There are Times....

There are times when I simply look at the vast mountain of laundry in my laundry room and think that there is no light at the end of the tunnel...I attempt to sort the clothes, fold them and place them in the correct child's room...Time to go pick the kids up from school, and then from out of nowhere there is another days worth of clothes thrown into the pile...that I had previously sorted...and it simply starts all over....=(

There are times that I think if I have to say,"Pick up your shoes, put away your coats, jackets, backpacks", "do you homework", one more time~that I am going to explode...or start screaming at the top of my lungs~actually I think I have tried that one...without a positive outcome...

There are times that I honestly want to break down and cry because I just put on my "hoodie for the day" and went into the bathroom to get ready-and got blue gel sparkly toothpaste all over my shirt because some little person didn't see it was neccessary to get it up after brushing their teeth...(at least they brushed them, right?)

There are times during our busy weeks when I think all I want to do is come home to my nice cozy home and stay here all evening...but no, we have to be at wrestling practice, dance, soccer, football, basketball, dog training, baseball~you name it...just depends on what season it is...

Dinner at home, together as a family...Is that too much to ask? Oh wait...I forgot my kitchen table is covered with picture frames, and paraphenalia from our family room...because we did just have a tree fall on our house~we have to walk past our mattresses in our living room around our bedroom furniture to get to the kitchen that we are unable to use to it's full capacity because we are waiting to get our roof fixed...and it keeps on snowing or raining or snowing or raining....I think you get the picture....

I walk down the hall, stepping over dirty clothes, broken toys, basketballs, and think "WHY? Can't these little people who live with me pick up after themselves?" I ask them to, sometimes I think they don't listen...sometimes I feel like everything that I do, is for nothing...But then my little guy writes me a note last night...that says something like..."Thank you mommy for loving me, taking me to school, always kissing me good night, and you are very special to me..."

Yes, that made me cry...God has a way of giving us a little ray of sunshine even on the cloudiest of days....and for that I am thankful...

I do think the chaos in our home situation has taken over...our lives, as of late are a little chaotic...I feel like I am lost at the bottom of this endless pit of "unfinishable tasks"....Tasks that can't be finished, unless someone else comes to do the work...roof, sheet rock, trees cut down....you get the picture....I may be in need of a vacation...or a doctor's appointment...or who knows? Both at this point...hee hee..

Now, just hoping for a break in this weather, so the roofers can get out here and get things going...then I can get to straightening out this mess....God is in control...I am just going to give all of this over to him...

Blogging used to seem like sort of therapy for me..so I thought, at this point...Might as well try it...=) Can't hurt? right?

The Tree

So far 2010 has been a little rough for the Allen family...almost broke my ankle-which included a midnight ER visit, James has been dealing with some abdominal pain for the past 5-6 weeks, and now is scheduled for gall bladder removal surgery on February 9th-and to top it all off~a tree fell on our house this past Sunday night...and did quite a bit of damage...there are numerous holes, broken trusses, the eave of the house completely off+James' truck had a considerable amount of damage to it...$3000 to be exact...

Sometimes when all of these things are going on around us, it is so hard to see the silver lining to all of these "clouds" that seem to be surrounding us right now....but I know, and James knows that God is in control, and we are in HIS hands....God allows for us to go through difficult times in our lives ONLY to make us stronger, and to grow closer to him. I have been spending a lot of time watching and reading about all of the devastation that has happened in Haiti-due to the earthquake. and their situation is SO horrible. We do have food to eat, roofs over our heads and heat to stay warm, water to drink. We are blessed beyond measure. Sometimes it is so easy to get that "woe is me" attitude....but I know that God has a plan for us. I can't tell you now WHY these things have happened, all at once, but I know that with FAITH all things are possible. My God is in control, and that is what gives me peace.

Enough Said....

