Our Fantastic Family Of Four Forever Believes

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family" Anthony Brandt

Thursday, July 31, 2008

HAVING A BLAST!

HEY EVERYONE! JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT WE ARE HAVING THE TIME OF OUR LIFE! IT IS SO PRETTY IN NEBRASKA! IT'S HOT, AND WE ARE ALL SUNBURNED! JERRY, AND I, AND THE KIDS HAVE DONE SO MUCH SO FAR, I BROUGHT MY SELF TO THE REALIZATION THAT I AM NOT GOING TO BLOG WHILE ON VACATION, BUT BOY, I HAVE A GOT SOME GREAT PICTURES SO FAR!! YOU WILL ALL HAVE TO WAIT!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

WE ARE IN THE PAPER!

HOW COOL!! OUACHITA STORMS MADE THE VICKSBURG POST! YOU CAN READ ALL ABOUT IT! HERE IS THE LINK!! WAY TO GO OUACHITA STORM!


http://www.vicksburgpost.com/articles/2008/07/27/sports/sports01.txt

TAKING SHELTER:COOLING OFF








I AM TELLING YOU, IT WAS SO HOT!! I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT OUR BOYS SUFFERING FROM A HEAT STROKE!! WE MOTHERS MADE SURE OUR BOYS HAD PLENTY TO DRINK!! WE ALSO MADE SURE THEY GOT PLENTY OF REST BETWEEN GAMES AND HELPED THEM COOL DOWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! BASEBALL IS FUN BUT CAN BE HOT!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

2008 GOVERNOR'S CUP BASEBALL: VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI

THIS WAS A WONDERFUL TOURNAMENT TO PLAY IN. WE WON BOTH OUR GAMES SATURDAY!! BUT, MAN, IT WAS SO HOT. TEMPERATURES WERE WAY OVER 100 DEGREES. WE CONTINUED TO PLAY ON SUNDAY, BUT LOST , SO WE PACKED UP, BUT WE LEFT WITH A GREAT SATISFACTION. WE TRIED OUR BEST!



























































































BASEBALL THE "ELLERMAN" WAY

ELLERMAN THROUGH AND THROUGH



WE ARE A TEAM



Friday, July 25, 2008

DADDYS HOME!!







JERRY IS FINALLY HOME, AND HE WAS SURE GLAD TO SEE HIS FAMILY! THE KIDS HAD MADE HIM WELCOME SIGNS AND WELCOMED HIM WITH HUGS,HUGS AND MORE HUGS!! WE ARE SO GLAD WHEN HE GETS TO COME HOME. EVERY TRIP GONE AND COMING BACK MAKES US REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT EACH ONE OF US DOES TO MAKE OUR FAMILY WHAT IT IS TODAY!! WELCOME HOME JERRY!

THINGS THAT I AM GOING TO DO ON VACATION

1. SLEEP,SLEEP, AND MORE SLEEP. I FINALLY WILL BE ABLE TO SLEEP WITHOUT HEARING THE DOORBELL RUNG REPEATABLY AT THE CRACK OF DAWN.

2. EAT IN PEACE: I AM GOING TO SIT DOWN AND ENJOY MY "WHOLE" MEAL WITHOUT GETTING UP TO REFILL GLASSES OF KOOL-AID, AND REPLENISHING "EMPTY" PLATES.

3. LEAVE DIRTY CLOTHES AS THEY LIE: I'M JUST GOING TO LET THEN PILE UP TILL NO CLOTHES ARE LEFT TO WEAR, THEN I WILL "CONTEMPLATE" WHETER IT SHOULD BE DONE NOW, OR WAIT TILL TOMORROW.

4. READ A "LONG" PAGED BOOK. I WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO READ A BOOK WITH MORE A 100 PAGES.

5. YOU ARE WHAT YOU LIVE IN: IF THE KIDS WANT TO LIVE IN A DIRTY PLACE, SO BE IT, IF YOU ARE "CONTENT" WITH THE MESS YOU MADE, AND CAN LIVE IN IT WITHOUT IT BEING UP TO USUAL STANDARDS, SO BE IT, WE ARE NOT AT HOME, SO THINGS SHOULDN'T BE LIKE THE SAME ROUTINE, NORMALLY THIS WOULD DRIVE ME INSANE, BUT WE HAVE TO LET GO SOMETIMES AND NOT BE UPTIGHT.

