so forth and so on

I'm at work and I'm actually pretty busy but I'm stuck in between things so I have a minute to blog.

Work is still work - it puts money in the account. I like my job most days - sometimes I hate that I can't run errands when I need to or that I can't sleep in... or that I never get to watch the Today show with Hoda and KLG :( But I like the people I work with/for and I like what I do.

Matthew and I have been meeting with a guy from our church who specializes in counseling. We went to him for some financial counseling but it turns out its been so much more than just money. I've enjoyed our weekly meetings. Sometimes its painful but I appreciate what God is doing through him and my wonderful husband. I've learned (or maybe admitted) a lot about myself - my character and I understand more. I've let go of a lot. I have to make a real effort every day (several times a day) to not let something affect me.... ie someone cutting me off on the road, a random fb post that I swear is directed at me or the look that someone gave me. Its been really freeing. I don't want to sound cheesy. I just appreciate the things that are happening inside of me.

I keep telling myself that I'm not responsible for other people's actions - just mine! so who cares how they behave towards me.

When someone gives you hell you gotta give them Jesus - P.C.
Before I just wanted to give them hell right back

haPPy BiRthDay deNiSE!!!

I wanted to wish Denise a very Happy Birthday!!!!

In the 8 years I've known her I've only seen her 2x but she's a dear sweet friend!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DENISE,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOOOOOOU!

My Birthday Surprise

I'm a control freak - there I said it! I have to always know whats going on - I don't like to be out of the loop.
This makes it hard to pull one over on me.
My hubby called Jamie in Atlanta and invited ourselves over for my b'day weekend. I had no idea until what was going on but finally the night before things were supposed to happen I made him tell me. I was having a slight panic attack b/c he was telling me that he was going to pack for me and that we were all going out of town. Well, Jeremiah was still recovering from surgery and the kids were suppose to start their new school on Monday - I didn't think we needed to be going anywhere! Once he told me where we were going I was too excited to sleep! Jamie had been living in Atlanta for 2 years and we've planned to visit several times but each time something would come up. So FINALLY we were going!!! We had a blast!!! We stayed up every night past midnight playing games or talking. She waited on my like I was at a bed and breakfast! We spent 3+ hours at IKEA. Our kids played great together (although i'm sure the Boemer Boys were glad to see those Brock Boys leave b/c they were ROWDY!) I can't wait to go back!!!!



Okay so the weekend AFTER my b'day - sorry I have no pics. I had a long day at work. I had to stay a little later than usual. I had a lot of stuff on my mind and I came in the door a little grumpy. I started unloading all my junk on my hubby - during this time Jessica was up to something. She was trying to get me into the bathroom but she failed.
Normally I come straight in the door, go the bathroom and start undressing - NOT on this day. You see, my dear friend Staci and Tiff were hiding in my shower!!! They finally gave up and came out of hiding. They were there to kidnap me!!! I had only a few minutes to pack and we were out the door. We had dinner at Joe's Italian where we met Jamie - but I didn't know she was there. I had no idea what was going on the entire weekend.... I was just told to get dressed and lets go! We spent the night at nearby hotel where Crystal joined up for some games. The next morning we went to the Galleria and eventually made our way to Aveeda Spa and Salon where my other friend Amy was to meet us. We had pedi's. Afterwards we ate lunch at Johnny Rocket's then off to Amy's for mexian train dominos. We ended up seeing a 9:50PM movie and coming back to my house afterwards... That was late Saturday night. Sunday we spent the day sleeping. I can't believe my friends pulled one over on me. I was so touched by all the effort they had put into making my birthday special. I love those girls!!!!

Gotta Get em OUT!

Jeremiah had his tonsils and adnoids out right before school started. We went in to see the ENT on Tuesday and on Thursday we were having surgery. I didn't want him to miss any school so I pushed for them to do it right away - I'd been telling them for 2 years that he needed to have them removed! He did really well afterwards. We were told to expect the worst but he was great! He never threw up. He came home and ate right away - well other than falling asleep while eating :) His worse days were probably day 4, 5 and 6 and only because he was healing and when he woke up in the mornings it would be really dry.



This was after taking the "sleepy" med and waiting for it to work. He came back from surgery and said "You can't take my tonsils!" He had no clue it was already over!

Sweet Sixteen

Jessica turned 16 on July 18th. We celebrated with Friends and Family at Full Moon BBQ.
Its hard to believe she's sixteen - She's a great kid!


Matt & Jessica

And she's taller than me!



Happy Birthday!!!


Jessica and Papa Wayne

4th of July

Yes I realize I'm a little late to be posting our 4th of July pictures....
Matthew was supposed to be working out of town for 3 weeks in Florida but he was able to come home early. We spent the weekend of the 4th at my Aunt & Uncle's house on Dauphin Island... Tara & Blaine joined us. We had a blast!!!