I saw this on the internet yesterday, while I am sitting here bored because I severely sprained my ankle...Yes, very thankful for no broken bones, but just SO many things I need to be doing, and can't...It doesn't take much for me to get down...especially when there is snow on the ground, and it is 10 degrees outside...so this spoke to me...LOVE IT.... I just found this blog...and I LOVE it...Be sure to check it out...www.Gitzengirl.blogspot.com

Blogging? What is that?

Blogging? I think that I have forgotten what that is...I love to journal...and write down my thoughts...I have been doing that...just not here on my blog...I hate to admit that I, too, have just gotten so caught up in the busy-ness of life, that I have just thrown in the towel when it comes to blogging....I would love to keep it up, but it just seems that no matter how much I try, or how good my intentions are...just isn't happening....I'm not making a "resolution" to do better, but I did want to get on here and touch base with the maybe 2 people who are still reading....lol....


2010...wow...That is difficult to write...Where does the time go? It just passes by quicker and quicker with each year....I have a "mental list" of things I want to accomplish this year...I am not going to bore you by listing them out...but I definitely hope to make some changes this year. We, as a family, are hoping to make some changes also. together..Which is why I changed my blog header. Together, What a wonderful place to be. No matter the actual physical location~as long as we are together...love that...and it is so true...One of the blogs that I read suggested that we come up with a "word" for 2010...a word that you hope to live by...throughout 2010. Something to focus on, aim for, work on....The word I have chosen...is...Together. There are many reasons that I am choosing this word...but the one that touches me the most...is I want to grow closer to my God. I want my family to do the same. Together-I know we can do all things. He is in control. And I love that.

Looking forward to a great 2010....=)

I am Still Here....

Ok , guys, I know...

I am bad....

I haven't blogged in FOREVER!!! I know that when I start getting emails from friends and family wanting to know if we are ok....and telling me that they miss my blog...that I am a slacker....Sorry, but to be honest, Facebook has simply made me get away from blogging...Not an excuse, I know...but the quickness of it, and being able to do it from my blackberry..I just sort of left my blog out in "cyber land"....ha ha ha....I will try to do better....Promise!!!

We are all doing great...Kids are growing up on me, involved in lots of sports, and extracurricular activities....doing well in school....

I have a new job~back in the hospital setting~and loving it...Working an awesome schedule, no nights, no weekends, no holidays!! First time since I have been a nurse that I have had that kind of schedule....

Have to get ready for church this am, but going to post a couple of pics for you...just because...Have a Blessed Sunday....

Happy 10th Birthday Macey!!!

Where do I start? Ten Years? I can hardly believe it...Seems like it was only yesterday that she was born...My little girl...and now here she is growing up right before my very eyes....She has always been little Miss Independant...doesn't need us to help her...she can do it all by herself...She's full of self confidence, loves acting and modeling...dreams BIG!! Sets her self goals, and goes for it...I am so proud of her....Being the only girl in a house full of boys is no easy task....but she loves it...She plays football with the boys and loves to read to Cade...Her and Ian play ball in the house, and end up fighting like cats and dogs...but they all love each other...=)

She is such a blessing in my life...I don't thank the Lord enough for blessing me with her....

Macey, I hope you have a wonderful birthday...I love you very much...

Survey Thingy....=)

