Life with the Lockridges

One of my Favorite Weekends of the Year

2011-07-01T08:52:00.000-04:00

I LOVE recital weekend! It usually lasts ALL weekend with 3-4 shows but it is SO fun!
This year Madison and her dance team did the best they have EVER done in competitions. They got so many platinums on their dances. The girls are just so good and entertaining! The recital is a relaxing time for the girls to just have fun and dance! No pressure for scores.

Cailyn, Anna and Madison - opening number

This is her ballet dance.

This is Lyrical.

Tap costume. It was a funky costume, but it looked great on stage and was a GREAT dance.

After the company showcase with my Meme.

Her modern dance. It was different. No smiles. They were like sad baby dolls...

Production number with all of the company.
Called Sing Sing Sing.

Madi had around 7 dances and costumes this year. The older she gets, the easier it gets for me. I still do most of her hair and makeup stuff, but she is finally able to do a lot on her own. I am so thankful!
She will be going to dance camp in about 2 weeks to prepare for the next dance year. She has been taking it easy over the summer. She is taking a private tumbling lesson every week for 30 minutes. She is doing great with that, but she is very SORE. She will go 3 nights a week for a total of 5 hours a week starting in August. It is exhausting! But that is her thing!

Here we go!

2011-06-24T13:11:00.000-04:00

No way I can recap 2 years of my life gone. But I am determined to start back blogging. Hopefully!

I have a new laptop and a new camera so I will start with what I have on here.

Russ' 5th grade Field Trip

Waiting at school for the buses

Lunch at The Varsity

Turner Field

Future Braves players

On the FIELD

My Childhood Hero's locker - Dale Murphy

Next stop the Aquarium

Crazy glasses they all just HAD to have...

We also went to the Atlanta History Museum. I did not take any pictures of that.
Can't believe Russ is going to be in middle school very soon!!! Brandon and I are amazed at how well Russ does in school. He keeps a VERY busy extra curriculur schedule and still maintains all As and Bs. Mostly As! He exceeded on 3/5 subjects of the CRCT this year and will be in Advanced Math next year. We are so proud of him!!

Disney: Epcot

2009-07-23T11:13:00.003-04:00

I really need to finish documenting our Disney trip because I am about to forget what we did. My mind is going fast...

We had to be at Epcot at 8:30am on Saturday because Madison was participating in a workshop from 9-12:00. Once she was with her group and the park opened we went straight to Soarin' and did all of the rides near there. Then we went to the Nemo ride.

We were able to pretty much walk on any ride we wanted. It was getting time to go pick up Madi in Italy so we fast-passed Soarin' again for her and then headed to the World Showcase.
While we were waiting for Madi, a bunch of the characters came out and we got so many pictures and autographs. We were just missing Madi!

Madi was so worn out after her workshop. They were able to partipate in a mock audition, learn a dance routine, and perform it with Goofy. She had a great time but she was ill, hungry and had a headache when it was over.

We headed to Mexico for lunch and to cool off. I think I have mentioned before how hot it was the week we were in Disney.

We had a great table right in front of the water/boat rides and pyramid. You just can't see it behind us :(

Now that we were fed, we were ready to ride. Our favorite ride at Epcot was Test Track.

We also liked Mission Space. This was the only ride Cooper did not ride, but they had a playground inside that he loved!

I am pretty sure we rode every ride at Epcot except for one. Here they are cooling off in the water. Russ and Cooper were still all smiles even at the end of the day.

We stopped on the way out of the park and got our Mickey and Minnie pictures made.
The wait was about 30 minutes which was the longest line we had waited in all day. I didn't care, but my family was d.o.n.e after this.

And that is the end of my pictures. We actually left Epcot and went back to the hotel to get our car and then went to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. Russ wanted some wings and I wanted some sweet tea. It was the only place we didn't have to wait.

We had a great trip and have lots of fun memories. I am already planning our return... (Sorry Brandon! Cooper really needs to go back to that Lego store - I mean he only mentions it 27 times a day)

Way Back Wednesday

2009-07-22T10:08:00.001-04:00

Madison Hope Lockridge at the Doctor's office for the very first time.

Madison Hope Lockridge at the Doctor's office last week getting her 11 year old shots.

Helping the Homeless

2009-07-21T09:18:00.008-04:00

Last Tuesday Madi, Russ, and Bo went with a group from our church (led by my brother) to a place downtown called Rescue Atlanta.

They were so excited about going, but not really sure what they would see. They did know they were going to feed/serve homeless people. On the way to the church I stopped by McDonalds and fed them so they wouldn't be hungry. I talked to them about these people and what to do. Don't stare, Don't be scared, etc. I did everything I could to prepare them for this. I think I was more nervous than they were.

My brother sent us these pictures from his phone and I just melted.

Here is some of the youth that went.

Madi fixed the drinks.

Russ was handing out the silverware and Bo was the bread boy.

While the others were serving the food, the rest of the group were walking around talking/praying with the people. Lee said all of a sudden he saw Bo walking with this lady (part of Rescue Atlanta staff) with this man. He said he got a little nervous and walked over closer to them. And this is what he saw... Bo praying with them.

Then another man down on Bo's level thanking Bo for praying with him. Priceless!

I know I am a proud momma/aunt, but those pictures just melt my heart. I am so happy they got to experience this ministry. We are so fortunate to get whatever food we want whenever we want it. I didn't need to fill them up with McDonalds before they went. I really don't think they would have even been hungry. They got to experience real hunger that night. People who came through the line more than once to get as much as they could.
Good job Madi, Russ, and Bo for showing the love of Jesus to them! I didn't need to prepare y'all for anything.

Lee brought them home around 11pm and they were already begging to go back next week.

Disney: Downtown/Magic Kingdom

2009-07-01T08:34:00.013-04:00

The day we had been waiting for - for almost a year - had finally come! We found out last summer that Madi's dance group had been accepted to dance at Disney on June 19. Here is Madi at the stage. Go SDI!

We arrived at Downtown Disney around 10am to meet up with everyone. We ate breakfast at McDonalds and I was disappointed because by this point I was dying for a McD sweet tea. They didn't have the styrofoam cup and the tea was not good.

We waited at McDonalds for all of the girls. Brandon took the boys to the Lego store. The Lego store was heaven for Cooper.

Madison got to perform 4 dances. They wore their company ensemble (leotards/skirts) because you could not have any costume changes. Here is the stage. It was right on the water.

This is all of the company dancers in front of the T-Rex waterfall.

Madison got a nice, drawstring bag that has Disney Performing Arts on it for performing at Disney. The tour guide told them since they were performing at Disney they were considered Cast Members that day.

And because I really needed a styrofoam cup with sweet tea in it - we went to Chickfila for lunch before going back to the hotel to change and head to Magic Kingdom.

We got to Magic Kingdom around 3pm. I wasn't upset about getting there that late because they stayed open until midnight.

The parade was starting right when we got there. I love Disney parades!

This is as close to Goofy as Cooper would get without his sister and brother. We did get his autograph though while we were waiting for Brandon, Madi and Russ to get off of Splash Mountain. Cooper could have ridden it, but he did not like the looks of that big hill.

It was so hot - Russ wanted one of those fans with the water spray on it. I must say it was the BEST $20 bucks we spent while we were there.

Magic Kingdom was definitely the most crowded park we went to. We rode pretty much everything we wanted to though - except Space Mountain :( - it is closed for refurbishing until Winter 2009. Cooper's favorite ride was the Barnstormer Roller Coaster. We rode it twice and he even put his hands up. Madi and Russ loved Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

I didn't take many pictures at this park. I think it was so hot I didn't have any energy to get the camera out. We had a great day and did not leave until 11:45pm. I can't believe we stayed that late. We were so tired!

Once we rode the bus back to our hotel, took quick showers, and dove into bed... it was 1:30am. That wouldn't have been so bad except for we had to be at Epcot the next day for Madi's Performing Arts workshop at 8:30am.

What were we thinking?

This is How we Celebrate

2009-06-29T11:34:00.015-04:00

When it's your birthday in our family, we like to celebrate "Birthday Weekends" or sometimes "Birthday Week".

On Friday, Cooper celebrated his birthday at Chuck E Cheese with his cousins.

Cooper loves to play SkeeBall. Most of the time it stayed in his lane :)

McDonalds was Cooper's choice for his birthday lunch after church.

His party started at 4:00. He picked out a Power Rangers theme. I just made appetizers and we had cake/ice cream.

Cooper was ready to open presents. Here he is with his family and friends.

He loved all of his presents!

I know he is mine and I'm biased, but don't you love his smile??

We surprised him with a Toyota Cruiser. Madi had a Barbie Jeep (which she loved). We never got Russ one because he never acted interested in one. Cooper loves being outside and when your child has every (Star Wars, Batman, Power Rangers) toy - you kind of run out of ideas...

Cooper would give anybody rides. He was not so ready to share the driver's seat yet.

Our party ended with Bo, Sophie and Reed spending the night. They played, ate pizza, and went to sleep watching Hotel for Dogs. When I checked on them at midnight only Russ and Sophie were still up. Thankfully for me, they all slept until 9:20am.

I hope you had a great 4th birthday weekend, Coop!

Dear Cooper,

2009-06-28T21:44:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday! Today you are 4 years old! You are so excited about this birthday. This morning when you woke up you had the biggest smile on your face. I love your trademark smile. It always makes my day when I see your smile.

You are all about legos, Star Wars, Batman, and Power Rangers right now. You love to play with your figures, but you also love to be outside playing ball. You usually love to play baseball. Right now, you are very in to golf. Daddy even made you your own putting green in the backyard. Nana and Papa got you a real putter for your birthday and that is all you want to do.

You say the funniest things! Although you do not like us to laugh at you after you say something funny. You usually make this screeching noise that sounds like a pteradactyl is in the room. I must say you are getting much better with that though.

You still love your hot tea. Even at a restaurant you order your "sweet tea" with no ice. You are such a good eater. You eat lots of fruits, especially oranges, and vegetables I have to remember to buy for you.

You start out most sentences with "Momma..." and end every sentence with "Momma." You still have a hard time saying t's instead of c's and p's instead of f's. You have the cutest voice I have ever heard.

Cooper, it has been a fun 4 years with you. You are a blast! You are my sweet boy and I love you so much!
Momma

Disney: Hollywood Studios

2009-06-25T09:53:00.017-04:00

Our first day at Disney was spent at Hollywood Studios. Here we are waiting for the bus. It was how we traveled everyday to the parks and was worth the wait.

I loved Hollywood Studios. It was my favorite park!

We went and fast passed Tower of Terror and then watched a little of a HSM 3 show and then rode the Great Movie Ride. Here is Madi beside the horse that Mary Poppins rode.

We ate lunch at the SciFi Drive in Theater. It was neat! I really don't think the food at Disney is all that great. You definitely pay for the experience/atmosphere. This restaurant was cool!

We headed straight for Tower of Terror after lunch. Loved it!
Unfortunately we didn't get to ride Rock n Roller Coaster. They had given out all of the fast passes and we were going to come back and wait, but we ran out of time. Cooper wasn't tall enough to ride this anyway.

The streets at Hollywood Studios are so cool.

By about 3pm we were dying for something to drink. We were waiting for the Block Party Bash to start and I decided to go get us something to drink while they stayed and saved our spot. Well, I didn't make it back in time and then couldn't cross the street to get back to where we were sitting. I pretty much missed the entire parade. Brandon had the camera and only took this picture of Madi. One of the dancers pulled people out onto the street to dance and Madi got picked. Thankfully, he got this picture.

I finally got back with the drinks and it started to POUR!!! We ran to the nearest gift shop and waited and waited until it let up enough to make a run for it to Star Tours. I am so sad I didn't get a picture but it was raining and we were soaked!
Cooper is all about Star Wars so he loved this ride!

We ran again to our next stop which was the Stunt Show. Here we are on metal bleachers while it is thundering and lightning. We were covered from the rain at least. Then, they decided to cancel the show due to the weather. So, we ran to the Toy Story ride and waited. Can you tell how soaked we are?

While in line we saw a Green Army Man. Madi ran out and got our autographs while Russ snapped the picture of her.

The Toy Story ride was sooo neat! We waited in line for this ride forever! Again, all the fast passes were given out. It was worth the wait though!

We couldn't wait to eat at the Pizza Planet. Toy Story is one of our family's favorite movies. Honestly, this was one of my favorite meals the whole week.

We had a great time at Hollywood Studios! We also rode the Backlot Tour, saw the Muppets 3D, and watched Ariel's Adventure. We finished running from place to place and were completely soaked by 10pm. It did stop raining eventually, and never rained again while we were at Disney.

