
Friday, August 6, 2010
Which way is up????

Monday, June 14, 2010
Summer Storms

Sunday, May 9, 2010
My Beautiful Daughter
My beautiful daughter
You cannot know
How much my heart breaks
As I watch you grow
In time you’ll become
Independent and free
Always my daughter
And special to me
As you grow older
You will see
Through the eyes of a mother
Reflections of me
Past, present and future
All intertwined
My mother, your mother
All daughters you’ll find
Our reflections, not vanity
Mirrored lives we share
Always a daughter
Your mother, who cares.
~Julie Copeland
My mother is not with us anymore, she is smiling down on me from Heaven. There is a small part of me that is crying out, missing her very much. But to have my duaghter smile and hug me fills me with much joy. Being a mother is a TRUE BLESSING.
Happy Mother's Day to all you mommas out there!!!
Monday, April 5, 2010
make them move.....

Nothing is cuter than watching a 3 year old trying to catch a butterfly. Noah ran around the butterfly house determined to have one land.
But the funniest part came later when we made it to the dinasaur area. No matter how hard Bailey and I tried....we could not make Noah understand that we could NOT make those dinasaurs move. "Why" became his favorite word. 
The afternoon was so much fun...full of running, jumping, digging and laughing. So much fun....that we wore poor Noah out.....
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Taking the next step
immer...FLIP FLOPS!!!! It cracks me up to see all the kids in the middle of December fall out into car line all wearing them.Today.....was another mile stone in our baby's life. There comes a time when you have to let the lil one begin to spread her wings. My baby girl who used to be at home playing play dough...is now wanting converse in every color and running off to the movies with her friends. She is giggling like crazy and swapping Silly Bandz. One second I see my little girl and then ....I glance back and see a teenager ready to burst out.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
"Spring" Forward
Friday, March 12, 2010
Kid at HEART!!!

Monday, March 8, 2010
Railroad tracks....

The good news...yup here actually is good news....she probably wont have to have her wisdom teeth pulled....AND she will be getting braces on the front part of her mouth. . . . . guess we can call that the silver lining.
Bailey...she is moaning about what she wont be able to eat....ME....is crying because my house renovations are on hold for atleast 18 months while we pay off her teeth. I am skeptical about braces myself....I had them for about 3 years and when I was about 27....my bottom jaw grew which in turn caused my lower jaw to move out of allighment...yeah me!!!
So....in 2 weeks...Bailey will have a BRIGHT green smile with a little metal tossed in.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Ready . . . Set. . . Go!!!
Ya'll know that our Bailey swims for a year round swim team...New Wave Swim Team. Every year they have a "swim-a-thon" ~ which wording we can not use...so we have a "Laps for Cash" and 5% of the money raised will be going to the Duke Children's Cancer Center.
This year, Bailey and several of her swim friends decided it would be fun to do it as a "GROUP". So last week, the parents put our heads together and figured since this was the only weekend that our children DID NOT SWIM {but there was a meet this weekend....just not for our swimmers} and the weather was GORGEOUS!!!
The plan was to have a about 5 of them all together go out in a neighborhood.....only 3 were actually able to make it. N, H and our B were really excited and had been practicing their opening lines all night. I have to say I am proud for them to want to actually do this....it is kind of intimidating.
After 3 hour and tons of walking and knocking...the 3 trooped back to the house.....with $380. They had so much fun and it was also a great learning experience....it takes guts to get shot down not once, not twice....but several times and keep on going. They found their rythym and worked as a team.
I am so proud that these kids were enthusiastic to help out and raise money for a good cause. They truly have become a family and back each other no matter what.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Spring Fling

