wide variety of mischief that can be inspired by a ceiling fan. (I originaly learned this when my sister;Tiffany, and I were sent to our room afternoon!! LOL)
I’ve learned that the likelihood that our daughter will ask you how babies are made is directly proportionate to the likelihood that I'd be sitting at a resturant surrounded by many of Eddie's friends.
I’ve learned that hearing your toddler sing "Old MacDonald" over the baby monitor is decidedly more charming at 9 pm than at 2 am.
I’ve learned that sometimes ketchup may be the only vegetable we manage to squeeze in on a particular day, and it’s not the end of the world.
I’ve learned that I am, remarkably, able to simultaneously detangle a child’s hair, conduct a spelling quiz, check e-mail, and phone the plumber, yet I cannot remember my own age. I went a whole year thinking I was a year older than I was!!
I’ve learned that if you sigh and tell a little girl that yes, the groceries need to come in, but I’m afraid they might be a little too heavy for you is one very efficient way to get your groceries brought in, pronto.
I’ve learned that watching your child get off a school bus with her shoulder sagging can rip out your very heart. And that watching her get off the bus carrying an aced spelling test may bring you more joy than you thought was possible from a simple piece of paper.
Most of all, I’ve learned that this parenting journey is a marathon, not a sprint, and that I’m not alone in sometimes feeling overwhelmed and out-matched. So we circle the wagons, we parents, and we lend each other a hand when it’s been One Of Those Days. We share what works, and what doesn’t, and we remind each other that there’s always carpet shampoo and fortunately one of our best friend owns his own carpet cleaning company!!
I look forward to circling the wagons with you my friends. I suspect we have much we can learn from each other. I know there's many new lessons to come in the very near future.

2008-07-30T08:27:00.001-04:00

Super Size Me Lord!!

So, we serve a SUPER GOD or what? I think, at least I do, that yes, God is super and that he has very BIG plans for each and every single one of us! So, why do we choose to not answear his calling? Why do we as christians refuse to be the christians we say we are in church and yet go behind each others backs and talk about every one. I've notice people in the church who will look down or think bad of a very wealthy person in the church... why is this? Is it because we don't have such thing and we expect them to give more because of the way they are blessed? WHAT? Key word is blessed! The people in the church who are blessed are blessed by GOD because they follow and obey. They're not talking about other christians! They are also blessed because they know how to ask in their prayer life! Did you know that the Jewish people are some of the most blessed and wealthy people on the earh? This is true? Why do you think this is? Well, their faith is based on thinking BIG and asking GOD their FATHER for BIG blessings. Are we not that way as kids with our own dads? We always wanted that cell phone, that bike, new car? Then why do we not ask GOD for big things? Are we afraid that he will not answear our prayers? Guess what? God knows what your thinking and what you'er going to ask before you even do... so, whats keeping you from speaking to him and asking him for BIG blessings? God wants to supersize you in every single way... so, go ahead and ASK BIG! God will provide according to your faith. Remember when McDonalds used to supersize your meals? (lol as if the Big Mac wasn't big enough...you had to get it supersize! Well, God wants the same thing for you. He's asking, " Child of mine, do you want me to supersize your life?" and what are we going to say? We really need to say YES GOD... SUPERSIZE ME!

I CAN do all things

2008-07-29T08:30:00.002-04:00

Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family.You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.
Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it falls due.Don't worry be happy. may your life be full of peace ,and prosperity.
Now go and have a bless day :)

VBS...A Success!!

2008-07-20T19:33:00.000-04:00

Outrigger Island at Christian Heritage this year was a huge success! It was a lot of work ahead of time, but so worth it and after the first night everything went great. We had quite a few little ones who gave their life to the Lord...Praise God! I just want to say I have such an awesome family that put forth such effort, time and energy. Lisa did an bang up job with the music program and playing Ginger in the plays, Robert, Chris, and Michael kudoos on the general assembly, Donna...way to go on the crafts...as usual and Staci, way to go with the snacks, yum yum!! Taylor, way to handle those K4 & K5ers...especially Daniel. I wouldn't have been able to have pulled this off without the above mentioned or the other volunteers! I'm glad it's over and that it's my LAST year directing!! THANKS EVERYONE!!

