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:

http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/hannahmontana/index.html

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!

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!

http://www.themomblogs.com/

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

EO TRAVEL BASEBALL UPDATE

DUE TO FAMILIES GOING ON SUMMER VACATION, OUR GAMES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED FOR THIS WEEKEND. TRAVEL BASEBALL IS A HUGE COMMITMENT ON EACH MEMBER OF THE TEAM, AND IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES FOR OTHER COMMITMENTS TO BE SET ASIDE. WE TRY OUR BEST TO MAINTAIN A "HEALTHY" BALANCE FOR OUR FAMILIES SAKES. BUT AS ANYTHING IN LIFE, WE MUST CHOOSE AND PICK OUR BATTLES. PLAYING SPORTS IN A FUN AND HEALTHY THING TO DO! WE ARE SCHEDULED TO PLAY NEXT WEEK IN VICKSBURG. WILL LET YOU KNOW AS THE NEXT WEEKEND APPROACHES!

PROTECTING MY CHILDREN: CAIDEN'S DOG ATTACK

CAIDEN WAS PLAYING WITH HIS FRIENDS SATURDAY. AS ALWAYS, THEY KNOCKED ON THE DOOR, AND ASKED IF CAIDEN COULD PLAY. I ALWAYS SCOPE OUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD BEFORE I LET HIM WALK DOWN THE STREET. I DID THIS SATURDAY, JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY. I SAW SO IMMEDIATE DANGER, AND TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS OK. I MADE SURE HE HAD HIS CELLPHONE WITH HIM, JUST IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. AS A MOTHER,I WORRY ABOUT MY CHILDREN WHEN THEY "LEAVE" ME. THIS COULD BE ANYWHERE FROM A TRIP ACROSS TOWN DOWN TO JUST BEING RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. AS SOON AS I SEE THEM WALK OUT THE DOOR, MY SENSE OF "WORRYING" KICKS IN. THIS IS JUST "MOTHERLY" INSTINCT. MY MOTHER TELLS ME OFTEN THAT IT NEVER LEAVES YOU, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE GROWN AND ON THERE OWN JOURNEY OF LIFE. SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, AS SHE OFTEN IS( I AM SEEING THIS MORE NOW AS I GET OLDER) CELLPHONES ARE A MUST IN OUR FAMILY, FOR WE FEEL THAT WE MUST ALWAYS HAVE A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES. I KNOW THAT THIS IS OF EACH FAMILIES DECISION. DEPENDING ON A CHILD'S AGE, ETC. BUT JERRY AND I FEEL THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF "KEEPING" UP WITH THEM. HE ALWAYS CALLS ME TO UPDATE ME ON THE WHERE ABOUTS OF HIM AND HIS FRIENDS. HE CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT HE WAS ON HIS WAY HOME. I HEARD HIM THE DOOR, TAKING OF HIS SHOES. CAIDEN HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONSIDERATE IN THAT WAY. HE KNOWS THAT I HAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF AND HE FEELS THAT TAKING HIS SHOES OFF BY THE DOOR SHOWS A SIGN OF RESPECT FOR ME!! WHEN I WENT TO THE DOOR TO GREET HIM, I NOTICED HEAVY SWEATING AND BREATHING. HE WAS FIGHTING FOR BREATH. I PANICKED. I RUSHED TO GET HIS INHALER AND PROCEEDED TO ASK HIM WHAT HAPPENED. HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS ATTACKED MY A WHITE DOG. I STARTED TO LOSE IT, BUT I KNEW THAT I HAD TO BE STRONG FOR HIM, HE NEEDED ME TO BE HIS MOTHER. AFTER I GAVE HIM A PUFF OF HIS INHALER, I MADE SURE THAT HE WAS NOT HURT BEYOND MY EFFORTS. I NEEDED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DID NOT NEED EMERGENCY HELP. I CHECKED HIS WOUNDS AND CAME THE REALIZATION THAT I COULD PRETTY MUCH TAKE CARE OF IT MYSELF. THE NEXT STEP WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DOG THAT BIT HIM WAS VACCINATED. I DROVE OVER TO THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE AND WAS PRETTY MUCH IN "MOMMY" MODE FROM THERE,I PROCESSED TO DRIVE OVER THERE