Cupcake disaster and blessing!

OK, so many of you know that my brother and his fiance are expecting their first child in a couple of weeks, so my brother asked me if I could fill in at Pizza Hut for Kyla while she is out with Kamdyn. Not a problem, I have worked a Pizza Hut many times and I will do anything to help Kelly so I said sure. Problem was it was Monday night and Alex was turning 4 on Tuesday and I needed to have Ninja Turtle cupcakes before one o'clock when we were going to RJ Gators for lunch, oh, and I had to work summer school the next morning. Not a problem, I don't sleep too well usually anyway, so I would make them when I got home from Pizza Hut, at 11:30! So I did it and they were cute and I finished them at 1:14am! ( I have the time on the picture) so the next morning I had them on the table to surprise Alex and he loved them! So before I left to go to work (at 7:15) I put foil over them and put a big note that said do not touch!!!!! Easy huh! Evidently not because I got home and got the kids ready and went to leave when I remembered to grab the cupcakes. Only when I looked for them I couldn't find them. No, they did not get eaten, they were underneath, yes I said UNDERNEATH the Pizza Box. Evidently the kids had decided to eat left over pizza for breakfast and put the box right on top of the cupcakes which totally ruined them for any kind of public consumption. So we left for RJ Gators and I had to call Tina in tears but she calmed me down and not only that but when I got to RJ Gators, our waitress Sherry, who I am embarrassed to say know us by name, asked what was wrong and so I had Tina tell her the story (because every time I said cupcake I cried) and God is Good because she just happen to have stopped and gotten cupcakes that morning to share with everyone at work to welcome her new puppy! So Sherry saved the day and once again I was reminded God is Good all the time and all the time God is good!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

For the past few years John has been asking me, more like begging me to let him play football. I really don't have a problem with him playing as far as injuries go, I just had it so easy with Soccer, (2 practices a week only lasting an hour and 1 game on Saturday morning) But this year was different, his friend's dad is the coach and his mom goes to each practice (and stays the whole time, She doesn't have a 4 and 2 year old though) so they asked if he could play and graciously offered to do the driving to and from practices so how could we say no. It has been one week today since he started practice and I must say he absolutely loves it. I love watching him get into his jersey and I love to see the way his little brothers look up to him in awe. Having 4 brothers I was around sports all my life, and I spent many years on the side of the football field. A little secret not too many people know about me is that I actually have a varsity letter for football from high school (it was for being statistician, but I still have it.) So anyway, to say I am excited is an understatement. I am ecstatic!!!! I remember Shawn West sent me an e-mail when I found out I was pregnant with Cass, my 3rd son, and she simply said that God must know that I am a good mom to boys. I have thought about that so many times and especially now that she is pregnant with her little boy. I do love my boys, I love every stinky little bone in their body. And I thank God that he knows how much I would love a little girl but keeps giving me my sweet boys! I will be sure and keep you posted on the outcome of the games as they begin. Don't forget to pray for my little man and all the others who are pouring their souls into a game we all love!

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Not to be redundant but this is the ORIGINAL Birthday blog that I did for my Alex yesterday morning and since it magically reappeared I decided not to let it go to waste. So once again Happy Birthday Alex we all love you!

Go Alex, It's your Birthday!

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So today is Alex's 4th Birthday and I have done everything in my power to make it special for him but it seems like I keep getting road blocks (and a few blessings but I will have to blog about that one later) Anyway! I wanted to re-post this slideshow for Alex (notice I said re) Enjoy our Angel and Have a Happy 4th Birthday Alex! We love you!

Birthday Boys!

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Tuesday, July 22nd, will be Alex's 4th Birthday! I almost cannot imagine it. Since Cass's Birthday is on Aug. 4th we went ahead and combined the party and had it at the Children's Museum! They had a blast!!!! They were so excited all week just thinking about it and I loved the fact that all I had to do was threaten to cancel the party and they would behave!!!! I made a slide show of the great event! I am getting addicted to smilebox, which would be great if my addiction of smilebox would take over my addiction of chocolate unfortunately I just do smilebox and eat chocolate!!!! Not a good thing. Anyway, we all had a great time! I am sitting here now in the midst of gift bags (I love birthdays so I can stock up on them!) and Aunt Bebe's LOUD guitar ( I am not sure what I did to her but she is definitely making up for it with this gift!) and I am realizing how truly blessed I am. I have great friends and family that gave up 2 hours of their lives to come and show my children that they are loved! It is such a simple thing but I appreciate it so much! I love birthday parties, such a great time to look back on the past and look ahead to the future. Alex will be in K-4 this year and Cass in the 2 year old class. Alex is moving up to children's church (no more nursery), and Cass is moving out of the baby nursery into the "Big Kid" nursery! Where does the time go. I used to ask my mom if she got sad watching us grow up knowing that we would never be babies or toddlers or teens again, and her response was "I had six kids, I didn't even notice!!" But I know she did notice and she would tell me all the time to enjoy my kids, and I definitely do enjoy my kids! Thanks for reading and letting me go on and on and Have a "JOY"ful Day! Happy Birthday Alex and Cass!