Family

2008-07-06T23:47:00.006-04:00

It was a VERY hectic day at church today and when we got home all I wanted to do was kick back and relax after lunch...do nothing for the rest of the day. We had made ify plans to go to my niece's house for fireworks. Not sure on time to get there and the warnings of thunderstorms coming in put me more in a mood of just staying home, Well, 8pm came and I said, "OK girls let's go." It was one of those times when you really didn't want to go, but you knew you really needed to go. We got there and more family and friends were there and we had a BLAST!! The guys had brought a ton of fireworks they had at the stand and it took a good 1 1/2 hrs. to set it all off. The only thing missing was Eddie...who has been stuck in Ariz. for almost a week now. Hopefully he'll get a load out tomorrow...we miss him!! But, back to our evening in Holly Springs. The girls had an awesome time and it was good for us to be around friends and family. Thanks Staci and Michael for having us all over!!

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-07-05T18:19:00.001-04:00

Who are you NOT TO BE??

2008-07-05T00:32:00.003-04:00

" We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,talanted and fabulous? Actually, Who are you NOT TO BE? You are a child of the living GOD. Your playing small doesn't serve the Lord! There is nothing spiritual about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the GLORY of the MOST HIGH in whose image we were made! Every single one of us! And as we let our light shine, we unconciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Nelson Mandela

Happy 4th

2008-07-05T00:23:00.004-04:00

We hope you all had a blessed 4th. Remember to thank a soldier and God for the freedom you experience each an every day!!

Baby Borrowers

2008-07-02T21:09:00.003-04:00

LOVE this! Did you get to see this show tonight? This group of teenagers who believe they are ready for "adulthood" and pop those babies out. I haven't laughed so hard in awhile! If we had ALL teenagers go through this I know the teenage pregnancy rate would fall instantly. If you didn't get the chance to watch it is a Must see! Taylor isn't home tonight to watch, but she will definatley watch it next week. Megan is watching it though and getting a lot out of it.

It amazes me how some of these kids act, believing they deserve to have everything handed to them. It's the real world out there kids! Taylor comes home and tells me how many girls are walking around the school pregnat and it's like a status symbol. I just don't get it!! Can anyone out there explain it to me?

summer fun of 2008

2008-07-02T07:36:00.004-04:00

Taylor at Catcher??

See...Bus drivers have fun too!

you NEVER know WHERE you'll find Taylor and Sam! Freedom Weekend Aloft

awwww...they do love me! The Heat sleepover.

These 4 have been together in scouts since Daisys...6 yrs. now!

just a few fun pics of the fun we'e having this summer..enjoy, we are!!

I'm BACKKKKKK....

2008-07-01T22:13:00.003-04:00

Okay, it's been 11 months, but I am back now. We actually went 10 months without the internet here at the house. We had gotten to the point where we spent more face time with monitors than we did with each other. I also called the cable company who we had been with for 17 yrs. and when I asked for the same price they were giving "new subscribers" and they refused I told them to cut everything off...cable, phone and internet. It worked ok for me because I was able to check my mail @ school mon.-fri. and if needed we ran to the library with our laptops. Well, summer is here, gas is high and it's too hot to be heading out all the time so today the cable man came and hooked everything back up. Now I will have the time to BLOG again!! So, keep an eye out for more blogs.....it's good to be back.

Summer Fun...pics U

2007-08-08T08:15:00.001-04:00

mmmmmm, S'mores in the backyard!!
Hanging at Carowinds with the girls
Camping in Cherokee, NC...before the rain.
Megan Slip Sliding Away....
Park Patrol making team signs for VBS, Tay in the glasses

Temps. are WAY to high here!!

2007-08-08T07:58:00.000-04:00

It's been a few days since I've gotten here to post. OMG it's SOOO hot here. I believe they said with the heat index it got to 118* yesterday! That's just plain craziness!! And of all the summers for Eddie to come off the road and go back to construction...poor guy, he is just tuckered out when he gets home in the afternoon. I did take the girls over to a friend's house yesterday morning to hang our with the horses and at 10 am it was already too hot to hang out for very long. It's amazing that even though we don't live RIGHT in the middle of town how much my girls (meg and daycare girls I keep in the summer) are such, what I call, City Slickers. It took a lot of nudging and prodding for them to even walk up and pet the horses...LOL! We were there for about an hour and then headed back home to spend the rest of the day in the comfort of our A/C...ahhhhhhhh!! Here's hoping you all are keeping cool...one way or another!!

