Gilbert's Fall Party

We went to the Gilbert's Fall Party/Devo last night. We had a great time with the fellowship and the singing and devo. They had chili and hot dogs. The children dressed up and a couple of the adults. Mary was Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie and Christopher was a green power ranger. They ran and played and played for several hours. Lauren was a pink pig. I told her she should have told me and me, her and Magan or someone else could have all dressed as pigs and we could have been the 3 Little Pigs. Brad came as a whoopie cushion he was so funny. We also went on a hayride, which the children really loved.

Thank you to the Gilbert's for this wonderful time of fellowship.

May all have a great week.

Trike-A-Thon

Well today Christopher's school had their annual trik-a-thon to benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. They had a goal as a class of $1000 to be raised and Mrs. Linda said our class made their goal. Yeah. They children had a ball riding around the gym on their bikes, trikes and big wheels. They got to ride around for about 30 minutes. This was also a good way for them to get out a little energy. Maybe they weren't too reved up for class afterward since Christopher's class went at 9AM this morning. Christopher seemed to love it and have lots of fun.

This is also a picture of the candy scarecrow his class made in school a few days ago.

Pumpkin Patch and carving pumpkin

We yesterday we Christopher's school went to the Hayden Pumpkin Patch. He had a ball. He ran around chasing a friend from his class named Luke. Then we went on the hayride and picked out his pumpkin. When we got back to the front of the pumpkin patch we played on the inflatables for a while and then ate lunch. After lunch he rode a pony and then the little train. Then we left and went to visit Rebecca. She was doing ok. She still has a long road ahead.

Last night Barry and the kiddos carved the pumpkin. Christopher decided he wanted it to have square eyes and Mary wanted it to have a triangle nose and then they both wanted it to have a smile. They had a blast carving it.

Hope all have a great week.

Family Fun Day

Well yesterday we had our family fun day down at Tannehill. We got there late since Barry had to work until 12PM. We got there around 2PM. There were alot of people there from our church. We let the kids play at the playgrounds most of the day. Barry stayed there with Christopher, while Mary, Hailey and myself went for the long walk over to trade days. Hailey wanted to find her mommy, so we went looking. We caught up to them. We were at this booth where Lori was getting a hat and the man next door had stuffed animals for sale. Hailey went over there and he gave her a tiny beanie baby. He saw Mary and told her to come pick her out one of the small ones. So she picked out a purple beanie baby bear. Hailey decided to trade for a tiny bear. Then she put it down and got a big dog with a bell. He said it was ok. Then we left and she went back and put the dog back and got a big pig. So finally the girls ended up with Mary a purple bear and Hailey a pink pig. They loved them. Then we walked some more and then Mary, Hailey and I went back to the paviliion and the playground. When everyone started leaving around 6PM or so, Lori was getting ready to go to the Tannehill Opry to sing. Kim was going with her and Chee-vee and they asked me to tag along. So I sent the kiddos home with Barry and we went to the Opry. Lori did great. I enjoyed being with them very much. Then we went to Cracker Barrell and then home.

Thank you Chee-vee, Lori and Kim for inviting me to go with you. I have a great time. Love you guys.

Update on Rebecca

Yesterday, Rebecca had her surgery. She went in at 7AM. They said it would be about a 5-6 hour surgery. At 11:38 or so they came out and talked with the family. They said they could not get everything they went in to do, because some of it was lower than they expected and something about maybe affecting her breathing. They want to do treatments and hopefully shrink the knot on the left side of her neck. Then they will have to go back in in a few months or so to try to remove the cancer from that side. She has a long road ahead of her, but she has many many friends and family here for her and her children. Please keep her in you prayers. She needs as many as she can get. So please keep them coming. Thank you Jennifer and Lauren for the hugs last night. I was trying to keep from crying. It was very hard and they still came and are still coming at times today.

Also to Crystal and Erin thank you so much for the cards for Mary. You guys really made her day on Sunday. She was so excited and happy. Now she is over Saturday and hasn't mentioned anything about it again.

Mary Elizabeth's birthday party

I am a little heartbroken. My baby had a bad party for the most part. We ivited several children from church and a few from family and outside friends. Her party was scheduled for 2 PM today. At 2PM the only people here were us and Grandmama. Yes you read right no one else. About 2:10 PM my friends Tammy and her daughter Lamana drove up andthen soon after Pop drove up. And yes that was all that showed up. No one from my family at all and none of the other children showed at all. You could see the disappointment all over her face. Everytime the front door would open she would come running to see who it was and her face would sot of drop everytime it was one of us. We waited til about 3 and then cut the cake. Lamana, Christopher and Mary Elizabeth all played together all afternoon until about 7:15 when Lamana had to go home. When we put her to bed tonight she sadly asked "why did no one come?" Barry just told her that sometimes people can't make it. And she asked about a few people and we only had an answer for 3. The rest we have no idea. It broke my heart and as I type I am trying not to cry for her. I hope that her actual birthday is not this disappointing for her. We have never had this happen before. I hope it never does again and are really considering not having a party next year and just doing something special as a family. Barry and I don't want her to feel like she did today again, but I know she will over something in the future. I feel like I have let her down and it hurts. I have asked myself if I had invited more children maybe someone else would have shown up, but you cannot go back and change things. When it is your child that says things like that to you with that look, it hurts you. I am glad I have this as a way to get it out before she sees my disappointment. So maybe we can all forget about it and have a much better day tomorrow. If you see her please make her feel better and wish her a happy birthday or give her a card. She loves to get cards. That will make her feel better I'm sure. Just don't mention her party at all. Her birthday is Tuesday and I think we are going to do something special before we come to church for the meeting.