Friday, March 5, 2010
Silly ....with a side of Banana
Here is a little recap:
* a most compassionate boss gave me the "you are laid off" the week of Christmas. Merry Christmas to me!!!
* 3 weeks of job searching....landed me a new job with a GREAT company working only 3 days a week.....so even though a curve was thrown......I was able to straighten this one out!!!
* Bailey has had more swim meets that I am not sure what pool I am supposed to be at. We have been to GA, Charlotte, NC and we are headed BACK to Charlotte next weekend.
* The "yucky" bug seems to like this family....Bailey has battled an inner ear infection, a double swimmers ear infection and a BAD cold....which she so kindly "shared" with me.
* My loving and wonderful hubby is on a mission....to get a Jeep. I am all for this ...now do not get me wrong.....but he was trying to do it without selling his truck!!! NOT HAPPENING!!!! soooo....if anyone is in the market for F250....give ma a buzz.
I have come to a decision. Most people make their New Years Resolutions on Jan 1st.....well......I guess I am a little slow. Most people choose to get in shape {which I swear I am going to do}, me.....I am going to SSSSSLLLLLOOOOOWWWWW down. Life seems to be swimming by at an alarming rate and I am not ready. I want to slow down, make more time to smell the roses.
My first step ......well...to post here. Second....tidy up my house today so that I have free time with the family tomorrow and Sunday. Third.....go on a date with my hubby tonight.
So ~ while life can toss you a curve ball....hold your head high, give a little giggle and press on.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
"Where's the Beef?
1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE".
2. You watched the Pound Puppies. {had to have one}
3. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Belair " ...and can do the "Carlton".
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls. {erasers were the best}
7. You know that "WOAH " comes from Joey on Blossom.
8. Two words: Hammer Pants.
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock ".
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and "spokey-dokes" or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect.
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales". (Woo ooh!)
12. When it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons. {SO TRUE}
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head. {GUILTY}
14. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles " on the big screen... and still know the turtles names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
17. You played the game "MASH ". (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House) {still waiting on my Mansion}
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it. TOTALLY}
19. L.A. Gear... need I say more.
20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM " in Kindergarten. (She's truly outrageous)
21. You remember reading "Tales of a fourth grade nothing " and all the Ramona books. {Ramona was the BOMB}
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF". {saw them ALL}
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us... head-to-toe) {what....so we glowed in the dark}
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf. {nope never really thought of it....and actually - she isn't}
27. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pail Kids in the schoolyard. {so did this}
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets. {YUP}
29. You still get the urge to say "NOT " after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hookup.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes. (and like ..24, probably in neon colors, too) {AND THEY ARE BACK!!!!!}
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"
36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up" {what about "where is the beef"}
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates. {I remember the FIRST rink in our town}
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It. {mine was a lemon}
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. "Don't worry, be happy"
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do...getting yelled at by "younger hip" members of the family)
46. "Miss MARY MACK MACK MACK, all dressed in BLACK BLACK BLACK " {I like the elephant}
47. You remember boom boxes. and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that. {the bigger the better}
48. You remember watching both "Gremlins" movies.
49. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!"
50. You remember watching "Rainbow Bright" and "My Little Pony Tales "
51. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
52. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
53. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool... and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB".
54. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By the Bell ", the ORIGINAL class.
55. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
56. You just sang those words to yourself.
57.You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
58. Homemade Levi shorts. (the shorter the better)
59. You remember when mullets were cool!
60. You had a mullet! {nope...but I had the flip bangs}
61. You still sing "We are the World" {and what about the Coke commercial}
62. You tight rolled your jeans.
63. You owned a bannana clip. {fashion baby}
64. You remember "Where's the Beef?" {YEAH ~ WOO HOO...what happened to that lil ole lady}
65. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' about Willis?"
66. You had big hair and you knew how to use it. {Aquanet}
67. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head,aren't you! {YUP}
ENJOY
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
It has been HOW long???

Funnel Cake or Fried Snickers?

