ISAIAH LOVES ENERGY

When Elijah was in first grade, his friend was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes actually his friend who I will call "P" was diagnosed just a month or two before Hubs.  Anywho......our two families have grown to love each other but when your boys' are on the same teams for two sports plus are in the same class at school you spend soooooo much time together and we just can't help it.  We are pretty lovable!  Why do I go off on things that have nothing to do with the current topic?

So......Mindy has to carry P's glucometer, snacks, juices and energy.  Yep you read that correctly she carries his energy in a bottle.  Actually they are glucose tablets but she affectionately named them "energy".  She hands energy out to the other kids when asked since basically they taste just like sugar.  Isaiah loves energy.  And as though he doesn't have enough of it, Mindy gives it to him at practices. 

The other day Isaiah comes in my room.  He plops up on my bed and starts kissing me. 

He says, "oh thank you Mommy for buying energy like Mindy!"

  I was a little lost until I saw the bottle of TUMS sitting on my dresser.  Tums......glucose tabs......well they look a little alike except the size, overall purpose and well taste but who cares he totally appreciated the gesture even if it wasn't really true!  I guess I will hide the TUMS now although I am sure after eating one he will realize it is not energy!

PHOTOSTORY FRIDAY: FALL FUN AND PAIN AT THE ZOO

Hosted by Cecily and Kelli   Last week the kids were out of school for three days.  Besides pumpkin painting....that's a whole other story.....we went to the zoo with my friend Tammy and her son John plus I also took Avani and Addison along. 
Am I crazy?

I believe so after this!

 Of course, I took plenty pictures of animals but I got some really good kid shots then I played on Picnik so that is what you are going to get!! 

 
 
 
 Except for this cute little guy....I didn't play with this picture but I like this picture because he kept checking me out through the corner of his eye as if to say, "Are you lookin' at me?"
 
 
 
 Our usual "Monkey see, monkey do!" picture at the zoo.  I don't know why I always take so many of these or why I love them so but I just do!
 Sweet little Addison!  I love this picture!  It appears that she is looking at something but I think she was getting bored since we stayed by the otters for awhile!  Then after I shot this she did......

What a beautiful two teeth smile!!I swear her eyes just light up!
 Then came the funniest part of the day.  The kids were looking through the children's petting zoo when Tammy and I said, "Oh kids look over here!  You will have to look really hard for this one!"  They looked, searched and pointed out non-existent animals when they asked what exactly they were looking for to which John reads the sign beside them, "It is a temporarily vacant!"  They didn't have a clue what that meant so they kept looking while Tammy & I snapped pictures and laughed!!

Then came the traumatic portion of the trip!  The zoo was full of bees.  By full I mean they were overtaking the place!  Everywhere you walked there were bees especially if you walked near a patch of flowers or a trash can.  They would just land on us like they were welcome.  This made me extrememly nervous since Avani is allergic and we forgot her epipen and by we I mean her mother!  I could see it now either her struggling to breath or a scene out of Pure Luck with Martin Short but only Avani's face swelling like a balloon.  I took lunches and sat down at a table without bees swarming around......or so I thought.  I get the kids all arranged then sit down to feed Addy when I hear screams.  Then Isaiah screamed like I don't think I've ever heard him scream.
 Picture this:  Isaiah screaming while Avani, John and Elijah scream and run in all different directions.  I am trying to figure out what just happened and Addison with the rest of the zoo guests look at us like we have totally lost our minds!  All of this while Tammy is inside buying food for her and John.
 I figure out a bee stung Isaiah on his ear!  Poor kid and those ears!  I try my best to calm and organize with absolutely NO luck!  Bees still swarming, kids still screaming, Isaiah wailing, Addy and the zoo guests are still looking at me like we've lost our minds.  At this point, I think I did!  I scream at the kids to get their food and go inside while grabbing a screaming Zay and trying to push Addy in the stroller. 
 Did anyone ask me if I needed help? 
 NO!Nope not one single heartless person!  Jerks!Let's see you be calm with 3 scared kids, 1 wailing in pain and 1 in a stroller still looking at us like we are nuts.....five count them FIVE KIDS and one me!  I was totally outnumbered and should really think of this BEFORE an outing!  I WILL REMEMBER THIS....SURE HOPE YOU HEARTLESS JERKS DON'T GET STUNG TOO BECAUSE I AM TAKING THE LAST TWO TABLES INDOORS!
 Finally once inside a worker asks me about the commotion and calls security and medical over to check on the bee sting boy!  He cried and cried and just when I thought he would be ok he would let out a scream then cry some more!  I seriously wondered if he would even let me put him down long enough to get to the car if needed.  Finally after 30-45 minutes, we coaxed him back outside with...."When a bee stings you, it dies.  All the other bees see this and will never sting you while you are here because they don't want to die too!"  Total crap but it worked!   "Please Lord, don't let him get stung again or I will never hear the end of it!"  Yep I prayed right after lying to my son!
 He wore a light jacket with a hood and let me tell you this.....that kid wore the hood the entire rest of our trip at the zoo and held it with his hands so NO bees could get in!  I didn't tell him they don't always sting ears and could very well just stink him in the face because remember "all the other bees aren't going to sting him"!  Just when I thought he was over it and would let go of the hood.....he would grab it again 2 seconds later....poor guy!  Still cute though....
 