6. SWIM AND MORE SWIMMING TILL THE POOL CLOSES. I WILL BE AT THE POOL WITH DRINKS AND SNACKS, AND SUNSCREEN (OF COURSE) AND DO NOT PLAN TO OUT OF MY TANNING CHAIR TILL THE SUN GOES DOWN.

7. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I WILL ENJOY OUR FAMILY BEING ONE AGAIN, AND EXPERIENCE THE THINGS THAT WE DO TOGETHER. THIS IS A TIME THAT WE CAN ALL BE KIND AND LOVING TO ONE ANOTHER, GETTING TO DO DIFFERENT AMUSEMENT PARKS, RESTAURANTS, AND JUST BEING ABLE TO SIT ON THE COUCH TOGETHER AS A FAMILY. I WANT TO EXPERIENCE IT ALL. THIS IS CONTENTMENT TO ME!

AND.....
WHEN WE COME BACK HOME, THERE WILL A EVEN MORE CLOSENESS BETWEEN US THAN EVER BEFORE. WE ALL COME BACK WITH A SENSE OF CLOSENESS THAT ONLY COMES FROM JUST SPENDING QUALITY TIME TOGETHER!

WE ARE HEADING OFF ON AN ADVENTURE!!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

YOGA?



BAILEE ASKS ME TODAY WHAT SHE COULD DO TO MAKE MY DAY A LITTLE EASIER. SHE KNOWS THAT SOMETIMES LIFE'S LITTLE STRESSES GET TO ME, AND SOMETIMES SHE "SENSES" THAT I NEED A BREAK! MAYBE THAT IS THE LITTLE WOMAN COMING OUT IN HER. I WAS A LITTLE HUMORED AND CAUGHT OFF GUARD WHEN SHE TOLD ME THIS TODAY. SHE SAID, "MOMMY , I KNOW IT IS HARD FOR YOU WHEN ALL THESE KIDS COME TO OUR HOUSE. YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ALL GET PLENTY TO EAT AND DRINK, AND YOU WANT US TO HAVE FUN. MAYBE YOU JUST NEED A BREAK, YOU NEED TO RELAX. MOMMY, HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT YOGA? I THINK YOU NEED TO TRY IT." OH MY, THE THINGS THAT SHE COMES UP WITH. BUT, I SOON REALIZED THAT I NEED TO BE APPRECIATIVE OF HER THOUGHTFULNESS AND CONCERN FOR MY MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL BEING. ISN'T IT JUST LIKE A FEMALE TO WANT TO ENSURE THAT EACH ONE OF US GETS WHAT WE NEED. TAKING CARE OF MOMMY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS TAKING CARE OF THEM! SHE IS SUCH A LITTLE MOMMA!

VACATION TIME



THE TIME IS FINALLY HERE! NOW ITS TIME FOR US TO RELAX AND ENJOY SUMMER OUR WAY! I HAD BOUGHT THESE DUFFEL BAGS FOR OUR SUMMER TRIPS, AND ITS GOOD TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE FINALLY GOING TO BE USED! WE HAVE A LOT PLANNED FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. WE WILL GO TO VICKSBURG THIS WEEKEND TO PLAY BASEBALL. JERRY, CAIDEN, AND BAILEE WILL FIND SOME TO GO TO A FAMILY REUNION. THEN, WE ALL HEAD TO NEBRASKA. JERRY IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK, BUT HE FEELS SO MUCH MORE AT "HOME" WHEN WE ARE WITH THEM. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING TIME TOGETHER, AND FOR SOME GOOD OLD TIME RELAXATION!

ACCEPTANCE...