Camp Update

2009-06-24T09:33:00.003-04:00

My brother sent me this picture of Russ at Camp. I'm not so sure I really wanted to see this. That looks scary! He is 30 feet up in the air!

Recital 2009

2009-06-23T10:07:00.013-04:00

Madi wrapped up another dance year on Saturday, June 13. The recital is always fun because although she is in two shows, which equals 12 costume changes, there is no stress backstage like at a competition.

Friday Night at Rehearsal

Here is Madison with her Opening number costume. We had to come up with our own "street" costume. I think hers turned out pretty good.

And after the 2nd show, Kristen (the owner of the studio) announces the Company members for next year and she also announces 2 winners from the whole studio that have earned a Scholarship (paid tuition) for next year. She picks 2 girls that are dedicated, always at class, a hard worker, improved, etc.

A couple of weeks ago Kristen had told me that she picked Madi. I was not allowed to tell her. So it was a huge surprise to her when she was picked. We were so proud!

Proud Parents

Proud Grandparents

With Ms. Kristen

Meanwhile, my boys were with their other grandparents enjoying a day at DeSoto Caverns Park.

Home Again

2009-06-22T11:48:00.011-04:00

We are back and we had a great time! It was sooo hot and we went non-stop, but it was worth it!

We got home yesterday around 4pm, repacked Madi and Russ, and left to take them to Children's Camp until Thursday. This is Russ' first time going and he was so excited! Here he is on the way. All week at Disney, he kept saying, "I'm ready for Camp..."

Cooper is asleep on the couch with at 102 temp. I am going to take him to the DR this afternoon. He was not sick at all during our trip.

Brandon got a pretty bad deal for Father's Day yesterday. We were in the car pretty much all day. I do want to say Happy Father's Day Brandon! You are the best dad and we love you very much!!

Here is Brandon at Epcot on Saturday. The look on his face says it all! Serenity now, maybe?

Me, Brandon and Coop will be home resting from our vacation this week.

Way Back Wednesday

2009-06-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

Disney 2001

Disney 2007

Disney 2009, here we come!!

Things I didn't have time to blog about...

2009-06-16T09:14:00.007-04:00

Cooper's First Braves Game

Russ walking on the field

Cooper's Team Party with his 1st trophies

Madi's 5th Grade Field Trip to Dahlonega

At Amicola Falls

DARE Graduation

Papa's 60th Birthday

All About the Girl

2009-06-12T17:24:00.016-04:00

Weren't you just born yesterday??? Now you have graduated from 5th grade and will be going to middle school in the fall. Madi, we are so proud of all of your accomplishments, awards, and academics. You blew our expectations out of the water. You are a hard act to follow for your brothers. Thank goodness Russ and Cooper are boys and we can use that excuse... We didn't really want Russ and Cooper to excel in dance and drama anyway.

Madi and her best friends

At graduation

Madi was a 5th grade helper during field days - look who she just happened to be bossing around... her brother!

Madi's Field Day

Dance Party at Stars and Strikes (Madi won the MVP award)

Madi was a Preschool Dance Leader this year at dance. Look at those cuties watching her!

You made it, girl! Thanks for making being your parents so easy. Now let's enjoy our summer before I cry about having a middle schooler.

Our son, Benny

2009-05-24T20:16:00.002-04:00

Cooper LOVES playing baseball. Right now, he is pretending he is Benny from the old movie, The Sandlot. He even asks to sleep in this old,baseball jersey.

I hope to be back blogging very soon. We are alive and well and I have so much I need to share.

Happy Memorial Day!

I'll never be able to top this birthday party

2009-04-18T20:18:00.008-04:00

in more ways than one.

Friday night was Madi's 11th birthday party. She had 3 friends coming home with her from school and 2 more meeting at our house at 5:00. 2 of her very best friends, Ginnabeth and Maggie couldn't come. Ginnabeth had softball and Maggie was sick.

The plan was to have a Mall Scavenger Hunt. My sister worked hard on the tasks with a little help from my friend Janell.

After school I went to pick Cooper up. I ended up leaving Russ with Jodi, but bringing Sophie home with us. At this point, I had 7 people in my car. 3 in the 3rd row seats and 3 in the middle and me.

Everyone was talking, laughing, etc as I was stopped to make a left turn into my subdivision. I was waiting to turn when I heard the girls in the back yell - "She's NOT STOPPING!!!" At that point I looked in my rearview mirror and saw this car about to slam into my SUV. I let off the brake and tried to gun it so maybe she would brake, stop, etc. BUT NO! She slammed into my car!!! We were shocked and scared!! Thank goodness we were all fine!! Madi and her friends were a little upset at first, but once they started talking to "Justin" the nice EMT guy, they were giggling.

I had to call all of their parents and let the EMT talk to them to make sure they didn't need treatment. Two of the parents were close enough to meet us there. Thankfully, my dad was close and came by and picked up the kids and took them to my house while I gave my statement.

The lady that hit us never got out of her car. The witness that was there did talk to her. They did take her by ambulance on a stretcher. Her car was completely damaged and I am sure it will be totalled. It was a small, older car.

I am so thankful for my SUV!!! Her car basically went under us and my trailer hitch saved us. My car is drivable. Now I'm just waiting to see if she had insurance before we go get an estimate.

Madi took this picture of the scene of the accident on her phone. You might be able to click on the picture and zoom in to see the damage of the other car.

Here is a picture of all of the kids in the car once we got home. They are pretty much covering the damage, most of it is on the lower left side.

We did not let the accident stop our party...

TO BE CONTINUED.

Global Warming My Foot...

2009-04-14T09:43:00.020-04:00

I guess we didn't go close enough to the Equator this Spring Break. Or maybe Gulf Shores just had RECORD LOW temperatures last week while we were in town... Our first day at the beach we were covered from head to toe. It was beautiful, but windy. The kids didn't seem to mind. That is if it is normal to wear a hoodie with a bathing suit. After recovering from our hypothermia, we decided there were lots of other things to do at the beach besides freeze.
Like...

Play DS with cousins Watch movies together Go to see Monsters vs Aliens Read books (because we're smart like that) Eat Cheeseburgers in Paradise and play in the sand at LuLu's (Jimmy Buffet's sister's restaurant) Soak in the hot tub (Russ your face makes me laugh) And finally on our last day, it warmed up enough to shed our snow suits and break out the swim suits.
Spring Break 2009

Madi's Day

2009-04-11T17:45:00.007-04:00

Whenever my kids have their birthday, we let them choose whatever they want to do for the day. Madi was lucky that her birthday was on Spring Break so she had the whole day to celebrate and Brandon was off for Good Friday.

Since we had been gone to the beach all week, I did not have her presents yet. I really didn't know what she wanted anyway.

So our first stop was the mall. She went in several shops and she picked out clothes, books and shoes. I did not have my camera :(

We then went to dinner at Olive Garden. It was her first time ordering off the adult menu. She insisted because the kids menu was for 10 and under...

We had a great dinner with my family.

Then they sang Happy Birthday.

Our last stop was Walmart because she wanted a new DS game. The weather was so bad we thought we were going to get stuck there.

And eventually we made it home.

I hope you had a great day, Madi!

Dear Madi,

2009-04-10T10:18:00.007-04:00

First, let me say thank you for making me and your daddy parents! We never knew we could love something so much until you came along.

Now, Happy Birthday, you 11 year old! Oh my, you are growing up too fast! As I think back to the day you were born I remember thinking how beautiful you were. You were so big and you had big, chubby cheeks. Me and your daddy thought you were the most beautiful baby we had ever seen!

And you still are beautiful today on the inside and out! We are so proud of you!

This past year we have watched you grow into a beautiful young lady. You have excelled in school. You are so smart and everything comes so easily for you. You have never made a B on your report card. That is hard to do!

You have excelled in dance. You amaze me because you are confident and you are not nervous when you perform in front of crowds. I love to watch you dance. This is a picture of you at your first dance recital at 3 years old!

You have a funny personality. Unfortunately for you, you have inherited your mom and dad's sarcastic ways. You fit right in with us though.

One of your favorite things to do is read. You read all the time. You read all of the Twilight books this year. You are an excellent reader and I can't keep up with you.

This year is going to bring some big changes for you. I pray everyday that God will protect you and be your guide as you grow.

How wonderful that God gave you to us on Good Friday because as christians Easter brings us Hope for tomorrow. Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we may live. It was such a joy to bring you home from the hospital on Easter Sunday. And you have been a joy everyday since!

I love you, Madison Hope Lockridge!
Mom
Psalm 25:5, "…guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." (NIV)

Time after Time

2009-03-31T21:30:00.000-04:00

Time - please slow down. My children are growing up too fast. Just next week I will have a daughter turn 11 years old. 11 means - middle school. Yikes!

Time - where have you gone? I haven't posted in 14 days.

Time - I don't have enough of you. I am constantly running from place to place. I feel like I am running a race most days and I never have enough time to do the things I want to do. Like go shopping and blog.

Time - I've got about 30 minutes to post and then I'll fall asleep at the computer.

This is how we've been spending our time these days:

Watching the cutest, little baseball player ever (play in the dirt)

Celebrating a 9th birthday
Dancing in Chattanooga and winning a gold 1st place
Cheering for Russ after he pitched the last inning and won his baseball game
Taking tennis lessons with a friend (because clearly Madi doesn't have much else going on :)

Singing at a Spring Chorus Concert at school

Dear Russ,

2009-03-17T00:01:00.005-04:00

Today you are 9 years old! I can't believe you are already 9. It just seems like yesterday you were turning 1 and just starting to walk everywhere. Actually, run everywhere. You have always kept us very busy!

I remember thinking when you started preschool that you would never stay in that classroom for 3 hours. I even asked the teacher about keeping the door closed at all times. Well, you never ran out of that preschool door. You were good!
I remember when you started Kindergarten without knowing all your letters, that you would continue speech, get extra help, etc. Well, you tested out of speech 6 weeks after Kindergarten started. You now make straight A's and NEVER stop talking :) !!

You make me laugh everyday! You are so funny. I love the laugh that you do after you say something that you think is funny. I hope I remember that laugh forever.

You are polite and well-mannered. You are so good about being respectful to me and your daddy.

You are a good friend to everyone.

You are not shy and you will try anything!

You are a great big brother to Cooper.

You decided this year that you wanted to grow your hair out. I love your long, wavy hair!

You know what you want.

Russ, you have had a great year. I am so proud of you and you continue to amaze me everyday!

I can't thank God enough for you. You are a blessing to me and everyone that knows you!

Born on St. Patrick's Day 9 years ago today at 8:15am weighing 10 pounds and 9 ounces.

I love you, Buster!

Mom

Here you are on March 16, 2009 - eating your favorite food - hot wings at Taco Mac

I hope you dance...in the snow.

2009-03-02T20:17:00.007-05:00

Madi had her 1st dance competition this weekend in Gwinnett.

Her first dance was Saturday night at 9:04PM. Crazy time. But whatever.

We dropped the boys off at my parent's house around 5, grabbed something to eat and headed to Buford.

Here is Madi Saturday night in her 1st costume.

One 3 minute dance, awards, and 2 1/2 hours later, we got home at 11:00PM.

On Sunday morning we headed back to Gwinnett Center for 2 more dances. The whole ride there it was raining and sleeting, but no snow yet.

We stopped at Five Guys for a quick lunch before the competition. It was good!

Her 1st dance on Sunday was her Pom Pom dance. It was snowing like crazy by now and I was starting to get a little nervous about heading back home later that night.

This is her dance team waiting to go on stage for their last dance.

All of Madison's dances received Extreme Gold medals. She did a great job and we were so proud! I still can't believe I have a child that will get on a stage in front of so many people and perform. She was not nervous at all.

After picking up the boys and stopping by Publix to pick up a few things, (hoping we would get snowed in) we got home around 8:00PM - ending our dance weekend.

Brandon and I enjoyed spending our weekend with just Madi. That doesn't happen much.

Her next competition is in Chattanooga in 2 weeks. It will probably be raining cats and dogs.

This post is pathetic.

2009-02-27T20:14:00.005-05:00

I've not had anything really to post about this week. I know you do not want to know how many times I drove to baseball, to dance, to baseball, to dance, to the store, to baseball, to home. That's pretty much it.

I should have posted last week that my bleaching did not work. I was at Urgent Care with Russ on Sunday and yep, he had strep! Knock on wood, everyone has been well since.
Since this was a slow post week for me, I thought I would post a few of Russ' basketball pictures from this year. He had a fun, winning season and he played great!