 Don't you think so?If you don't, then don't answer!!
 Finally time for pics with the turtle....
 The boys were a little uncooperative but Avani my little model posed and posed..and of course I played around on Picnik again....
 They even have a "Go pink!" effect for Breast Cancer Awareness month! 
Cute!
We had a good time and the weather was absolutely PERFECT! 
Hosted by Cecily and Kelli

SISTERS DAY

Without the Internet, I didn't even know I missed Sisters Day.

The first Sunday in August in this case August 2nd was Sisters Day.

Well according to Hallmark it is August 7th BUT it is not! It is the the first Sunday of August but we are celebrating NOW I am now here to tell you about my sister's and would love to hear about yours!

I only have one biological sister and then two brothers; however, both brothers are married and their wives are also my sisters.

Lisa is my biological sister and one of my best friends. I can tell her anything and she won't judge. She is a beauty and I spent most of my childhood resenting her for that beauty that got her so much attention. She was always the favorite growing up and it irked me to say the least. We are six years apart and fought CONSTANTLY. It wasn't until we grew up that we ever got along. Funny how that works! I love to spend time with her and we can talk for forever. We can tell each other anything and cry on each other's shoulders. We joke that we don't have many friends but then say we are just picky!! It is not the quantity of friends you have but the quality. I know if I ever needed anything she would be there to help me any way she could and I for her!

Karen is my sister-in-law. Is it odd that I feel weird saying that since she is more like a sister to me? I am the youngest of four children and she is married to my second oldest brother. My brother and Karen started dating when I was six, I think, and have been together ever since. I joke that she has known me too long for us not to be close since she knows too much about me. I love her to death and again I can tell her anything. I also joke sometimes that she regrets calling me since I start talking to her then NEVER SHUT UP!! She's just too easy for me to talk to!! She is funny, dedicated, smart, witty and loving. She has home schooled all three of their girls which amazes me since I honestly believe that is something I just COULD. NOT. DO! In a few weeks, Curt and Karen will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and it is just odd to me that I can remember their wedding day like it was yesterday. I can remember the birth of all three of their girls and cherish all my memories of growing up spending tons of time with Karen and the girls. She is my sister in every sense of the word and I love her but I must add she STILL scares me a little when she drives!!

Carolee is married to my oldest brother Rob and they have two boys. It wasn't until the last year that we really had much of a relationship. In the past year, we've become close. I regret all the time I wasted not understanding all of her because of misunderstandings. I regret that it took this long for us to be sisters but I am glad the day finally came. I love her! I am there for her and ache for her as she goes through a tough time in her life. I have felt her pain well not her pain but that type of betrayal and it is not easy. In fact, it is one of the toughest to overcome as a person. Keep her and their family in your prayers!!

Melanie is my other sister. I have known Melanie for...........wow I don't even know!! She worked at the family business starting in.......1991.....I think? She is HI-LAR-I-OUS! She knows me better than most and likes me anyway. She is so much fun! We can be having a serious conversation and be crying then burst into laughter. We share everything....the good, the bad and the ugly. She is sarcastic (an important family trait), honest, dependable, funny, caring, devoted, funny, loving, sincere.....did I mention she is funny!! She is so much like my family that we just had to make her honorary family. How much of an honor that is......I am unsure!! ha! I love love love her to death! Her and her alter ego Megan!!

Most of my other friends are my sisters too! You know, the friends you have for life no matter how far apart you are, the amount of time between visits and the ones who are there NO matter what. I have many of those too but we are about to leave and I have to end this post so I will have to add them later!!

NOW it is your turn tell me about your sisters and link up so we all can share.....