Sunday, October 4, 2009
Oink Oink
It begins with a stuffy head, a runny nose and a cough that rattles your brain. No fever yet....but you go through a whole box of tissue. A day off school...should have been two.....a few days off from swim practice and you begin to recover ~ except for that darn cough.
I dropped Bailey off at a birthday party ..... cake, lasagna, soda and FUN!!! Walk in to pick her up and I am confronted with a child who went from Happy to SAD within a few hours.
A few Tylenol and off to bed only to have her spike a fever of 101.2 this morning. I pack her in the car and off to the Fastmed we go. In walks the Dr. with mask and gloves to take the "swab". He was back faster than you could say Ahchoo!!! POSITIVE!!! The piggy flu has struck our home.
Back home on the sofa, box of tissue, bottle of water, a tsp of cough syrup, a dose of tami-flu and the TV remote....should help for a speedy recovery. According to Bailey...this will so not help her social life ~ having to hold up in the house for a few days!!!
So wish us luck and many prayers that Keith and I stay piggy free. {I am on tami-flu}
Oink Oink
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Her memory lives on....
I have thought of getting a tattoo long before my momma passed. I knew that whatever I was going to get would be with me forever, so I was taking my time in choosing the design....also, I admit...I was chicken!!! I also have been wanting to get my nosed pierced....yup - call me CRAZY!!!
So......what changed??? Bailey and I met my friend Jen at the mall on Saturday for a girls day. Over lunch, she asked if I wanted to go with her the next day...she was going to get a new tat. I figured that I may not be ready for my tat...but I would get my nose done.
Sunday - Jen and I head off to Warlock's to meet Mark. Jen new what she wanted...I was determined to get my nose pierced....but ~ it was not in the cards for me. The piercing person was not there.....so.....where did that leave me? Getting a tattoo. Standing there in the lobby surrounded by TONS of images....what to choose. I figured it was time....time to get my guardian angel. I asked if they had cancer ribbons....they were all pink, purple, multi color....but I new mine would be pearly. {lung cancer} I found the image above and new.....this was the one. I had it placed on the inside of my left wrist so that I can look at it every day, place it close to my heart and kiss it....knowing that my momma is always with me. It hurt like HELL...I can not lie...but I am so happy that I got it. no regrets!!!
So....what about the nose piercing...that will have to wait until another day.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Choo Choo.....chugga chugga ...Choo Choo
Anyone up for a game of Mexican Train game??? It was sevearl years ago while at a Thanksgiving retreat that I was introduced to this game....and may I say that it is totally addicting!!!!! Last Friday evening we had a "girls" night and played. AWESOME!!!! I met new friends, gabbed with my old friends and played a fun game of dominos. I am so ready for nest month :)Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Heartache

Would you give up your relationship with your spouse and child just to have a relationship with your parents? {more so just one of your parents} Is having the biggest house and all the newest toys what is most important and truly needed to make one happy? Supposedly to my father you do.
My father does not know how to "love" unconditionally. Over the years, I have learned that my father is the type that likes to keep up with the "Jones". Because it is name brand or cost a lot "MUST" make it better than the rest. My momma on the other hand, loved unconditionally. She welcomed my hubby right into her family, unlike my father. During my momma's illness, I learned that my hubby was not welcome into my father's life. I have struggled with my feelings and wanting a relationship for my daughter with her grandfather. But I do not believe in sacrificing my family just so I can have a relationship with my father. M
y husband does not beat me, does not belittle me, provides a home for us and does what he loves ~ runs 2 companies and is a volunteer fire fighter} We may not live in a huge home {yes...it is a doublewide}, our cars are paid for, my daughter is in private school, my daughter swims year round, we have a Wii, ipods, cameras, do not mind shopping at consignment shops and vacation at the beach every year. Ask my daughter and she would tell you that she is happy. I work part-time so that I can be there to pick my daughter up every day....yet my father is embarrassed of me and feels that I am not providing for my daughter. My daughter is caring and compassionate and loves to give to others. To me, this is providing!I grew up in an affluent family and lived in a 4000 square foot home.....and honestly don't care. That is just stuff...FAMILY is what is important to me and if you feel you need to judge me on "WHAT" I have or do not have, then I actually feel sorry for you. I have finally come to the conclusion that I will NEVER have a relationship with my father.....because my husband and daughter mean the world to me!
When you look at your life, the greatest happiness's are family happiness's. ~Joyce Brothers
ps. can you tell which pair of jeans actually cost over $800?