AND BLOW MY HORN FROM THE DRIVEWAY, I WAS NOT ABOUT TO GET OUT AND BE "ATTACKED" MYSELF. I TOLD THE WOMAN THAT HER VICIOUS DOG HAD ATTACKED MY CHILD FOR NO REASON. HE WAS JUST WALKING HOME FROM HIS FRIENDS HOUSE AND THE DOG CAME OUT OF NO WHERE. I DEMANDED AN EXPLANATION FOR THERE CARELESSNESS. SHE PROCESSED TO TELL ME THAT HER HUSBAND LET THEM A LOOSE FROM THEIR LEASH TO USE THE RESTROOM. BUT I THEN TOLD HER WHERE WAS HE AT WHEN HE LET THEM LOOSE, APPARENTLY HE WAS NOT HERE SUPERVISING BECAUSE THEY RAN WILD AND BIT MY CHILD. I SHOWED HER WHERE THE DOG HAD BIT HIM, AND I WAS VERY VERY UPSET. I PROCEEDED TO TELL HER THAT I WAS CALLING THE COPS. SOON AFTER THE COPS ARRIVED, I BEGAN TO TELL THEM THE STORY. CAIDEN WAS VERY CALM(THANK GOD) AND TOLD THEM EVERYTHING THAT HAD HAPPENED. I AM SO PROUD OF HIM FOR BEING SO BRAVE, HE PROVED TO ME THAT NIGHT THAT HE WAS A HERO. THE POLICEMAN TOOK OUR STATEMENTS AND THEN WENT TO THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE FOR THE ACTIONS THAT WERE ABOUT TO BE TAKEN. I FILED A COMPLIANT, AND THESE DOS WERE TO BE OBSERVED OVER A PERIOD OF 72 HOURS, AND THE HUMANE SOCIETY WAS TO AUTHORIZED TO TAKE THESE DOGS INTO CUSTODY. AS A PARENT, I AM ALWAYS SEEKING WAYS TO PROTECT MY CHILDREN, I I KNEW THAT FROM THIS POINT ON, I WOULD DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO PROTECT MY CHILDREN'S WELL BEING. I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND EXPLAINING THE DETAILS OF THIS HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. CAIDEN HAS MANY SCARS FROM THIS EXPERIENCE. YES , A LOT OF THEM ARE PHYSICAL, BUT THEY ARE EMOTIONAL SCARS AS WELL. HE IS VERY SCARED TO WALK DOWN OUR STREET DUE TO THE UNLEASHING OF ANIMALS. THIS IS A LAW MANDATED BY STATE THAT ALL ANIMALS SHOULD BE ON A LEASH. I HAVE NOW REALIZED THAT MANY DOG OWNERS ARE NOT IN AGREEMENT AND DO WHAT EVER THEY FEEL. I FEEL THAT THIS EXPERIENCE HAS OPENED THE DOOR FOR ME TO REALLY FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHT AS INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO WALK IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AS WE WISH, AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING ATTACKED. MY CHILDREN SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLORE ALL AVENUES OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT BEING ATTACKED FOR NO REASON. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING OUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVES ON THESE LAWS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE BEING ENFORCED. I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN, BECAUSE A CHILD SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE SACRED LIKE CAIDEN IS. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING OUT WAYS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM UNNECESSARY ATTACKS. BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT, I AM HERE TO PROTECT MY CHILDREN, AND WILL DO THIS TILL THE DAY I DIE. PLEASE HELP ME DO THIS BY CONTACTING STATE OFFICIALS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES. I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW THE STATE LEGISLATORS DO ABOUT THIS.

BELATED 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, SEEMS TO BE IN MY VOCABULARY A LOT THESE DAYS!THE FACT THEY WE WERE DOING TRAVELING BASEBALL THIS 4TH OF JULY, THE KIDS REALLY DIDN'T GET THE "FIREWORKS" EXPERIENCE THAT THEY ALWAYS GET. I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD MAKE IT UP TO THEM, AND WHEN WE DID POP FIREWORKS, IT WOULD BE ONE TO REMEMBER! SO, AS LONG AS YOU EXPERIENCE IT, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHEN YOU DO IT!

