Smooth sailing...

All is well here...not too much news to report.
Corey is still having 3 a day practices meaning he leaves at 6am and gets home at 10pm. Lovely!! And this time it is not really the kids who are hard to handle but the dog!!! She is a crazy puppy and that is all you can say about her. There is nothing to do to fix that except time.
I am still struggling with our schedule...trying to make sure everyone can get everywhere. Today I have practice at 3:00, so the kids will get off the bus at the neighbors and will stay there until 6:00. Then at 5:30 Kennedy's friends mom will pick her up for soccer practice at 6:00 and then after I pick up Mac and Emy (and maybe try to have some dinner that is not from a fast food joint) we will pick Kennedy up at 7:30 and then rush home, shower and get them to bed by 8:00. Oh right, and that excludes the fact that Kennedy has a vocab test tomorrow that we will have to study for. She had a math test on Wednesday, spelling test on Thursday and vocab test on Friday!!! This is EVERY week!! So I am really trying to get it all together and still be sane. (is this possible?)
Today Emy has on her big girl panties. Can't wait to see how long that lasts. (sarcasm)
It is still 98 here with a heat index of 105. That stinks!!!
I am going to start teaching a kick boxing class at the gym. That should be fun, and tiring and fun.
"Do not question the Creator of the universe- stand firm in your faith, in your belief that God does want the very best for you as he loves you like no one else can."

Lots of thoughts

Our dogs name is Elliotte Keegan Rose and we call her Elle for short. She is 9 weeks old and weighs 14 pounds. She is precious, but CRAZY!!!! And there are times that she runs madly through the house, smacking into walls and furniture and still running after that.. Her favorite thing to do is...chew on anything that is left on the floor (and you can imagine with 3 kids) and play with the door stopper thing!!! She "fights" with it and growls and thinks it is so funny! So, she is great.
The kids are loving school and Mac is thrilled that he has learned to spell!!! Yes, it is true he can spell red and blue. There ya go, all you ever need to know.
Mississippi has the highest teen birth rate, the highest teen drop-out rate and is the 3rd worst state for inbred hillbillys!!! (okay so I made up that last one, but the first 2 are true!!!) They highlighted them on the news and I was thinking, why would they want to make these known to the poor people who live here? Do they want everyone to move? We seriously are 3rd in the nation in something, but I cannot remember what it was, but Alabama and Louisana were 1 and 2!!!! I guess just avoid these three states when your kids are teens if at all possible and move out if you can!!!!
Joseph was our topic in church today. Carrying a grudge, how painful that can be and how it can grow and become something unbearble to hold. Joseph (if you can remember) had every reason to hold a grudge, and in fact he proabably did for awile, but in the end he surrened it to God and he forgave his brothers!!! Amazing example. I really do not hold grudges, but there have been times I have withheld forgiveness. I guess if someone is holding a grudge against me, I feel like there is no reason to forgive them, after all they are the ones mad at me!!! Like my friend here has been mad at me because my daughter didn't invite her daughter to her birthday party. (I swear this is the truth, and yes, we are 30 something women) Anyway, at first I didn't know why she wasn't talking to me and I would call her everyday and leave her message and then one day (duh) I realized she wasn't calling me back. So I went back and reviewed what I thought I did to make her angry and that was it. So I called her again (daily, for 3 weeks) and she still never called me back. So one last time I called her and said "Okay, I am not going to keep calling you, you have obviously made a decision not to talk to me anymore, so I will not bother you again" And do you know that she didn't respond top that call either. The last time she talked to me was May 18. This is August 14. So, I am sad because she doesn't want to be friends, but I have stopped trying and I haven't forgiven her for being...stupid! For wasting a 2 year friendship over something so trivial, well it seemed that way to me. So now I am forgiving her and I will try to repair the damage, because this is right and this is what Jesus would do. He would not leave. You can simply turn around and Jesus would be there. I should be there for her. Forgive the craziness and forget the pain and love the person.
"You will not be asked to do the impossible, but you may be called upon to do more than you dreamed possible"

School has started

Well, the kids had their first day of school!!
Mac loves kindergarten, he really had so much fun! He was sad though, because when I asked him what he did he replied "I didn't learn anything today!" He is so cute. He did tell me all about the discipline policy though, so she must have really stressed this point!
Kennedy had a great first day in fourth grade. Boy she is getting old! Her teacher is pretty strict and she went on and on about responsibility etc... So much so that it even has me worried! Will Kennedy be able to get everything done etc... And already (yes after 1 day) I can tell that 4 grade will be the turning point. I realize how much she was coddled in 3 grade, and her (3 grade) teacher was much more, oh I can do that for you etc... And now its like if you don't put your name and number in the right corner on every paper it is 5 points off!!! So, she will learn a lot this year!!
Emy was sort of bored, but I will tell you it is easy having only 1 at home! We were able to go to Target and Kroger and the library and it was so simple! She misses the kids though and waits for the bus to bring them home!
Elliotte has worms!!!! Nasty! I am taking her to the vet today, she is gross. I will spare some people the details (kt) as they are in a delicate condition!

Waxing

I think this is so outrageous!!!
One of Kennedy's friends came over yesterday and her eyes had scabs on the lids, right under her eyebrows and I said "oh, what happened?" and she said "oh, that sometimes happens, I got waxed today!" Okay, she is 9 and starting 4th grade. She got her eyebrows AND her legs waxed!!! Now that is 1. some serious pain for a 9 year old and 2. a little young for that as well.
Now I am trying to decide, when should Kennedy shave her legs??? I am not sure, but I am sure she will not be waxed for a loooooooong time!

Summer = Over

Sure, do not worry that it still is and will continue to be 100 degrees...summer is over! The kids start school on Wednesday! They are both so excited and I am grateful for that. I guess it will not always be that easy. (really like anything with kids is easy????)
We went to a water park yesterday for our end of summer blast, the kids had so much fun!! Oh well, I guess we did also. It is great to make their day by doing something for them.
I loved our church servic yesterday here is the condensed version:
1967 - 20??
Obviously I was born in 1967, (right I know it is old) and I had nothing at all to do with that date. It was not chosen by me and I did nothing to make it that year.
20?? I do not know the date of my death, and I really have nothing to do with that day either!!! I can eat healthy and work out, but if it is my time to go, it is my time to go.
SO, the only thing I do have control over is the - (one measly dash) and in that dash I will have ? years to do what it is I am supposed to do on this earth. So our pastor said "what will you do with your dash?" I love it. So, overall do not be a Moses. Do not say no to God when he is calling. Do not give Him all your excuses. Just do it. God has chosen you, and He believes that you are the best person for that job! What a great feeling. Let's fill the dash with something great for the Kingdom!

just wondering

I am truly wondering if I should have 2 cages, one for Elle and one for Emy!!!! She is becoming a very mischeivious child! Yesterday when I was in the shower she decided to fill the bathroom sink to overflowing (yes onto the floor and everything) and on top of that add about 4 cups of dog food. How disgusting!!! She is a peice of work. Then today, she "used" about 20 wipes (just cleaning the furniture etc...) and since she had already been warned I took off her diaper and spanked her. Well, after she cried for an hour (not really, just seemed like that) she peed!!!! Now she did try to stop it, with her hand, but it ran all over the floor...and then as if on cue Elle squated and began peeing as well. I mean this is like tv stuff. Very scary. The main problem is they are both so stinkin cute it is hard to discipline. But oh we must.

Earthly Dearest...

When I have learned to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving toward that state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased. CS Lewis

One hour can make a difference

In a matter of one hour here is what happened...
Elliotte (the dog) threw up on Kennedy's sleeping bag, had diarrhea twice (once on my floor and once in Mac's closet), Emerson decided to get her own pink lemonade (therefore spilling 2 gallons on the floor), and then Emy was spraying the dog with the hose and I went to tell her to stop and Elle ran into the house (trying to escape Emy) and I could not catch her until she had fully soaked everything. Oh the joys...
So then I had to...do 2 loads of laundry (my rugs and Kennedy's sleeping bag) mop my kitchen floor, and mix Oxi-clean (2 different times) to sop up poop. How disgusting!!!! And of course it was the great hour of 6-7 when I am trying to prepare dinner etc...
Also, I went out to put steak on the grill. Emy heard the ice-cream man (I hate him for coming through our neighborhood everyday). I told her no. She was mad at me. The next time I checked the meat, she went out the front door to find the ice-cream man. I didn't know this. I searched the house for her, then went outside looking for her and she was no where!!!! I really start to panic and am wondering how I am going to tell Corey that I have lost his last child, and I run into my room to get my cell phone to call him and it is ringing...Apparently he drove up at the exact time Emy was chasing the ice-cream man and so he put her on his lap and they drove to the other side of the neighborhood to "check out a house"!!!!!!! He had called me on my cell, but since I was frantically searching for our baby, I never heard the phone ring. Scary. I really thought she was gone. What a bad mom I am! What a crazy night!