Fun in the sun!

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Last week we went to a friends house to let the kids play on the waterslide and they had an absolute blast! Jackie is a friend of mine from high school who teaches in Avon Park and now we have kids the same age! It is so neat for me to be able to be with people from my past. It was so nice to catch up and to see her mom (who went to school with my mom so she has lots of stories) The kids had a blast and the parents had a blast! Thanks Jackie, Ian and Owen for inviting us over!

A true Hollywood Wedding!

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Today one of my best friend's (Tina) neices got married. I have known Amanda for quite a while and I was so blessed to be able to be a part of her special day. Tina's sons were in the wedding so a few of the pictures are from before the wedding and some are of the reception. We had a great time. The boys danced, as usual. (Daddy was the DJ) So enjoy the pictures and remember to say a prayer for the bride and groom that God will bless them in all they do. Have a "JOY"ful day!

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This past week John and 2 of his friends, Kendall and Cole, attended Music camp at 1st Baptist Church in Sebring. They had the chance to learn different instruments and practice their singing as well as learn a play which they performed for family and friends tonight. The Play was Called Good Kings come in small packages, it was about King Amon and King Josiah. John was King Amon, and Kendall was Elizabeth, who was the palace cook. (Cole was too shy for a speaking part but says next year he will definitely try for one.) The play was absolutely adorable and the kids were amazing. To think they could put it all together in a week was amazing. I love to see little kids who are totally in love with GOD! I pray that the love they have now will continue to grow and they will never forget what our God is capable of. Have a "JOY"ful Day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

When I first began putting together this slide show it was still yesterday, and yesterday was the 7 month anniversary of my mom going to Heaven. I always feel like I need to recognize the 9th of the month in some way even if it is just mentioning it to one of my friends. Last month on the 9th I was on vacation with my sister and we actually talked in depth about the day it happened, and about how weird it was that one minute it seems like mom is still here and the next it feels like she has been gone forever. I hope you enjoy the slideshow. ( I am still learning) I personally feel as though it goes too fast but I couldn't change it. (I am sure someone with greater expertise could change it but I cannot.) And by the way, while I have your attention may I please inform you that July 9th is also Lance's Birthday! He is 37 today! (We are only 11 months apart so for 1 month every year we are the same age!) Cool Huh! My Grandpa used to joke with my mom about having a private room at the hospital!!!!! So anyway, Happy Birthday Uncle Boop and I pray that God will Bless you greatly this year! Have a "JOY"ful Day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I know I already posted some of these but I couldn't sleep and I was excited about messing with smilebox! Enjoy!

Taylor's Birthday, part 2!

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After much anticipation the Birthday princess finally arrived in Sebring. I know I wasn't with her on her real Birthday but we certainally made up for it. I was so inspired by seeing her that I created my 1st slideshow in honor of her Birthday. Todd informed us today that he was just going to block out the week of Taylor's Birthday as a national holiday! Enjoy the slideshow and Have a "JOY"ful day!

Aunt Kyla's Rock!

Wanted to post a picture of the news of the week in our family. My youngest brother Kelly gave his girlfriend a ring yesterday and we are all proud of the job he did. No date as far as I know but at least we have made it this far. Kelly and Kyla are getting ready to welcome a new son to the family in August, they are naming him Kamdyn Todd. We are so excited for all the good things happening in their lives. We love you Uncle Kelly and Aunt Kyla!

Red, white, blue and Fun! Happy 4th of July!

Cass at the end of the day! What an angel!

Wearing glow necklaces we found in Nana's Freezer! The same picture with the lights off!
Cass with his Sparkler!
The gang during the firework display!
Alex decorating our "Star Cake"


Cass enjoying the "Star Cake"
Eating red, white, and blue popsicles!
John's plate of food! Yummy!

Cass in the pool! (Thanks Christine)

Alex in the other pool!
Cass eating corn on the cob for the first time. (John sneaking in the picture just for the fun of it!)
Sissy and Alex!