I JUST LOVE BABIES!

My childhood friend Heather had her second son on Monday. Friday is my day off as I have mentioned many times but unlike all the other times I was happy this Friday. I planned to go over to her house so maybe her husband could run errands and she could rest while I held the baby and of course took countless pics. However, we ended up chatting the entire time. I am not sure why I expected any less since that is what happens when we are with each other. Maddox was born on Monday. He was 8lbs. and he is a mini version of his big brother Tucker. So cute and irrestible!

Can you tell I've been playing around with Picnik?!!

Isn't he a cutie!

Congrats Heather, Paul and Tucker!

DAVE AND BUSTER'S

Today after Elijah's basketball game we met our friends Tammy and Jessie and their son John at the new Dave and Buster's for lunch. The food was really good but I shocked to see that it was half the size of the one we visited while in Atlanta a year ago. I must say the food is great but pricey and they don't really have many things for the younger kids to do. I realize that it is supposed to cater more to the adult crowd but we visited anyway. My food was REALLY good! The boys had a good time but they always do when they are together!

He's lovin' life right about now!

Totally immersed!

Pure joy!

Total concentration! Can you see Elijah's tongue?

This the THE ONLY game Isaiah wanted to play!

He loves cars!

John and Elijah attempt to dance!

And my favorite pic of the outing:

At least he does NOT get his dancing abilities from his Daddy!

This is all from his Momma and her little twinkle toes!

A MAN FOR SHAN!

Last year when we took the boys to see the Harlem Globetrotters I found a man for my friend Shandolynne.

His name was Big Easy!

Perfect!

Shandolynne, this post is especially for you! A few weeks ago Martez and I went to see the Harlem Globetrotters with my parents and I wanted you to know that your man is still with the team! I thought he wasn't but he just switched his number....phew! He is number 52 now!

Pretty nice view huh Shan!

Girl look at him! Nice looking, tall, athletic, personality plus, good with kids, funny and then of course there is the whole "Big Easy" part!

Am I a good friend or what?!?!

Love you!

DO YOU REALLY NEED 6 WORDS?

This week I decided to do two of the options for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop Wednesday!

The second one I chose was #2 ~ Ask a loved one to use 6 descriptive words to describe you and report your findings. How well do they know you?

Scared to see what people really think and wondering if they will be completely honest! Let's see 1st I will give you the 6 words I would use to describe myself: generous, amazing, intelligent, hilarious, sarcastic and amazing and yes I know I said amazing twice!!! So now let's see what the others had to say.....dodododo.......

First I call Chaitra who says, "Why? Is this for some kind of application for something?"

Me ~ "No it is for my blog and be completely honest!"

Chai ~ "Ok dependable....um......let me think....umm....hold on, what is this for again!"

Me ~ "Ok you shouldn't need to think this long! It is for my blog! It's not like you are at number 5! You've only listed one!" (realizing I have now ruled out patient!)

Chai ~ "Sincere, HILARIOUS (see!), nurturing....."

Me ~ "Awww you are doing pretty good keep going and remember to be honest!"

Chai ~ "....be honest huh?!? Well you are nurturing towards all children but not so much with me!"

Me ~ "Shut up! I am nurturing! You are just easy to make fun of because I know too much about you! If you need nurturing, you are going to have to call your mom! Keep going!"

Chai ~ Laughing "See that wasn't nurturing AT ALL! Ok you are definitely bullheaded!"

Me ~ "Mmm...hmm..."

Chai ~ "Let's see I need one more.....hmmm.....friendly? I don't know!?"

Me ~ "I don't know as if I would call myself friendly. Do you have another one?"

Chai ~ "Ok maybe you aren't really friendly."

Me ~ "WHAT! I was joking!"

Chai ~ "Well you ARE friendly to people you know! Ok I'll say beautiful!"

Me ~ "That one is great and generic! Ok thanks!"

So Chai said dependable, sincere, hilarious, nurturing, bullheaded, friendly and beautiful!

So I call my mother! Now first of all my Mother loves me unconditionally and won't say anything bad about me TO me so this was more of an ego-booster for me rather than a quest for honest answers although it is honestly how she feels about me

My Mom ~ "Let me see...you are loving and caring. I think you are absolutely beautiful! How many is that?"

Me ~ "That's just three Mom. You are halfway there!"

My Mom ~ "Just three.....ugh.....um......you have charisma. You are so so funny! (ding ding)....and um motherly."