20 years

Well, even if I do not want to admit it, I graduated from high school 20 years ago! Scary, but true. I didn't get to go to our reunion, because of timing conflicts (and distance) but my good friend Jeff just sent me his update and it made me laugh! Mostly I wanted to know why the only thing people are still wondering about me is "Did she or did she not skinny dip with Todd". Well, I will let you decide that one for yourselves, but I am concerned that after 20 years this question is still being discussed. Get on with life people.
So my sister had a precious baby, her third in 3 years, scary for her! We had quite a time trying to figure out all the logistics...which one do you put into their car seat first etc... it is something to think about! I am glad it is not me. And my friend Kelly is pregnant (I guess that gives her the right to force me into blogging! j/k) and that is so exciting for her! And I just got a 6 week old ....puppy and that is all the excitement we need here right now. She is sweet and adorable and just a puppy. She is a lab, just like the great Keegan, and the kids are in heaven. Mac "it's like a dream come true" So that is great for them.
I cannot remember what Kelly's questions were so I will try...
10 years ago: 1995 Living in Winona Lake, Indiana and pregnant with Kennedy! Living across the street from our great friends and loving life!
5 years ago: 2000 Living in Ohio and having Macguire on 1/6/2000 then moving to SC 4 months later!!
1 year ago: 2004 Living in Mississippi, coaching cheerleading, being a mom
Yesterday: ran 5 miles, did 45 minutes of weight training, coached 3 cheerleading teams, and fell into bed at 9:52
Today: ran 4 miles, did 30 minutes of abs, layed out in the sun, went to Target (love it) and sent a present to my other friend Kelly's baby Alex
Tomorrow: running 8 miles, laying around doing nothing inside since it will be 100 degrees!

20 years

Well, even if I do not want to admit it, I graduated from high school 20 years ago! Scary, but true. I didn't get to go to our reunion, because of timing conflicts (and distance) but my good friend Jeff just sent me his update and it made me laugh! Mostly I wanted to know why the only thing people are still wondering about me is "Did she or did she not skinny dip with Todd". Well, I will let you decide that one for yourselves, but I am concerned that after 20 years this question is still being discussed. Get on with life people.
So my sister had a precious baby, her third in 3 years, scary for her! We had quite a time trying to figure out all the logistics...which one do you put into their car seat first etc... it is something to think about! I am glad it is not me. And my friend Kelly is pregnant (I guess that gives her the right to force me into blogging! j/k) and that is so exciting for her! And I just got a 6 week old ....puppy and that is all the excitement we need here right now. She is sweet and adorable and just a puppy. She is a lab, just like the great Keegan, and the kids are in heaven. Mac "it's like a dream come true" So that is great for them.
I cannot remember what Kelly's questions were so I will try...
10 years ago: 1995 Living in Winona Lake, Indiana and pregnant with Kennedy! Living across the street from our great friends and loving life!
5 years ago: 2000 Living in Ohio and having Macguire on 1/6/2000 then moving to SC 4 months later!!
1 year ago: 2004 Living in Mississippi, coaching cheerleading, being a mom
Yesterday: ran 5 miles, did 45 minutes of weight training, coached 3 cheerleading teams, and fell into bed at 9:52
Today: ran 4 miles, did 30 minutes of abs, layed out in the sun, went to Target (love it) and sent a present to my other friend Kelly's baby Alex
Tomorrow: running 8 miles, laying around doing nothing inside since it will be 100 degrees!
okay, I will check what else I am supposed to say and do it tomorrow. Something about 5 things...later

throw up

WOW! I am THE mom of the world! Kennedy informed me last night that she felt sick and thought she was going to throw up. So we go into the bathroom, and wait and nothing happens. Well, she is so like her dad, she actually asks for Pepto Bismol and then takes it! Gross! I usually just wallow around in my misery until I throw up, I despise the stuff. Well, anyway as she is going back to bed she says "If I feel like throwing up, I will come into your bathroom because you are so good and help me so much" So what a compliment!!!

Summer smells

Normally I do love the smell of summer...yesterday someone was buring some limbs that they trimmed and it reminded me of a campfire. However, on Wednesdays and Saturdays I hate the smells of summer...this is trash day!!!! And as I am running at 6:30am through my neighborhood, I am no longer enjoying the smells of summer but rather trying to hold in last nights dinner!

Sick children = no easter church services

I will say that even before my kids became sick, I sort of dreaded getting to church services. Not because I do not like it, but because it will be so crowded and so busy and I just do not like the confusion that follows me into the sanctuary. So we will praise God that His son rose from the dead, and we will do it in the non-confusion (well sometimes) of our home.
Mac has walking pneumonia.
Emerson has an ear infection.
Kennedy has something (to be determined by the doctor today, yes on Easter Sunday!) She has had a fever of at least 101, since Friday. Who knows what she has.
We will try to have an egg hunt of sorts, as it is raining, muddy and nasty outside!
And instead of celebrating lunch with firends we will keep our sicknesses to ourselves and eat at home!
BUT, we are all alive and we are in the comfort of our own home and we are family. Yea for that!

Be like Samuel

The Lord called once, the Lord called twice, the Lord called Samuel three times.
Samuel answered "Yes Lord, your servant is listening"

Do not be too busy to hear the Lord calling.

Amazing first child

Just want you all to know how great my first baby is...
She is 8 (although she would say 8 3/4, since her birthday is in May)

She looks just like her daddy, her warm colored skin and deep brown eyes still captivate me! (just because I carried her in my belly doesn't mean she has to look anything like me)

She has a streak of independence that I admire, yet when she crawls up into my lap and I stroke her hair, she is my baby.

She is a tough soccer player who has a tough coach (her dad) and she holds up well.

She LOVES to learn and read and study and is very concerned with global issues. At night she asks me if anything bad happened in the world today and then we pray about it (love that).

She is an outgoing, go getter. And just when I thought we had "ruined" her by moving a lot, she amazes me by finding friends and making her life work.

She loves her family and is strictly devoted to us.

She is well-rounded and well adjusted and contributes a lot to this family.

I was thinking about this because yesterday I had a parent teacher conference, and she got all A's (even a 100 in language arts) and her teacher could not stop talking about how great she is. So I had to add my 2 cents as well.

Corey's turn

As I have traveled every weekend for the last 5 weeks, my husband now thinks it is his turn to go away! He is leaving tonight to go to Memphis to scout and will be gone until Saturday. I guess I really "deserve" This, but I am sad that we will not have a family weekend! Instead it will be me getting Mac to his game at 10, Kennedy at 12:45 and again at 2:00. And dealing with Emy the whole time. Again, shall I complain, no this is exactly what my husband has done for the last 4 weekends! I say, good job to him for holding it all together for so many weekends!!!
Kennedy: she has been doing great in soccer, and her select team is coming along. They did get spanked this past weekend, but we are trying to look past that!! She is also doing great at cheerleading and her tumbling is so good, and she is also stunting now! I have her doing privates with Jeff (he is 26 and works at the gym) because I didn't want her to learn on little girls and probably fall! She is doing well, and I think the next thing I need to work on is humility! She was like "I am so good at this" And I was trying to say yes you are, but you don't need to say it. Also this week she tried out for the part of Queen Esther at our church play. She was nervous, and it was so cute. She did a good job, I am not sure if she will be picked though. There were 14 girls who tried out, and some of them are older than her. So we will see. But she said to me "I did my best and it was fun" So that is good.
Mac: Still coming along in soccer, he scores goals now all the time, at least that is what he tells me. Last week his team won 22-2. So that was fun for him, I guess! He is sweet and I am loving watching he and Emy becoming friends! She really likes him and he acts so sweet to her!
Emy: becoming a full on 2 year old! Telling me no and everything. I am not looking forward to what I know is coming, constantly staying on top of her, and trying to impose my rules and not give into her! But boy, she is so cute, this is hard! She just realized that she can say something to make Kennedy and Mac laugh, and then she goes around saying it the whole day. It is so cute!

Molly's Question

I like:
being my husbands wife, especially recently
being a mom of 3, even when I thought 2 would do
being a good cook
being an advisor of sorts
being a good student
being a runner
being organized
being a fantastic party planner
being an enjoyable writer
being a mediator
being a blue-eyed blonde
being a frequent flyer
being snuggled
being at Barnes and Noble with Kennedy
being involved with people
being creative
being an avid book reader
being funny
being optimistic in every situation
being 3 years shy of 40
being an encourager
being interesting to others
being somewhere new
being somewhere familiar
being anywhere with family
being in worship at our church
being in the car with the windows down on a long country road
being important
being there for my children
being in the company of old friends
being able to imagine
being a transformed Southerner
being in love with my husband
being able to hold a newborn
being independent
being someone's "mama"

I dislike:
crossing my legs all the time
things that appear off balance
road rage
people in a hurry
kids that are rude and un-mannered
any body odor
the notion that I have to work out everyday
most confrontation (although I am getting better as I age)
fake people
kids with runny noses
addiction to anything self-destroying
the smell in my house after cooking bacon
the tongue that is too sharp
that I sometimes feel discontent from within
that beyond being a wife and other I am nothing
slack workers at any retail/fast food place
fear
the way of the world and that my children will be raised in it
being hurried
someone else making decisions for me
the flab that jiggles when I run
balancing my checkbook or any money related topic
the notion that more is better (unless it is about love)
people who bash their husbands
wasted time
the potty room on small airplanes (Good Lord, only small children can fit!)
prejudice
wearing a thong to bed
people without any plans/goals (especially if they are really gifted)
improper grammar usage
drunk, loud, obnoxious people

ha ha ha not really funny

okay, so on Sunday Kennedy tried out for a select team (the first time she has tried out for something) and made it. So today we get an email from the soccer commissioner saying here are the girls who made the team and their coach is...you guessed it, Corey Rose. So yes, Corey is now the proud coach of a college team, a U-5 boys team, a U-10 girls team and a U-10 select team! What is up with these people! I am thinking that they really believe him to be the best coach around, just like I do!
Right, and today Kennedy's picture was in the paper! She was in a Spelling Bee (see previous blog) and they took her picture. How fun!