Jacob loved all the attention Aunt Tara gave him. Whatever he wanted to do she was right there doing it with him!

The boys loved this little boat! They were ready to paddle to Cuba! They were a lot of fun to watch.

Darcy and Jessica

Birthday Surprises and More

I promise to update you guys on all thats been going on but its not going to be today. I will say that all is well and the kids are doing well with adjusting to the new school.

Introducing Molly

I'll try and take some more later... but this is what i have for now. She weighted 7 lbs today at the vet. Her and Goose both got their shots. Molly is about 17 weeks old and the vet didn't say what kind of dog she is... we think some sort of wired hair terrier mix. What do you think?

Catching you up

Jeremiah had his tonsils taken out last Thursday and he's been great - last night and this morning were a little rough but nothing like what I was expecting. He hasn't had any problems eating or drinking... in fact just hours after home from the hospital he was eating Ramen Noodles. (I have a cute pic of him with his head down on the table taking a quick nap while eating). Matthew and I were both able to take off for his surgery but since then I've gone back to work and Matthew has been home with the kids. He's really been enjoying his time with them.

About a week or 2 ago some kid down the street gave our kids a puppy - nice right?!?! I was dead set that I was not getting any more animals! We're down to 3 cats, 9 fish and a dog! This little puppy wouldn't go home. Every day she was there. She never once tried to come inside but she greeted me every time I opened the door. She's a small thing - maybe a wired hair terrier mix or some sort of terrier. Now truth be known I'd always wanted a lap dog... one I could tote around and play dress up with. I had Oscar years ago and he was a great dog UNTIL we had Darcy - then he acted out and we eventually gave him to my parents - he's a different dog now :) Saturday night without warning I opened the back door, brought the door inside and gave her a bath. She's been my little buddy every since. The kids had already named her "Molly" so Molly it is. Yesterday I picked her up a collar, leash and some toys. Matthew took her to the vet this morning. She weights 7lbs and estimated to be about 17 weeks old. She's a feisty little thing - I don't think she realizes how little she is! She tried to take on a German Shepard at the vet.

The little kids are registered to start their new school next Monday. Jessica started last week. She drove herself to school in her new car (2006 Nissan Altima). She's a junior this year :( Volleyball has already started and she's ready to play! I love watching VB - its by far my favorite sport to watch. I just wished I could play it! HA! I go to most of their practices and help the coach (shag balls and whatever else I can do) - sometimes her and I play them - its fun to watch :)

Okay we'll I'm at work and I'd better get back - lunch is over! Oh and btw - I'm still loving my job!

Life

I've spent the last week with some friends who lost their 4 year old daughter in a drowning accident. It was a rough week. One that no parent should ever have to endure... but for whatever reason they had to walk through this.

Saturday was the funeral and most of their family and friends returned home yesterday. Our lives will all return to normal. I can't imagine what they're going through - I don't want to imagine. I laid next to Darcy the other night and watched her sleep. I've listened to these parents talk about their daughter - The pain is unbearable. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't forget them... that I'd stay in touch and be there as much as possible. To be honest, I hadn't seen them in several years. At one time we were really good friends. I was in their wedding. She practically lived at my parents house. But life takes over and you go in different directions. But they're gonna need people to call them and check on them. They're gonna need people to continue to pray. They're never going to "get over" this.

Reunited

Matthew was supposed to be working out of town for 3 weeks but they finished up early and came home after 1 week! It was out first time to be a part for more than a night or two. I missed him - the kids missed him. The weekend was pretty lonely but we made it.

We're leaving in a few hours for the beach. Tara and her son, Blaine are joining us. We used to take vacations with them all the time when Jessica was little. We don't get to see them as much as we would like. They came down for Jessica's b'day party last July. Tara and I did sips n strokes during the holidays but other than that we haven't seen them. We talk all the time and my kids call her Aunt Tara :) I'm really looking forward to our trip.

My desires

I've thought about how I'm gonna say this... I want to get it off my chest and I'm sure this will strike a nerve with people and maybe even offend someone. This post isn't directed at any one certain person - it covers a lot of people in my life.

I wish people cared more about others than themselves. I wish people weren't so lazy and actually tried to put forth more of an effort to stay connected with folks. I hate always being the one to reach out... I do it though, and again again I get my feelings hurt.

My kids are my everything. I love being around them and I know that they're a little rowdy at times but they're young. The get excited about things that you might have gotten excited about at their age. They love unconditionally. That part worries me - I wanna protect them. I know one day they're gonna see things differently and its gonna break their little hearts.

I title this post "My desires" but so far it doesn't really fit. Here's the desires part...