1.My ex is...non-existent...=)
2.Maybe I should.....try to get motivated, so I can clean the house-just can't seem to get there
3.I love......my Lord, and My family....
4.People would say that I am.....OCD
5. I don't understand....math of any kind...
6.When I wake up in the morning......Coffee!!!
7.I have lost....my mind...
8.Life is full of....many wonderful journeys.
9.My past taught me....that God is in Control
10.I get annoyed......very easily.
11.Parties are....not my thing...more of a home body....
12.I wish.....I was at the beach...and it wasn't raining...
13.Dogs .....are in my yard...2 of them...they are both so sweet...
14.Cats....are annoying..and yes, we have 2...
15.Tomorrow is....Sunday...
16.I have a low tolerance for......annoying people (that is a big category)
17.If I had a million dollars....put a roof on the house, buy us a nice apartment in Manhattan
18.I am terrified of....Birds
19.I've come to realize that my last kiss.....was just a few minutes ago...
20.I am listening to....quiet-kids are in bed
21.I talk....a lot...
22.My friend(s).....mean the world to me...
23.My first real kiss.....was in high school
24.Love is.....worth it all....
26.Somewhere, someone is thinking...."I wish I had a roof on my garage."
27.I'll always....be short...
28.The last time I really cried......a few weeks ago..
29.My cell phone is....awesome!!!
30.Before I go to bed........ read my Bible...
31.Right now I am thinking about.....going to check on the kids...and Cade's head where he bumped it and has a big knot...
32.Babies....glad I don't have one right now...Love my kids where they are right now...Such a blessing
33.Today I.....went to a flag football game in the rain...watched Jurassic Park 3 with the boys...made homemade cinnamon rolls...enjoyed the family...
34.I really want to...be a full time photographer...

10 Things: Capturing Me Right Now

I got this off of another blog that I read...but I thought it was such a good idea-so here goes....

1. This time of year is usually a hard time for me...I am a warm weather girl...so the blues tend to come around when fall is here..I am trying a few different things this year to try and make it through this season...Hoping for positive outcomes....=)

2. I can't get motivated...my house is a mess, and I just don't seem to care...I have got to get some weight off...working on that one...slow, but sure...both of these are also related to number 1

3. I have started a new job...and am actually happy with it...I didn't think I could find something better than the job I had at the call center...but getting back into the hospital setting, and having contact with some very special patients...and been nothing but a blessing to me...My God knows what I need...and I am so glad...

4. Planning a beach trip for our family this fall break...First week of October...This is the first time we have ever went this time of year...but we are planning on doing nothing, chilling out, watching movies, playing games, playing and walking on the beach...of course a family photo shoot...fishing, bike riding, just being together....I need it...James needs it...and I know the kids need it...We can't wait....

5. Searching for God's will...not sure what his plan for me is...but I am praying, reading my Bible, and searching...Listening is the hard part...but I am trying to do that too....

6. Joined the choir at my church after coming home from NYC this summer...and it has been nothing but a blessing...Love it...

7. Ian is in middle school...and dealing with some "middle school issues"...Praying for him, and just sitting back and watching him grow into a young man...I am so proud of him, and just am amazed at how he is maturing right before my eyes....

8. Cade is in speech class at school...I had a difficult time with that...but I agreed to put him in the class, and have been surprised by his excitement over going...and can see some progress in his speech already...He is wide open all the time...and tends to "wear me out"....

9. Macey is doing well in school, playing competitive soccer, and taking dance...She loves soccer, and is doing better with each practice....Dance is her favorite extracurricular activity...other than modeling...We are planning our summer next year already...and looking forward to living in NYC again...going to stay longer next year...So proud of her...can't wait to see the Children's Place ads...that should be out soon...

10. We still don't have a roof on our garage...Praying about that one...Not sure how/when we will finish that ongoing project...wanting it to be done...now...

Hope everyone has a great weekend...God bless...

Still Alive and Well

I have recieved emails from a couple of you guys telling me to update my blog...=) So here I am...Honestly, I just don't seem to have time to blog anymore...With all of the running around we do with the kids, one ball field to another....seems like our days and weeks just are a blur....with no time for much else...

I have a few pictures to post from our weekend...Macey played in a soccer tournament in Cleveland, TN and Cade had a flag football game...so I tried to take a few pictures....Here are a few of my favorites...

Hope everyone has a great week....God Bless...

Check it out...

Check out my photography site....I just posted a few pics from the Urban Mini Sessions that I did today...Had a great time doing them...and I think they turned out really good...Be sure to check them out...

Have a Blessed Sunday.....Good night....