IS SOMETHING WE ALL WANT. IT FEELS GOOD TO BE WANTED AND WHEN SOMEONE LETS US "IN" IT BRINGS TO A WARMTH FEELING TO OUR SOULS. I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT CHILDREN RELIED ON ACCEPTANCE MORE THAN ADULTS, BUT MY PERCEPTION OF THIS IDEA WAS FOREVER CHANGED TONIGHT. AS ALWAYS, CAIDEN, BAILEE AND I SAT ON MY BED TALKING , WE DO THIS EVERY NIGHT BEFORE WE GO TO BED. WE TALK ABOUT THE DAY WE HAVE HAD,AND IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO SEE EACH ONES THOUGHTS OF THE DAY THEY HAD. I ALWAYS LET THE KNOW THAT I AM SORRY FOR THE THINGS THAT I HAVE PUT THEM THROUGH, THAT MOMMY WAS GOING THOUGH A BAD PHASE, AND THAT I WOULD DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO MAKE OUR FAMILY WHOLE AGAIN. CAIDEN, AS USUAL, AMAZES ME WITH THE ANALOGY HE USED TO DESCRIBE THE SITUATION. HE TOLD ME THIS" MOMMY, ITS KINDA LIKE BASEBALL, YOU STRIKE OUT SOMETIMES, BUT YOU KEEP TRYING, AND YOU GIVE IT ALL YOU CAN, AND YOU LEAVE KNOWING THAT YOU GAVE IT YOUR BEST, YOU MAKE MISTAKES, BUT YOU CAN HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO PROVE THAT YOU CAN DO IT." HE WAS GIVING ME "CONFIRMATION" THAT NO MATTER WHAT MISTAKES I MAKE, THEY WILL "ACCEPT" ME AS THEIR MOTHER. THEY HAVE REALIZED THE ERRORS OF MY WAYS, BUT THEY KNOW THAT MY "INTENTIONS" ARE ALWAYS OF THE BEST OF THEM, AND THEY FORGIVE ME FOR WHAT I HAVE DONE. WE SHOULD REALLY LOOK AT EVERYDAY SITUATION'S THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD. THEY ARE A LOT MORE CAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING SITUATIONS THAT WE GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR. MY CHILDREN HAVE ACCEPTED MY FAILURES AND THEY LOOK AT THEM NOW, AS GOD'S WAY OF GETTING RID OF THE BAD THINGS SO I WOULD BE ABLE TO LEAN MORE ON GOD THAN MYSELF. GOD WANTED TO GET RID OF THE OLD, AND BRING IN THE NEW. I NOW SEE THAT WE AS ADULTS NEED TO FEEL ACCEPTED BECAUSE IT PLEASES OUR SELF-INSECURITIES .ACCEPTANCE SOMEWHAT FILLS THAT LITTLE VOID OF BEING SINGLE OUT. WE FEEL THAT "BELONGING" GIVES US A SENSE OF SELF-SECURITY.CHILDREN LOOK TO THIS AS BEING WAY TOO COMPLICATED. CHILDREN JUST NEED ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR PARENTS: THAT THEY ARE LOVED AND WANTED, AND APPRECIATED. BAILEE OFTEN EXPRESSES HER SELF THROUGH DRAWINGS. SHE HAS AN EXPECTATIONAL IMAGINATION, AND SHE AMAZES ME WITH IMAGINES THAT SHE VISUALLY SEES THROUGH HER EYES AND HEART. SHE IS SO EXCITED ABOUT HER DADDY COMING HOME . SHE DREW THIS TONIGHT. HER PRECIOUS HEART FEELS OUR FAMILY WILL BE "WHOLE" AGAIN SOON.SHE GAVE ME "CONFIRMATION" TONIGHT THAT ACCEPTANCE" LIES WITHIN THE ABILITY TO FORGIVE, AND MOVE ON TO NEW POSSIBILITIES THAT WILL ONLY MAKE US MORE CLOSE AS A FAMILY. I SEE NOW THAT MY ACCEPTANCE LIES WITHIN MY FAMILIES THOUGHTS OF ME, NOT ANYONE ELSE. SHE SEES ALL POTENTIAL WE HAVE AS A WHOLE, WE ARE NOT ONE PERSON SEEKING LIFE'S ADVENTURES, BUT WE ARE 4 PEOPLE, ON 4 DIFFERENT JOURNEYS, BUT WE EXPERIENCE IT TOGETHER, HELPING EACH OTHER AS WE GO.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES



Caiden and Bailee love chocolate chip cookies. Bailee asked me if she could help me cook them. I must say that she was of great help!





1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cups granulated sugar

3/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 pkg. of semi-sweet chocolate chunks


PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees. Beat butter and sugars in a large bowl with an eletric mixer med. speed until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda, salt, mix well. Stir in chocolate chunks.



DROP teaspoons of dough, 2 inches apart onto a ungreased cookie sheet.



BAKE 10 min. or unti golden brown.



Jerry is craving some good old home cookin and can't wait to return home. Jerry, this should help you come home quicker!

WHO DOES SHE RESEMBLE??



JERRY HAS SHARED WITH HIS CO-WORKERS ABOUT OUR FAMILY BLOG. MANY OF THEM HAVE SEEN IT AND HAVE COME TO THINK OF IT AS A WONDERFUL THING. THEY THINK IT IS REALLY NEAT THAT HE CAN BY A CLICK OF A MOUSE, BE IN A "REALITY" OF OUR FAMILIES LIVES. ONE OF HIS BOSSES SAW A PICTURE OF BAILEE AND PROCEEDED TO TELL HIM THAT SHE LOOKED LIKE ME, BUT WHEN HE SHOWED HER A PICTURE OF BAILEE WITH GLASSES, HER PERCEPTION WAS CHANGED, SHE SOON REALIZED THAT BAILEE WAS A REPLICA OF HER DAD! WHAT DO YOU THINK??!!