Purse Quote

When you're down and feeling worse, keep a cookie in your purse.
There you go, my answer to all the problems. This is in answer to Molly's thoughts, and by the way ...the littlest bird sings the prettiest song. ( I would have commented on your blog, but it kept rejecting my comment saying it detected spam, nice to know) I love you!

Spanish and growing up

Not really a combination of those two things, just 2 thoughts I need to express.
I really wish I could speak Spanish, no I mean really speak Spanish. And I have a lovely sister who is fluent, wonder why she doesn't teach me!!?? I also wonder why college (also high school) requires a foreign language, yet I still cannot communicate well. This is disturbing and now one of my new goals. I will speak Spanish, even if the only person I can talk to is Molly. Well, I guess I can also call her friends Nicole and Seth and I am sure they would love that.
And if it is Tuesday, then I had bible study...
One word people, only one word to describe your childhood. This was one of the exercises in our bible study class today. Secure. That was my word. I adore my family and I had a GREAT happy childhood that I would love to repeat for my children. I was loved (my parents verbally said they loved me), touched ( they hugged and hugged me), encouraged( they told me how great I was), supported ( active commitment to me), and the told me I could be anything I wanted to be. Thank you to Mike and Linda!!!

soccer coach x 3

Scary!!! When I was at registration for spring soccer and I was in a hurry (big surprise), I accidentally checked the box on Mac's form saying Head Coach! Well, Corey is already Kennedy's coach (and Belhavens) and the last thing he wanted to be was Mac's coach also! So I called the soccer commissioner and told him my error, and he was like too bad, you can do it! So there you go! I am now Mac's soccer coach, even though I will miss every practice (cheerleading on Tuesdays at 4:30) and the first 5 weeks of games (again, judging cheerleading comps all across the nation). So I, being the smart one I am, thought up the great idea of recruiting a couple of Corey's college girls to coach! So he called and they said yes! YEA!!!!!!!!! So I will technically be "coach" but they will do all practices and the first 5 weeks of games! I love them!

A few who are smarter

Earlier this week as I was lamenting my daily schedule to a friend he said "you can always say no to others and they will get over it. You can say no to your family and they may never get over it" (and additionally, they may need therapy later)!
Sometimes I think I am doing good for my family, by scheduling extras that earn extra money for them and then it turns out actually worse for them. Like being shuttled back and forth between Corey and I every day. And everyday they say "I don't want to go in and meet daddy" and I got to the point where I was like "too bad, you have such a bad life". But I was really thinking, it does stink for them, and if I scheduled things even a half hour later, Corey could just come home and they could be here the whole time. So as I was making out my schedule for the fall, I was planning this way and I have been thinking about summer and how crazy it is beginning to look like, and I just refuse to be driven by money and schedules!
Either that or we need to live near parents or family of some sort and then I would not feel bad!

Fear

Fear is a horrible , snagging, entraping sin that Satan himself has laid upon us...in other words, it is sin. There are so many times that fear controls me, fear of unknown, fear of children growing up, fear that I haven't prepared myself yet so how could I have prepared them??? Fear of the future, fear of the present, no fears incringing on tomorrow, but possibly regrets creep in.
The GREAT thing is that the answer to fear is faith!!! (2 "f" words, interesting) Faith that someone else is in control, faith that I am merely the body that performs the task, faith that I may not be able to prepare my kids, but I can direct them to Him, faith that I rarely see with God's vision, yet I am smart enough to know it, faith that fear can be banished if I let it ( so that actually I do have a bit of control, over my own thoughts).
Can you tell I just came home from bible study!!

Thoroughly Admonished

Okay, since I was fully admonished on my good friend Kelly's blog for not blogging very often, I will attempt to do better! (Some people have 2 jobs and 3 kids and a life to juggle) Just kidding!
I too believe in "comment lest you receive no comments" and I guess I now know why I have no comments! I certainly enjoy reading about everyone's life, I just don't usually take the time to comment...So believing that there are rules to blogging (just like everything else in life) I will strive to do better...(Kelly, check your comments)
Lost game boy: This sounds like a very petty thing, yet when you spend the $100.00 to set your 5 year old up with one, you would kind of like to have it longer than a week! Upsetting, yes; life altering, not really. Four days later (and a mighty clean house) has produced the above mentioned game boy. Now (like everything else in life) there are game boy rules...When you are done playing, put into case on shelf. There you go.
Lone choir teacher: I have again decided to volunteer for childrens choir at church and I thought I was signing up to be the assistant to the teacher. She apparently thought the same thing! I told her I would be late and then I arrived on time and she was 45 minutes late!!! (choir is 1 hour) Boy, talk about sweating it out in front of first graders. Anyway, I AM the teacher and even though my husband cringes at the sound of my singing, the kids loved it and me!Yea!!!
Shaping the Next Generation: Super great bible study I just joined last Tuesday...Talk about your major life responsibility! Parenting...Argh!!! As I grow steadily fearful of the ever decaying society we live in, I am wondering what will shape my children! I PRAY it is God's love shown through their parents, and this will be my third most important goal on this earth. Sounds like a low grade, but I feel I have to put both raising people for the kingdom and my husband above my children. Sounds harsh saying it this way, but I believe it to be correct.
Anxiety: how to live without it and how to turn it into faith. This should be a bible study and I should be in it! I taught my choir kids about trust last week and I made them fall into my arms and as they each stood in front of me with their backs to me I said "Do you trust me? Do you believe that I will catch you?" and they all eagerly replied "yes" and then only 2 actually fell into my arms without moving their legs. Interesting. How many times does God say "Do you trust me? Do you believe that I will catch you?" and I actually leap or fall without looking. Not nearly enough.
Sisters: If you don't have one, I am sorry for you. I have so enjoyed mine over the years and each one is special in a certain way, yet they are all the same in some ways as well. Sweet, first born Wendy; a people pleaser, will fight for what she believes and at the same time try not to hurt your feelings, supportive in all situations, seeking Him, desiring what is right in God's eyes not her own, emotionally connective. Kelly; fiercely independent yet needs people, commanding and direct, stern yet so heartful, ambitious to accomplish all things well, always prepared for what she wants to accomplish, loving to others when they need it, accepts advice and ponders all things well before deciding. Molly; young, yet wiser than her age, 100% committed to whatever she is seeking, abundantly giving and supportive, praying and seeking and searching and will not give up, relentless in quest for her God.
Well, these are the way I see them and these are the great things that they freely give to me! Love y'all!!!!

Barely a second

Wow!! Since the beginning of 05 I have barely had a second to get anything done! I had 2 sick kids (Kennedy sinus and Emerson pneumonia) two birthday parties (Mac on 6 and Emy on 10) and I have been on one trip (the 5-9) and Corey has been gone (the 12-17) so...Everything has gone crazy! In between all of that, I have worked and taught children's choir and the list just goes on and on...I have read email, but not answered it and of course my whole blog has been totally ignored!
So, for catch up...
Kennedy is awesome, she is so beautiful and fun and she is trying oh so hard to be kind and considerate! She is helpful and well-mannered and I do adore her. She was chosen to be in the spelling bee! She is the 2 best speller in her class and she competed on Friday in the bee. She spelled 5 words correctly, but then missed "slipper". She did a great job and I took her out for pizza as a treat! She has been going to the cheer gym with me everyday and working hard on her tumbling! She is getting so good, and is having so much fun! She starts soccer again in 2 weeks (as it will be spring in the south!).
Macguire has been healthy and having fun at school. He had his party and all his friends from school came...Especially a girl named Sadie who (according to her mom) "never stops talking about Mac" how cute! He had a ball, and he now has every single Spiderman action figure known to man!
Emerson is totally putting together sentences now and she is cracking us up! She is so fun, and she loves Mac and KK and they adore her!
Corey is in Baltimore at a Coaches convention and he gets back tonight, boy how we have missed him! He adds so much to our family, I cannot wait to have him home.
I am starting a bible study on Tuesday and I am very excited about it! It is about raising kids (I guess I need the help!) It will be fun and a friend of mine is also doing it with me. I have 3 trips in February to judge cheerleading, so that will be busy as well!

The Do's and Don'ts on flying with a 23 month old

Do have a lot of snacks available
Don't have them in your backpack under the seat in front of you. With a child on your lap, bending over at the waist and actually breathing can be somewhat difficult.

Do bring a portable DVD player
Don't forget to charge it, and try not to fly for 3 hours and 45 minutes straight! Don't forget to bring movies that your child actually watches, and don't forget headphones (because hearing is near nil capacity at 30,000 feet) also good to make sure the said child would actually wear headphones!!