So sad

2007-08-03T07:15:00.001-04:00

I'm sitting here watching The Early Show as they report on the horrible tragedy in Minn.! I have tears welling in my eyes as they are interviewing the kids that were on that school bus and the 2 older boys who rescued those poor scared little ones. I think about school starting soon and all the precious kids I transport on my bus and thinking about what if had happen with my kids. The stories that the survivors are telling us today are just amazing...what they lived through. And my prayers and thoughts going out to the families of those who will not have their loved one walk through their front doors again.

Why does it keep taking something like this to remind us how lucky we are to be here and to treasure our loved ones each and every moment we have with them. So remember to love on those who mean the most to you today and give a smile and "hi" to someone passing you by today!!

An Amazing Compliment

2007-08-02T08:28:00.000-04:00

I know...TWO blog entries in the same day!! LOL But, right after I posted my entry on friends I recieved an e-mail from one of my best friends from high school...yes, I do have 1 or 2 I've kept in touch with from WAY back when!! But she wrote something to me that I think is probably the BIGGEST compliment I could have ever recieve. I don't think Karen will ever know just how much those few lines really meant to me. After I read it I actually went back and looked through lots of my girls pictures in the hope to see what Karen said she sees. Here is what she wrote to me...
"I love the pictures of the girls too. I have to tell you that I can see that they are so very happy. It shows in their faces. I can honestly say that I don't think I have ever seen any kids have happiness illuminate from their faces like they do. That is a sign of great parenting. You and Eddie should be very proud. They are both beautiful and have such great futures."

Karen...thank you oh so very much those lines. You have such insight into things that just simply amaze me!! And you too have 2 amazing and beautiful kids!

Friends

2007-08-02T07:49:00.000-04:00

friend /frɛnd/ Show Spelled Pronunciation[frend] Pronunciation – noun
1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.
3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile:

Have you ever just sat back and thought about the friends in your life and wonder what the specific reason God put that certain person in your life is? God has blessed me with plenty of friends, good friends. For awhile there I wondered if I would have any friends that I met that wasn't connected to my children...not that that is a bad thing, but it seemed like every friend I had I had met through the girls. And I'm sure as moms we all experience that.
But as I sit here waiting for one of those friends to come over for coffee and girl chat I feel so blessed to have friends. Of course we keep some of those friends closer to our hearts than others, but they are all special in one way or another.
I sit here and look back over the years and the friends who have come and gone, their season in my life had an impact in one way or another. Then their are others who season seems to be here to stay...thank the good Lord!Angie ~ the bestest friend a girl could ask for. There's really not that many people who you can "really" say what's on your mind, whether good or bad, and know she's not going to get mad & walk away...it goes both way for us.
Rebecca ~ (pictured above) even though she is only a "wee" bit older than me, she is my guidance, my protector and pusher (has made me grow & face things I probably never would have if not for her). We've only taught together for 2 yrs. now, but I feel our souls have always known each other.
My Loopies ~ it's amazing that we have been together for what...10 yrs. now? Boy have we been through it all together; births of our children & grandchildren, marriages, divorces, child rearing (delights & disappointments) and just everyday life.
To all my friends I say:

May you be blessed with good friends. May you be a good friend to yourself.

May you be able to journey to that place in your soul

Where there is great love, warmth, feeling and forgiveness.

May this change you. May it transfigure that which is negative, distant or cold in you.

May you be brought into the real passion, kinship and affinity of belonging.

May you treasure your friends. May you be good to them and may you be there for them;

May they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth and light that you need on your journey.

May you never be isolated. May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging.

"Tag, You're It"

2007-08-01T07:54:00.000-04:00

Tag, You're It!
OK, I'm joining the game. I've been "tagged" by another blogger friend.
Here's how this little exercise in randomness works: Grab the book closest to you. Turn to page 161, and type the fifth complete sentence on your blog.

I'm currently reading The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartain.
"Freedom may be just a prayer away."

I think you see this one coming -- "TAG, YOU'RE IT!"