WHY BLOGGING IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR FANTASTIC FAMILY OF FOUR



AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, JERRY IS GONE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. HE CANNOT ALWAYS BE WITH US IN PERSON, BUT HE IS ALWAYS WITH US IN SPIRIT. OUR FAMILY BLOG ALLOWS HIM TO SEE US IN OUR EVERYDAY LIFE. IT SHOWS HIM WHAT HIS FAMILY IS EXPERIENCING AND WHAT ARE DAILY LIFE CONSISTS OF. HE CAN SEE THE PROGRESS OF OUR FAMILY IS MAKING AND HE LOOK FORWARD TO THE UP KEEPING OF OUR FAMILY BLOG. I STARTED THIS BLOG IN THE HOPES THAT IT WOULD GIVE JERRY THE REASSURANCE THAT HIS FAMILY WAS "INTACTED" EVEN THOUGH HE WAS NOT HERE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS BLOG WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE HIM "REASSURANCE" THAT EVEN THOUGH HE IS NOT HERE, OUR FAMILY LIFE WILL CONTINUE ON TO BE AS "NORMAL" AS POSSIBLE. I LOVE YOU JERRY, FOR BEING OUR PROVIDER, OUR HERO, OUR ALL. THIS IS FOR YOU, KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS WITH US!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

CONFIRMATION....