Here he is at the team party with his coach. (Horrible picture, but it's all I have. Doesn't it look like Brandon has blond highlights in his hair?)

And we did make it through 1 of Cooper's baseball practices this week without going to Target. I just wish that the concession stand would hurry up and open soon so I could start bribing him with ballpark fries.

It is your birthday.

2009-02-21T15:09:00.006-05:00

Today is my brother's bday! We hope you have a great day! We love you, Coach Cool!

Today is also our niece, Emily's 13th birthday! We can't believe you are a teenager now!

Best Week Ever

2009-02-19T17:11:00.007-05:00

Ok, maybe not the best ever, but pretty close. We have thoroughly enjoyed our week off from school doing whatever we wanted to do.

It didn't start out so good on Monday though. I had to take Madi to the DR and she had strep throat. She was pretty out of it for a few days so we took it easy at home. Which was fine, because my plan for the first part of the week included this:

I am a sad person who loves the smell of bleach. I bleached anything I could burn my fingers on. I was determined to get rid of all of the germs in my house.

By Wednesday, we were so ready to get out of the house and do something besides get high on bleach we met Jodi and her kids at Zaxbys and then went to see Hotel for Dogs. It was such a cute movie!

Since I have already confessed today that the smell of bleach makes me happy, I will make another confession. I love pizza and I love Stevi Bs. So, I begged the kids to eat lunch there with me today. Here they are full as ticks and happy as can be.

Meanwhile during my cleaning frenzy this week, my vacuum cleaner belt broke. I am not lying when I say I went to 8 different stores looking for a Eureka belt. When all else fails, try Kmart. Thankfully there happens to be one right by my favorite pizza place.

After our great find at Kmart we headed to the Marietta Square to buy Madi the rest of her shoes for dance. $$$.$$ later we headed out the door! (Brandon will probably read this, so I just used $$$ to ease the pain for him) Two little boys got in my purse and took these pictures while I was helping Madi.

I am just thankful they didn't enjoy being in a dancewear shop.

Well, that has been our week. I do have bunco tonight and Russ has baseball practice.

I'm not sure what we will do tomorrow. I might get crazy and take my light fixtures down and clean them...

Drum Roll, Please...

2009-02-16T21:15:00.007-05:00

Somebody had t-ball practice tonight and somebody went out on the field.

He did so good!

Guess where we went after practice?

This is going to be one expensive baseball season!

Why it is fun to be a teacher...

2009-02-13T16:34:00.005-05:00

26 students want to be your Valentine!

Plus they give you lots of chocolate and stuffed animals. I don't really like chocolate, but if you could see their faces when they give it to you - it is worth it all!

I guess now Brandon can cancel my Vermont Teddy Bear that he keeps saying he has ordered for me. Ha! He told me it would arrive by tomorrow! (no offense to anyone who has ordered one, but I could think of a lot of other things I'd rather have than a $75 bear gram.) Like maybe a Snuggie.

Oh, one more reason why it is fun to be a teacher...

I'm off next week for Winter Break!!!!!!!!

I'm Pretty Sure We're Not Going to Target

2009-02-10T16:52:00.003-05:00

Cooper has been soooo excited about playing baseball. He plays in the backyard all the time. He hits off a tee, he catches the ball on a roll, he steps and throws... (is there travel ball for 3 year olds?) No, he's not that good, but he wants to be like Russ so bad and wanted to play t-ball this year.

We have been anxiously awaiting for his coach to call and tell us when his practice would be this week. After talking to his coach on Sunday we found out his practice days are Mondays at 6.

All day Monday Cooper was so excited about going to HIS practice. On the way to practice he was grinning ear to ear and we were all encouraging him about his team and what they would do, and about all the FUN they were going to have.

If you know Cooper you know where this story is going... Cooper = No Man

Ok, so we arrive at the park, get out of the car and head to the field. Cooper is still smiling holding his bat and glove - happy as can be.

About that time, Brandon meets the coach and he tries to introduce Cooper, but he is now HIDING behind my leg!

He would not even look at the coach or acknowledge another team mate. It was time for the team to go out into the field and Cooper starts saying, "I don't want to play baseball." What??

I am trying to remain calm and tell him how much fun it will be, etc and to just give it a try, Russ will go out there with you, Daddy will go out there with you, Madi, Mommy...

Cooper was determined he was NOT going on that field.

I ask him why don't you want to go out there and play baseball. He said, "I don't like my coach." What? You didn't even look him in the eye, Cooper.

After a few minutes, Brandon decided to go out on the field and finally Cooper went out there and played with him. He threw about 10 balls and then he ran off the field and back to the stands with me.

I tried everything to get him out there, but all I got back was "No". I wasn't going to force him out there kicking and screaming. We thought he would love it and have fun.

I even tried the we'll go to Target and get you a new toy if you GET out on the field and HAVE FUN! (I know that's horrible parenting, but whatever works to get this boy off my leg) By this point, I am frustrated, embarrassed, and about to lose it in public.

Still didn't work. He wouldn't even sit on the bench when they handed out snack.

Thankfully, practice only lasted an hour and Cooper could leave that awful field. When I buckled him in his carseat he so politely asked...

Are you going to take me to Target?

Show Me the Money

2009-02-07T08:32:00.004-05:00

I want to vent about the "stimulus" bill, but I can't. I would so bore you and I want my blog to be about my family. Although I'm sure my family bores you as well. I don't care about that.

BUT...

Let me just say... I wish the government would let us spend OUR own money rather than spend the 811 billion for us. That bill is ridiculous and I am now even more scared about the economy than I was before. Maybe I am watching too much FOX NEWS. Have I told you lately how much I love Sean Hannity?

We had Russ' baseball team meeting last night. I can't believe we start baseball practice next week! Russ is excited about moving up to the kid pitch league. It should be interesting!

Cooper is playing pre-ball this year, but we haven't heard from his team yet. We have no clue how he will do. I just worry about him getting out or if he doesn't get to play where he wants and he throws a fit on the field. He will yell "NO" at anybody. Just ask his music teacher at preschool last week when he didn't get a stamp. Yikes!

Both the boys had strep throat this week and they are doing much better now.

We have a busy day today with dance, basketball games, and I have a baby shower. I can't wait! It is going to be a beautiful weekend in the high 60s! Come on, Spring!

Boys and Blankies

2009-02-03T16:57:00.014-05:00

My BFF Janell tagged me...and I thought this would be fun.

So, here's what you do:

1. Go to your 4th folder where you store your photos.
2. Select the 4th photo (no exceptions).
3. Post the picture with an explanation.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same.
5. I tagged Jodi, Amanda, Amy, Tamara

This is a picture of Cooper from November 2007. I am so glad this was my 4th photo because it has his blankie in it. He has loved that blanket since he was born. If you were around Cooper for the first 2 years of his life, you probably saw him with it. He would take it everywhere. He used to suck on it when he slept and would basically choke himself on it putting it in his mouth to go to sleep. I would bleach that thing regularly and it would never get clean. We even tried to switch it out a few years ago with a brand new one, but he knew the difference and wouldn't get rid of his old one.

He still takes it to Jodi's every day and has to sleep with it every night, but thankfully he doesn't tote it around anywhere else now.

Russ also had a favorite blankie. He took that thing everywhere, too. We even lost it at the movies once. We went back and found it under the seat (gasp). I actually thought Russ would never part with his, so I cut his into squares to make it smaller. I joked that he could fit it in his pocket and take it to Kindergarten with him.

I still have one square left in his keepsake box. I will keep it forever.

Just like I will eventually cut Coop's blanket into squares and put it in his box so one day if he wants a square for his pocket for kindergarten - he can have it.

Why?

2009-01-27T20:58:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted this week so I thought I would ask myself a few questions so a few years from now I can laugh hysterically at myself for being so dumb.

Why did Santa Claus bring my boys "boxing gloves" for Christmas and all they have been watching on TV lately is ALL of the Rocky movies and acting them out?
Why can't I say no to my children? Especially when it involves Cooper, food, and the den?
Why did I get my daughter a cell phone for Christmas with only 200 texts a month? I never would have dreamed she could have gone over...
Why do I love sweet tea so much?
Why do me and Brandon keep losing our tennis matches?
Why can't it be Friday already?
Why does Cooper scream every Sunday when we take him to his class?
Why is he screaming at Russ right now?
Why am I on the computer right now while I could be in bed watching Biggest Loser?
Why can't my house stay straight?
Why are there so many legos all over the place?
Why can't we get a snow day?
Why can't I get on my treadmill that is staring me in the face right now?
Why can't I finish a project?
Why do I love reality TV?

I wonder why I just asked myself all these questions...

Coyote Expert

2009-01-21T20:43:00.004-05:00

If anyone ever needs to know anything about coyotes... Russ has been intrigued after seeing one when he went hunting with Lee a few weeks ago. He decided to do his 3rd grade animal research project on the coyote and look how it turned out.

He did a great job and researched everything himself on the internet. And Cooper helped with picking the grasses, sticks, and the placement of the animals. Of course, I had to buy the whole tube of animals for $6.99 at Michael's just to get a coyote. If we hadn't of been doing the project at 9:00pm the night before it was due, we could have made one out of clay, painted it, etc. Oh, that would have been too easy. We like a challenge!

Does anyone remember when we used to have to go to the public library and look up information there?

Not that I was a geek, but I spent a lot of time at the big Marietta library...

and please, no comments regarding the background of the picture. I realize I have a WOR WALL rather than a WORD WALL in my classroom. I'll fix it one of these days.

It's Snowing??

2009-01-19T19:39:00.005-05:00

I guess that's what you call those tiny white specks falling from the sky.

Tonight after dinner Madi yelled, "It's Snowing!". So we all ran outside to see if it was true.

What you can't see is what Madi is hiding behind her back.

This...

She never stopped talking except to have her picture made. Welcome to our world with a preteen! Help me, Lord. I'm not ready for this.

2009-01-17T09:38:00.002-05:00

Madi and I have been reading Kelly's Korner blog for awhile now. Yesterday she went into the hospital to be induced. Harper was born with some complications with pneumonia and is in a Children's Hospital in Tulsa.

We love reading Kelly's blog because she is a southern, christian girl who was anxiously awaiting the birth of her 1st child after trying to have a baby for several years. Madi and I loved seeing all of the monogrammed clothes, bows, her room, etc. as she was preparing for Harper's birth.

Please join us in praying for this family, that we don't even know, but we feel like we do.

Love y'all,
Tiffany and Madi

Still not a JUROR

2009-01-15T11:55:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I sat in the court room for 4 and a half hours while they picked a jury. I made it to the questioning part and I don't think I got struck, but I didn't get picked. The guy sitting to my left was the last name called and he made 12. I would have been next.

So, today I am reporting back to court at 1:00 for another case that I won't get chosen for again. I'm sure of it.

The good news is that I am getting some good reading in and getting to know a few people in the meantime.

Please don't pick me now lawyers. I don't want to play anymore...

Why not ME?

2009-01-12T20:44:00.002-05:00

Today I reported for my Paulding County citizen duty to be a juror. I sat for HOURS and listened to many questions about 2 cases and I didn't get picked for either of the cases.

I feel like nobody picked me for their kickball team in elementary school...

I am off tomorrow, but I have to call back at 6pm to see if I need to report on Wednesday.

I so wanted to be a juror and I would have been so good. Law and Order used to be one of my favorite shows. Mean lawyers, striking ME.

Now I've got to go back to being a referree to 26 wild 4th graders. Not to mention teach them a few things...

Happy "No" New Year!

2009-01-03T14:54:00.007-05:00

Last week, the kids were spending the night with my parents so me and Brandon decided to go see a movie at the last minute. We decided to go see Yes Man. The movie was fine, had some funny parts, I had popcorn and diet coke so all was good.

After seeing the movie we decided that Cooper was the No Man. He says No to everybody and everything. We are hoping that this is just a phase because it is really starting to drive us all crazy.

Just the other night we were telling him about New Year's Eve and that we would stay up until midnight and say "Happy New Year" to each other and it was going to be fun...

He looked at us and said "I will say Happy No New Year."

And he did say it to us with a little grin at midnight. He is a stinker.

Anyway, as I look ahead to this new year I pray that it brings you hope and happiness. I can not wait to see what God has in store for us in 2009!

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Sling Shots

2009-01-02T22:23:00.003-05:00

My brother got Russ and Bo sling shots for Christmas. Over the holidays he took the boys hunting. This was Russ and Bo's first time hunting. Unfortunately they didn't see any deer. I wonder if it was because they took snacks, their DS's and probably never stopped talking.

