I'm Rick

For Keiton's birthday we got him a suit with dress pants, shirt, vest and tie, also black dress shoes. He loves tie's. On the way to church he said, Karson, when we get home can we play Rick and Amanda? I'll get my guitar and I'll be Uncle Rick and you be Mrs. Amanda. It was so cute. They play this all the time but usualy it is Karson's idea. They get her baby dolls which she has named Allee and Evan and she puts on my dress shoes and they walk around the house playing. Just remember little ones are always watching.

My Baby is 4

We just celebrated Keiton's 4th birthday. I can't believe he is already 4. It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with him. He is our little miracle. We had pizza and cake for him after church on Sunday. His b-day theme was buzz lightyear. We painted his room and gave him Alabama sheets and comforter, suit and new dress shoes for his birthday. He was so excited. Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated his special day with us.

I Give GOD the Glory!!!

As most of you know, I have been dealing with thyroid issues for the past month. I went to Dr Lovelady with an ear infection and his nurse practitioner Kim found that my thyroid was enlarged. She sent me for a thyroid ultrasound. It came back showing several nodules so she sent me for a thyroid scan. I had to take 3 radioactive pills and go back to the rad clinic 4 hours later for a scan. I got the results about 3 days later. Kim called me at work and told me that I had a 4.3 cm mass on my thyroid and I needed to go see another dr. She told me that there was a chance that it was malignant. My world came to a standstill that day. I know that you are not guaranteed another day but when you hear that, it makes it real. I had faith that God was in control but my human nature made me worry. On the way to work the next day I was flipping radio stations and it landed on Moody radio. They were talking about prayer. I had church in my car on the way to work. God is so awesome!!! I went and saw dr Kamal. I had 10 biopsy's on the left side of my neck and 4 on the right. I was so nervous!!!!! The lidicane hurt like crazy but the actual bx's didn't. Before each bx, I prayed and gave each one over to God for his will to be done. I never worried about my results after that. I knew that no matter what, God would always be in control. I got my results back this past week and the mass is benign!! I have to see Dr Kamal in 8 months for a recheck. He also told me that if I wanted to have the mass removed that I could but that there was no rush.I just want to give God all the glory. I give him the victory over my health. He is in control.

Finally Starting to Paint

before

After (they made up their own beds)
I was off of work this past Mon, Tues and Wed. I spent all day cleaning the kids rooms out. I got several bags of toys, clothes and garbage out. At the end of the day I decided that I was tired of putting off painting. I was so sick of looking at those ugly walls. We went and let the girls pick out paint for their room. Of course Kaylee wanted one color and Karson wanted another. Finally they decided on yellow. They were so excited. They helped paint. We moved their furniture around also but I'm not sure if I like it this way. This week I hope we get to work on Keiton's room. I want to fix it up for his birthday. He wants Alabama.

1st Day of School

I can't believe school has already started this year. Kaylee is in the 4th grade and Karson is in the 1st. They were so excited for the first day. Wednesday night they were so excited that they could not sleep. We went to open house on Tuesday afternoon and met their teachers and found their classrooms. The school is decorated in a beach theme. Kaylee's teacher is Mrs Jones and Karson's is Ms Byrd. Kaylee's best friend Halee is in her class again this year. They sit at the same table (may not be a good idea). She knew several people in her class so she was not to nervous. There is a couple of kids in Karson's class that she knows. Keiton pitched a fit on the way to daycare on Thursday. He was mad that he had to go to Flatwoods. He wanted to go to the big boy school not the baby school. I told him that he would get to go next year. That didn't make him feel any better. He still cried all the way.

Just a few pics....

Just a few candid shots from the past few months.
The girls putting on makeup(what I have to look forward to in the near future) The finished product. Keiton and my nephew at Wings.
My babies are getting so big!
Karson in the dunking booth.

VBS Son Harvest County Fair

We just finished our VBS. The theme was Son Harvest County Fair growing the Fruit of the Spirit. We had so much fun. Every night we had different themes. I am so proud that everyone one got involved. It was so weird to see all the different hair colors and all the painted faces and crazy outfits. God has truly blessed our church. Here are a few pics from that fun week. Keiton and his bird house. The family on crazy hair day.

lots to catch up on!!!!

Sorry it's been so long since an update. Like always we've had a lot going on. Well, where do I start? Greg and Kaylee went on their trip to camp mcdowell. They had LOTS of fun. Kaylee wants to go back. We may send her to church camp next year(if i don't forget that she wants to go). Karson is finished with ball. They came in 4th in the tournament. The girls are staying with my aunt this summer. She has a pool so they get to go swimming everyday. They would rather go there then stay at home and on most days I don't blame them.