Hope all had a much better day than I. As for the day it was good other than the party. Have a great rest of the weekend.

Dora Fire Department

Yesterday the Dora fire department came to Christopher's school. They went to each of the 7 classes and went over fire safety with them. Then the classes came outside one class at a time to see the fire truck. Since they had a fire the night before, they didn't allow the children inside the fire truck like the have in past years. They took pictures with the firemen and the classes in front of the truck. I got several pics of Christopher's class. Of course I had to take lots of pics for his scrapbook. They seemed to like seeing the firemen and truck.

Last night we went over to see Randal and Belinda's new home. It is cute. I wouldn't mind having it myself, but it would have to have been built on our property, since we don't want a subdivision. I am excited for them to have their own place now and soon Caylee Grace.

After that I asked Belinda if she wanted to go out with the girls to eat since Randal left for work and she would be home all alone. She said yes. So we took Barry and the children back home and took off. We met Lauren and Magan at Wal-Mart, but there wasn't room for all four of us and Lindsay to ride together so we took 2 cars. We met Lauren, Magan and Lindsay and Erin and Crystal at Bento's in Fultondale. It was great. The food was wonderful and the fellowship was great. We seemed to have a great time. Then Belinda and I went to Wal-Mart. I neede to get something ti finish decorating Mary's birthday cake and Belinda needed to get a few things for her new home. Then I took her back to her house. She only lives about 3 1/2 to 4 miles from my house. I am excited to have her close, hopefully we can become closer friends.

Welcome to Corner Belinda, I know you are zoned Hayden. But you might as well say you live in Corner.

Then I went home and decorated Mary's cake. I was up til after midnight working on it. But I think it looks pretty good. Mary liked it when she saw it this morning. I will post more about the party this afternoon or tomorrow. See you all at church in the morning.

13 Years ago today!!!

13 years ago today I married my very best friend. It was one of the best decisions that I ever made. Also 13 years ago this past week Hurricane Opal hit the Panama City area. We were supposed to go to the beach for our honeymoon, but she caused us to have to change directions at the last minute. Our hotel we were to stay in was leveled and the only room that was untouched was the honeymoon suite. We were to stay in that suite. That was amazing to me. It was on the top floor of the hotel and after the hurricane it was on the bottom floor, but untouched. Is that not amazing. Well we had a wonderful wedding and we ended up going to Gatlinburg instead. It was great. We saw bears and dear and old school houses and buildings. Then we returned home to our mobile home in Westwood Mobile Home Park in Adamsville, where we lived for 2 1/2 years. Then we rented a house from Beth and Ralph Monasco for a month or two until we were able to move into the house on Sleepy Hollow Drive in Forestdale. We found out a little before we moved into the house that we were expecting our first child. We were so excited, but that only lasted for about 3 months. We found out when I was about 12 weeks the baby was not growing and I had a miscarriage, but the baby did not come out. They had to do a DNC and remove the baby. This was really difficult for us. Then about 6 months later we found out we were expecting our 2nd child. We then had a beautiful baby girl, Mary Elizabeth in October 1999. She weighed 7 lbs 14 oz and 21 1/2 inches long at 10:11 PM on her exact due date. Then we moved from Forestdale in 2002 to Corner. We then in 2003 had a beautiful baby boy, Christopher Lake in September 2003. He weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and was 21 inches long at 10:11 AM exactly a week late. We have been in Corner now for almost 7 years and plan to stay here for life. We have had our ups and downs, like all relationships, but we have worked through them and have gotten stronger and closer ever time. We have learned to get it out and move on, not to dwell on the bad. It has been a great marriage and I look forward to finding out how the next 100 years turn out for us. I love you Barry with all my heart and look forward to growing old with you. Thank you for the being a great husband and dad. I wouldn't trade you for anyone else.

To all of you who have just started out as a married couple or are in the beginning years, always remember to work out the differences and hold on to the good. The days get better and better with each passing year of a great marriage. I know we look up to those who have been married longer than us and try to follow their lead. Treat each other with respect and don't down them to your friends. They are your mate for life, treat them with that love and respect.

Now we are on to another busy week. Our anniversay today. I sub half a day today and sub all day tomorrow. Then Christopher goes back to school Thursday. The Fire Department is coming to let the children see the fire truck at DFBK Friday. I am making Mary's birthday cake on Friday. We are having her birthday party on Saturday. We get to go to church on Sunday and teach my class. Then Mary is out of school on Monday. Her 9th birthday is Tuesday. And our gospel meeting starts Sunday thru Wednesday. Then the next Saturday is our church family fun day at Tannehill. WHew what a busy two weeks.

Hope all have a wonderful week.

Birthday Celebration

Well Christopher told me yesterday when I picked him up from school that we needed to go out to eat. I asked him why? He said because it was my birthday. I said ok and asked him if he had any money to pay. He told me no. Iasked him who's going to pay? And he told me that I had to pay. I told him that wasn't fair. I shouldn't have to pay for my own birthday meal. I thought it was so cute and funny that I took him and paid anyways.

Last night me, Barry, Lauren, Magan and Rebecca went to the Comedy Club for my birthday. I won the tickets so all we had to pay for was our food. The food was really good. The comedian would have been 100% better if he had left off the bad language. The Comedy Club is out for us from now on unless they have a clean comedian there. We had a good time just being out with friends. Thank you guys for celebrating with me.