Do wear sweat pants or something stretchy
Don't try to be chic on a flight with a child. It is uncomfortable and something may rip. If and when your child does fall asleep, she cares not that her drool (and/or snot) is all over your outfit when she wakes up!

Do bring water
Don't let your child (or the flight attendant for that matter) convince you that she needs coke to drink on a 3 hour and 45 minute flight! It causes many problems; bathroom visits and incapability of holding still on mothers lap are the most common!

Do bring books, coloring tools and lots of paper!
Don't carry black sharpie in your purse though, passenger sitting next to you can be somewhat grumpy at end of flight!

Rose Family at the Oregon Coast! 

I am what I am

I like this "By the grace of God I am what I am and His grace toward me was not in vain..." God has chosen me, He has made me the way I am, He has been perfecting me for a long time. How good to know.
I told my cheerleaders tonight to think of a blessing that God has given them and then to share that blessing with someone else. So I will do the same.
I have been blessed with an amazing husband who I really did not think I could love more than on that day (12 1/2 years ago) that I became his wife. I really thought "Great, I love this man and he is my husband. That is great" But understand this, I love this man more than that. More than the day he first kissed me. More than the day he purposed marriage. More than the day we had our first, our second and our third children. He is so good. He has become so much better. As a husband he is first rate. As a father, he is so much better then I sometimes think he will be. But as a person, as a follower of Jesus...he is great. Even if I was not his wife, I would like him as a person. He is good. So I am blessed and although I cannot (will not) physically share him with others I will tell you this...do not settle for anything less than what God has prepared for you. He knows best.

Good Weekend!

It started out on Friday with an amazing work-out session, I just felt so good like I could keep running and keep lifting and keep crunching up and down! It was such a good feeling to really push my physicalness to the limits! Thank God for being healthy and whole.
Corey and Kennedy went to Wichita Falls for a soccer tournament, and Kennedy was able to stay and visit with her friends (whom she misses so much) and she had a great time! Thank God for friends and being able to spend time with them, even at age 8!
Mac, Emy and I went to Walmart and bought some paint to paint my bathroom and while we were there Mac said "Remember when Papa came and painted, like, our whole house? That was hard work and he was so nice to do that!" So thank God for Papas that care so much for their children.
I don't know why, but every time Corey goes away, I paint something. There must be some correlation there, but I do not know what it could be. Anyway, I painted my bathroom and it looks great! I couldn't be happier...although Papa would think it a bit sloppy for his taste! Oh well.
Then the 3 of us made Christmas cut-out cookies! I love doing this and it makes me laugh (and sometimes swear under my breath) but it was so fun, and this was Emy's first time, she was so cute. I had out 2 stools and they each had one and then I would measure and let each one pour it into the mixing bowl, she thought it was great! Today, we ice and decorate them! That should be fun (oh and maybe a little messy). Corey's soccer team is coming over for a Chrsitmas dinner, I am excited for that and it will be fun as well.
I love it that when I need a recipe I can call Hope and she knows exactly what I am talking about! Last night I called her and I said "I can't find my recipe for a triple chocolate peppermint cake you made in Dec of 2001" and she went and got the recipe for me! She is great! Then I was able to talk to one of my all-time best friends, Wade (her husband). He is the best, we just laughed and talked about all our old high school times. He remembers everything! That was fun! Again, thanking God for good friends and being able to spend time with them!
I watched How to Make an American Quilt last night. Probably one of my favorite movies. Last night it really hit me that every old person had a life, a history. They were young and thin and beautiful and life happened. It was a good thought, even if it sounds crazy right now.

Happy thoughts

I love when people are happy. You can see it on their faces, hear it in their messages and feel it reading an email. I just received several of those and now I too am happy.
Molly, sweet girl. Do you not know what makes you complete? I am sure I do, so let me know if information is needed.
Wendy, yea to the country , simple (let me know how simple plowing is) life! You are happy and truly blessed! What a great bog adventure waiting to happen! I cannot wait to visit with you!
My family, what a treasure chest, full of a little of everything, yet, each one so precious.
I am missing you all tonight, I am missing the chaos that comes with you all. I am missing the noise level (MMO, I do not think my children breathe loud!), because now even though there is peace, there is loneliness. To everyone I know, be happy tonight! Thank God for every little thing that has made you smile, made you laugh, made you cry. All of these things are life!

Just another day in Mississippi

I am continually asking God for patience with the english grammar of the native Mississippians! It is hideous! Not a day goes by that I do not hear someone mutilating the english language.
Last night one of my cheerleaders was teaching a cheer and she said "fer" instead of "for" and I said "Marla, the word is F-O-R you need to pronounce it this way." and she really didn't get it. And then I was like well, maybe I don't really get it. I cannot change the entire Mississippi populus, so ...
Insanity: definition: doing the same thing in the same way and expecting it to be different.

A sad moment

Kennedy had a sad moment yesterday, she missed one spelling word! This is the first word she has missed all year, and she was devasted! I casually asked her how her test went and she started crying and I knew it, I knew she missed "conclusion". She was struggling with that one, but I never thought she would miss it! She even gets the bonus word everytime (with the definition) so she has not scored lower than 105% this year. She was crying and I tried to tell her how even adults get confused on how to spell things sometimes and she wanted to know an exact instance, and of course I couldn't think of one so I had to make one up and I was like "Well, sometimes daddy (blame it on daddy) can't remember how to spell vacation, so I have to remind him" and she was like "oh that one is easy!, Why doesn't daddy know how to spell vacation?" So then I had to assure her that daddy in fact knows how to spell it, but sometimes gets confused or he is in a hurry and it just comes out wrong. So now she is probably thinking that at least her dad can spell, even if he is stupid! Anyway, I felt so bad for her! And she had to write the word she missed 5 times and she has to re-take the whole test tomorrow, and she doesn't get to eat a special treat while all the other (dumb) kids re-take their test! Life lessons stink!

Kid Overload

Well, Sometimes I lay awake in bed right before the alarm goes off, and I am happy to be there, cacooned, and have my thoughts to myself. I am still unprepared for the onslaught of children, the needs, and the voices that certainly interrupt my time. But, as usual, I get up and face them all. I think this is a great accomplishment!
Anyway, today I had to work at Moms Morning Out (I am a sub for a preganant lady until Christmas) and I have 3 year olds! ( at least the are out of diapers) So I was there from 8-1:30 and then I went straight to the gym where I had to entertain 25 5 year olds at a cheerleading birthday party. I mean, I may as well just put on the clown suit! What a nightmare!!! Then I had my regular classes, 4:00-6:00 and my team 6:00-8:00, and I am so over kids right now, I cannot even express! I do not even think I am good with other kids, and the whole time I am thinking "Man, these moms need to add a little discipline here!" Whatever. I really disliked my day though and I am trying to get rid of all the negativity before I go to bed.

Emotions

Insightful
Yesterday I heard some bad news from someone and it put ME in a bad mood. I found myself feeling down and discouraged, even when I personally didn't have a bad day.
Today I found out that one of my good friends has finally gotten pregnant, after 3 times of in-vitro! And I feel like something good has personally happened to me! I am floating through my day!

Life is funny...at times!

I am laughing because what constitutes work for some is vacation to me!!! John called and asked me to fly to Atlanta on Friday and judge a cheerleading competition on Saturday and one on Sunday and stay in a hotel and eat out and get paid to judge, and I was like well I am not sure... right!! Whatever!!! Yet when I said to John "What a great mini-vacation" he said "this is work you know" and I was thinking is it?? Does it beat waking up at 6:15 getting 2 kids ready for school and one husband off to work and a baby with me to the gym and then to Walmart and then home fix lunch do laundry, fix dinner, clean house, run to cheer gym and work for 4 hours with 50 kids that bug the life out of me?? Oh yes, I will let you decide which sounds better!

Everyone needs break-time, a rest in the journey, a break in the cycle...it refreshes me and I need refreshing!!!

Some responsibility

okay, to be fair I guess I need to take some responsibility for not being registered. I still think MS is a loser state, but I guess I should have double checked them telling me they were registering me!??? Whatever...I feel sick today.
I have just finished mapping out my November schedule and we are going to be really busy! In my mind, Nov is over and December is steadily coming closer! Yikes!!
I love it that Kennedy wakes up every morning in her own room and says "I love this bed and I love this room" She is sweet. She was sad the other day when she phoned her friends in Texas, she still misses them so much! Since it was raining in Texas on trick or treat night, her friends were going to go out to dinner and to a movie instead, and she was so sad!!! She wanted to go with them instead of going trick or treating! She has problems!!! J/K
They were very cute! Kennedy was a cowgirl! She is really into the horses thing and this is what she wanted to be. Emerson was a cute butterfly, although a hot one since her costume was made out of fleece, and it was 80! Macguire was the traditional cheetah! This is seriously something that both of my cousins wore (who are now 40) and Wendy, myself, Kelly, Molly, Betsy, Abby, Kennedy and now Mac! He looked adorable, and he loved it! I was happy that he wasn't a power ranger for once, but I guess that is his everyday outfit, so it wasn't special enough for Halloween!
Anyway, they had a blast and it was a good night!
Corey is in Florida right now playing in their regional tournament! I hope all goes well...
Got to get Mac to school!