HITS ME AS SOON AS I HIT MY PILLOW AT NIGHT. I SOON THINK ABOUT WHAT KIND OF MOTHER I HAVE BEEN TO MY CHILDREN, AND I KNOW WITH OUT A DOUBT THAT I WAS ALL I COULD BE TO THEM THAT DAY.GOD KNEW MY HEARTS DESIRE TO BE A PARENT LONG BEFORE I WAS BORN.HE HAS HAD ME IN CAREFUL THOUGHT, AND HAS BEEN PREPARING ME FOR THIS WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE AND JOURNEY THAT I WAS ABOUT TO PARTAKE OF.HE HAS BEEN RIGHT THERE PREPPING ME AND MOLDING ME TO BE THE TYPE OF PARENT THAT I SHOULD BE TO MY EXPECTATIONAL AND LOVING CHILDREN. MY PARENTING SKILLS AND ABILITIES ARE SOMEWHAT UNIQUE , AND I GIVE MY ALL TO MY CHILDREN. PARENTING IS A TOUGH JOB, THE TOUGHEST, AND I DO NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY. WHEN I WAS A YOUNG MOTHER, I OFTEN WAS GIVEN ADVICE BY MANY, AND I OFTEN ADHERED TO IT, BUT AS MY CHILDREN'S NEEDS AND INSIGHTS CHANGE, SO DO MY PARENTING EFFORTS.I OFTEN LOOKED AT OTHERS PARENTING EFFORTS, AND THOUGHT THAT THEY WERE DOING "IT" RIGHT, BUT I SOON REALIZED THAT THEIR EFFORTS WERE SELF-SEEKING, AND SOMETIMES DIDN'T BENEFIT THERE FAMILY AS A WHOLE. I WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE THE MISTAKE OF DOING THIS. WHAT WORKS FOR ONE FAMILY, DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK FOR THE OTHER .GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH FAMILY, AND THE EXPERIENCES WE HAVE MAKE EACH FAMILY WHO THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN LIFE.THE EXPERIENCES THAT MY CHILDREN HAVE, WHETHER IT BE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, ARE TRACED BACK TO JERRY AND I, AND HOW WE HANDLED CERTAIN SITUATIONS THAT WERE DEALT TO US ON A DAILY BASIS. PARENTING IS SOMETHING THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME AS A GIFT, HOW I UTILIZE THIS GIFT IS ULTIMATELY UP TO ME, GOD ALLOWS US TO MAKE CHOICES, BUT HE KNEW THAT I WOULD SEEK HIM IN THIS WONDERFUL JOURNEY OF PARENTHOOD.GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH MY CHILDREN, HE GAVE THEM TO ME FOR A REASON. HE KNEW WHAT PARENTING POTENTIAL I HAD, AND TRUSTED ME TO BE THEIR MOTHER. I LEAN NOT ON MY UNDERSTANDING, BUT I LOOK TO HIM FOR LEADERSHIP IN RAISING MY CHILDREN. MY CHILDREN ARE VERY SPECIAL AND UNIQUE CHILDREN, AND THEY REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION AND NEEDS. IT WOULD BE BORING IF MY CHILDREN WERE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. MY CHILDREN ARE GIFTED IN MANY WAYS AND AS A PARENT, I AM EXPECTED TO INSURE THAT THEY EXPAND OUR THEIR POTENTIAL AND THEIR GIFTS. I LOVE MY CHILDREN THE SAME, BUT THE WAY I SHOW LOVE IS IN DIFFERENT WAYS. BAILEE IS A VERY GIVING PERSON, AND GIVES MOST PEOPLE A BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, SHE OFTEN NEEDS "CONFIRMATION" THAT SHE IS APPRECIATED, AND THAT HER LOVE AND GOOD ACTS DO NOT GO UNNOTICED. SHE IS TRULY A PERSON OF GOOD NATURE AND TRUST IS OFTEN ACCOMPANIED MY FAITHFULNESS. SHE HAS STRONG OPTIONS ABOUT CERTAIN ISSUES AND EXPECTS YOU TO CONSIDER THEM GREATLY. SHE IS THE "OVERSEER" OF OUR FAMILY, SHE PROTECTS OUR FAMILY AGAINST CERTAIN THINGS THAT MIGHT HURT US. CAIDEN IS AN GIFTED CHILD IN THAT HIS INSIGHT INTO CERTAIN SITUATIONS CAUSES HIS HEART TO SOFTEN AND HE FORGIVES EASILY. HE OFTEN SEE PAST THE SIN OF SOMEONE DEAR TO HIM, AND LOVES THE POTENTIAL THAT PERSON HAS, AND HE SOMEWHAT HAS INSIGHT ON THAT PERSON THAT HAS HURT HIM. HIS COMPASSION FOR OTHERS IS IN HIGHEST REGARDS.BEFORE HE EVER REALIZES IT, ONE DAY THAT RELATIONSHIP WILL HAVE A PROFOUND AFFECT ON HIM WHEN HE LEAST EXPECTS IT. HIS OUTLOOK ON LIFE IS MOSTLY POSITIVE AND HE CONSIDERS ALL AVENUES OF LIFE. HIS ABILITY TO SEE "POTENTIAL" IN SITUATIONS THAT ARE DEALT TO HIM MAKES HIM A "MIGHTY CONQUEROR." CAIDEN EXCELS IN EVERYTHING HIS PURSUES. HE RESPECTS HIS GOD GIVEN TALENTS AND DOES NOT FLAUNT THEM . I THINK WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT CAIDEN IS HIS HUMBLENESS. HE IS NEVER PROUD, HE IS ONLY APPRECIATIVE, AND HE NEVER EXPECTS THINGS IN RETURN. HE IS ALWAYS THERE TO BE A FRIEND, WHEN A FRIEND IS NEEDED. ITS AMAZING TO ME HOW MY CHILDREN CAN BE LIKE THEIR PARENTS, BUT IN RETROSPECT, THEY ARE DEVELOPING INTO THEIR OWN SELVES, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS CARRY A PART OF JERRY AND I WITH THEM. THAT'S WHAT A FAMILY IS. WE ARE A PART OF EACH OTHER, AND OUR LITTLE QUIRKS AND PERSONALITIES SHINE SOMEWHAT THROUGH THEM, MAKING PARENTING SUCH A REWARDING JOB! JERRY AND I TRY SO HARD TO GET ON THEIR "LEVEL" WHEN IT COMES TO A SITUATION THAT IS HEAVY ON THEIR HEARTS. SOME PARENTS DO NOT TAKE THEN TIME TO SEE THINGS THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD, AND THEY OFTEN CAUSES A CHILD TO BE MISUNDERSTOOD, AND THAT OPENS THE DOOR TO A LOT OF ASSUMPTIONS, AND WORDS AND CONFLICTS LEFT UNSAID. WE ALWAYS TRY TO GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER, SO THEY CAN HAVE" CONFIRMATION." THEY CAN REST ASSURE THAT THEY ARE LOVED AND RESPECTED ON ALL LEVELS. THIS IS THEIR "CONFIRMATION." OUR FAMILY LIFE IS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT THAN MOST FAMILIES. JERRY'S JOB REQUIRES TO HIM TO TRAVEL QUITE A BIT. SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT OUR FAMILY "ARRANGEMENT" MIGHT BE DAMAGING TO OUR KID'S FUTURE AND MIGHT HAVE SOME NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THEIR ABILITIES TO FUNCTION AS "NORMAL" ADULTS. A LOT OF FAMILIES CANNOT WITHSTAND CERTAIN SITUATIONS AND OBSTACLES THAT OUR FAMILY IS DEALT WITH. BUT I BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART THAT GOD KNOWS THAT ONLY "SPECIAL" FAMILIES CAN HANDLE IT, WITH HIM GUIDING US. HE KNOWS THAT WE WILL ULTIMATELY LOOK TO HIM FOR GUIDE FOR OUR FAMILY, AND SOMEHOW HE WILL SHOW THAT THROUGH PERSEVERANCE, FAMILIES CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN ANY TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT. JERRY WORKS 12 HOUR DAYS SO OUR CHILDREN CAN HAVE THINGS THAT KIDS SHOULD HAVE. HE SACRIFICES A LOT FOR OUR FAMILY, EVEN THOUGH HIS IS NOT HERE, HE KNOWS THAT HIS EFFORTS ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR FAMILY. I AM THE ONE WHO ENSURES MY CHILDREN WILL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO HELP THEM GROW AND PROSPER LIKE GOD HAS INTENDED FOR THEM TO DO. I AM THE ONE THAT TUCKS THEM INTO BED AT NIGHT: I AM THE ONE THAT TELLS THEM THAT THEY WERE SUCCESSORS IN WHAT THEY HAD PURSUED THAT DAY. I AM THE ONE WHO SEE THEM ASLEEP AT NIGHT WITH THE LOOK OF "CONTENTEDNESS" ON THEIR FACE. THAT IS SURE "CONFIRMATION" THAT I WAS THE PARENT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO THEM THAT DAY AND FOR MANY MORE DAYS TO COME!