Thanks for taking them and not letting them shoot their eye out.

Our Christmas 2008

2008-12-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here is my favorite picture of the season. My kids on Christmas Eve right before bed. I love the excitement in their faces.

I decided not to post a thousand pictures to document all of our family's December fun and bore you to tears... Instead I got all high tech and posted some highlights as a slide show. I hope you enjoy!

Twilight and a Special Birthday Girl!

2008-12-30T11:40:00.010-05:00

So me, Madi and my Mom went to see Twilight last night. I finished the book in 2 days and loved it. The movie was different than the book, but I still liked it.

Madi loved the movie and I'm not so sure about my Mother. She said it was scary. I tried to tell her vampires weren't real...

Now I am reading New Moon. I like it, too. I have a hard time when I get into books with putting them down. I read non-stop and everything else doesn't get touched. Meanwhile, Cooper is touching everything and our house gets destroyed.

Happy Birthday today to one of my most favorite princesses in the world. My niece Sophie is 6 years old today! She is one-of-a-kind! Happy Birthday Sophie. We love you!

This is a picture of Sophie at her Cookie Swap a couple of weeks ago.

I will never forget the day Sophie was born. Six years ago, this morning I was at CHOA orthopedics getting a cast on Russ' foot. He broke his foot the day after Christmas climbing in the pantry trying to get some Capt N Crunch down from the top shelf. After I got his cast on, I drove him to his Meme and Grumpy's house and then I went straight to the hospital to be there for Sophie's birth.

He had to wear it for a month and he never missed a step.

Life with The Rockers...

2008-12-26T22:50:00.005-05:00

Where has the time gone??? My last post was over 2 weeks ago.

It has been a wonderful holiday season for our family. Christmas came and went so fast this year!

If you need us, we are probably playing Russ' new toy - Guitar Hero Complete Band for Wii. It has the guitar, drums, and a microphone and we are all addicted!!!

I'm sure you will be able to get in touch with Madi anytime now because she got her own cell phone for Christmas.

And Cooper is buried in legos, batman, power rangers and star wars people... him and his toys with tiny pieces :(

All About Madi

2008-12-12T08:27:00.008-05:00

Last Saturday, Madi was in the Dallas Christmas Parade. Her dance studio dressed up as Whoville girls.
It was freezing! But they looked cute. Thanks to Jodi for doing Madi's Who Hair.

This picture was after the parade. She had just taken her hair out and it was still standing up without the cup and bobby pins.

Here we are waiting for the parade.

Madi performed in her Christmas program at school on Thursday night. She was a country star from Branson. This was her assistant from the play.

Madi is quite the actress. We were so proud of our star last night! Madi, you were amazing! Please remember your momma one day...

Catch up!

2008-12-04T20:15:00.011-05:00

Bear with me as I get caught up. I can't believe it has been a week since I've posted.

Thanksgiving Day 2008 (left home at 12:00pm)

First stop the Lockridge family in Marietta. My kids and their cousins.

Next stop my Dad's side of the family in Powder Springs. Here is our family picture.

Here we are playing this game called Mafia. I can't really describe the game except that the Mafia try to kill us. I got killed every time. Thank you, fam!

Cooper swinging

Got home around 10:00pm. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Friday morning I left the house at 7:45am (I can not shop in the middle of the night). I did not come home until 10:30pm. I shopped all day and loved every minute of it. I honestly don't know what Brandon and the kids did all day.

Saturday morning I was at Target at 8:00am for the doors to open. Shopped for about an hour there. Then I went to Home Depot and bought our Christmas tree by myself.
Here is the man helping me take it to the my car.

Came home and made chili, watched GA, watched BAMA, decorated the tree and finished putting up all of my Christmas decorations.

Sunday we went to church, Taco Mac and then home. I worked on school stuff all afternoon.

This week has been basketball, dance, Walmart, Target, Kohls, Kroger. Tonight is our first night with NOTHING. I made Brandon's favorite meal of cubed steak, mashed potatoes and gravy and I am stuffed.

I am so glad tomorrow is Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T10:25:00.004-05:00

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1

Whenever I read that verse I picture my Meme's table decorations that she sets every year on Thanksgiving. Handmade in her handwriting with Thanksgiving stickers.

As I watched the Today show this morning and saw a story on St. Jude's hospital about a little boy with a brain tumor, I am extremely thankful today for my healthy children! Even though these last few weeks have been filled with what seems like lots of strep throat, croup, sinus and a staph infection. I am blessed it is just those common childhood sicknesses that are curable with a few antibiotics.

We will be visiting Brandon's family today in Marietta for lunch and then we will drop by my dad's side of the family in Powder Springs. I wish everyone a happy day filled with food, family and fun!

I am thankful for you all!

Santa Claus IS in town...

2008-11-26T09:00:00.018-05:00

I am a planner. I enjoy planning/organizing things, events, etc. I am NOT a fly by the seat of my pants person. I can't function like that. Our trip to visit Santa Claus requires careful planning and scheduling to be successful. You think I am kidding, but I am a not. This is not your average walk up to the mall Santa. Without typing up an itinerary (although that is not beyond me) I give my family our plan and we stick to it.

My dad came and picked Brandon up for work yesterday morning so we would not have his truck at work.

My plan was to do some Christmas decorating Tues. morning and then get the kid's baths, etc. Well, Madi woke up with a fever and sore throat so I took her to the DR at 11:00. She has strep throat and Cooper has a sinus infection. Little kink in my plan, but it was ok. I went to Publix to get their "free" prescriptions and did my grocery shopping for the salad I have to bring for Thanksgiving.

I told my Mother I would pick her up at 4PM. She had a hair appt. and had to leave with it wet so she would be ready at 4.

We went to pick Brandon and Dad up at work at 5PM and then headed to Lenox. The first stop on our trip was to be at Lenox at 6:00 to ride the Pink Pig. Jodi's family was meeting us at Lenox at 6:00. (BTW, Jodi is the exact opposite of me when it comes to planning, organizing, etc) The Pink Pig has been around forever. I remember riding in it downtown on the roof when I was little.

Madi, Sophie, Michael and Reed

Me and Cooper (he loved the ride)

Russ and Bo

After the Pink Pig ride, we went to Phipps. Our appt was at 7:00. Before the appt we always take our pictures in the same spot. All I ask for is ONE picture where my kids are smiling, looking at the camera and not blinking. Is that too much to ask?? This part of my plan can totally stress me out! I didn't get a great picture, but I think this will do.

Although we had an appt, you still have to go wait in line about 10-15 minutes.

We finally made it!

We left Santa and went to eat at Houston's in Buckhead. We had to split up and it took a long time to get our food. Maybe not the best choice for 6 kids. For the record, I let Michael pick the restaurant. I was just trying to have some Christmas spirit.

We left the restaurant and headed home only to get stuck in traffic on 20W for 40 MINUTES!!! We got home around 11PM. Not really in my plan, but we had some good bonding time as a family... in the car FOREVER!!

Merry Christmas and be good for goodness sake!!

Shoeboxes, Puzzles, and Squirrels

2008-11-25T09:27:00.000-05:00

Our Operation Christmas Child boxes were due Sunday. We went to the store on Saturday and the kids picked out all kind of toys and goodies to go in the shoeboxes.

On Sunday morning we wrapped the shoeboxes and took them to church.

I think Madi and Russ actually understood this year that they were giving a gift to a child that might not have much of anything else. Russ even wrote a letter that said, "Dear Child, I want you to accept this gift. If you had ever seen a toy. This is your chance to get a toy and have a great Christmas." I thought it was sweet!

Unfortunately some of the stuff we bought would not fit in the shoebox. One of which was a 500 piece kitten puzzle. We could not let this $1 puzzle go to waste so we started it Sunday after church around 2:00pm. Do you see how tiny the pieces are?

And at 12:00am me and Brandon finished the puzzle. Do you notice something?

One piece is missing! Hopefully today I will find it when I am straightening up. That was the hardest puzzle I have EVER put together. I challenge anyone to put it together faster than we did. 10 hours. Who wants it? I don't want to see it again.

Now, we did take breaks occasionally because every good puzzle person knows to step back a few minutes to rest your eyes.

On one of our breaks, Brandon went to the attic to get our Christmas stuff down and what did he find? Some squirrel trails in the insulation!! Any body know how to catch a squirrel?

Sugar Rush

2008-11-24T08:49:00.009-05:00

Every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving we go to my Aunt Jackie's to make candy. This is a tradition we have been doing as long as I can remember. We had lots of food. I made cheese dip, we also had buffalo hot wing dip, a sandwich tray, pasta salad, a layered salad, and a potato salad. Everything was so good!

After everyone eats we start the candy making process. The sugar/corn syrup and the candy flavoring is cooked on the stove until a certain temperature and then the candy is dropped on a greased table cloth and then it is cut into little pieces. It is very hot and you have to cut fast.

Here is some pictures of my kids cutting the candy.

My kids love going to Jackie's house! Here are a few pictures of Madi and Russ playing a Dance Revolution game.

This is Madi and Trey. Trey is my cousin's son. Shelley kept Madi when I went back to school the year after Madi was born. Although they were just babies they've always been close.

This is my Aunt Jackie, my Mom and Sophie putting a puzzle together. Aren't they pretty?

We make all different kinds of candy. Cinnamon, Clove, Peppermint, Grape, Strawberry, Root beer, Lemon and more. I can't remember them all. Once all of the candy is made we put them in a huge bag and sprinkle powdered sugar on them so they do not stick. And then we divide them up. It makes such a pretty candy dish.

Now that you know we make our own candy, do you think we are the Griswald's?

4 Days and Counting

2008-11-21T17:07:00.006-05:00

Remember those perfect, Christmas, Santa outfits I was supposed to find? Well, I never found them and now my time is almost up. I am off to the mall tonight.

I don't want to just have to settle with something, and I really don't want Cooper in a vest and a bowtie this year. (Not that he has EVER worn one)

My kids are older now so I may just do some dark jeans and sweaters. Shouldn't be too hard to find, right?

Brandon is going to stay home with the boys and just let me and Madi go. We will meet up with Jodi and Sophie and maybe my Mom.

Usually on Friday nights I am exhausted, but tonight I am good to go. I think it's the fact that I can sleep in for 9 days straight.

Cooper is feeling better now, but still sounds congested. He went back to Jodi's today.

Update on our bathroom: Brandon painted the trim one day this week when he was home with Cooper.

Madi is "going out" with someone at school. What in the world?

Thank you for praying for Russ' Coach Randall. He finished his chemo and he was home in 3 weeks.

We are going to look at a house tomorrow with our agent/my cousin. I love looking at houses!

Tomorrow afternoon we are going to my aunt's house to make Candy. This is a holiday tradition that my mom's side of the family does every year before Thanksgiving. It is so much fun and now my kids look so forward to it.

Coop has Croup

2008-11-19T13:53:00.002-05:00

Just got back from taking Cooper to the DR. He has been running a low grade fever for the past several days and last night he woke up in the middle of the night barking like a seal.

He even said at around 3:45am "Mommy, I sound like a monster." Bless his little heart.

After the DR, I took him to Burger King for lunch and I don't know why I ever go to a BK. The only reason I went is because Cooper wanted the skateboard toy in the Kid's meal. Burger King NEVER has the toy they advertise. EVER! We got a Simpson's toy instead.

Luckily, he was too puny to care and got over it pretty quick.

Off to give a breathing treatment...

I Love a Good Project

2008-11-16T18:39:00.006-05:00

On a whim today Brandon and I decided to start a project that we have been needing to do for quite some time now. One of the many things on our "to do" list in order for us to put our house on the market.

Today Brandon ripped up the flooring in our master bathroom. I took down the blinds, curtains, cleaned etc. and we dumped it all.

So here are the before pictures.

I do love a good project. Especially when Brandon does all the work! Any wagers on how long our bathroom stays like this?

Little Rascal

2008-11-15T20:30:00.002-05:00

I was hoping that the Terrible Twos were long gone and we were on our way through the Terrific Threes...

Not so much.

This is Cooper's new phase. Crossing his arms and showing that face when he doesn't get his way or what he wants. (Which honestly, we all give in to him way too much because he is too cute)

Jodi and Michael called to see if we wanted to meet them for dinner tonight. In the car, Cooper wanted to watch a movie. Madison wanted to listen to her HSM CD. We always watch Cooper's movies (Star Wars or Power Rangers) so we told Cooper "No".

Big mistake on our part.

He cried from our house to the city of Hiram.