Mississippi.....the loser state

Whatever!!!!
When I finally went to the DMV to get my Mississippi drivers license, they asked me if I wnted to register to vote, which of course I said yes, and checked the little box, and there you go.
So, today I called the Rankin County Courthouse to check and see where I needed to go to vote and they said they didn't have me registered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was like, what???????? And they told me how they have had so many phone calls asking the same thing and people not getting registered at the DMV, as they have promised. And I was thinking, who cares, I want to vote! And of course now I cannot. I am very angry about this and I will be worse if Kerry wins!

Just a test

Okay, last week I blogged a very long blog and then when I went to post, it didn't go through...could be because my 22 month old pushed our moniter off the desk and now everything is sideways, or it just didn't feel like posting. But I do not feel like blogging and then not getting the result of a post...so this is a test.

Re-arranging

I guess if I learned anything (silly, Of course I learned many things) from my mom, it is...re-arrange your furniture if you have nothing else fun to do!!!! I love this about my mom, she just up and moves things and it always looks so great. Now my dad (and therefore my husband) are not so fond of re-arranging day, as they have a lot of pictures to move and holes to fill and big things (like a mattress and box springs) to carry to the attic!! But I love transition and then I am a little demonic (again, like Linda) about getting everything finished before you can go to bed!!! So although my kids were ready for bed...Too bad!
Anyway it was my 8 year old who said to me "mom, lets re-arrange when we get home" And I thought sure why not! (she looks all Rose, but underneath she is 100% pure Nana!!) hahahaha
So she has decided (Kennedy) that she wants her own room, and this is something we have been talking about for a long time, only I thought we would wait until we moved again (unavoidable) and then let her have it...but then I was thinking, what if for some (God) reason we don't move this year, why shouldn't she get her own room now??? So I moved Emerson's crib into Macguire's room, only Mac had 2 twin beds in his room (Emy is not quite ready to be on the loose) so I had to dismantle that one and get her crib in the door. And can anyone out there please tell me why cribs always have to be like 1/2" too wide to fit through any doorway?? So I had to take 2 doors off their hinges (the lesser of the 2 evils, taking a crib apart ranks right up there) and roll the crib through and then clean everything, re-arrange and finally kids are in bed and all is well. So here is the scene, Mac (will be 5) and Emy (will be 2) are sharing a room, and Kennedy (8) now has her own room! But here is what happened...Mac came into Kennedy's room to check it out and Kennedy asked him if he wanted to spend the night in her room!!! So I pulled out her trundle bed and got it made and they are still slepping in the same room! Emerson is probably really confused about why I put her in this boy room, and she is by herself! Crazy!!!!! Kennedy siad to Mac "you are my best brother" and I was like awww sweet, even if he is your only brother!!
Macguire scored 3 goals today! He had so much fun! And when he wasn't playing Corey told him he had to cheer for his teammates and he was yelling Go Team , Go Team and it was so cute! He is finally wearing size 4 T pants!!! This is a big deal for us, he hasn't grown in like 2 years! On the other hand I cannot get Kennedy to stop growing and jeans my mom bought her last year at Christmas are so short on her!!! She's getting tall! And then my Emy, 21 months old and weraing 12-18 month clothes, obviously takes after her brother! I have a friend who has a 6 month old who weighs the same as Emerson! Oh well
Seriously about Linda and re-arranging... I am a little nostalgic right now so I will just say, she could really transform our house into a great place for the holidays!!! It is always so comfy and homey and peace-like and I know she spends a lot of time making it so nice, and it truly is! I am so happy by this and am so looking forward to seeing them next month!
Okay lets talk humidity! I am sorry to complain about things but really...for 5 days straight it has been about 82 degrees and humidity of 100% That is really pushing me to my limits!!! When I walk outside, my hair curls, I breathe in water, and am instantly glistening with sweat. Yuck! I was so happy that we finally got the rain part of humidity tonight! Hopefully that has broken the spell.
Speaking of spells reminds me that 2 girls who go to Belhaven are going to a costume party next week and one of them is dressing up as a "Hooters" girl. And I am seriously thinking what is this about? Also I am secretly wondering why she thinks she will have to dress any differently then she does everyday!!! Okay, that wasn't too nice sorry!!
There is no glory in practice but without practice there is no glory!
Loving my life

Affirmation

Like everything else, it feels good to be re-affirmed as parents! We had parent/teacher conferences with Mac and Kennedy's teachers and both were so positive and it seems like we may be doing something right after all!
Mac's teacher was saying he was such a happy, adjusted child with very polite manners, all the kids like him and he plays well with everyone! Of course since he is 4, and I have known him since birth, I sort of anticipated this about him.
Kennedy, being 8 (again knowing her since birth) has such a different personality, I wasn't sure what the teacher was going to say! She said "Kennedy is filled with the sweetest disposition!" I will say I was a tiny bit shocked, but then again I live with her at home with her younger brother and sister that she doesn't always want to be around! And she also received all "A"s on her report card, and even then I couldn't give her the credit she deserved...I am a bad mother, always thinking down on her... Anyway in my mind I am thinking "who doesn't get all A's, it is the third grade for goodness sake" but apparently, this is a great job on her part and I stand corrected! Don't get me wrong, Kennedy is great, she has so many good qualities about her, I REALLY think it is hard to be the oldest child (Wendy?)...So many expectations...But she is strong and beautiful and caring and mentally competitive and she is sweet and loves to snuggle and loves to be loved... Anyway, I love being her mom and I treasure the time I have knowing that all girls eventually do not like their mothers for some reason... WHY???

yikes!!!

Note to self... do not try to take a 21 month old to the DMV again.

At what age?????

At what age age am I going to have to slow down? Stop doing stupid things like... Pushing Emy in the baby jogger for 5 miles today, and now I cnanot even sit still because my legs hurt so badly!!! Or Spot someone in a back handspring that weighs at least 20 pounds more than me and is 4 " taller? Again something I did today, so not only are my legs killing me but my arms as well!!! Scary...
I will have to work out the rest of my life, I feel great about that!! In fact I am excited by it, that I will be healthy and feel good etc... but it sure is hard to fit in everyday! And some days, if I don't go, well then I certainly can't eat right! Anyway...
Sorry about my fine display of (psycho) anger from my last blog. I really want you all to understand that I truly wanted to run into that car, I am not kidding, I really wanted to! I think I have some issues (duh) and I am trying to sort them out. I do not have road rage, as in when I am driving, I am not angered by people, and I am generally just like whatever, so why should this get to me? I am not sure. May have been the combo effect of children misbehaving, trying to get back to Kennedy's game and of course the car in front of me. Why was my anger not directed toward the McD employee???Not sure about that one.
Okay, so loving my husband today! He is beyond words, always helping me with the kids, the dishes, the laundry, the cleaning etc... I am amazed everyday and I am grateful and lucky and happy that he is mine! When people see him, they may think he is cute (oooo he is!!!) but that is just the wrapping, he is so much better than what he appears! That is truly the reason why I love him. The whole package deal. He is great!

Great Weekend

I just love it when my husband is home all weekend and we are able to be together the whole time. He is very nice to spend time with, to talk to, to hang out with and to watch movies with!
Saturday Mac had a soccer game and he actually scored 2 goals! I was very impressed! Especially since it was pouring down rain, and everything was a big slippery puddle. He actually dribbled down the field, like past other players, and shot. He was so cute! Kennedy also had 2 games and I think she scored 3 times total, I did not get to see her first game since Mac's was at the same time. Emy and I agai, hid out in the car during the games, since it really poured the entire time we were at the field. Emersons favorite thing is NOT sitting in a car "watching" soccer for 3 hours and she was extremely crabby! After Mac's game I went home and decided to get some dry clothes for all, and on the way back I went through the drive through at McDonalds, and this is where I almost made the evening news...
It was only 11:21 and when I pulled up there were 3 cars ahead of me, and they had all ordered, so I was glad thinking that it wouldn't take very long to get food. Emerson is hysterical and screaming "chicken" and doesn't understand why they are not producing it faster. At 11:29, there are still 2 cars in front of me, Emerson is still screaming "chicken" and then crying, she thinks I am purposefully withholding chicken from her? Anyway, I am starting to sweat, getting a little unnerved, and then another car pulls away, so only one car remains in front of me. It is 11:35, we are still behind one car, the lady inside is passing out drinks one by one taking a full minute in between passing them out, and Emy is screaming and Mac is singing and I had to seriously consider ramming the car in front of me to get through! I am not kidding, I actually wondered what it would be like, and what it would accomplish, and I could see it happening in my mind. Now realistically, it is not the fault of the car in front of me, but my anger is directed toward them! (I also wanted to just back up and leave, but I had already paid, and I didn't want to be out the cash) 11:38, the blue van finally pulls away, I pull up to the window and the lady says "did you have "...And she repeats my order, which she did not even have ready!!! Oh the agony! I really felt like I could lose it, I tried to be nice, I managed a small smile even and I bit down on my tongue to keep evil from spewing forth! After all, it was a lady about 55, and how could you yell at your mother??

the daily grind

I find that my days are basically filled with the same things in and out. I wake up I get the kids ready for school I work out I pick up Mac from school I make lunch and put Emy down for her nap and then I have 1 1/2 hours of "free" time then I go to work then I come home and go to bed. WOW that is sad! I need some variation, you know? So today I skipped working out (one day will be fine) and I took Emy to the mall, and we just walked around looking at all the stuff (Christmas decor already) and then we came home. So that was something...
Question, has God's word ever come to you, pointing out an area in your life, requiring you to yield it to him? I mean how can God really require something? What is He going to do to enforce it? How serious would we be to completely submit that area to God? How scary is it? VERY!!
I have been having some thoughts lately, and I have been praying and spending time with God figuring some things out. Feels good, yet scary.
Question (not as serious) what in the world does all this "cyber talk" mean? Some of you "hip" people are going to hae to fill me in!!! I mean this girl will email me and always have a D after certain sentences, what in the world is that about? I do not even know what LOL is supposed to stand for! I need a cyber dictionary I guess!