I went on a girls only trip to the beach with 3 friends from work. It was me, Regina, Christy and Kandy. We had so much fun. It was so nice to only have to worry about me for a change. Don't get me wrong, I missed my family but I loved the me time!! When we got to Gulf Shore, we unpacked and went to the beach and took an hour long NAP. We ate at LuLu's and the Original Oyster House. Other than that, we didn't do a whole lot except stay on the beach and in the pool. I only got a little red.
I'm so ready to go back. This will become an annual trip!!!
This past week I took the kids to Buhl Baptist Church for VBS. It was fun but exhausting. They did the Island theme. It was the cutest music. I have been singing the songs at work all week. They ended the week with a pool party at Hidden Meadows Golf Course. They had a cook out and the little kids got to swim for 8-10 and the teens from 10-12. Keiton pitched a fit when we left because he didn't want to leave.
Also I want to wish all the Dad's a Happy late Father's Day. My father's day was not so great. I was sick. I got sick on Friday. My fever finally broke on Sunday afternoon. Greg had to work so I took the kids over to my parents (it was also my mom's birthday). When we went to leave our house, my car was dead! I had to push it out of the carport and get the neighbor to jump it off. Then when I went to put the garage door down it came off the track on the top and almost broke. All I could do was cry. The rest of the day was better.
This weekend has been pretty normal (thank goodness). We went to my parents yesterday for supper and we went to church today. Back to the normal grind tomorrow.

Lots going on.

There has been a lot going on. Karson is starting tournaments tomorrow. Please pray that they do well and no one gets hurt. She still loves ball!!! She got a double play last week. Her team has only lost one game in the regular season. We are very proud of them. Her school is going to the rodeo on Friday then coming back to the school for a picnic. My parents are going with her.

The 3rd graders are going to Camp McDowell on Wednesday. Greg is going with Kaylee. She is so excited!!! That is all she talks about. She has wanted to pack her bags for the past week. This was just not my kind of trip so I volunteered her daddy to go. It just seemed like a daddy trip to me.

Keiton is just getting bigger everyday. I never know whats going to come out of his mouth. He loves to sing but he has no idea of what the correct words are so he makes them up as he goes. Every morning when he wakes us he asks if we going to school or church. He knows that's the only places we go early in the morning.

Greg and I are doing fine. I dread the next week because we are not going to see each other a whole lot. With his work schedule, ballgames and Camp McDowell there is not a lot of time left.

Happy Mother's Day!!

To all of you Moms, I want to wish you a Happy Mother's Day.
I had a nice mother's day. Greg had to work (of course) so the kids and I had a day to our selves. We went to church, came home and ate lunch, went to my mom's house and then went back to church. The kids made me alot of cards and gifts at school. I had rather have their homemade cards. I love to look back at them and see how much their writing skills have improved.
I did a skit at church for mothers day. It was about a mom that thought she was tired of hearing all the complaining and fussing from her kids and husband. I'm not sure if anyone else got anything out of it but I know that I sure did. I hear myself saying that I would like "just one day" to myself without all the noise. But I really love every minute of it!! I would never wish for the silence of never hearing anyone call me Mama!! I know that I get aggravated at them but they are still my babies!!

Softball is back in action!!

Sorry it's been so long since an update. Like always we have been so busy. Karson's softball season has started. Her team name is "The YaYa's". So far they are undefeated. Tonight she hit 2 grand slams and one double. She is so excited!! She is playing shortstop. She is really into it this year. She has really improved. Greg is co-coaching again this year. He loves every minute of it. I also love seeing him and Karson out there together. This is their special time.

Easter 2008

Today is Easter. We went to Church this morning. We had a great service with lots of singing. The kids at church got to sing and play the hand bells. My friend and her son came to church again today so please pray that they will keep coming.
Last night we let the kids dye eggs. I try not to put to much attention on the eggs and baskets. When they start talking about the easter bunny I ask them "What is Easter". I make them answer before I let them talk about anything else.

After Church, we went to my parents house for lunch. We had a house and a table full. We all stayed dressed up so we could take pictures. Of course I hate having pics of myself made but I did it anyway. After lunch the kids got to hunt eggs. Kaylee found the girls prize egg and Keiton found the boys.>
While we were at my parents, my sister pulled Karson's tooth. Karson would not let anyone touch it and it was just hanging. She talked to Michelle on the phone yesterday and Michelle told her that if she didn't let Greg pull it the she was. Well she did. Karson looks so cute!!

Week in Review

This past week has been pretty full. I guess I would not know what to do if I ever had a boring week. We had a Easter egg hunt at our Church last Sat. The kids had a lot of fun. It rained so we had everything in the gym.
Karson was diagnosed with Fifth's Disease. She was contagious when we didn't know it so I hope we didn't give it to anyone. It is going around in her school. It is not life threatening, she just turned blood red all over. The symptoms (redness) can last 2 to 3 months. Keiton woke up yesterday with a small red spot on his face and today his face is red all over so I guess he has it now.
This past Friday we took the kids and my niece Kenzee to the Alabama gymnastics. They had a great time. Keiton got a little bored towards the end. Karson got her foot stuck in the seat. You know we can't go anywhere without having a little drama.
I have been off of work since Wednesday. I have to go back tomorrow and I sure don't want to. The kids are ready to go back to school. Greg works midnights again this week. I guess things do work out better when we are on a routine.

It snowed!! (a little)

We woke up to a little bit if snow this morning. I woke up about 6am due to Greg snoring. I looked outside hoping to find that the whole yard and house was covered in snow, but all I found was a little dusting. I'm not complaining since this is the most snow that we've seen since we've been in this house.
The kids woke up shortly after 7am. I let them go outside and play because I knew as soon as the sun came up it would all melt. It was still snowing when we were outside. The kids had a blast!! They were so excited. Karson made a little snowman and Kaylee made a big snowball. Keiton liked throwing snow on Belle.
Greg also got in on a little fun. He made a little snowman. Then he let Keiton throw the snowman at us. I really wish we could get just one good snow for the kids to play in.

We need your Prayers!!

Please keep my family in your prayers. Greg and I are really trying to get closer to the Lord. We are trying to put God first in everything we do, think, say, buy, and everything else that I can't think of right now. As most of you know, when you are living your life for Jesus Christ, the devil can't stand it. He tries his best to attack you and try to get you away from God. The devil tries to get to you through your family, children, friends and even your spouse. I know God has a big plan for our lives. Please pray that we will stand stronge and that we will grow closer to God everyday.
God is so great!!!!! I want to thank Him and praise his great Name today!!!
I also want to thank all my church family. I love each and everyone of you. I also want to tell Renae how thankful I am to have such a great Christian friend as you. Thank you for always being there when I need a ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. I always love our "Big Al" talks.

Update

Sorry it's been so long since an update. There have been lots going on. The girls had their last Upward game the other Saturday. Then we had our Upward awards night. It was awsome!! Curt Anderson (a Christian magican) came and spoke and did some tricks. The kids really loved it and us big kids too!! This Upward
program has been such a great outreach program. It has been a lot of work but it has been so fun. This has been something that the girls and I have been able to enjoy together. God has truly blessed!!!!

The other Sunday night we took a group of kids to McDonalds after church. They had a blast. They got to run and play while us adults got a chance to talk. It was so nice not having to worry about the food and the cleaning up. While we were there, I squirted sauce all over Karson's shirt. Renae came to the rescue with an extra shirt of Jacobs. Thanks Renae!!! I would really be lost without you.

Bama "Bell"

We would like for you to meet the newest member of our family....Bama "Bell". She is a 9 week old Lab. She seems to be really smart. The kids love her!!!! They have been really good about feeding her and taking her out to potty.

My 32nd Birthday

I just celebrated my 32nd birthday. A group of friends from work, my parents and I went to Wings to "party". It was the best birthday party that I've had in a very long time. Greg sat close to the kid table and took care of the kids for me so I could have a free night. The staff sang to me and I had to wear a cake hat. All the kids got beads. It was a great night!!! Thanks to everyone!!!!

1st Bowling Trip

We took the kids bowling for Kenzee's 6th birthday. It was all the kids first trip. They had so much fun. It was a little crazy at times but it was still fun.

Karson's Pictures

Saturday night, I was studying for my Sunday School lesson and Karson came in a got my camera after I told her to leave it alone. These are some of the pics she took. I deleted the one she took of the refrigerator. She looks so innocent in these pics even when she is doing something wrong. Sometimes you have to just laugh or you would go crazy when it comes to her. As always Keiton is right there beside her doing whatever she wants to do.
Did you notice the scratch on her face? This is the work of Keiton and believe it or not, it was a accident. That is until you ask Karson then she will tell you that it was on purpose.
Can't you tell that there is NEVER a dull moment around our house. I would not have it any other way!!!

Upward Cheerleading

Kaylee and Karson will be cheering for Upward Basketball every Saturday through February. They had their first game this past Saturday. They had a blast!!! Our church is hosting for the first time this year. I am coaching Kaylee's squad. We are having a lot of fun learning as we go. We could not have asked for a better first game. I want to give God the glory for everything going so smooth!!