Thank God the lovely city of Hiram already has their Christmas lights up and when Cooper saw them he stopped the "fake" crying and was immediately mesmorized by those tacky lights hanging on telephone poles.

It was our family's first Christmas moment of the season.

Bakugan, Anyone?

2008-11-12T21:18:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend, we were on a mission to find Russ another Bakugan. On Saturday afternoon we went to Walmart and Target. Saturday night after the game, we tried Toys R Us. This picture is what we saw at every store. They are no where to be found. I asked a Toys R Us employee when they got their shipments and she said on Wed. night and Friday night, but they won't be out until the following mornings. She said they sell out within hours. All Russ wants is the Starter pack and some of the magnetic balls. I can not even describe what they are to you...but if you happen to see them anywhere, will you let me know? They must be on every little boy's Christmas list in GA this year!

Russ' football team had their banquet last night. Doesn't Russ look excited to get his trophy? One of the coaches made a "highlight" (grin) DVD for each of the players. Russ got one last year and he watched it all the time. He was so excited to get another one this year. He puts clips of each game on there along with music and pictures. It really is a great keepsake that I know Russ will treasure.

His banquet was at Stars and Strikes and they got to eat pizza, bowl and play games. Here is Russ bowling with his teammates.

You know Cooper didn't want to miss anything either. Here he is playing basketball by himself and air hockey with a little help from Uncle Lee.

Tomorrow is our staff Thanksgiving lunch at school and I made a layered salad. Our lead custodian organizes the whole lunch and invites lots of people from the BOE. She does not allow any store bought food and you have to make a large portion. The food is so good! Tomorrow night I have bunco and then it is FRIDAY! I am so counting down the days until Thanksgiving break.

I Wish Sean Hannity was Running for President

2008-11-04T19:44:00.006-05:00

Here is where I spent my election day afternoon. Notice the red mark on Russ' face. He has a staph infection so I had to take him back to the DR to get a stronger antibiotic. On a good note, his strep throat looked fine.

Cooper fell asleep in the car on the way to the DR and did not wake up until we got home. I held him the entire visit, then to McDonalds, to Kroger, and home.

I did go vote early last week and I had no wait. Brandon went this morning before work and it took him only 50 minutes. We've got FOX News on and we are ready for a long night. I have to admit I am a little nervous. I am praying for a McCain Miracle! I am so worried about the future of our nation.

The other day I heard Cooper saying the Pledge of Allegiance. I guess he learned it at school. I thought it might be appropriate to share because you never know if "Under God" will remain in the Pledge. (on a side note - Cooper is being silly and gritting his teeth during the video - I have no idea why)

Happy Election Day!

The Power of Prayer

2008-11-03T16:22:00.007-05:00

I read this blog sometimes. I found it one day when I was reading this blog. I saw a button on the sidebar saying Pray for Stellan and I clicked on it. I don't know what it is about a blog that makes you cry but I always find them. Anyway, McMama (as she calls herself) was pregnant with her 4th child and the baby was diagnosed with a irreversible heart condition and they were told he would not make it to birth. I haven't read the blog in a while, but I happened to click on Bring the Rain the other day and found out that the little boy that I had been praying for was born last week completely HEALTHY with a perfect heart!

It really made me start thinking about all of the miracles and answered prayers that I have personally seen God do in my own life. I am sure there are so many more. These are just ones that I have on my heart right now...

Let me start with my firstborn. I will never forget how our first miracle came into this earth. She evidently was not ready. After 3 hours of pushing I was wiped out. The (evil) midwife said go get the vacuum. Thankfully we didn't need one and Madison was finally born. I didn't realize how traumatic her birth was. All I knew was a NICU team ran in and grabbed her and got her breathing and cleaned up. (Until Russ was born I really thought they did that with all babies)
Thank you God for our girl!

Thank you God that my Mom, my Grandmother and my MIL are all Breast Cancer Survivors.

When Russ was around 2 we didn't think he was speaking all that great. We didn't want to compare him with Madi, but she started talking so early. What concerned us was that his speech had gotten worse at 2 not better. After many months of speech and hearing evaluations we were referred to a Neurologist. We were told at 3 years old he had some developmental delays and was showing some signs of autism or it could just be immaturity. He started speech therapy at 2 and a half. He went to preschool at 3 and 4 and did great. By his first conference in Kindergarten his speech teacher said "Russ does not need speech therapy" anymore. I am a firm believer in early intervention!
Now, Russ is in 3rd grade and on his first report card he made straight A's! Thank you God!

I will never forget my friend Amy calling me telling me her husband had just been hit by a drunk driver on the way home from deer hunting. Thank you for saving Mark.

My Dad had prostate cancer and is now cancer free!

Thank you for saving my brother who could have easily been killed after passing out and running off the road due to an allergic reaction. I will never forget me and Brandon praying to God driving to Grady ER to save Lee.

Standing around the beside of my grandmother's bed at Cobb Hospital a few years ago when they told us she wasn't going to make it. Well, she did make it and is as feisty as ever! Thank you God!

Being surprised to find out we were being blessed with our 3rd little miracle. I can't even imagine life without Cooper now.

I would love to add this miracle to my list.

I am asking you to pray for Russ' baseball and football coach and our family's friend, Randall Ingram. He just found out last week that he has leukemia and he has been admitted to Northside hospital for the next 4-6 weeks for chemotherapy. You can visit his webpage at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/randallingram .

In my parent's bathroom growing up taped to the mirror was a verse.

Philippians 4: 6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

I believe in the power of prayer!

Strep Strikes Again

2008-10-30T08:58:00.012-04:00

I knew I had strep last week, but I never went to the doctor. Yesterday, Russ woke up with a sore throat and was running a 102 fever by 1:00. I left school with him and went straight to the doctor. I am home today with him and Cooper. Russ woke up with a fever this morning again but it has already broken and he is playing Playstation. If he feels like it, I may go try to vote.

Anyway, while I'm home with a sick boy and should be taking care of him, folding laundry and straightening up... I thought I would post some old pictures of Halloween. That would be pictures of the only years that are on my laptop. I don't feel like scanning old pictures today.

Halloween 2005
Russ was a scarecrow - Madi was a prairie girl - Cooper was a chubby skeleton.

Halloween 2006
Russ was Harry Potter - Madi was a Survivor tribe mate - Cooper was Elmo.

Halloween 2007
Madi was a pirate - Russ was a Storm Trooper - Cooper was Batman.

Halloween 2008
Russ is Indiana Jones - Madi is a Zombie Dancer - Cooper is Luke Skywalker.

We've started a tradition at my parent's house the weekend before Halloween to let the kids dress up. My mom cooks and we squeeze in celebrating Michael's birthday, too. Literally, me and my mom ripped an old dance costume and fishnet tights for Madi and threw some make up on her. Thankfully a zombie is not a hard costume. I still have to make her look a little more dirty and fix her hair, but I didn't feel like washing her hair Sunday night. Bo is going to be Frankenstein and his costume wasn't quite ready either. Sophie is a gypsy and Reed is the cutest fireman you will ever see!

Raider Homecoming 2009

2008-10-28T22:18:00.000-04:00

Football is over! We ended the season 0 and something. We celebrated homecoming and our last game on Saturday. We did score another touchdown and Russ made a good tackle so we did have some highlights. But football is over! I wish you could hear the joy in my voice!!

Russ will have a few weeks break and then he will start Basketball. I can handle the 1 practice a week and 1 game a week schedule.

Why drive miles and miles to Burt's Farm when you have...

2008-10-27T22:00:00.001-04:00

Farmer John's right around the corner!

Here is our family's favorite pumpkin patch. Notice the nice fall display for photo opportunities.

Cooper found plenty of pumpkins that he wanted. It was all about a good stem with him.

Just look at our car in the background. We didn't have to walk far, no long lines to wait in, and no traffic.

Also, Farmer John's has so much to offer. If you need boiled peanuts, produce, LIVE BAIT, gas, you can find it all here.

My kids have never been to Burt's Farm. What they don't know won't hurt 'em!

We Love Zac

2008-10-26T16:45:00.008-04:00

High School Musical 3 came out on Friday and so Madi wanted to have a HSM party with 4 of her BFFs and 1 little cousin BFF.
The girls wanted to make BFF tshirts to wear to the movie. They all came home with us afterschool and we made the BFF shirts thanks to some ironing by Jodi. Madi and her friends had been planning these shirts for weeks.

The say 100 percent BFF on the front and on the back are their nicknames.

I bought the tickets early on Thursday. I am glad I did because most of the shows were sold out. Here we are eating at the mall before the movie. (You can barely see Brandon in the background having a great time.)

Everyone thought the movie was awesome! Here are the girls doing the HSM jump.

Last stop, Dunkin Donuts.

It was a fun night for all of us! I love the HSM movies myself.

My boys were at my mom's for the night because they would have been miserable.

Pause It

2008-10-23T22:00:00.000-04:00

Cooper makes me laugh on a daily basis. He is at that stage where he says the funniest things and he is pretty sarcastic. (I wonder where he gets that from.)

The other day we were doing puzzles together on the floor. He has a runny nose right now and he needed a tissue. In the middle of us putting a puzzle together he stops and says, "I need a tissue" and then he tells me to "Pause it, I'll be right back".

Oh, if we could only Tivo everything in our lives!

I think I have strep throat

2008-10-22T16:47:00.003-04:00

Did you know I am a nurse practitioner? After 3 kids in out of the doctor so much I feel like I am perfectly capable of diagnosing anything.

I don't feel really well. I started feeling bad last Friday, but it was a teacher workday and that made me feel better right away.

Saturday was Russ' game and we lost, again but it was only 12-0. After that I went and visited with my grandmother. She wanted to go to Cracker Barrel to eat dinner. Anytime somebody wants to take me out to dinner makes me feel better immediately!

Then on Sunday I stayed in my pjs all day. I did manage to get Madi, Russ, and Cooper's closets cleaned out. But that was it.

On Monday I would have called in sick but this is parent/teacher conference week and I didn't want to reschedule 6 of them. I came home Monday night and stayed on the couch.

I started my day Tuesday with a conference at 7:10am and then continued after school at 2:20 all the way until 6:00. I had 11 conferences! No break. I could barely talk after that.

To top the day off, a week ago I scheduled a T2 tennis match for Tuesday at 7:00. I left straight from school to the match. I played 3 sets for 2 hours and 45 minutes and still LOST. That hurt worst than strep throat.

I am feeling a little better today. I left school today at 2:15 but had to go to Kroger with my 3 little rascals and for some reason my 10, 8 and 3 year old can not control themselves in a GROCERY STORE!! Cooper, I'm sorry I did not buy you that Batman cartoon DVD (located right at checkout) that you totally pitched a fit about!! I don't get it.

Tomorrow will wrap up my conferences. I have 7 scheduled so my day shouldn't be too bad because they are not back to back. If I still feel like dirt then I will go to the doctor tomorrow.

This could just be a flair up from mono that I had so many years ago.

Anyway, I'm sorry if I haven't emailed you, called you, cooked you dinner (I'm going to Janell very soon), or even wished you a happy birthday (yesterday - sorry to my MIL). I will do better soon!

That is if I can figure out how to write myself a prescription for percocet.

Have you made your appointment yet?

2008-10-20T22:15:00.002-04:00

Every year we go to Phipps Plaza to have our picture made with the "real" Santa Claus. Every one knows that this is the best Santa and it is very important to get your appointment early. We try to always go the Tuesday BEFORE Thanksgiving. It works perfect because there is no school that week and it is not crowded.

Last Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 12:01am you could start making appointments for the holiday season. So at 3:30am early Wednesday morning I woke up and made my appointment. I didn't have to set my alarm because I couldn't sleep. Something about a "move over" law ticket was occupying my mind... whatever. (I promise no more "move over" law blogs)

I made all three appointments (mine, my sister's and my mom's) and I got my first choice.

Now, it is on. I've only got 29 days to find the "perfect Christmas outfits" for my picture. I don't stress out about anything as much as I do about the "perfect Christmas outfits" that my kids WILL be wearing. Last year was matching GAP sweaters. I doubt I will be able to match them all this year. That's fine. I can handle it. I will not sleep until I find those "perfect Christmas outfits".

I know I am sad. But at least I'm not still talking about the "move over" law.

I'm Gonna Write a Letter

2008-10-19T09:49:00.006-04:00

When I was growing up my mom would always say she was going to write a letter. She would say it when something happened to us that she didn't agree with or like. I don't know how many "letters" were actually written, but it sounded good at the time and it made us feel better.

Well, after this past Wednesday in Social Circle I think I'm going to write a letter.