THE "MAIN" ATTRACTION!

A TABLE OF FOUR

As a mother, i am always looking for new and exciting things to have for my children to do. Summer is a great time to discover and "conquer" all avenues of playtime. Sometimes, it

is good to stimulate their minds, maybe to broaden their learning ability's, and then maybe they won't be so out-of-sink when school starts back! I love looking through magazines and finding fun ideas like this one. Caiden friends came over to play baseball, but i "talked" them into trying this out! They had some trouble at first, but once they got the hang of it, it was truly a fun thing for them! The idea of this experiment was to see how well they could use muscles when stretched to the limits. But it as mainly about trust. How well do you trust one another. This was a team effort, they had to put all trust in everyone, well, because if one fell, they all fell!! So, in a way, this was kinda like baseball, you work as a team, there is no "I" in it. You have to be as "one"

You can find more fun activities like this at:

http://www.familyfun.com/

SWIMMING AT KAY KAY'S HOUSE

AFTER WE LEFT THE POND, I TOOK CAIDEN AND BAILEE'S FRIENDS TO THIER KAY KAY'S POOL.THEY ALWAYS HAVE SO MUCH FUN THERE. IT'S KIND OF LIKE TOYS-R-US, IT'S WHERE A KID CAN BE A KID!!

the girls! havin fun!

taken it easy

s

Shower time girls!

GOTTA LOVE THANKFUL KIDS! THESE KIDS ARE THE GREATEST!

SUMMER SWIMMING IN THE POND

CAIDEN AND HIS FRIENDS HAVE FOUND A NEW PLACE TO "HANG OUT" THIS SUMMER: THE POND. THEY DISCOVERED THIS POND ON ONE OF THERE MANY ADVENTUROUS JOURNEYS THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY ALWAYS LOVE TO RIDE BIKES LOOKING FOR UNDISCOVERED TERRITORY, AND WHEN THEY DO FIND IT, THEY CLAIM IT AS THEIR OWN. THIS IS THEIR SECRET PLACE. WHERE THEY CAN REALLY BE THEIR SELF, AND KNOW ONE CAN TELL THEM OTHERWISE. THIS POND WILL HOLD CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN FRIENDS, AND THESE CONVERSATIONS WILL BE KEPT THERE, FOR THIS PLACE IS OF THEIR OWN. I AM AMAZED AT THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT BOYS HAVE. THEY LOVE TO HAVE FUN, DISCUSS THEIR INTERESTS AND THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS. THESE BOYS "ACT" TOUGH WHEN THEY ARE TOGETHER, BUT WHEN THEY LEAVE THIS POND, AND GO HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES, THEY BRING WITH THEM A SENSE OF SELF-INDIVIDUALISM. THEY WERE WHO THEY WANTED TO ME WITH THEIR FRIENDS, BUT A NEW PERCEPTIVE OF LIFE COMES WITH ME. THEY ARE WHO THEY WANT TO BE AT THAT TIME, THEIR PERCEPTION SOMEWHAT ALTERS, BECAUSE THEY REALIZE THAT LIFE'S SITUATIONS AND EXPERIENCES MAKES THEM AWARE OF NEW AND EVERLASTING RELATIONSHIPS. THESE ARE THE EXPERIENCES THAT WILL MAKE THEM WHO THEY WILL BE. CAIDEN IS REALIZING NOW THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDS, THE INTERACTION OF PEOPLE WHO SOMEWHAT SHARE THE SAME INTERESTS AS HIM, BUT IN THE SAME RETROSPECT, ARE DIFFERENT. THIS IS WHAT MAKES LIFE SO INTERESTING. OPPOSITES ATTRACT, THEREFORE, IF SOMEONE WAS EXACTLY LIKE HIM, THEN WAS THE POINT OF TAKING THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW SOMEONE! FRIENDSHIPS ARE FOREVER REMEMBERED AND CHERISHED!