Quick update

2007-07-31T16:30:00.000-04:00

For those who are actually following my blog I wanted to give you a quick update from my very first post...the PUNISHMENT. When Taylor got back from the beach she kind of kept a small distance from her daddy, kind of worried what he was gonna say or do. She already knew she was grounded and was suppose to cut the yard, but didn't know how he was feeling a week later. During the week she was at the beach there wasn't much contact via phone between them. After a day or 2 they were back to loving and hugging as usual and then she called me while I was shopping to ask if she could go somewhere and I said, "No, Taylor you are grounded! When you are grounded that means you can't go anywhere!" She asked how long she was suppose to be grounded and I hear in the background out of Eddie's mouth, "You're grounded? Who grounded you?" OMG!! And people wonder why

I'm loosing my mind?? Life is back to usual at the Watson house...oh, and the

grass still isn't cut!!

Maybe this should be Taylor's Xmas gift this year...................................

RANDOMNESS of Lisa

2007-07-29T18:42:00.000-04:00

one of those fun (time wasting) surveys from MySpace:

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, my mom's best friend at the time
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Last sunday at church
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? My printing...not cursive any more.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? yes...2 beautiful girls.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Me? No. Never!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope, taken out when I was about 16.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not sure, depends who was there to urge me on!!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Raisin Bran

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? In some aspects, yes
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Never met a mint chocolate chip I didn’t like.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their smile

15. RED OR PINK? Depends on the day

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Probably my tummy and that I put things off till the last minute more often than not.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My younger brother; Kurt.
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? blue jean shorts & socks
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? potato chips & onion dip as I type
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Eddie and Taylor talking
21. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? periwinkle
22. FAVORITE SMELLS? Eddie's deo & cologne, clean kids, cut grass & baked apple candles

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Taylor

24. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes
25. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Softball, baseball & football

26. HAIR COLOUR? grey

27. EYE COLOUR? Hazel

28. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No

29. FAVORITE FOOD? seafood

30. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings

31. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? My Name is Nobody

32. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Dark Blue

33. SUMMER OR WINTER? I choose Autum

34. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs!
37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Power of a Praying Wife

38. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don't have one...laptop..thank you Staci!!

39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? See answer # 31

40. FAVORITE SOUND? the girls laughing

41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Can take or leave either

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Florida and Mass.
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Yes, wouldn't YOU like to know what it is.
44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Ohio
45. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE? to duplicate myslef

Monsoon Season in NC???

2007-07-29T09:18:00.000-04:00

Well, it all started out nice. Headed out to NC finally about 11am, got to the site and everything set up by 3:30pm. Popped the chairs out to sit back and relax next to the river & Eddie crashed for a nap. Little sprinkles with the sun shinning actually cooled it down some. It was so relaxing to be up in the mountains with friends, chatting with people as they passed the campsite and watching the fire. Of course, night falls and you HAVE to pull out the fixins for S'mores. We tried something different I had heard on the Food Network...use chocolate frosting instead of the choc. bars. It was easier & a whole lot cheaper!! We decided after awhile to turn in so we could get a early start. Our early start began in the middle of the night with raindrops on our tent top. It continued throughout the night, along with a drip from our roof. Because of this Eddie was happy that I actually moved over enough that it would be considered cuddling (I HATE to be touched while I'm sleeping, but not as much as water dripping on my head). Around 7:30 we rolled out of the tent to a major downpour and it didn't seem to be letting up. As I reached for the coffeepot I noticed the light on the maker was off. Just thinking they turned it off I poured myself a lukewarm mug of Java. Then we come to find out that all power is off throughout the campsite and a generator is keeping the showerhouses in full working capacity. We kept going back and forth, "Do you want to pack up & go or stick it out". I believe no one wanted to be the one who said, "Let's pack it in." I personally would have been happy had we stayed or left. I grew up camping & spent many weekends camping in the rain. We found out it was suppose to continue to rain all day. So, the coin was flipped & we packed up. The day wasn't a total loss, we spent a few hours in the "Wheels Through Time" museum. Being with 2 Harley riders it was a neat museum to hang out in to get out of the rain. We'll try the camping thing again in 2 weeks with the kids...we'll start praying for a sun-filled weekend!!

My little Girls

2007-07-26T08:19:00.000-04:00

"I sometimes wake in the early morning & listen to the soft breathing of my children & I think to myself, this is one thing I will never regret & I carry that quiet with me all day long."