We got to City Hall around 11:40. We were not supposed to be there until 1:00, but the legal advice that we received told us to talk to the solicitor before talking to the judge. We thought if we could talk to him before 1:00 it would help. Although not in Social Circle, because the solicitor doesn't even arrive until 3:00. So we were told where the court room was and we walked around the back of the building to a "community room" where a bunch of senior citizens were eating lunch. We walked around town and found a little country restaurant and ate lunch. When we got back to the "court room/senior citizen center" there were people setting up chairs and taking out the tables. And there you have a courtroom. This was Mayberry!

Long story short - When we were called, Brandon asked the judge to speak to the solicitor and she said that was fine. He did not get there until after 3:00 and had other cases, too (1 other Move Over) so he did not get to our case until around 4:30. So we waited and waited and heard some very interesting stories...

The solicitor finally talked to the judge on our behalf and this was her bargain with us. She would drop the charge, but we still had to pay the $730. Which to us was not a bargain. We told the solicitor we did not agree and we would just take it to trial then. By this point we had watched our video and Brandon had slowed down to 66. Evidently not slow enough though. At about 5:45 the solicitor talks to the judge again and she said she would lower the fine to $500 and drop the charge. Or we could take it to trial. We decided then just to pay the $500 because it was better than $730 and the ticket would be dismissed from Brandon's record so it wouldn't affect our insurance. We were worried if we took it to trial then she would make us pay the $730 and the ticket would still be on his record.

While we were waiting, there were 6 other "Move Over" law charges. 1 was dismissed completely, 3 had to pay the full fine, and 2 of us got the $500 and tickets dropped. ALL from the same police officer. He would not dismiss any of the tickets.

We are very sorry about any law enforcement officers that have been killed on the side of the road. We are respectful of them and their families.

But we do not agree with the "Move Over" law because it is subjective. The law says MOVE OVER OR SLOW DOWN. We slowed down. No where in the law does it say how slow to go. Also, Brandon is a good driver. He did not move over because it wasn't SAFE for him to change lanes on the highway. That is his decision as the driver. It would have been different if we were speeding past them. We were not. This police officer said he was "backing up" another officer. That is not true. All he was doing was looking for people to pull over for the Move Over law.

In this financial crisis that America is in right now, it is totally ridiculous that we are paying $730 or $500 to this little town. The fine needs to be lowered.

We have heard that in January this law is going to be reviewed because the way it is written. A little too late for us. It probably won't matter, but Brandon has already written Phil Gingrey, our representative.

While I really want to write a letter to the SCPD about the officer that pulled us over, I don't know if I ever will.

I guess venting on MY blog makes me feel better.

Maybe I can get my mom to write a letter for me.

My Little Jedi

2008-10-14T16:27:00.007-04:00

Look what we got in the mail today!

The shirt is a little big, but that does not matter to him.

Same old, Same old...

2008-10-12T09:20:00.008-04:00

I'm not doing good with the whole "blogging - take your camera everywhere" deal. If I took pictures during the week it would be the same every night. School, dinner, football, dance, bed... over and over and over. I hate to say it, but we only have 2 football games left - which means only 6 more practices left and I am happy! Russ has lost interest, too. He plays off/def line so after 1000 practices of blocking/tackling/getting tackled I don't blame him. It is boring. Not to mention the fact that we are are 0-99. I mean, 0-7 maybe. The whole "losing builds character" is getting old. I hate to lose.

We did have a little excitement this week when I took Russ and Madi to get their haircuts. Russ did NOT want to have his cut. I told the lady to barely trim up his sideburns. Russ cried after he saw it and acted like I had just shaved his head. He got in the back seat of the car and wouldn't show anyone. To me, it looks better. Madi got some layers and she got about 4 inches cut off the back. She looks so old. I think it is cute though and she loves it.

On Friday night, we went to Nebo's Fall Festival. Madi performed there. They didn't have all of their dances done, so they only did their group dance from last year. We stayed for a little while, because Nebo is my mom and Bo and Sophie's school. Then we went to eat Mexican. Brandon came home from work at 11am with a stomach bug. So he was home in bed. I did make him some chicken noodle soup before I left him. Russ spent the night with a friend.

Saturday morning we cleaned the house. We went to Russ' football game. After the game we ate at Steak n Shake. Cooper tries to make anything light sabers, power rangers, or people to fight with. That's just what little boys do. He was playing with 2 forks and pretending they were fighting and I said Cooper give me the forks, we have to eat with those. At that moment, Brandon seriously chimes in... here Cooper just play with the knives. We ALL look at him. I said "Are you kidding?" Madison says, "Next thing you know Dad will be letting Cooper play with guns."

Then we went over to the Halloween stores so the kids could look around. Cooper walked around and said "I love this place" over and over.

Today I have tennis. My last match for the fall season.

Please remember to pray for us on Wednesday. It is Brandon's court date. We have to be there at 1:00.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Thursday Thirteen

2008-10-02T17:36:00.002-04:00

These are 13 meals that I make all the time for my family. Some are more season oriented. We grill a lot. I plan out my meals each week and I try not to eat the same meat 2 nights in a row. My meals are quick and simple. We eat every night at 5:30 due to the kids practice schedules.

1. Tacos (could be in the form of Taco Ring, also)
2. Poppyseed Chicken Casserole / Rice / Green Beans / Rolls
3. Chili /Garlic Bread / Fritos / Cheese
4. Pork Chops / Rice / Black Eyed Peas / Cornbread (sometimes I use Smoked Sausage w/this)
5. Spaghetti / Garlic Bread / Salad
6. Hamburgers on the grill / FF
7. Grilled Chicken Salads (mac and cheese and peas for the kids)
8. Homemade Pizza (Chef Boyardee Cheese Brand and then I add sausage and extra cheese)
9. Roast (in the crockpot all day) Potatoes / Green Beans / Biscuits
10. Grilled Tilapia / Cheese Grits or Baked Potato / Corn / Garlic Bread
11. BBQ Chicken / Mac and Cheese / Corn on the Cob / Garlic Bread
12. Breakfast for Dinner / either Pancakes/Bacon or Sausage Quiche
13. Steak / Baked Potato / Corn / Salad / Garlic Bread

They are very easy to make - not a whole lot of variety, but most are fairly healthy. We don't like a lot of different vegetables. I don't really enjoy cooking so I plan meals that don't take me too long to make and that my kids will eat.

Roll Tide!

2008-09-28T09:03:00.003-04:00

We think the Bulldogs "blacked out" last night. Here are my BAMA fans enjoying a great game. Sorry Dawgs, it does take a little more than a black jersey to beat us.

What We Are All About Right Now

2008-09-25T20:00:00.000-04:00

Madison LIKES- friends, email, reading, books, magazines, singing, dancing, acting, jewelry, movies, popcorn, clothes, jazz, music, her ipod, flip flops, sky blue, eating out, donuts, school, Borders, shopping, Jon & Kate plus 8, Dr. Pepper, playing, tv, icarly, hannah montana, abercrombie, laughing, listening, being funny, limited too, Jonas Bros., writing, milk, sleeping late, swimming, makeup, projects, talking on the phone, chocolate chip cookies, ds
Madison DISLIKES- most breakfast foods, sandwiches, peanut butter, watching Star Wars, Social Studies, telling time, getting up early, getting her hair combed, wearing ribbons in her hair

Russ LIKES- football, baseball, fantasy football, orange juice, sprite, fanta, blueberry muffins, friends, watching tv, spongebob, chicken casserole, Wii, playstation, pokemon, baseball cards, alabama, lunch, recess, computer, braves, falcons, chickfila, zaxbys, hibbetts, sleeping late, movies, aggravating Cooper, smarties, sugar cookies, eating out, swimming, hot wings, ds
Russ DISLIKES- football practice, milk, tea, getting up early, cake, sweets, homework, shopping, m&ms, flip flops,

Cooper LIKES- hot tea, blueberry muffins, Star Wars, light sabers, blankets, movies, veggie tales, toy story, mcdonalds, chickfila, playing with his thingies (figures), apple juice, chicken fingers, french fries, cars soup, swimming, making messes, legos, playing in the sink, helping mommy, movies in the car, wrestling with his brother, looking at magazines with halloween costumes in them, pbskids.org, taking baths, preschool, staying home, saying "no", grapes, pears, sprite, computers
Cooper DISLIKES- milk, going to bed, cleaning up, getting his picture made, not getting what he wants, sandwiches, being buckled in his carseat,

Random Thoughts

2008-09-24T22:11:00.005-04:00

Tonight I spent $250.00 on groceries at Walmart. We had no food at our house and Russ was out of all of his meds. Yikes! One reason why I went back to work... my kids can eat!

I love when the seasons change. Welcome Fall!

THE OFFICE season premiere is tomorrow! I can't wait.

I had a meeting at school today until 5pm. :(

I am addicted to Reduced Fat Cheezits.

I made White Chicken Chili tonight and it was so good. Russ and Brandon loved it. Madi and Coop not so much.

Russ' team did not score a touchdown on Saturday. This week we play another team that has not won a game. Now's our chance...

Madi's dance studio is dancing in Downtown Disney in June. She gets to go to a behind the scene workshop where she can participate in a mock audition. That seems pretty cool.

I have a very sweet, fun class this year - they just talk too much!

I am a pushover.

Cooper has a bad cold. He did not go to school today.

Madi has drama practice tomorrow after school. She has a main part in her school Christmas play. Where does she get the creative arts gene from??

Have I ever told you how thankful I am that my awesome sister keeps my baby? I am so lucky!

My tennis team is playing a team on Sunday that has not lost yet.

Cooper finally got his haircut (thanks to my sister) and Russ' hair is about to drive Brandon crazy!

I want to go see Fireproof and Nights in Rodanthe this weekend. Maybe I'll get to one of them. I love Nicholas Sparks books.

I am not a trash talker, but Russ keeps repeating Nick Saban's line of "It's going to take more than a black jersey to beat our team."

I just hope for Russ' sake Bama wins. Last year the double overtime loss crushed him and he bawled.

My Luke Skywalker costume I had in My Cart on Amazon is gone. I have got to find that costume!!

Madi and Russ do not know what they want to be for Halloween. I'm stressing because I want to know so I can get their costumes.

Brandon is a great husband and dad. He makes lunches (our kids will not eat school lunch) and cooks breakfast and makes my coffee every morning!

I am thankful that I live within a few minutes of my family and my in-laws.

I want to go shopping. My kids need some fall clothes.

I am going to change out some laundry and go to bed. After reading this, I'm sure you are already asleep... goodnight!

Another Year Wiser

2008-09-20T09:39:00.006-04:00

When I asked Brandon what he wanted for his birthday, he said a touchdown. (from Russ' team today) He doesn't ask for much. It could just be the greatest present ever because we haven't scored in 5 games...

Because you give so much and expect so little in return,
I hope you have a great day and an even better year!

You still make me laugh.

Love you.

It seems like a long time ago...

2008-09-13T10:27:00.014-04:00

1. Since I've blogged.
2. Since it was my Birthday/Labor Day weekend
Here's some pictures from that weekend anyway.

My Mom cooked me breakfast for my birthday. I love country ham, biscuits and red eye gravy. It was delicious!

After the breakfast, we headed to Russ' football game. Russ got me a fumble recovery for my birthday present. Thanks Russ!

This is my favorite cheerleader.

Later that night, my cousin got married. Here is Madi and me dancing. She does not get her dancing skills from her mother.

The next day we headed to Lake Oconee.

Cooper loved riding in the boat!

Madi and McKayla

Everyone loved Jet Ski rides.

We had fun with Wayne, Dianne, McKayla, Molly and Zac.

Russ got a turn driving the boat. I don't care anything about driving a pontoon boat. :) Unless my dad makes me. :) *flashback from high school*

I love it when my birthday falls on Labor Day weekend.

Georgia "Move Over" Law

2008-09-09T12:00:00.000-04:00

People, this is a PSA...

Brandon recently got pulled over on our way to Lake Oconee over Labor Day weekend. We were in the right hand lane going exactly the speed limit with several cars in front of us.

When we saw the police behind us we both were like, is he pulling us over??
The police officer asked us if we were aware of the Georgia "move over" law and we just said not really. A few miles back there were 2 police cars on the side of the road with one car pulled over. The Georgia "Move Over" law says we should have moved over to the left lane.

It didn't matter that no body else moved over in front of us. We were the end of the line, so he pulled us over. Brandon did slow down, he just did not pull over.

We were pretty sick about this over that weekend. Brandon is a good driver - he never speeds, what are the chances that HE would get pulled over of all people.