Monday, July 21, 2008

HANNAH MONTANA/MILEY CYRUS BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT IN 3-D



ONLY 5 MORE DAYS TO THE BIG HANNAH MONTANA 3-D MOVIE! BAILEE IS SOO EXCITED! BAILEE AND I ARE GOING TO WALMART TUESDAY TO GET OUR "FREE" 3-D GLASSES. THIS NIGHT WILL BE FILLED WITH SINGING, DANCING, EATING POPCORN, AND WELL, SEEING HANNAH MONTANA! THIS IS GOING TO BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. FOR MORE DETAILS, YOU CAN VISIT THIS WEBSITE:


Sunday, July 20, 2008

PIZZA PIGOUT/ SLEEPOVER

AS ALWAYS, MY CHILDREN ARE SURROUNDING BY THEIR FRIENDS, TODAY WAS NO DIFFERENT, AND I DECIDED TO LET CAIDEN HAVE A SLEEPOVER. BO IS CAIDEN'S BEST FRIEND AND THEY GET ALONG SO WELL. BO IS LIKE SON TO ME, AND HE IS FOREVER WELCOME AT MY HOUSE!! WE HAD A "PIZZA PIG OUT" AND MANY THINGS TO FOLLOW. THEY PLAYED BASEBALL, WATCHED BASEBALL, AND WATCHED MOVIES AND ATE PLENTY OF POPCORN! I ALSO LET THEM POP FIREWORKS THAT WERE LEFT OVER! I LOVE TO SEE MY CHILDREN HAPPY, AND THIS IS WHAT SUMMER TIME IS ALL ABOUT!





POPPING LEFT OVER FIREWORKS








EATING POPCORN AND ENJOYING "MOVIE" TIME!

























ROSEBLATT STADIUM: HOME OF THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES



AS MOST OF YOU ALL KNOW, JERRY'S JOB REQUIRES HIM TO TRAVEL QUITE A BIT. HE HAS JUST ABOUT BEEN ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE. YES, SOMETIMES IT TAKES A TOLL ON OUR FAMILY, BUT FOR THE MOST WE MANAGE JUST FINE. HIS JOB HAS OPENED UP THE DOORS TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND NEW EXPERIENCES. WE GET TO TRAVEL SOME WITH HIM AND WE GET TO SEE A WHOLE NEW SIDE TO DIFFERENT STATES. WHO NEEDS SUMMER VACATIONS, WE GET A VACATION EVERY TIME WE GO WITH JERRY! JERRY SPENT HIS DAY OFF DOING LAUNDRY, HAVING HIS CAR CLEANED AND WASHED. HE DECIDED TO TAKE A BREAK AND GO THE ROSEBLATT STADIUM.THE OMAHA ROYALS VS. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS. THE ROUND ROCKS ARE A TRIPLE A SEMI-PRO TEAM SET FROM THE HOUSTON ASTROS. JERRY HAD A GOOD TIME BUT HE WISHED THAT WE WERE THERE TO ENJOY IT WITH HIM! THIS IS A PICTURE HE TOOK FROM THE STADIUM. THIS STATUE WAS DONATED BY THE NCAA FOR HOSTING THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES. JERRY CAUGHT A FOUL BALL AND WAS ALMOST HIT FROM IT!! CAIDEN CANNOT WAIT TO GO TO NEBRASKA TO GET IT!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