Yesterday Taylor got home from a week trip with friends to the beach. Megan was connected to her all evening. The three of us went to the grocery store and the 2 of them just took off to "hang out" (as much as you can at the grocery store) and as soon as we got home they picked a movie and off they went back to Meg's room. Around 11pm I went back to tell them good night and there they were out cold, side by side, all snuggled up to each other in a single bed!

Yes, they do have the typical sister relationship, especially since there is 5 yrs. between them. But there is also closeness there that I shared with my sister as we grew up. They love to play fight and they will chase each other through the house yelling and screaming at each other and it ends up with them on the floor wrestling and tickling till Megan screams, "I GOTTA PEE!!" Most of the time Meg is playing wolf, but most times Taylor will let her up because you never know!!

I thank God everyday for blessing me with the 2 girls he created specially for Eddie and me to raise. I just hope I live up to the job.

THANK GOD FOR LITTLE GIRLS!

Summer Time Fun

2007-07-25T23:35:00.001-04:00

I don't know what it is with my girls....about the only time they will spend outside is in the pool. Yes, I know we have warmer weather than some, but they just never seem to want to go outside and play. I thought for sure once they watched the movie Bridge to Terabithia they would get out in the 4 1/2 acres we have (a good bit of it woods) and have adventures....wrong! Well, we're taking them camping in a few weeks and OMG they'll need to spend a WHOLE weekend OUTSIDE!! LOL.

I do have to give them some credit, they do spends quite a few months outside during softball and soccer season. I just remember we HAD to be outside from sun up to sundown, but we also enjoyed that. I guess it's just one of those things that have changed from our childhood.

2007-07-23T17:12:00.000-04:00

I only do this until I get dizzy & then I lay down on my back & watch the clouds, she said. It sounds simple but you won't believe how many people forget the second part.

For me this is an analogy - when things are getting too out-of-hand, it is important to get into a calm state - like when you were a kid and lied on the ground and looked up at the clouds and imagined the shapes they were making. This has a very good message for calming down.

It takes me back to childhood; the smell & feeling of grass and seeing a different perspective looking up. I'm savoring that carefree feeling...Now real life gets in the way and we just go on and on getting dizzier and dizzier...and thats not the fun part!Hope you take a few minutes to watch the clouds and enjoy your life.

ARRGGHHHH!! Chores and Punishment

2007-07-20T10:30:00.000-04:00

(Taylor working at the beach)

Why is it that you can get angry and or punish your own child, but the minute someone else does (uncluding your spouse) it upsets you? Does this happen to you too? Let me explain the situation...

Last night as Taylor and I were leaving VBS I called Eddie to tell him I was dropping Taylor off at Beka's for them to leave for the beach in the AM and to see if he'd like to meet me for something to eat. His reply was "When is she coming home to finish this **** yard?" (Her chore for the day that was suppose to be done before she left for the beach) I just handed the phone to her and then the "Yes Sirs" started & the explanation of why one section was not finished ~ she needs his help in this section for some reason (we do have 4 1/2 acres). The phone is then handed back to me. He "I shouldn't let her go to the beach, but that would be punishing Beka." Her, just silent staring out the window. So, I get settled at her friends and head home. By the time I get home I am stewing. I walk in the house, don't say much, drop stuff in the kitchen and head back to the living room where he is laid out on the couch. I believe he knows I'm not happy. After a 1/2 hr. his cell phone rings, he tosses it to me to answer, saying, "it's your daughter." I'm thinking she's calling YOUR cell, she obviously wants to talk to YOU! So, I answer. She asks for her daddy, so I say, "Hold on." and toss the phone back to him. Another "discussion" takes place. He hangs up and proceeds to tell me that this whole grass bit just pisses him off and she shouldn't have gotten to go to the beach, but I'll have her ass when she gets home...football season is coming up." OK, now I have a ton of things flying through my head, but I remember what I've been reading in Power of a Praying Wife....Shut up and pray...knowing when to say something and know when to stay quiet, at least till things settle down. I will have to step in this fall. I mean how long do you punish for not completing ONE chore?? Yes, punish her when she gets home next week...but we're not dragging this out for months.

He has to remember she's a GOOD kid. She's taking almost all Honors courses (going into 10th and taking 11th grade courses), plays HS softball, is very active in church and has worked hard this summer ~ 3 weeks @ church camp as a counselor.

Am I making excuses for her and is her daddy just PMSing???