After doing some research on the law it actually has been around since 2004.
We have been scared to call and check on the ticket amount because the website says fees are an "attention getting" $500!!

Yesterday I braved the call to the Social Circle Municipal Court and the lady told me the fine was $720. Yes, I said seven hundred twenty dollars!!!
So I will be serving as Brandon's attorney on October 15 and we are going to fight this fine!

For someone with an outstanding DMV record that is absurd.

His fine would be lower if he got a DUI.

So for the safety of your wallet... move over the next time you are on a GA highway.

This makes me smile...

2008-09-08T17:39:00.005-04:00

Cooper has just started liking Veggie Tales. Thankfully, I still had some old movies from when Madi was little. Although Star Wars still ranks at 1,2,3,4,and 5.

I like to call this video "Cooper's Veggie Tale Project". He was in his bed with a dark shadow around him and I was filming so close. I guess this is his version of the "Blair Witch Project".

Cooper's First Day of Preschool

2008-09-02T16:55:00.005-04:00

Today was Cooper and Reed's first day of preschool. Cooper will go Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9-12. Reed just goes Tuesday and Thursday. He really loved school last year and I hope he will this year.

Wouldn't you just love to have those 2 in your class? They are adorable and finally starting to get along better.
I have so much more to post later. We had a fun Birthday/Labor Day weekend.
I know the 3 people that read this blog have been waiting for a post.

First Day of School

2008-08-20T19:39:00.013-04:00

We all had a great day on Monday! Here is Madison, the 5th grader, outside of her classroom. She is very in to fashion and picked out her outfit down to the earrings, bracelets, scarf and all. Doesn't she look like a LToo model?

Here is Russ, the 3rd grader, outside of his classroom. That is a new outfit minus the black jacket. For some strange reason Russ loves that jacket! I tried to tell him it is 100 degrees outside but he doesn't care. He has to wear it! Drives me crazy!!

Here is my classroom. I haven't finished posting some things including my standards, but I will do that as I start teaching them.

It has been a good 3 days, but I must say I am counting down the days until Labor Day. Is that bad, already?

Lee's Housewarming

2008-08-13T23:04:00.006-04:00

On Sunday we had a "family" housewarming party for my brother. For the food, we decided to have all kinds of things Lee likes. Lee requested no shower food. We had hot wings from Taco Mac, Zaxby's chicken fingers, Ham party rolls, Brownies, cheese dip, rye bread dip, cookies, fruit, chex mix, m&ms and some chips and dip. Everything turned out so good! Our theme was brown/black/white/zebra prints.
Here is a picture of our tables.

Here is a picture of me, my mom, and my sister. Me and my sister gave my brother a grill. I thought I had a picture of Lee and his grill, but my camera battery died.

Lee is all set and his house is really nice! We are now waiting to be invited over for dinner... hint hint

It's Tennis Time!

2008-08-12T20:43:00.004-04:00

My tennis season started last night. We practice on Monday nights and play on Sunday afternoons. We start September 9 and I can't wait! I am addicted to tennis! Here is a picture of some of my team last week at a dinner to kick off our season.

Go LMTC! (we'll miss you, Amy!)

Ready or Not

2008-08-11T23:23:00.006-04:00

Today was my first day back at school. I haven't seen 7:00am in a long time! I went up to the school only 2-3 times this summer and worked in my room. This is what my room looked like when I got there this morning. It is a mess!

I will be ready by Thursday at 2:00. I hope! Here are my little parapros cutting out my lamination. I decorate my room in a "monkey" theme with some animal prints.

We had a welcome back breakfast this morning and then sat for about 3 hours for meetings. I thought it was neat because before my principal started this morning she prayed for our school and the students and for us teachers specifically to honor God by serving Him and the kids that we will be teaching. She is a strong christian who is not afraid to show others her faith. It is nice working for a principal who puts God first and this is a public school!

Steven Curtis Chapman

2008-08-10T11:00:00.001-04:00

If you didn't see this on Good Morning America the other day - here is the clip with Steven Curtis Chapman and his family regarding the tragic death of their daughter Maria. What an amazing family of faith!

Olympics 2008

2008-08-08T21:14:00.011-04:00

Watch for these fantastic divers competing in the Diving Board championships. (Maybe one day...)

This is a little too high, Lee!!! Believe it or not, Cooper loves it!

Thursday Thirteen

2008-08-07T14:50:00.007-04:00

Clearly, I am not up for Mother of the Year this year, (see my last post), so I am going to give you...

13 Reasons Why I am so Tired of Watching Star Wars I Could Scream

1. It is the ONLY movie Cooper will watch in the car right now.

2. Cooper actually thinks he is Luke Skywalker.

3. I am starting to memorize the lines and instead of saying "Have a good day" to the lady at the grocery store I almost said "May the Force Be With You".

4. I fixed Madi's hair today to look like Princess Leia braids without thinking.

5. C3P0 gets on my nerves.

6. Cooper has to bring his toy Light Saber EVERY where we go.

7. Brandon makes us call him "Master Brandon".

8. We try to play Jedi mind tricks on each other.

9. Mark Hamil is a terrible actor.

10. Breathing like Darth Vader is hard!

11. We tell each other to "Use the Force" too much.

12. Real Light Saber fights between Cooper and Russ.

13. We are turning into Star Wars "geeks".

The new animated "Clone Wars" movie comes out next Friday. I can't wait! I mean, I guess we'll take the kids to see it, if THEY want to.

I'm Sorry Russ

2008-08-06T16:38:00.005-04:00

This afternoon I was folding laundry and I heard a loud noise coming from the den. Cooper was with me so I knew it was not him. I went in the den and one of the glass doors to our entertainment center had fallen. Luckily the glass did not break. Russ had slammed the door so hard some how it broke. The door is probably not even fixable because it ripped part of the wood off. Something inside of me raged and I got so mad at Russ. I kept asking him how did he break it?, etc. and he said he didn't know. I know I lost my temper with him. I walked out of the room to finish the laundry. When I walked by his bedroom door later this is what I saw on his door.
It says mom not welcome.

Russ is a very sensitive little boy and I hurt his heart. I should never have reacted the way I did. I know he did not mean to break the door.
I will work on being more patient with my children the same way God is patient with me.

Proverbs 19:11 says "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."

Russ needs love from me always the same way our Heavenly Father loves us when we hurt His heart.

I apologized to Russ and hugged him tight. I asked him to forgive me for getting angry with him and this is what he said...

"Yes and can we go swimming at Jodi's later??"

I'm so glad he does not hold a grudge.

This is where I will be...

2008-08-05T09:58:00.009-04:00

for the rest of the summer.

It does not matter to us that my sister's pool is not filled up all the way yet. The pool is very nice and we can't wait to spend many days there.

Cooper decided he wanted to swim without his swimmies. Here is a video of my little fish learning how to swim.

I am so glad I don't have to hear myself talk. What a terrible nasal voice I have.

Madi Survived a "Dance Intensive" Weekend

2008-08-03T17:38:00.007-04:00

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Madison has been at Dance Camp at her dance studio. The studio (actually, we pay $$$$) to bring in dance instructors from a studio in Chicago to work with the girls and teach them new choregraphy. On Sunday they performed for the parents some of the dances they learned over the 3 days.

She is worn out! After the performance we had to go to the grocery store and she could barely walk down the aisles because she is so sore. She has 2 more weeks off and then she practices 2 nights a week. Luckily the football field and the dance studio are close together. I don't know what we will do when Cooper starts to play sports.

Knee Deep in FOOTBALL already!

2008-08-02T09:37:00.011-04:00

For the past 2 weeks Russ has been at Football practice. Tell me if you think this is too much for an 8 year old.

Practice - M, Tu, Th, F, Sat for 2 hours in the heat! Full pads start today.

Russ, you have great form at Center.

End of practice. Do you think he is tired? And they haven't even ran yet.

Russ is a huge football fan. He loves Alabama football the most. In fact, I just ordered him a BAMA backpack for school. He also loves fantasy football and helps Brandon with his team. He amazes us because he can name most of the NFL players and what team they play for. He can do that with MLB players, also.
Too much Sportscenter, I guess.

Blink

2008-07-31T10:36:00.005-04:00

Read this blog entry today. If you have a few hours... read her story.
Get your Kleenex ready.
http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2008/07/blink.html

...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you...Philippians 4:8-9

Stone Mountain

2008-07-29T10:15:00.006-04:00

We went to Stone Mountain on Sunday night with my family and some people from church. I don't know why I torture my children because Russ and Cooper are not that fond of fireworks and I forgot how many fireworks are in the Laser show. Cooper wanted to go home as soon the show started.

Here is Madi and her friend Hailee. You'll have to imagine the mountain in the background. Just picture those 3 men on horses. What were their names again?

Stone Mountain is a place we go every summer. I'm beginning to realize our days are dwindling and we will be back to school very soon. Cooper just asked me the other day if I would teach him to drive. The way time flies I guess I'll start that next week...

What have we been doing this week?

2008-07-25T17:01:00.007-04:00

The Lockridge family has had a very low key, lazy week. We went to the movies to see Space Chimps, which we all liked. We liked it so much better than Wall-E, which we all thought was terrible.

On Wednesday we went to dinner with Brandon's parents. A good Italian place we all liked. Russ even got Hot Wings there and loved them.

We went to my parents house for dinner Thursday night. All fresh veggies and a roast. Yummy!

Today we went swimming at SVB. We were only there a few minutes and it started to pour. It was miserable! We were so wet and we couldn't dry off because our towels were soaked, too.

Tonight my kids (and my sister's kids) are spending the night with my parents. (Pray for my dad) Brandon and I will have the house to ourselves and you know what that means?

2 Tylenol PMs for me!! I don't know why I love sleep like I do. I have always required a lot of sleep.

Russ had a major life changing decision to make this week. Did he want to play Fall Baseball or Football?? He is moving up to kid pitch in baseball next spring so he thought he might want to try that. He wanted to play football, too. He has been going to a football camp this week and he has decided he wants to play football now. We hope whatever he does, he just has fun. Football is 3 nights a week from 6:30-8:30 of practice and 1 game a week. It is a huge time commitment for an 8 year old and the parent (usually Brandon) that gets to sit there and watch the practices... So for the next 3 months we will be yelling "Go Raiders!"

The Pokemon Show

2008-07-23T16:59:00.008-04:00

My children are always putting on "shows" for us. I have no idea where they come up with this stuff! All I can figure is Madi and Russ are both into a Pokemon DS game right now, and they both like to watch ICarly. Throw in a little bit of Star Wars and you've got a show!

I have a feeling once this video is released into the blog world we will be moving to Californy!!! Swimming pools and movie stars... Y'all come back now, ya hear!

Back from Florida Beach

2008-07-21T14:31:00.019-04:00

We are home! We got back from New Smyrna Beach, Florida on Saturday afternoon. We left our house last Friday and headed to Savannah to spend the night. Cooper was confused. We had been telling him we were going to the beach and he kept saying "Sun Valley Beach" or "Golf (as Cooper calls it) Shores Beach"? Then we got to Savannah at the hotel and he said "Where's the beach?" He woke up Saturday morning and the first thing out of his mouth was "Is it raining? Can we go swimming?" After he asked us a million times what beach - we finally just said "We are going to FLORIDA!!". So then he started calling it Florida Beach.

We had a very relaxing week full of sleep, food, swimming, riding waves, building sandcastles, a little tennis (we lost), playing with cousins, reading (I read 4 good books), more food and a trip to the ER. It has been several years since we have visited the ER at the beach. For a few years it was an annual trip. Somebody got an ear infection, high fever, etc... This year Madi had been fine all day swimming and riding waves in the ocean. She came in to the condo around 7:30 and took a shower. I was drying her hair and she said, "Mom, my eyes look funny - they are very far apart". I looked at her and her forehead and bridge between her eyes were swollen with fluid. I immediately gave her benadryl and we went to the ER at Fish Medical Center. Evidently she had gotten bitten by some sort of insect and this was her reaction. They gave her a strong antihistamine and said it would get worse before it got better and it did. She woke up the next day and one of her eyes was almost swollen shut. I felt so bad for her, but she said it did not hurt her at all. This is her swimming the next day... the goggles were a little tight.

This is a picture of all of the kids that were at the beach with us. My Meme is on the left. Her sister, my Aunt Doris is on the right. They are 87 and 89 years old. My Meme cooks a hotdog lunch for all 60 of us every year down there. She also cooks breakfast with the help of her 3 sons for our side of the family one morning. Which happens to be my favorite meal of the week. We had a few new additions this year and we already know of 1 more that will be at the beach next year... Notice Cooper is crying.