MOM'S SUPPORT GROUP

I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW INSIGHTS AND ADVICE FROM OTHER MOTHERS. AS MOTHERS, WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT CERTAIN FAMILY ISSUES THAT ARE PLACED IN OUR FAMILIES LIVES. WE NEED TO KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE,AND THAT WE EXPERIENCE SOMEWHAT THE SAME EXPERIENCES ALIKE. I HAVE FOUND A 2ND HOME, WHERE I CAN EXPRESS MY THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS, AS WELL MOTHERLY ADVICE TO MOTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE ARE VERY CLOSE, AND RESPECT EACH OTHER'S OPINIONS. WE ARE HERE TO HELP IMPROVE OUR FAMILIES QUALITY OF LIFE SO THAT WE CAN BE THE BEST MOTHERS WE CAN BE. EACH OF THESE WOMEN HAVE ALLOWED NEW INSIGHTS OF PARENTING, AS WELL AS ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL. WE ONLY COMFORT ONE ANOTHER AND GIVE ADVICE WHEN WE ARE FACED WITH A CERTAIN SITUATION. WE ALLOW POSITIVE ATTITUDES AS WELL AS CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. WE SHARE OPINIONS ONLY TO HELP US IMPROVE ON OUR PARENTING ABILITIES. THESE MOTHERS HAVE SO HELP ME IN A LOT OF SITUATIONS I AM FACED WITH DAILY. I HAVE SEEMED MAKE AN REMARKABLE IMPRESSION AND MY POSTS THAT I HAVE POSTED SEEM TO BE ALIKE IN OTHER SITUATIONS THESE MOTHERS HAVE BEEN FACED WITH. I HAVE QUICKLY MOVED UP TO A REMARKABLE OPINIONATED MOTHER AND I JUST WANT OTHER MOTHERS TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED TO CAN SEE BY THIS WEBSITE. BELIEVE ME, THESE WOMEN UNDERSTAND YOU AND WILL HELP YOU FEEL CONFIDENT AS A PARENT!

SUMMER SOUNDS OF CHILDREN...

ARE SO COMFORTING AND EXCITING TO ME. I THINK IT IS BECAUSE IT TAKES ME BACK TO A TIME WHERE I WAS THEM ONCE. I LOVE TO WALK OUTSIDE AND HEAR KIDS LAUGHING AND PLAYING DOWN THE STREET. WHEN I HEAR THEM PLAYING AND INTERACTING, A HUGE SMILE IS PLACED ON MY FACE. I WAS A KID ONCE, AND WISH SOMETIMES I COULD RELIVE THOSE MOMENTS. MEMORIES OF MY CHILDHOOD RUSH THROUGH MY MIND, AND MY HEART IS QUICKLY HAPPY FOR BEING ABLE TO ACTUALLY BE A KID. TIMES ARE A CHANGING, AND SOMETIMES CHILDREN DO NOT GET TO REALLY BE A KID. THIS COULD BE ANYTHING FROM A SINGLE MOM RAISING HER KIDS ON HER OWN, THEREFORE SOME CHILDREN HAVE TO GROW UP MORE QUICKLY THAN OTHERS, AND THIS COULD HAVE A MAJOR PROFOUND AFFECT ON THEM LATTER IN LIFE. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT WE ALL NEED TO LET OUR KIDS BE KIDS, THERE IS PLENTY OF TIME FOR THEM TO GROW INTO THEIR OWN SELVES. AS PARENTS, WE ARE HERE TO ENSURE THEY LEAD NORMAL AND HEALTHY LIVES. IF CHILDREN DO NOT GET TO EXPERIENCE LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF BEING A CHILD, THAN IT COULD HAVE SOME MAJOR AFFECTS ON THEM IN ADULT YEARS. KIDS THESE DAYS ARE SOMEWHAT EXPECTED TO VEND AND THINK FOR THEMSELVES WAY TOO QUICKLY. WITH ADVANCES OF NEW TECHNOLOGY AND THE INTRODUCTION OF NON-FAMILY ORIENTED ISSUES, IT CAUSES OUR CHILDREN TO THINK THAT THEY ARE SOMEWHAT CAPABLE OF TAKING ON THE WORLD BY THEMSELVES. THIS IS ABSURD TO ME, FOR CHILDREN NEED TO BE CHILDREN, AND THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE DEALT WITH, WE AS PARENTS SHOULD LOOK INTO IT WITH A CHILD-LIKE PROSPECTIVE, AND KNOW THAT THEY ARE JUST CHILDREN. IT IS UP TO US TO MAKE SURE THEY LEAD A FULL AND MEANINGFUL LIFE. WE ARE THE EXAMPLES THEY LIVE BY, THEY ARE JUST BEING KIDS!