A day of soccer

Such is the life of a soccer mom and coach's wife!
Macguire had the first game of the day (be ther @8:45) and he actually scored a goal! He was so excited!!! He was much improved over last weeks game, he dribbled and kicked and did, well you know, normal soccer things! Unfortuately, his team lost like 20-5 or something like that, but he doesn't even know/understand this. He is only happy that he scored!
Kennedy played at 10:00 and 11:30! They won both games (even with a sub coach, since Corey was in Mobile) and Kennedy scored 6 total goals!! So she was happy as well. I am telling you this to give out a warning to anyone who might ever play against her, she is tough. I saw her flatten a girl today and the look on her face, well it was not love. It was something completely different. (although she did "take a knee" while the girl cried on the ground) But, she was playing defense and if you say "do not let anyone score" well, she doesn't. She's scary.
So, Emy and I endured all of this in th 97 degree weather and although we were both crabby and tired, it was fun.
Corey and his team travelled to Mobile Alabama and they played at their Homecoming! How intense! Well, they WON in overtime, and Corey seemed very happy. He is now 5-2, and this again makes him happy.
Well, Emy is crying from her high chair, I guess done with the fabulous gourmet (frozen) pizza I served for dinner!!! Got to Go!!!

catch up!

Yes, Kelly it has been a long time and there is always stuff to write about but no time to do it! Emerson is a computer magnet and if I sit down even for a minute she is in my room, then in my bathroom entertaining herself (which basically means unwrapping all my tampons, or licking all the cough drops, or at this exact moment, pulling out all the dental floss from the container( and this is unwindable)) So that leaves, nap time or bedtime and I really have so much to do during these times already...okay blah blah blah, everyone has their issues.
What I would really like to be doing??? Taking my kids to the country and walking through the leaves and picking out pumpkins, picking apples (something we did every year growing up), having campfires, baking treats, and generally just relaxing. Sounds like the life...where do I sign up? I love the fall, I dislike the fact that in the South fall is short and doesn't even start until November!!! Although since it has been down to 65 at night, people are pulling out all their winter gear. I am still sending Kennedy to school in shorts and a tank top (it is still 87 during the day) Funny things...
Kennedy has hooked up with another girl one year older then her and they are at the stables every day, caring for her (the other girl) horses. Kennedy is loving it, and we have already been asked for a horse for Christmas!! She is learning so much and the other girls mom, is very patient and a great teacher for Kennedy. She will ride this Friday, and she thinks it is about time! But she has learned to care for the horse and the stable (yes, mucking the stall) and she is excited to be rewarded by riding tomorrow! They also have chickens that lay eggs, and she is so funny "Mom they are brown!!" And she brought one home and cooked it for breakfast and thought "it is definately better than the white ones from the store!"
She is one tough girl on the soccer field!!!! Last weekend she scored 3 in one game and 1 in the second game. She loves playing and she is really good. Her cheerleading is taking 3 seat to soccer and horses! But she is working on her tucks, and is having fun.
Macguire... what a trip! He had his first soccer game last Saturday, in which he touched the ball once and that was only because someone accidently kicked it to him! He just ran along the side of everyone else (I think he was just protecting them!) but he thought it was so serious, and he was giving us thumbs up the whole time, like he had scored 20 goals!!!! He is sweet. At least he isn't twirling around on the field like Kennedy did when she was 4.
Emerson is sick! She had high fever and throw up yesterday, and although no more throw up, she still has a fever. So who knows how this day shall progress!
Corey is playing the #15 team in the nation today, and he is a little worried about how this will work out, I hope I get to go to the game! Wish my mom could come over and watch the kids! Oh yeah, she lives 10 hours away!!! Guess not.
Well, Emy has now brushed her teeth with both mine and Corey's toothbrushes, so I guess I should go and get her! Later times!

a little bitter...

Well, some of my friends and family know that I had a great time sending in an email to the Oprah Winfrey show! Yes, it is true, I was at Oprah.com and I sent in an email to be on the show and they called me twice and asked me to send them things (and yes, they did say I have a very cute family) but I do not think they are going to use me on the show! At least not right now... I am a little bitter but, oh well, It was fun while it lasted! If you ever want to sound completely dumb on the phone, just let the Oprah Winfrey show call you. I was like "uh, sure, okay uh-huh" It was awful and then after I hung up I was like, why didn't I say this or ask that??? Oh well...
Busy day tomorrow... Corey has an away soccer game, I coach cheerleading from 3-5:45 and both Kennedy and Mac have soccer practice from 6-7, and I guess I will be coaching Kennedy's team, since Corey is her coach and he will not be there! Also I did not work out today, so I feel the need to do that tomorrow and my Tuesday am bible study is tomorrow so we will be grooving along all day!
I am reading a great boof called Your Girl and it is written by Vicky Courtney, it is a great study for all moms of girls, and you cannot begin to read it too soon! I tend to give direction to Kennedy without incorporating the biblical WHY into it. and how am I going to do that out of the blue when it is a "big" issue? Begin small, build on that. All things are related to the Lord, and if I can make that connection to her, I can expect her to make it on her own in the future(?)!!! I hope ...

Always my highlight

Macguire, so sweet...
Always my highlight of the week, Friday and Mac saying his bible verse!
This weeks verse was "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you"
Mac's version "Draw to God and He will draw you"
I am thinking of starting a new translation...

great friends

It is good to have great friends!!! I have been blessed with good friends my whole life. When I think back to my friends from elementary, they were my same friends in high school, they are my friends right now. When I went to college (actually 3 different ones) I found great friends that I still am relating to! Let me tell you why people need friends...you need someone else to talk to beside your better half (I mean they are great, but who are you supposed to complain about them to?)...you need someone to listen and possibly give their feelings on the subject (not someone who listens then tries to solve your problem, I mean some probloms are unsolvable, that is the "fun" thing about them)...women need to chatter: about size, shape, hair, kids, the lady next door, etc... while men do not care about any of the above. Seriously, I asked my husband today if I should cut my hair (it is half-way down my back) and he said "Look, I like it any way you do it, it doesn't matter, it always looks good" then when I asked my friend, she said "yes, you should cut it, are you trying to be 20 or 37??" Men do not chatter, their topics are concise and direct and their is no warning, just boom! there it is.
Anyway, back to having friends...I have not found this great selection of friends here in Mississippi, and I feel like I am worse for the wear. It is sad that on any given day I can make 10 long distance calls, yet only one local call (to Corey of course). Life is strange...I am so thankful that I have those friends to rely on, when the selection here is dismal. Thanks to all my friends for loving me, suppporting me, chattering with me, and thinking of me also! I am so blessed!

a day in the life...

I just want to preface this by saying, I know this is "normal" and that you are all doing the same thing!
I woke up at 6:15am, got Kennedy awake, made coffee, fed Kennedy, got her on the bus by 6:45. I then emptied the dishwasher and sat down to cup #1, while I watched the beginning of the Today show. Mac woke up then and had "tee-teed" in his bed, so I got him in the tub, stripped his bed and got his laundry going. I washed him, got him dressed for school and fed him breakfast. Emerson woke up and I got her in her high chair, waffle (Corey did get her breakfast), and I got dressed to work out, got my contacts in etc..., got Emy dressed, switched the laundry over (Corey mowed the lawn...yes at 8:00am) and got into the car at 8:10 to take Mac to school. Dropped him off at 8:30 and Emy and I went to Walmart to pick up those stray items that I always forget! We get to the gym at 9:10, I jump in to an aerobics class (that started at 9) and do that for 45 minutes, then get on the treadmill and run 5 miles (I am training for a tri-athalon...right Molly?) then do a 45 minute "total tone" class, which is weights, and abs. So then at 10:55, Emy and I leave to go to the library, where we quickly select 2 videos (like she even watches anything except Barney) and I get 2 books, and we go to pick Mac up by 11:30. Then we go home, I make them lunch, and I start making dinner (tonight is lasagna/salad/bread) because I will not be home from the cheer gym until 8:30. So then at 12:30, Emy is ready for her nap (me too!!!) and Mac is playing on the computer, so I make dinner and confirm with my babysitter what the plans are and at 2:35 I have to leave to meet her (the babysitter) and she is taking my 3 kids to a soccer game, and then meeting Corey at 6:00 for Kennedy's soccer practice (he is the coach) and they practice until 7. I drop them with Ashley, go to the cheer gym and coach my first team 3:00-5:00 (they are short a base, so of course I fill in). Then a class from 5-6 and a team from 6-8. I have completely forgotten to eat today, wait that is not true, somewhere I squeezed in another cup of coffee and 2 (yes 2) pieces of birthday cake! So I got home at 8:30 and I just had lasagna, and another piece of cake (whoa...too much cake eating going on). I have taken the trash out and started the laundry again, and now I am checking email! I stink (did I mention that the cheer gym has NO AIR CONDITIONING!!!!! oh yes, and we live in Mississippi) so it was hot and muggy and disgusting. So I am going to take a shower and go to bed, hopefully before 10! Because my 6:15 calling will come too quickly!