The waves were very big this year! Here is Russ, the surfer.

I don't think this is necessarily a good thing, but New Smyrna Beach is sometimes called the Shark Bite capital of the world. This picture was taken while we were THERE last week. That is a spinner shark jumping behind the surfers.

Listen to the story here... http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/07/17/zarrella.shark.jump.cnn

That is why I do not get in the water!

My annual beach picture of my 3. Notice Cooper is crying...again!

We really do have fun on vacation! As long as no one has to get their picture taken...

Cooper will smile if he is in the pool.

Madi, Russ and Bo on the big float.

The wave won!

Back for more!

When I woke up this morning and I didn't get to go to my parent's condo where I had breakfast waiting for me everyday last week at 9:30... I knew it was back to the "real world" for me. Only 3 more weeks of summer vacation... New Smyrna Beach, we'll be back in 362 days.

Update

2008-07-11T09:40:00.010-04:00

This week has been extremely busy, but fun! It started on Monday when my mother took Madi and Sophie to the new Kit movie, took them to get their nails done and for ice cream. I made my boys go with me to the mall. If I tell them the food court is involved they will go.

Tuesday we went to my grandmother's and had lunch with her and swam. That night we had kid's bunco. Russ really got in to it and did roll a Bunco! Allie is waiting patiently for her turn. Russ really put some dramatics into his roll!

Madi and Bo waiting for the bell to ring.

Cooper wasn't real interested in playing. He may have rolled a few times then headed to the 4 and under table. That's Emma climbing on the table to perfect her coloring.

On Wednesday we met my Meme and Aunt Doris for lunch at Steak n Shake. Afterwards the kids had well child checkups. They are all healthy and tall! Madi and Russ had 2 new shots to catch up on and Cooper had one. Russ actually started running a little fever on Thursday. Hopefully he is not getting sick. I'm wondering if it is a side effect from one of his shots.

On Thursday we stayed home all day and washed clothes, cleaned house and packed for our trip. Great day! Jodi's kids came over in the afternoon while she had some errands to do.

Today I am finishing up laundry and packing. We will go get the car washed, pick up Russ' allergy prescriptions, and leave for Savannah! We decided to drive to Savannah tonight and then on to the beach tomorrow. We can't wait!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Love, Tiffany

Tagged

2008-07-11T09:06:00.004-04:00

My friend, Amy, "tagged" me for a meme so I'll give it a try...

The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answers.

What was I doing 10 years ago?

Ten years ago, Madison was born in April. Celebrated my 2nd wedding anniversary in May. I had been teaching 2nd grade for 2 years and I was about to open up a new school for my 3rd year of teaching. Madison cried in her car seat for the first 15 months of her life so I was probably trying everything to get her to stop.

What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?

1. Finish 2 loads of laundry.
2. Go get the car washed.
3. Finish packing.
4. Pick up Russ' prescription.
5. Leave for Savannah!

Snacks I enjoy:

* Cheez-its
* Nachos
* Chex Mix
* Reduced Fat Ruffles and French Onion Dip
* Popcorn
(I'm a salty girl!)

Places I have lived:

Austell (from birth to about 3, I think)
Marietta
Douglasville

Jobs I have had:

* Answering phones at my uncle's tax office (1st job)
* Lifeguard and Swim Instructor (I worked here every summer for the City of Smyrna)
* Childtime Children's Center (Toddler room)
* Rich's
* School Box
* 2nd and 4th grade teacher

People I want to know more about:
Allison

City of Gold

2008-07-10T07:49:00.017-04:00

Last week we ventured out to a local park and gold museum in Villa Rica. (I need to keep my kids cultured) Basically this park is in our "backyard". This new museum just opened in May and it is really cool. There are 2 miles of trails - a self guided tour of an old gold mine and old structures where the miner's lived and worked. It also has a working stamp mill and a gold panning area. It started out rough for Cooper - he thought we were going to a park to a playground. He cried for the first 5 minutes and I had to hold the 38 pounder as I hiked the trail in my flip flops!

He finally was ready to walk when he found a "walking stick" that was basically just used to hit Reed with. Here is the Miner's Tunnel. After Cooper settled down, Reed tag teamed him and he cried for a little while. Or maybe Coop just hit Reed in the face.
The next few pictures are of some of the old ruins dating back to the 1800's.

Nothing makes my kids happier than food! We brought a picnic lunch and ate after we hiked the trails.

After we fed the kids, they now had some energy to go pan for GOLD and gems!

Cooper enjoyed splashing in the water!

Russ found some GOLD!

Madi panned for gems and did well!
This is one of only 2 operational stamp mills in the State of Georgia. This is used to crush rocks into dust.

We had a great day in the City of Gold. The best part about it was after we finished everything we got in the car and drove about 10 minutes home. No need to go to Dahlonega! I think the kids had a good time. As we were getting in the car I told them we needed a little Social Studies lesson this summer. Russ said next he wants to go to Martin Luther King's grave in Atlanta... Cooper just wants to find a playground... and Madi just wants a drink!

What were we thinking??

2008-07-08T09:13:00.015-04:00

For the past 3 years we (my parents, my brother, and me and Brandon) have ran the Peachtree Road Race. Let's just say the newness of running it has worn off! When I say running for me I mean run/mostly walking it. This is us at 6:00AM just getting down town and walking to MARTA. Riding on MARTA with 55,000 others is not fun!! We were armpit to armpit (gross!!). My friend/Madi's teacher last year ran it with me this year. It was fun to have someone to walk with. Brandon usually leaves me at the Start Line and I see him 93 minutes later at the Finish Line. That's how long it took me this year.

After the race me and Brandon went home and crashed for a little while. Then we went to my grandmother's house to eat and swim in the lake.

Then that evening we went to the fireworks show in Powder Springs.

17 years ago I was in Washington DC on a youth mission trip on July 4th. We watched the fireworks on the lawn right in front of the Capitol building. I will never forget it! I am the one in the green shirt. The only person without tennis shoes on - I just noticed. And since all you do in Washington DC is walk everywhere - Evidently fashion was more important to me at the time.

I'm reading a book right now called So Help Me God. Judge Roy Moore came and spoke at our church last week. He was the Chief Justice in Alabama that refused to remove the Ten Commandments from the judicial building. He was a great speaker and I truly admire his courageous stand to defend his faith and the foundations that America was built on!

God Bless America! Love, Tiffany

Party Weekend Recap (6/27-29)

2008-07-07T22:17:00.004-04:00

Sorry I am backtracking... I got a new cord for my camera in the mail today so now I can post recent pictures. Our first party started last, last Friday (6/27) at Bo's 8th birthday party. This is the only picture I have and it is not too good because I took it on my cell phone. Yes, Russ is growing his hair out...

Cooper's birthday was June 28. He had a bday lunch at Stevi B's then we went to his party at Jump4Joeys.

He had a Diego theme party.

He had a great time with his family!

On Sunday (6/29) we celebrated at a churchwide Open House for my brother at his new house!

We had a great weekend celebrating Bo, Cooper and Lee!

10 Things I Love About Summer

2008-07-03T10:00:00.005-04:00

(not in any particular order)

1. Sleeping late!

2. Wearing pajamas until lunchtime until we decide what we are going to do today.

3. Swimming almost everyday and not having to get ready!

4. Eating out for lunch at a restaurant. (Something you take for granted when you go back to teaching and you never get to go out to lunch anymore)

5. Meeting Brandon for lunch at Howards.

6. Going to the movies and getting unlimited popcorn with a diet coke or a sweet tea if I smuggle it in.

7. Spending 24 hours a day with my 3 kids!

8. Watching too many Drake and Josh and SpongeBob episodes. Have I mentioned Russ is addicted?

9. Drinking a cup of coffee in the morning on the couch by myself watching my Tivo'd shows from the night before.

10. Spending most of my days of summer with my mom and Jodi and her kids.

My Beach Baby

2008-06-27T16:58:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Cooper!

Cooper will be 3 years old on Saturday! When he was 2 weeks old we took him on his 1st beach trip. No one in my family misses our annual beach trip! I try to take this same picture of the kids on the sea wall at our condo each year. It is too dark to see the ocean in the background.

Here are some pictures of Cooper at the beach when he was 1 year old.

We celebrated Cooper's 2nd birthday at Disney World last year!

My kids are never thrilled to have their picture taken!

I can't wait for our beach trip this summer!

Where's Madi?

2008-06-18T21:27:00.005-04:00

Good evening! It is very quiet at our house tonight... There's no music/dancing or singing coming from Madi's room. We are missing her already. Madison left this afternoon to go to the lake with a friend until Saturday. When she gets home Saturday we will be packing her clothes again, because she is leaving Sunday afternoon to go to Children's Camp and won't be back until Wednesday. I am waiting on her to call me tonight. I'm sure she is having fun! She is a very independent girl! Although she can be quite shy around new situations. Her personality is really changing and maturing and I am enjoying this new phase in her life. She loves to email and talk on the phone and is begging us for a cell phone. I would get her one tomorrow, but Brandon does not agree. I can't believe she will be in the 5th grade in the fall. It really does feel like yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital on Easter Sunday. I will never forget her birth! :( I'm sure everyone feels this way about their babies, but me and Brandon honestly thought she was the most beautiful baby ever! We couldn't be prouder of her now. She is a joy!

Tomorrow night I am going to eat with girlfriends and to see the movie SATC. I wasn't a big fan of the tv show, but I want to see the movie for the NY scenes and the clothes. I have always wanted to go to New York and shop on Madison Avenue. Then go to Tiffany and Co. Maybe one day...

We are also getting ready for a yard sale on Saturday. Mostly getting rid of tons of toys. It is pretty embarrassing how many toys my children get and they never even play with them. Maybe if we can get rid of some of our junk in the basement we can put our house on the market soon. I am ready to move!

The Wonderful World of Boys

2008-06-09T15:14:00.008-04:00

You all need to read the book Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson. I have probably read or skimmed it many times during these last 8 years with boys in my house. It is a great book that gives practical advice and encouragement about how to raise boys. Lord knows I need some help!

We have an almost 3 year old boy named Cooper. He is a modern day Dennis the Menace... he can get in to anything and everything! I have to laugh at him because I could get so mad at him. He is just too darn cute to be upset with. It seems his new thing is to pour things out anywhere and everywhere. Just the other day I accidentally forgot to clean the breakfast dishes up and I left a bottle of syrup on the table. Cooper found it poured the syrup out completely onto a leftover plate and then went to the refrigerator and got out the parmesan cheese of all things and poured that on top of the syrup. How clever is that! Maybe he will be some type of gourmet chef one day! This same week he dumped a can drink and squeezed out 2 juice boxes in the middle of the kitchen floor. It is so funny to us because when you ask him why in the world would he do that and he always replies "I just want to be safe." You may be wondering where his mama was. Brandon says he goes unsupervised too much. Well, my house is not that big. I was just down the hall. Believe me I know when I don't hear him talking - he is probably up to something. Today while at Target he just had to take in his Frozone action figure. He is in to The Incredibles at the moment. I had to go to the bathroom and thank goodness just after I flushed Cooper says "Look Mommy" and throws Frozone into the toilet and watches him swirl around. Talk about gross.

I am so sure that those of you with boys can relate. I would not trade that little boy of mine for the world though!

I am still learning how to post pictures on here. I have been wanting to update this week, but I didn't have a picture. Anyway, we have been enjoying VBS at church this week. The kids are having a ball and I am teaching a class of 15 first graders.

Tomorrow night we will be taking Madi to her dress rehearsal for her dance recital on Saturday. Then on Saturday we will spend our entire day 9-6 at the recital. She is performing in both shows and she has 6 costume changes. It is not that fun being backstage with 50 other dance moms trying to hurry to get them out the door for their next dance. Sometimes I turn in to one of those evil stage mothers... I think it is just the fact I am not that good at doing makeup and hair. By the way, we are in for another year at dance. Madi made company again and a small group pom pom dance group. We don't really know what that is yet, but she is thrilled!

Who knows what we will do for Father's Day on Sunday. That will be up to Brandon. If he picks we usually just stay home and I cook his favorite meal. Heart attack on a plate. Country fried steak. Although my mother just cooked that meal for us on Monday night. It was so good!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Russ' life

2008-06-05T16:16:00.003-04:00

Hi am russell people call me russ i played baseball for four years me and my friend daniel like pokemon.Baseball is my life.Heres the teams i play for cubs ,philles,tigers and dodgers.Thats my life