BOYS WILL BE BOYS:

WHERE MEMORIES ARE MADE

FREINDS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO ENLIGHTEN LIFE!

EO STORM: RANKED 25TH IN STATE

OUR TRAVEL BASEBALL TEAM HAS BEEN RANKED AS 25TH IN STATE!! NOT BAD FOR OUR VERY 1ST TOURNAMENT!! WE WILL PLAY THIS WEEKEND AT ULM. COME OUT AND WATCH US, WE COULD REALLY USE YOUR SUPPORT!

THESE HANDS...

"THE KING'S HEART IS IN THE HAND OF THE LORD, LIKE THE RIVER'S OF WATER; HE TURNS IT WHEREVER HE WISHES." PROVERBS 21:1

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY

FOR THERE ARE ALL"EARS" IN THE CORNFIELD! CHILDREN ARE LIKE SPONGES; THEY SOAK UP EVERY LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION THAT LEAKS OUT OF OUR MOUTH. I HAVE REALIZED THAT MY THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ON DIFFERENT ISSUES NEED TO BE KEPT AT A MINIMUM. THAT WHAT COMES OUT OF MY MOUTH, AFFECTS MY CHILDREN'S PROSPECTIVES ON CERTAIN ISSUES. THEY "LOOK" UP TO ME, AND THEREFORE TAKE ME AT MY WORD. THEIR TRUST LIES IN ME, AND WHAT I SAY HAS A SOUL AFFECT ON THEM. I AM NOT PERFECT, THEREFORE CERTAIN ISSUES THAT ARE LAID BEFORE ME ARE DISCUSSED AND ARE OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY MY 2 CENTS WORTH. THIS COULD BE ANYTHING FROM A SITUATION MY CHILDREN WERE INVOLVED IN, TO JUST A GENERAL "FAMILY" ISSUE. WE ARE EXAMPLES TO OUR CHILDREN , THEREFORE, THEY LIVE WHAT THEY SEE. IN TURN, WE , AS PARENTS MUST REALIZE THAT WHAT COMES DIRECTLY OUT OF OUR MOUTH WILL HAVE PROFOUND AFFECT ON OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILY. AND ISN'T IT JUST LIKE A CHILD TO LISTEN TO OUR CONVERSATION'S WITH OTHERS, AND SAY" BUT MOMMA, YOU SAID THIS." THEN WE FIND OURSELVES IN A STATE OF SHOCK AND EMBARRASSMENT BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THAT NO ONE WAS LISTENING, BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS "EARS" AROUND. WE ARE NOT ALONE, CHILDREN ARE EVERYWHERE WE GO, AND THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO US AS EXAMPLES TO HOW WE SHOULD BEHAVE!

MOMMY, HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE ME?