Hottie!

Funny how you can look at someone everyday (and night) for the last 12 years and still last night he looked so hot! What a cutie!!! We were going out for my birthday dinner and I was sitting on the couch talking to our babysitter (who is one of his soccer players) and he walked into the room, and I said "Oh isn't he so cute?" And of course she didn't know what to say, about her coach and all...funny. What a cute husband!

mac's 2 bible verse

Now what is this about! The first verse he says "all sheep gone astray" and his second verse "But He was wounded for our transgressions" What kind of a verse is that for 4 year olds!!! Whew, this was a hard one, he didn't get it until Thursday (he has to say them on Friday).

old age

okay, when I wake up in the morning, I will be 37 years old! Crazy, but this seems old! The last time I had a "problem" with my birthday I was 30, and my friends (who were all quite younger than I) consoled me and said it would be fine...and it was. When I was 35 I was pregnant with Emerson and therefore distracted from thinking I was old(er). Last year I made a huge road trip to Texas (Corey was on a soccer trip) and I did not want to be in Mississippi on my birthday by myself! So (logically) the only thing to do is pack up a 7, 3 and 9 month old and drive 8 1/2 hours, spend 2 1/2 days and drive back!!! So this will be better, Corey is home, I will wake up in my own bed and I am sure my family will dote on me all day! Regardless, I will still be 37 (and then 38, 39 ...) and I am now old enough to have birthed some of the cheerleaders I coach!
I just thought of this song that is on the kids cd "Jonah was a prophet Ooooo Ooooo But he never really got it Sad but true" Anyway the sad but true part is where I am going with this...it can be sad but it is the truth and you cannot change the truth!

Mac teaches mom

Today when I picked up Mac from school, he was recounting his day and telling me everything!!! At the end he said "and I did not run or talk and I didn't throw anything, whew, how much more do I have to do that?" And I didn't have the heart to say "for the rest of your life baby!" So I said," let's just try again tomorrow and go from there". He is so sweet!!!! One day at a time...

Lost apples

Today Mac has "lost his apples"!!! After four days of eating and playing at school, he has now lost his apples. This is a disciplinary procedure, and this is what happened. He was running, talking, and throwing things (I am not sure what), and he would not obey. So his apples were taken away. Which means that he had to sit down during outdoor play time. So I drive up to pick him up and he is practically crying with his bottom lip stuck out so far, so I say what is wrong and he says "I lost my apples" and he is SSSOOOOO sad, and the lady buckling him in the car says "Oh he lost his apples, thats not good" And I do not even know what this is, although I have figured out, not good. So I asked him what he did and he told me and then I say, well you will need to apologize to Miss Margaret, and he says I did, but she told me to sit down!! And I said well, you cannot disobey, she is your teacher and you need to listen. He says "well, I just wanted to have fun!" But he is still upset, and very sensitive about the whole issue. Then he tells me "the boy in the black shirt and the one with brown hair lost their apples too" Funny? I don't know. I do know that he was very upset about being disciplined, and this is his first time! I told him he would have to tell his dad what happened today and that he was sorry etc... and he said "daddy will be mad at me" and I said "No, he will love you anyway!"
I will say that out of my three children, he is the least expected to act out of line, so I am curious to see where this may lead.

Why I think living in the South is so funny...

1. I met a lady today who had three sons: Jacoby, Jacorey and Jacody. (I know Kelly beats me at this, she had some strange names from where she worked)
2. The weatherman actaully says things like "we will be having abundant sunshine today" or even this "we have southern fried sunshine today!" I mean what is that? I am still trying to figure out this southern dish: chicken fried steak! Say what you mean!!!!(is it chicken or steak?)
3. Speaking of saying what you mean, I actually heard the Governor of Mississippi say "It might could be that ..."
4. I coach a VERY wealthy private school here in Jackson and these are Three of my best excuses of "why I wasn't at cheerleading practice"... "my parents took me to Germany for a long weekend" "I was at surf school in San Diego"(going to be real helpful in MS) "I had to get my nail tips done, because if I don't then I bite my nails and then I get an infection, my mom says I have to have them"
5. I am helping to open a cheer gym and we are setting up tumbling classes, and I have a beginner, intermediate, advanced, and elite class. Well, someone suggested I should call beginner intermediate because "the North Jackson moms don't think their children are beginners at anything" And literally I changed the name of the class, and now it is full!!
Funny times!
Again my son continues to give the highlight of his day as "I play and eat cheese crackers" Although today he had goldfish, and this was even better!!! He actually learned a bible verse, probably the first he has memorized, and it is Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray" and he says "all sheep gone astray" Interesting!

The Reservoir

So strange, I remember visiting here and some guy (his name eludes me) was actually driving around my whole family, and he was showing us different ares where we could live. And when he drove across the reservoir, I remember thinking "I am not living out this far, what a long drive with 3 children, and so far away from the college" Well, you can guess what happened. The reason I thought of this today was because I was driving to my home which IS across the reservoir! I am so quick to make decisions and I want them to be firm, yet I didn't even ask the One controlling the world what He wants!!!!

Sooooo cute!!!

I have the cutest, sweetest boy!!
His first day of pre-school was today, and he was very excited! Neither of my 2 pre-schoolers were scared/sad to go to school, they both just went in and began to play! So at 11:30, I picked Mac up and I said"So, how was it??? What did you do?" and my 4 year old said, "we played and had cheese crackers!!" So, I am thinking great, I pay 120.00 monthly so my child can play and eat!!! Then I said, what else did you do? and he said we had to sit down, and then well, we had to sit down again etc... I will not bore you with the details, but he was so funny trying to put his day back together and tell me what was going on. Anyway, I asked him if he wanted to go back again and he said "mom, I have to!" So, he is very funny.
WOW! Middle school is probably the worst age!!! I coached a MS team today, and I really had to pray for love. It was not coming out very well. The girls are crazy and they do not agree on anything and they are ALWAYS ALWAYS talking!!!!! Arg! My pastor said if there was a person who was "on your last nerve" that you should put a positive buffer between you. Like, instead of thinking "she's on my last nerve" think, "well she does a great job breathing, she has got that one down, does it everyday and every night, she really does a good job at that." So I am thinking this and then when the girls are conditioning, I am thinking, "wow, they are breathing and much too heavily, they are out of shape, they do not care, they are in MS, they are on my last nerve!!!!!!!!" So I have a hard time not connecting thoughts and then making them back into negative ones!!! I need to work on that.
so, all for now, Emy needs a bath!!

Moms on being sick

Let's face it ladies, if you are a mom and you get the stomach virus, life simply will not allow even a slight pause in your routine!
I had severe stomach virus on Wednesday night, got the kids in bed and then, well I will not describe the detailed events that followed. Anyway, I was asleep when Corey got home, even though after he was home I still vomited again and he didn't even know it! Anyway, he left for work Thursday morning at about 6:00am, his team is in pre-season, so he still did not know that I was sick! I got up at 6:20 and got Kennedy ready for school, got her on the bus and just layed back down when Macguire woke up and soon followed by Emerson. So, we are off...everyone needs juice, waffles etc...and I am cringing because my stomach is rolling, but I make them breakfast then clean everything up and then I try to think of the best way to entertain a 4 yr old and a 1 1/2 yr old ALL DAY!!!!! So we make it through most of the day and I get a call from the new gym owner and I have to go to a new school's cheer practice at 4:00 and talk to the 3 coaches! So, it is 2:30 and I haven't even taken a shower... Anyway, we get to the gym and I sort of have to hunch over a little bit, standing straight up makes me feel sick, but I turn to my precious 3 children and say "Please be good, sit still and let me talk and then we will be done faster" and earlier in the car they had asked me if we could buy donut holes and I am thinking sure, after the meeting. So, the kids are HIDEOUS!!!!! Running all over the gym, jumping in the bleachers, Emy has no shoes on, her hair bow is somewhere in the gym and the are throwing things and just overall, anything you can think of, they are doing it!!! So, let me recap, I am sick to my stomach, trying to talk 3 coaches into bringing their squads into my gym and trying to at least watch my children so they do not die!!!! I tried the subtle "Kennedy please be still" and what I really wanted to say was "SIT DOWN BEFORE I SPANK YOUR BOTTOM!!!!!!!" But I obviously cannot say that in front of these coaches and all 50 of their cheerleaders! So we make it through the meeting and we get to the car and then watch out!!! I went over everything to them and told them I was both angry and disappointed and that we were not stopping for donut holes. Really I guess I said "you will not have donut holes or anything else" and Mac (he is my sensitive, repentive one) is crying and saying "I'm very, very (which really sounds like berry), very sorry. But are we not allowed to have dinner?" And he is so serious and so sweet that it breaks me! I did not get them donut holes, but yes they had dinner etc...