"HEAR, MY SON, AND RECEIVE MY SAYINGS, AND THE YEARS OF YOUR LIFE WILL BE MANY.


I HAVE TAUGHT YOU IN A WAY OF WISDOM; I HAVE LEAD YOU IN THE RIGHT PATHS.


WHEN YOU WALK, YOUR STEPS WILL NOT BE HINDERED,


AND WHEN YOU RUN, YOU WILL NOT STUMBLE.


TAKE FIRM HOLD OF INSTRUCTION, DO NOT LET GO;"


PROVERBS 4:10-13





WE ARE COMMANDED BY GOD TO TRAIN OUR CHILDREN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND SET THE RIGHT EXAMPLES FOR THEM






MY CHILDREN BEING CHILDREN, HOW REWARDING AS A PARENT TO BE ABLE TO SEE MY CHILDREN LIVING LIFE AS THEY SHOULD!

SUMMER READING



I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ANY DEAN KOONTZ BOOK. I HAVE JUST ABOUT EVERY BOOK HE HAS EVER WRITTEN. HE IS A VERY TALENTED AUTHOR, AND HE HAS A EXTRAORDINARY IMAGINATION! I LOVE BOOKS OF DRAMA AND POWERFUL ENDINGS THAT SEEM TO LEAVE ME WITH A PROFOUND AFFECT OF MY OUTLOOK ON LIFE. HE REALLY CHALLENGES HIS READERS TO LOOK ABOVE AND BEYOND NORMAL ASPECTS ON LIFE AND HE REALLY ALLOWS THE READER TO IMAGINE FOR THEMSELVES THE PREDICAMENTS WE ARE FACED WITH IN LIFE!






CAIDEN IS AN AVID READER AND HE ALWAYS FINDS TIME TO READ. HE HAS SO MANY ACTIVITIES GOING ON THIS SUMMER, BUT HE MANAGES HIS TIME AND DEVOTES ALL HE CAN TO EVERYTHING THAT HE PURSUES. CAIDEN HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE TO EXCEL, HE IS VERY COMPETITIVE, BUT IN A HEALTHY SENSE, AND HE WILL ALWAYS FIND TIME TO DO EVERYTHING HE SETS HIS MIND TOO. HE LOVES THIS BOOK. HE HAS ALREADY READ IT TWICE, AND HE NEVER SEEMS TO FIND IT REDUNDANT. HE HAS THE BOOK THAT FOLLOWS IN THIS SERIES, AND CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE TO COME OUT. THIS BOOK IS GREAT FOR A 10 YEAR OLD. THIS BOOK ALLOWS FOR A LOT OF IMAGINATIVE RESPONSE!




BAILEE IS PRETTY MUCH LIKE ANY OTHER 9 YEAR OLD GIRL, SHE LOVES HANNAH MONTANA! THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE MANY SERIES OF HER BOOKS. TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT BAILEE DOESN'T READ MUCH, BUT WHEN SHE "DECIDES" TO, THIS IS THE KIND OF BOOK THAT SHE LOVES!
SOMETIMES WE ALL NEED TO SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY INDIVIDUAL TIME. I AM ALWAYS FINDING THINGS TO DO AS A FAMILY, BUT TO ENSURE INDIVIDUAL HEALTHY GROWTH, WE MUST FIND TIME TO DEVOTE TO OUR OWN INTERESTS TO HELP US BECOME THE PERSON THAT WE ARE DESTINED TO BE!

MY INSIGHT FOR THE DAY!

GOD'S GUIDANCE FOR MY CHILDREN

"TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING;IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS." PROVERBS 3: 5,6