Me ~ "Ok thanks Mom good thing you aren't biased at all! Love you!"

My unbiased Mother thinks I am loving, caring, beautiful, charismatic, funny and motherly! Good going Mom!

Still wanting someone who will be honest I call my friend Shandolynne

Me ~ "I need six words you would use to describe me"

Shan ~ "Let me think.....................(Quin doing something in the back)..just a minute Quinlynne............uuuuummmmm...............let....me...think........uuummm......ugh six words ok.......

Me ~ "You shouldn't have to think that long!"

Shan ~ ".......um.......ugh........uh..ok....fun, intelligent (ding ding!), loving, nurturing (gee I got that one twice I must be really nurturing!), .............oh you are creative (Good one Shan!), and let's see supportive and it wouldn't have taken me so long if I wasn't concentrating so hard on something before you called!"

Good job Shandolynne! You are right I am fun, intelligent, loving, nurturing (except to Chai), creative and supportive!!

I think all in all everyone was a little mushy mushy and didn't want to say anything bad about me but hey I AM A OK WITH THAT!

There you have it folks I am:

dependable, sincere, hilarious, nurturing (except to Chai who needs to call her mom), bullheaded, friendly, beautiful, loving, caring, charismatic, funny, motherly, fun, intelligent, creative and supportive. I am not at all in the least ~ impatient, bossy, straight forward, demanding and I never ever procrastinate!!!

BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID!!!

FYI: During my Black Friday/Birthday shopping I bought a new printer/copier/scanner! Woohoo!! I am very excited and will be hooking the new baby up tomorrow evening. YOU, on the other hand, should be afraid, be very afraid!! I have millions of old pics that I will be scanning.....YOU know who you are right.....Jen, Shan, Cheryl (the only people I really know on blogger but hey I may need to pull out pics of all my myspace friends...dodododo).....oh the fun I will have searching through old pictures and scanning them for blackmail material...oops I mean blogging material!!! Just kidding girls, well a little!! I won't put up any really bad pictures b/c I know you also own pictures of me and scanners so I will be nice while I am having fun!! Now I can scan old baby pics of Elijah that aren't digital and you all can see just how much my boys look alike at certain ages...creepy! Can't wait!!

FALL FESTIVAL

So a little behind from last week...here we go with catch up!! Last Wed we went to the Fall Festival at the Darnell's church. Games, candy, hayride, a box maze that Elijah became obsessed with, bonfire, facepainting.....who could resist. Not us! Just another reason for me NOT to stay home and do my much needed housework! Gotta love it!

Parker as Indiana Jones

They had a clown doing some amazing face painting with so much to choose from and he chooses to be a vampire. We tried to talk him into the many cool designs she could do but he still want to be a vampire so.......

..here he is - my son as a "vampire hulk"!

Ready for the hayride

I was trying to take a pic of Zay on the hayride. He was a little unsure of the fun factor involved with the hayride. However half the picture is the man next to him with his "big dog" undies!! lol

Pretty Miss Ellie

Brian ~ yes he is crazy!

FUN AT THE FAIR

Last Sunday we went to the fair with Chai and Avani. Logan had spent the night so we took him with us too. The kids had a blast and well you guessed it I took a "few" pictures!!

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY AVERY!

Today was Avery's 6th Birthday party at Elijah's favorite place Incredible Pizza. Avery went to WEE Ministries together for 3 or 4 years and they are "bestest" friends. Elijah was the only friend Avery wanted at his party so it was just going to be our two families and his grandparents; however, Avery's mom had to stay home with his sister Alexis and Martez had to stay home with Isaiah b/c both Alexis and Isaiah were sick. They were going to cancel but Avery was upset so we went along for some fun. They always play really good together and have a blast.

Avery loves Star Wars and here he is with a new Star Wars toy and humming the theme song with Elijah doing sound effects! Boys?!?!?

Fun driving bumper cars

They finished off the party with bowling. It was Elijah's first time to bowl. He did really good. At the end he was behind by one then he got a strike and won! He was so excited!

Isaiah was happy to see Elijah come home! Isaiah was sick and he just crawled onto Elijah's lat and eventually fell asleep.

YET ANOTHER BRANSON TRIP WITH SHAN AND QUIN

We went on yet another Branson trip but this time we took Shandolynne and Quinlynne with us. We went to see the Dixie Stampede, shopped til we dropped at the outlets, had a pajama party, went to the Landings and played miniature golf. We had so much fun. Take a look: