Summer 2015

This poor blog has been neglected!  I do feel ashamed of myself.  I am one of those people (maybe most of you are too) that has so much in your thoughts that I don't really know what to put in the blog.  As most may know we bought a house in March this year.  It is an older home, built in 1984, but has amazing bones!  We are really excited to have the chance to make this place our own.  Most of the work is cosmetic and there are only two projects that will take wall smashing.  

We have already painted the entrance way and the inside of the door.  All of this work is tricky.  The wall paper that was put on the walls was done so well in the 80's that there is no peeling.  Good yes, but what's not good is that most of the wallpaper is really textured.  So painting over some of it will do no good.  It will just come through the paint...the design that is.  And don't even get me started on the wood paneling!  LOL

Since the move we have changed a lot about our routines.  With a large yard and chickens we have much that keeps up busy.  We got five chicks and only discovered a couple of weeks ago that one is a rooster.  He is really gorgeous because of the type of chicken he is so we've kept him for that and other reasons.  They roam the yard a lot but stay in the coup in the evenings.  We have foxes and they love chicken!

Talk about herding chickens. Some days they are hard to round up...others they go right in.

Onto the boys.  They are coming to the end of their second year of Taekwondo.  They are still loving it but we are all taking a break for a couple months at the end of the year.  On the next testing they will be working on there Brown belts.  After brown is Red, then Black!  All the work they have done is really paying off.  

School is beginning early for us this year...again.  The first day is August 6th, Boo!  But in our new county they have a Fall Break!  Something they don't have in our previous county.  Also instead of weather days they have an online class program that allows their teachers to put their daily assignments on their online classroom and they can do the work.  Therefore they never miss a day and don't have to have any makeup days at the end of the year.  Isaak, will be in 6th grade this year...Yay for middle school!  I honestly feel he is most excited about having a locker.  Also with so many different elementary schools that dump into the middle, he won't be the only new kid.  Everyone will be getting to know one another!

Brett and Jack are in Elementary still but I feel they are all so big now.  With Jack getting so tall and thin I officially can't see anymore "Little Boy" in him.  I miss them little but love all they wonderful things they can do now that they are older!  The only thing left to do before school begins is to shop and meet new teachers!

As for me, I have plenty here at home to keep me busy.  My days get to be as full as the kids with all the things I have to accomplish.  My house will get much more attention with the boys at school.  My projects should get done a little faster while I have time to really work on them.  I hope to put more of my work on the blog so everyone can see the house come together!

 These black bears were much sweeter than the one we ran into on our hike!  

 Church shopping was a must.  I can't keep these kids in clothes...they grow too fast!

 And what is summer break without seeing Minions!?

Where to start?

 Since the school year started it has been one thing after another around here and I haven't blogged.  I looked at my last post and realized it has been way too long.  We all know how time gets away from us.  With kids and trips, school, and work, life seems to run into one long day.  So it feels like.  Since June we have gone on vacation, visited family, and moved up belts in Taekwondo.  Not me personally but everyone else in the family.  Someone has to be the ring leader, right?

  At the end of July we met up with all the Ford clan in Gatlinburg TN!  There were lots of kids which made for even more fun.  I can't tell you all how much I love all my nieces and nephews.  Getting to see them all was just the best thing I could have asked for!  I know the grandparents loved it too.  There was lots of pool time, walking the strip, and playing in the mountains!

 The boys talked me into walking the strip and looking at the cars.  This is one of the S.H.I.E.L.D cars from the movie!  Brett almost lost his mind looking at it!

 Like I said there was hiking, or playing in the woods.  This was the first time it was me that was lagging behind the kids!

 This is Lacy's little boy, Dieter, he was a good eater and sat so well at the table.

 His partner in crime, was little Molly.  She was always laughing and smiling!

 The one thing my boys asked us to make sure we did was ride horses!  So we kept our promise and took our boys plus their "sister" Roma with us.  They all had a great time and Roma rode with me!

 I was excited about this car because it's the one Gibbs drives on N.C.I.S!

 Before we left my family was kind enough to watch our boys for us so Danny and I could go on a date!  We at at Bubby Gump Shrimp and it was so, so, good!  This was my dessert.  Strawberry short...biscuits.  It was so yummy!

So that was Gatlinburg.  I'll have to get on again tomorrow and try to catch up to present day!  Hope everyone is well!

Categories of my Mind/Life

  This might be hard to follow but it kept me up last night thinking about all this so I'm going to write it out the best I can.  The plan is to type and check as I go to make sure I make some sense.  As most of you who read this little blog know I have been working on health in my life for 3 to 4 years now.  But since the end of 2013 I've been trying to find true personal purpose and peace.  Not something temporary or an emotional band aid, but real steadfast happiness.  This may sound odd now but the more I go on it will become more clear...I hope.

  Fast forward to now!  I see my life in categories now (cause my brain is chaos, in need of order) and it has really been better.  Here they are; Dreams, Wants, Needs, and Reality.  So here's how it works.  We all have dreams and that's not bad.  I have always dreamed of performing.  I always dreamed of a large family.  The list goes on, we all have them.   Then we have wants.  I want a bigger, nicer, house.  I want all the clothes I have pinned on my boards.  I want to eat cupcakes and get skinny, etc.  Now moving to needs.  Most folks don't realize how basic this category really is.  But I'll go more into that later.  Finally, we have reality.  That is simply where were we are now and really looking at what can be changed or not.  You know, that thing we say we hope we have serenity to accept? For years I wasn't doing well with feeling lost.  I had lost myself in being a mom, I had lost what I thought was a better body, I had lost so much.  Yes, I know it's all in perspective and how we view things, but I just felt like I was spinning in circles getting nowhere and still feeling useless. The funny thing about life is that there are somethings we each have to "get" or understand on our own.  We can learn the concept and rules of something, but there has to be that change in us that flips the switch and our mind is really opened to what our lives really mean.  Then true happiness starts to grow.  The kind that we can run to and cuddle with, even in the really rough times in our lives.

  The biggest "ah ha" moment was this year in January when I stumbled across a documentary on Netflix.  It's called "The Secret".  Yes, when you first start it you're thinking, this is a little odd.  But then as I really listened it's what we are told in each General Conference.  It all fits together!  For me, it  showed me how to really apply the things I learned in Conference in my actual life.  Next, I started searching and reading scriptures and conference talks.  My mom sends out her Sunday school lesson, with notes and assignments each week so I have been using this knew found Secret there as well.  I was, for the first time, really hungry to learn more and figure myself, and my life out.  Now I am reading a book called  The Power of Intention.  It has helped even more teaching me how to use all these spiritual things I've learned in my life each day.  This has been the information I needed.  I don't think it's the same for everyone.  But I can't believe how  I see life so differently now.  It's truly wonderful.

  OK, I'm going to do my best to talk more about these categories.  I had been ignoring my dreams for years.  My kids need me.  My husband needs me.  My home needs me.  I should be sewing and painting and homemaking.  But none of it was completely fulfilling to me.  Not just one little thing that was just my heart's dream.  The biggest dream I've had is to become an acting/singing star.  Back before that was the "thing" to do.  My other was to be this mom of 6-8 kids and raise an outdoorsy family.  Dream big, right?!  God will make it happen.  It's a worthy goal!  We hear these things all the time.  Little did I realize that I had and have more to do with my life then I originally thought.  I believe I had a huge hand in it before I was even sent here to earth.  I didn't realize the plan for my life didn't start here.  But I didn't start here!  Duh, right?!  There was a pre-earth life.  So should I go for my dreams?  Absolutely!  We have dreams for a reason.  They are how we remember what we wanted for ourselves before we came to earth.  It helps us find our talents and joy in our existence... in Emily's opinion!  So I have my three boys and have started in Acting classes.  I took voice when I was in High School.

  Wants!  These are the things I think about daily and I know I could really make them happen if I decided to.  I want a particular house, or I want certain type clothes.  I want a smokin' body that is lean and tone.  They are do-able things that we tend to have running through our minds.  The needs come hand in hand with this category.  Needs are really very, very simple.  I know we (in this day in age) think we need stuff that is really a luxury.  For example, cell phones, cars (plural), each kid having their own room.  I could keep going.  Am I advocating we all live that way?  No, if we are living the commandments and all that stuff then do what you will with your money.  Well, really we can all do what we want.  I'm just speaking from my beliefs.  So we really need about as much as a new baby.  We need food, water, sleep, protection from the elements, clothes to cover us, and basic hygiene supplies.  Oh, and of course you really can't have any of this if you can't pay for it.  Since we have established ourselves more as the years have gone by I try to find a middle ground for our family.  Do we need a 2500 or larger square foot home?  No, but it is a want of mine if the monthly payment falls in our budget.  The list continues.  I just go down and ask myself questions to see where things fall in our list of priorities.

  Finally my favorite.  Reality!  As we have learned in life there are somethings we can't change.  It's going to be hot in the South.  The sun rises and sets each day.  The sky is blue or cloudy, but we don't control it.  The biggest one...other people.  We can't force others to change or do things.  Well, we shouldn't if we do!  But after I had figured all this out between wants, needs, and dreams.  What was going to be my reality?  And what was my reality now.  The thing about OUR reality is that there is a lot about it we can change.  Then all the really tough questions have to be answered.  I want a smokin' body, but do I have 6 hours a day to dedicate to the gym or running?  And do I have the time and patients to eat a strict diet? What can I do?  What is realistic for me?  I want a huge house, but what can I keep it clean?  Am I really going to hire someone to help me keep it clean?  My reality can change but there are things that can't now.  I have three kids.  They need me still(some), but they do.  I need to spend time with my husband if I want to keep our marriage good.  Lots of variables and lots of questions.  I was completely overwhelmed and completely collapsed in on myself. 

  Is everything all fixed now?  No!  But I (at least) know how to have that perspective everyone has always talked about.  I know what's important to me and what I really want from life.  Cause life didn't start here on earth and it doesn't end here!  I will read over this to see if it makes any kind of sense, but I really hope that this means something to someone...anyone.  Even if it doesn't it has meant something to me!

Just catching up!

Now that March is almost over I felt I should do a blog post just to catch up on what's been happening.  We thought we might be moving into a home of our own this summer but we won't be.  I know, I was bummed at first, but the more I thought about it the better it all seems.  We will have a whole other year to prepare and build our savings.  We will also have time to really look into what we want.  We know we want a basement, and something with room for visitors!  I love when friends and family come and stay!  But I have just felt a lot of peace with staying put in this house for another year.  

  As far as losing weight.  I have only lost 5lbs.  I have to say, I am enjoying the motivation and eating better has been nice.  Almost a year ago I really started looking at, and paying attention to the kinds of food we eat.  As time has gone by it has gotten easier and easier to eat less processed foods.  I haven't cut them all out!  I am a girl who loves sweets, but I am making a lot more of my own and paying attention to the ingredients that I use.  To make things even better mom told me about a huge farmers market that is close to me and it's really inexpensive!  It's called Your Dekalb Farmer's Market and I can't wait for us to go!  We tried a garden of our own last year but there was so much rain that it killed the plants.  I'm not going to complain though because we had been in a drought the past couple of years before that.

  The boys have been so engrossed in Taekwondo that we almost live at the place!  Luckily it's only a mile away and the boys have class close together.  Danny has joined in the fun and he is loving it as well.  Why don't I join?  Well, I have just never really had an interest in it.  Watching the boys be so happy with it is fun enough for me.  I have stuck with my photos, and furniture. 

  I enjoy having Lacy close as well!  She is fun to talk to and spend time with.  Dieter is at such a fun time.  He loves to discover everything.  I know his mom finds it exhausting, but it's fun to watch him see what everything is or does.  Being close to Ragland is great as well.  The Vaughns are there (for now) and the kids love seeing each other.  I love seeing them and my parents.  I also love when Biz and her girls come so I can love on them.  I am taking the boys to go see the Archibald's soon and we are really looking forward to that.   So all in all things are good and we are getting to do things with family that we might have had to pass up if we were going to be moving!  All things in their own time, I guess.

Biggest Loser

To start the New Year off in a fun way my family came up with the idea to do our own Biggest Loser competition.  This includes the adults and some of the kids.  I don't believe I will win, since losing weight has seemed impossible for a while now.  But it really helps with my motivation to try harder and attempt new things.  We will end the competition in July when we all get together in Gatlinburg!  I love visiting that small town and the wood around it!  I'm looking forward to the vacation and hope this contest in just the right push I need to get things working again!

Snowmageddon

2014 has started off with a bang...of snow that is.  Just so happens that an arctic blast collided with a moist warm from right on top of the deep south.  And for us 4 inches of snow here with a layer of ice on the bottom has caused serious issues.  Traffic became the biggest disaster I think I've ever heard about.  My Brothers-in-law David and Joe both had to leave their cars and walk home.  I am so glad they made it home.  There were others that weren't so lucky.  My mom being one of them.  Stuck on I-20 for more than 6 hours in her car she was more of a trooper than I would have been.  After Joe made it home, he put some warmer clothes on, and grabbed some things for mom.  Then headed back out in the cold snow.  He drove as far as he could then walked, on the interstate, to get my mom.  By midnight they had made it back to their house and she stayed the night with them.  This morning she still has to figure out how and if she can get her car off the interstate and if she can make it home.  I know my dad has to be stir crazy being stuck at home and not being able to help her.  I know I am and so are my sisters.

  I have heard stories of strangers sleeping at friends houses after husbands abandoned cars and brought them home with them.  I know the kids school had teachers and staff stay til midnight or longer making sure the children who were stuck had food and fun until their parents could get to them.  The roads were a mess and then the added cars in more numbers than I had ever seen caused so much trouble.  Many times I have defended the south in our reaction to snow.  And I will again.  We are not prepared for this as much as other states who regularly get this kind of cold weather.  So where many states have tons of trucks and chemicals to prepare for this we don't always know if it's really going to even happen.  Predicting snow in the south is so difficult.  There is no normalcy to it.  But give us a tornado or tons of rain and we can tell you what to do and how many twisters we've seen!  Ha!

  Now, I will move to the more fun side of the snow "storm".  The kids were suppose to come home at normal time.  But once the roads became so scary the school quickly had to let out, if any of the kids were going to make it home.  At one forty-five  I was at the bus stop praying that my kids bus would make it to the stop safely and with my kids on it!  Thankfully they did.  There were some kids whose parents weren't there so all the moms came together and we all took kids home that weren't our own!  I just have to say I love our neighborhood!

 At 1:45 we already had this much snow on the ground and it had accumulated on the roads!

   After making it home the kids, of course, wanted to play in the snow.  So I got out all the warm clothes I have and bundled them all up so they could have a snowball fight!  It was great to see smiles when I knew of all the trouble for friends was still happening all around us.

 These are the Marshall kids we brought home with us.  Their mom was stuck in traffic and we had them over for a snowball fight!

Brett has been the one that I have had to force to come in from the snow.  He loves it and doesn't seem to be that bothered by the cold!

  My dogs have been cracking me up in the snow.  Bones gets lost in it because it's up to his shoulders.  Chuck wants to play in it but his feet get so cold he can't walk after awhile.  He tries and just falls over!  I got the doggy heating pad back out for them and Bones is not getting off of it.

 This is Bones being a trooper and going potty outside!  

This is where he is ever other minute of the day!  That's a heating bed that turns on when they step on it.

Our Snow in GA

Yes, we have little flakes of snow blowing in the wind.  We don't usually get much snow in the deep South but when we do I try to capture every moment of it.  And with this snow it has been sunny the whole time!  So the snowflakes have shimmered as they fell.

We enjoyed our Christmas and New Years' celebrations.  With such great friends and family it was easy.  Sometimes life is a struggle for us all, but I love when I am smart enough to enjoy a great moment when it happens.  Well, at least I'm working on getting better at it.  So from the frozen area of Alpharetta, I wish you all a great start to this new year!