The way it is...

This is the way it is...
I am sitting here sipping a glass of wine (offensive? oh well, I am legal) and eating a bag of popcorn. This will be dinner. Corey is at a school dinner (eating well I assume), and the kids are actually well fed (i made turkey sandwiches, apple slices, and yes I gave them some popcorn) so no one needs to call CPS on me.
The way it is... I was asked to help start a cheer gym, and now my opinion doesn't matter, I am being told what I need to do, I am working more hours and ?...
The way it is... I asked my next door neighbor to watch my children (I did pay her $40.00) and they DESTROYED my house and her dog licked my baby on the lips/nose/eyes/ears/cheeks until she started crying (for some reason I just thought of Steve Raikes' old girlfriend that we called cheeks!)
The way it is... I need a vacation!!!!!!!!! Any takers???

Bad mothering

I bet you know one person that constantly makes you feel like a bad mother (or dad)! I have met this lady who lives down the street and has 2 girls and she is constantly pointing out things that make me feel like I am an awful mother! And the thing is, she never says, "oh you are a bad mom" straight out, but this is what happens...
Our girls are the same age (8) and I have just begun to let Kennedy ride her bike in the street in our neighborhood, only on our strret where I can see her. Well, if this other girl rides her bike to our house (she lives at 208 and I live at 231) her mom will drive in the car behind her.
Kennedy called to ask if she wanted to have a lemonade stand in our driveway, so the mom gets on the phone and is like "is it safe?" "are you going to sit with them" "who is going to be stopping" etc... Now, understand this, we do not live in the ghetto, so yes I think it is safe. I was planning to clean out the garage so, yes, I would be outside. And I do not have a list of name sthat will be stopping, but I can check ID's if you want!!!!!!
Kennedy rides the bus home from school. And this mom was like "oh, you let her ride the bus?" as if this is comparable to placing her in a cage with a tiger! And then she says "well, I heard that the bus driver cusses at the kids" And I think well, I'm sure they deserved it! J/K!!!!! Really, I called the bus barn and they told me he has driven the bus for 17 years and has never had any "violations" on his record. So ????
Both her girls will be in school all day (Kindergarten and 3 grade) and I was thinking that is great! I am sure you will be enjoying your time! And she almost started crying, and said "It is devastating! My husband is staying home with me for the first 2 days to help me through it" Okay....??!!!!!!!!!I must be awful thinking that Kennedy is gone all day and Mac will be gone in the mornings 5 days a week, and that makes me happy!!
And it goes on and on "I don't allow candy in the house" "I have never had a babysitter for these kids" "I would never let them have their own minds" J/K that was me speaking sorry!!!

In the Car

I am driving home last night in the car with the kids and the car is the automatic signal that every child can please sing, yell or say "Mommy" over and over again! As I am driving and Kennedy is singing/drumming on the seat in front of her(making up something as I do not have the radio on)... Emerson is using her favorite way of communicating, which is screaming....And Macguire keeps saying "mommy, I 'm sorry my hands are dirty, mommy I'm sorry my hands are dirty" And I sat there thinking, how long can this go on if I do not say anything???So I drive and drive and 11 minutes later all is still loud (Kennedy is singing the same line over and over again for 11 minutes!!) so at the 11:30 breaking point I am seriously wondering why Jesus is not reappearing and saving me from sure commitment (insane that is)!!!! Haha!!! Every parent knows what I am talking about.
Also, I have to say, there is something weird about 8 year olds, they just act strange sometimes and you have to wonder what they are even thinking!! I remember my sister Molly having this same stage! (sorry Mol!) I was 18 and Kelly was 17 and we were like who is this alien child and why is she always doing something strange! If you have (or had) and 8 year old, then you do know what I am talking about! I guess I should end every sentence "you do know what I am talking about" I will be like Paul Harvey "and now for the rest of the story" Funny, I can remember my dad listening to that all the time!
Kennedy brought home a book from school that she made "all about me" and it was full of some interesting things that I didn't know about her! Like if she was granted 3 wishes what would they be 1. Another sister!!! (sorry, that would take an act of God)(or vasectomy reversal) and 2. A new dog ( of course I knew this one since Keegan has died) and 3. A horse So interesting! Also it says "what makes me sad" and she said when my brother hits me (which I do not get, if you have seen Macguire you would know that first of all he is not big enough to hurt anyone and secondly, he is sweet as can be and wouldn't hit) but then the next question was "when am I lonely" and she wrote when my brother is not with me. Awwww, very sweet.
okay enough kid chatter... If you have ever had an unsettled feeling in the pit of your stomach and have wondered just what that was about I would like to suggest something...You are not supposed to be completely settled in this world! At times I am wondering what am I doing her what is going on and why do I never quite feel fulfilled?? I have a great life, the best husband,wonderful kids and all is well, so why am I constantly unsettled?
"In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life - longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity. We're not completely happy here because we are not supposed to be!" After all what is the purpose of life on earth? Preparing for eternity.
So, I leave you with that today, oh yeah, I have changed my settings on this blog, so if you want to comment you can without being a member! Fire away! I love hearing from people!

I did it!!!

Yea for me!!! I actually "pruned" my life!
Yesterday, I told the lady at the aerobics place that I did not want to teach. She thought it was okay! I told her that she should blame my pastor, since he was the one who told me to do the pruning!
Today a lady asked me to coach another cheerleading class (my schedule is already Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-9:00 and Wednesday 3:30-5:00) and I said Really, I can't do that but thanks for asking me! This is hard for me to say at times, so I am very proud of myself.
This week has been crazy, I have been babysitting 2 extra kids, so my schedule has been hectic. A funny though... these kids cannot sing! I mean they are way off tune, and they sing exceptionally loud and most of the time they do not know the right words! Yesterday we were in the car and they wanted to listen to the Shrek CD and I thought sure why not. The singing was so bad!! And loud! So I took the cd out of the car last night and today they asked if they could listen to it and I said it wasn't in the car (the truth), so is that mean? I don't really think so!
My own children do not usually know the right words to sing, but they are mostly on tune! Macguire was singing "Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him in the morning, Praise Him in the evening..." and he was saying "Raisin, Raisin..." So funny!!! Today I watched an 8 year old learn how to roller skate...not a pretty sight! I coached 2 cheerleading squads, and based 2 liberties and 4 extension full-downs. Although I used to be a flier (30 lbs ago) I am now a solid base!!! But truly I am strong and it is kind of fun...except when the flier puts her foot down in her lib and her shoe is on my face! Or when I am backing a lib and I say cradle and the other bases choose not to catch and I am floored by the flier! Okay, too technical for some so I will say goodnight!

Too busy???

Today I heard an amazing message from our pastor (he is great, and several family members have been lucky enough to hear him) and it is about time! Time management, what are we doing with our time? What fills our claendars? If you are me, then you will say: kids (and this entails a lot!) husband, house hold, work hours outside of this home, friends/family and general upkeep, time in the gym, and time at church or related functions (bible studies etc...). So that is a long list and many many days things are left unchecked, not crossed off, and just plain ole not done!
What are the priorities?
What are the necessities?
Obviously, the kids have to have certain things: they need me to get them up in the morning, to dress them, to feed them, to get them to school, to help with homework, to feed them dinner, to prepare a bath, and to tuck into bed. And look at that list, basically a robot could do all those things, that doesn't include any "feeling" time, reading, talking, playing games. It also doesn't include soccer practice, or cheerleading practice or any other related activity. Now times that schedule by the number of children you have and I know you are busy like me!!! THAT IS ONLY THE CHILDREN!!! Husbands, and house, jobs and "my" time are all things that fit in when they can.
Anyway, since that just gets overwhelming and depressing I will move on...PRIORITIES>>>
I am a Christian, so I am committed to a relationship with God and spending time with Him. I am committed to serving Him, to saving at least one soul etc... So that will be my #1 priority
Then I committed to my husband (12 years ago) and that commitment was "until death do us part" so that is still valid for me and that is my next priority.
Then I committed to being a mother when Kennedy was born (and Macguire and Emerson) and you have to know that this is a HUGE commitment, as I have promised to do everything from giving birth to leading them to Christ to being a godly example to bringing up children who are pure to giving them in marriage one day and still I am a parent! They should do a "marriage" ceremony for children also, because it is "until death do us part!" I will never stop being their mother until one of us is in the grave, thank goodness Corey is also bound to these children! So this pretty much has to be my next priority!
After this, I would like to have friends/family/cultivation of relationships and well, since I am writing this, I will say that!!
The pastor said today, that everything else I choose to do should be hald to the question "Am I pleasing God by doing this?" "Does it interfere with any of my higher priorities?"
So okay, I have decided not to teach aerobics, I will still go to the gym, but I have decided not to make that commitment. Teaching takes time, it adds stress and it is not worth it to me.
Working is obviously something that some of us need to do, and I will continue with that, but with a new focus! I will be pleasing God, I will be searching for the soul I can lead. That way I can say that I have done what God wanted me to do!
It is hard to fit it all in, I want to "prune" my schedule and only let it include what benefits my God and my family!!