IS A QUESTION MY CHILDREN ASK ME DAILY. AS CHILDREN, THEY OFTEN NEED REASSURANCE THAT THEY ARE LOVED AND WANTED. I TRY MY HARDEST TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY ARE WANTED, THAT THEY WERE ALWAYS WANTED FROM THEIR MOM AND DAD. I SHOW THE EVERYDAY HOW MUCH I LOVE THEM. IT CAN BE ANYTHING FROM A "PRIZE" THEY WANTED, AND IT WAS WELL DESERVED. IF THEY SHOWED AN ACT OF KINDNESS TO SOMEONE, LIKE CAIDEN HOLDING THE DOOR FOR AN OLD LADY, I WOULD REWARD HIM. BAILEE SOMETIMES LETS CAIDEN WATCH HIS FAVORITE TV SHOW, AND HER ACT OF KINDNESS WOULD NOT GO UNNOTICED. BUT, AS A MOTHER, I TRY TO GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER. IT IS THE EXAMPLE I SET THAT LETS THEN KNOW HOW TRULY THEY LOVED. I TELL THEM ABOUT A HUNDRED TIMES A DAY THAT I LOVE THEM. BUT SAYING IT SOMETIMES IS NOT ENOUGH. SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH THEM IS WHAT IS ALL ABOUT. IT IS ABOUT LETTING THEM BE THEIR TRUE SELF, AND KNOWING THAT MOMMY WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY.IT IS ABOUT OUR CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE, WHEN THEY HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT ANY SITUATION THAT LIES HEAVY ON THEIR HEART. I LET THEM KNOW THAT I AM THERE FOR THEM, THAT THEY CAN TALK TO ME ABOUT ANYTHING, AND MY LOVE FOR THEM WOULD NEVER DIMINISH, BUT WOULD EVER GROW SO STRONGLY. BAILEE ASKED ME A QUESTION SOME TIME AGO AND I WILL NEVER FORGET IT. IT CHANGED HER OUTLOOK ON A PARENTS LOVE FOR THEIR CHILD. SHE ASKED ME THIS: "MOMMY, WOULD YOU STILL LOVE ME IF A REALLY HURT SOMEONE BAD?" THE LOOK IN HER EYES WAS THAT OF A CHILD WHO NEEDED REASSURANCE. I TOLD HER THIS:" BAILEE, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS UNCONDITIONAL." SHE ASKED ME WHAT THAT MEANT AND I TOLD HER THAT NO MATTER WHAT SHE DOES, I WOULD LOVE HER ALWAYS. THE LOOK ON HER FACE WAS ONE OF CONTENTMENT, AND SHE KNEW IN THAT MOMENT THAT MOMMY'S LOVE FOR HER WAS FOR ETERNITY. MY AUNT GAVE CAIDEN A BOOK FOR HIM ON HIS 1ST CHRISTMAS. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE READ THIS BOOK TO THEM. SOMETIMES A GOOD BOOK IS A GREAT WAY TO REALLY TELL THEM AND SHOW THEM THE WAY YOU REALLY FEEL. THEY CAN SEE "HANDS ON" AND THEY CAN LET THEIR HEART AND IMAGINATION TAKE THEM ANYWHERE THEY WANT TO GO! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO READ AT BEDTIME. FOR THE LOOK ON THEIR FACE IS PRICELESS , AND THEY CAN REST ASSURE THEY AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ARE WANTED AND TRULY LOVED!! THE NAME OF THE BOOK IS "LOVE YOU FOREVER" THE AUTHOR IS ROBERT MUNSCH. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!

DID ANYONE SAY HOMEMADE LEMONADE?

WHAT IS SUMMER WITHOUT ICE COLD LEMONADE! THEY GO TOGETHER LIKE PEAS AND CARROTS. I REALIZED TODAY THAT I HAVE NEVER INTRODUCED "HOMEMADE" LEMONADE TO MY CHILDREN. THIS WAS A FUN WAY FOR US TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER, AND THEY SOON LEARNED OF MY CHILDHOOD , WHEN THEIR "KAY KAY" MADE IT FOR ME. I TOLD THEM TODAY OF MY MEMORIES OF SUMMERTIME, OF SWIMMING IN MY POOL, AND KAY KAY MAKING US TUNA FISH SANDWICHES AND MAKING HOMEMADE LEMONADE. THOSE TIMES WERE REALLY SPECIAL TO ME. IT MADE ME SO HAPPY THAT THEY WERE INTERESTED IN HEARING ABOUT IT. I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE CHILDREN WHO APPRECIATE FAMILY TIME. I HAVE INTRODUCED THEM TO ONE OF MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES, AND IN TURN, I HOPE THEY WILL CARRY IT ON TO THEIR CHILDREN. THEY HAD THE ABSOLUTE BEST TIME DOING THIS. CAIDEN, WHO THINKS THAT COOKING IS FOR GIRLS, ENJOYED DOING THIS, AND WOULD DIE IF ANY OF HIS FRIENDS SAW HIM DOING THIS! HE GETS IT HONEST, FROM HIS DADDY!!

WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM

THE NEXT BEST COOKS, FOLLOWING IN MOM'S FOOTSTEPS!

MOM'S LITTLE HELPER

THEY GOT TIRED OF "SQUEEZING"

SO REFRESHING! THEY LOVED THE LEMONADE, AND HAVE REQUESTED THAT WE DO THIS MORE OFTEN!