I hope that I always have a close relationship with my kids, their spouses and their children. I want my kids to always to stay close. I want their kids to grow up together. I want to be a part of everything that they allow me to be a part of. I want to have family traditions, sunday dinners with the whole fam, vacation memories, funny stories, lots of hugs (and not just from the kids) and so much more.

I want friends that last a lifetime. REAL friends - not fake facebook friends. Friends that call me and I call them. Friends that you can talk to after a rough day and they don't think you're having a pity party or try to one up you with their stories of what they had to go through once upon a time. Friends that can make time for a quick visit - not leaving you hanging. Friends that you can say anything to or in front of - no ones likes walking on eggshells. Friends that don't repeat my business or pass judgment on me.

Do you get what I'm saying? Relationships are important to me - I'm tired of being disappointed.

My wonderful Daughter, Jessica

I have a great kid! Some might say I'm a little hard on her and I may be. Back around Thanksgiving we were talking and I she said something I wasn't expecting to hear so soon in her life. She told me that she was going to be just like me when she was a mom. WHOA! Blow me away! She said she understood why I did what I did and that she appreciated it. Thats probably the biggest compliment I've ever received!

A while back I asked Jessica why her and one of her friends wasn't close anymore. She really didn't want to talk about it but she knows I don't let up :) So she eventually told me that the other girl was heading in a different direction. She said she wasn't living right and that she had tried to talk to her but the other girl mocked Jessica. I'm so proud of my child for taking a stand and for not falling to peer pressure. She said she'd still be nice to her and try to talk to her but they couldn't hang out anymore. Whoa... how mature is that!

Jessica has to do a lot around here. Maybe not anymore than you or I did as a teenager but kids these days don't have to do anything! She's such a great big sister! Her siblings LOVE her. Recently we've been talking about college and Darcy is the only one that sorta understands and she's not happy. She's trying to convince Jessica to live with us forever :) I can't believe in 2 years Jessica will be leaving for college. These are times that you really have to trust that you've done all you can do as a parent and you totally give you're child over to the Lord.

Thanksgiving 2008

Mommy, Jessica, Jeremiah, Darcy, Jacob and Daddy

Cades Cove in The Great Smokey Mountains

time to check in

I am officially taking a forced break from school. I wasn't able to pass one of my classes and cannot move forward until I retake (and pass) the course. I will retake the course in Jan. This puts me graduating May 2013 same at Jessica :) lol

I have the next 7 months off. I'm not sure what to do with myself. I have been going non stop since Jan 09. Its an adjustment. I'm looking forward to spending time with my family. I might even get a parttime job - who knows.

I might even blog more ;) lol

My Crafty Side :)

We cut down a bush/tree thingy from the back yard and I made this from it. Its my very first wreath - ta da! I just tired together some limbs! I could have kept adding and adding but I thought it might get too heavy. I'm pretty proud of myself :)

my panic attack

Yesterday on my way home from school (a very stressful and emotional day) I was riding with my windows down and my hair was blowing... It felt good after such a rough day. I glanced down for a brief second and there was a big brownish redish spider on my thigh crawling towards my body. Without thinking twice I had quickly pulled off the road and was jumping out of my car. I had knocked the spider off my leg in the process of pulling off. Once out of the car I couldn't find it. I wasn't getting back into my vehicle! I called Matthew and just as I'm in the middle of explaining what happened I see the stupid spider and SMASH IT! AHAHAHHAHA I was freaking out all the way home. I felt like spiders were crawling all over me! I hate spiders!!!

Jessica goes to Prom :)

It was a rough afternoon... I was stuck in Selma with a unresponsive, lethargic pt while Jessica was in Homewood with my mom getting her hair done. Due to the traffic Jessica arrived home almost 2 hours later than expected. She was supposed to leave our house with another couple at 5:20 but she didn't even make it home till after 6pm. She was extremely stressed out. There was a house full of people waiting for her here. She got herself together and looked amazing :)

Under the Big Top

We took our kids the circus this year. They had no idea where we were going and in the pic below we just told them... but they still didn't really know what was going on.


We got there earlier (2nd in line at the door kinda early) and our kids got to enjoy
the preshow.... and so did Matthew :)

Waiting....

Jacob and Jessica

Waiting was their least favorite part :(
And to be honest it didn't keep their attention much during the actual show.
We're not sure if it was b/c we did the 5 o'clock show with no naps.
They actually asked us several times if it was over yet! lol

A glimpse

My little folks are growing up... They're going to attend a public school next year. Darcy will be in 1st grade and the boy will be in K5. The boys turn 5 on April 3rd.

Darcy, Jacob and Jeremiah


We had a family reunion at my cousin's house... complete with a bom fire and my kids love it!



Me and Pawpaw Bill
(this was taken earlier in the day at the reunion)

Matthew and I celebrated V'day and his b'day by going to our favorite little place... Bernie's On Main in Columbiana.
We've been going to this place for all of our special occassions for years.