For the past several years we have gone to Naples to spend the 4th of July with Paula, Todd and the kids but this year it didn't work out so we ended up staying home and having a party of our own. It started out yesterday when daddy put up the pool to get it ready for today. Aunt Paula and Uncle Todd have a beautiful pool with an attached hot tub but my kids didn't care, they thought they were at Aquatica in our own back yard. Isn't it amazing that so many times we think that bigger is better but kids don't really care. So daddy put up a pool and Ms. Christine bought Alex and Cass a pool with a slide for their birthdays (which are coming up) so I put that one up and we had a pool fest in the back yard. Charlie and Madison came over this morning to swim and they brought yummy donuts (Thanks Trish). The kids had so much fun swimming and sliding. After they went home it was time for mommy to get in the pool with the boys! The water was freezing but I endured and had a great time. (I am so amazed with my wonderful children. They are such a reflection of God' amazing love.) When I was finally worn out we got out and had some lunch and it didn't take long for the little boys to fall asleep. So now we were on to planning for round 2. Sissy came over so while the little boys slept, she and John played in the pool, and I got to go to Wal-Mart for the 2nd time in a week all alone. By the time I got back and got in a little nap of my own everyone was awake and ready to swim again. The kids swam and daddy and mommy got busy with the Grilling! Typical 4th of July Fare, Hamburgers, Hot dogs, Mac & cheese and Corn on the Cob! After clean up they were ready to go outside and do our traditional $20 firework extravaganza!!! We always have plenty of sparklers and this year Cass even got in on the fun. We even got the annual serenade of The Star Spangled Banner sung by daddy while he holds up a sparkler! ( I am so sorry I didn't get a video so that you all could enjoy the Solo!) We drove around the lake to take Sissy home thinking we could watch the fireworks but they were so late we were almost home by the time they started. We finished watching them in our front yard (My house is close to the lake and my mom actually used to sit in the recliner in the living room and watch them out the window!) Cass is sleeping and the other boys are headed that way quickly! What a great Day! I missed being in Naples but I will see them on Sunday! Oh, I almost forgot, while we were eating dinner Aunt Kyla called,and truthfully I almost didn't answer because Aunt Kyla calls a lot, but I am so glad I did, she was calling to tell me that she got an engagement ring today from Uncle Kelly! Way to go Kelly! I am so happy for them.

The Turtles have arrived!

Every week we seem to get into a different Super Hero and this week happend to be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! I thought they looked adorable so I decided to share them with you.

A day to tame the Mane!

Today we headed to Cut-n-up Salon to see Mrs. Lisa for haircuts. I can't stand the thought of cutting off beautiful curls but sometimes you got to tame them. Nana used to love their hair and she never wanted it cut so that is another reason why I tend to let it grow. Anyway, here are some pictures of the before, while we were eating at Dee's, and after at the salon.

Girls can do anything, especially TAYLOR!

I am sitting here remembering this night, 6 years ago, and I am amazed that it has been that long. Tomorrow is Taylor's 6th Birthday and I was trying to think of the words to put to express how much "JOY" she brings into our lives. For those of you who don't know, Taylor is the only Niece that I have. I have plenty of nephews, and 3 sons, but Taylor Drew is my princess! I was in the delivery room when she was born (along with about 14 others) but I had the place of distinction ( I was by Paula's head cheering her on, I wanted to make sure she heard every word I said, not to mention I did NOT want to see any blood!) So there I was after about 30-40 hours of little to no sleep and I am not sure who cried more, Paula or me! (Probably me because that's just my nature) I remember passing her around to everyone ( Nana was 1st in line but I believe grammy won out) but I was in no hurry because I knew that after everyone was gone I would get all the time I needed with my girl. (After all, it was summer, and I am a teacher.) So I did stay in Naples for a couple of weeks and every morning I would get up with my Taylor Bug and give her a bottle, (and give her mommy a break, because we all know how Paula loves to sleep) then I would bathe her and dress her (She had a custom built closet full of clothes and she was so little nothing fit) But not to worry, she was a princess and I made sure she looked like one everyday. (And thanks to Paula's love for shopping and Todd's bank acct. she has managed to continue to look like a princess daily) So in honor of the Princess's 6th Birthday I thought I would do a list of the top 10 reasons I love my Tay Tay! 1. I love her because she is Nana's girl! Nana loves all her grandsons but we always knew who had her heart. (Nana spent many hours in prayer trying to get that GIRL!) 2. I love her because she thinks I am cool and would rather ride in my Freestyle than in her mom's Lincoln MKX?!? 3. I love her because she always lets me do her hair (and now that she is older she actually keeps the bows in instead of running to daddy so he could take them out) 4. I love her because honestly she is just like her Nana, a little bit tacky! (She would proudly wear anything that her Nana made her and would think she looked just as good as if she were wearing Gymboree.) 5. I love her because she is always up for a cinnamon pretzel and a diet coke. 6. I love her because she gives me a reason to shop in the girls section. (and to buy Vera Bradley purses!) 7. I love her because she is a great cousin to all my boys! (and a great helper also) 8. I love her because she has loved John John since day one! (Ever since the day we snuck him into her hospital room she has thought he was wonderful, and he thinks the same of her.) 9. I love her because she loves a road trip and lord knows we have been on many! 10. I love her because she is convinced that the 4th of July Fireworks are something that we, her family, have arranged for her Birthday every year! Happy 6th Birthday Tay Tay! We all love you. (but especially me!) Love, Aunt Dree