100 Things about Me...

Here we go...I have felt challenged to attempt this post...A few of my blogger friends have done this, so I thought, "Why Not?"

100. I am short...5'1 and 1/2 inch to be exact. People laugh at me for adding the 1/2 inch...but it is there....so I don't see why that is so funny.
99. I am not happy with my weight. The reason for going to the YMCA 4 days a week, drinking water, and trying to count calories....I guess I feel better too...But I want the weight to change!
98. I didn't used to worry about what I ate...and I thought I was "fat" then...I wasn't fat, I was stupid.
97. Self esteem isn't one of my strong attributes....(as you can tell from the previous entries)
96. Sarcasm is...(my mom reads this blog, and she will agree with me, but doesn't think I should be proud of it...I can't seem to help it)
95. I wear a size 5 1/2 shoe, and I can get really cute shoes for a really good deal....Mary Kate and Ashley make the cutest summer shoes....=)
94. I think I like shoes so much because of the really small size....makes me smile...dumb, I know.
93. I am a nurse....and I don't like it...never have...I am not one of those " I always dreamed of being a nurse, so I could help people" kind of people...I chose my profession because there was no math in the curriculum....Sad, I know.
92. My kids don't think I am a "real nurse" anymore...because I work at a call center...I don't feel like a "real nurse" either, and I kind of like it that way....
91. I hope to eventually quit work, as a nurse, and stay home with my 3 children...I love them.
90. I have a small photography business, Still Moments Photography, and I love it...it is a dream come true for me....
89. I played volleyball for 5 years when I was in school...It was my favorite sport...
88. My coach would take me out when I got to the front row...had something to do with me being to short to spike the ball....Never understood that one...
87. I love music...lots of it...contemporary christian is my favorite, but I will listen to just about anything....
86. I was in love with Michael Jackson, Luke Duke, and Poncharella....in my younger days....I had their posters in my room...=)
85. I was a salesman as a child...I sold "Neighborhood Magazines" (that I made out of paper and staples...I wrote all the articles, of course!), Fruit roll up stand, even put on large stage productions, and charged admission...(ask my dad about this one...he wasn't too happy) Always an entrepreneur.
84. I hit a boy in elementary school, and had to sit out for recess...
83. I wouldn't eat my lima beans in kindergarten, and had to stand in the corner...My other teacher, whispered in my ear, and told me not to worry about it, and then she ate the lima beans...she holds a place in my heart.
84. My 2nd grade teacher sent me my wedding announcement from the newspaper laminated....almost 20 years after I had her....She was the best teacher ever!!!
83. I packed my lunch every day in middle school...
82. I long to have everything in my house organized...Everyone doesn't seem to be on the same page..but a girl can dream...
81. Sharpies make me happy...
80. So do highlighters, staplers, and most office equipment...Maybe I should have been a secretary.
79. I love coffee...with coconut creamer..it is heaven..
78. I drink coffee in the summer...not just winter...I love it at the beach...Hmmm..can imagine being there right now..
77. The beach is my favorite place in the world...It reminds me of how Great My God is...
76. I love the sand on my feet, it doesn't bother me in the least...
75. I love the sound of the water, while I am sitting on the sand just soaking it all in.
74. I love the sun...and being tan...it makes me happy..I know it isn't healthy...I can't help it...It probably has something to do with my Seasonal Affective Disorder.
73. I love getting a pedicure...I don't get them often, but I am due one...
72. I am on a budget..pedicure probably isn't in the budget...=(
71. It isn't easy, but it is changing my life....for the good.
70. I have 3 beautiful children...with no desire to have any more...I love my family Just as it is...
69. My pregnancy with Cade was the lowest low...I was depressed, miserable, and very sick...
68. Typing this, reminds me of how bad it was...
67. It is hard to believe that I would ever say this, but He is Worth every ounce of sickness I had...He is my angel...my baby.
66. When Mace was born they told me she had red hair...I didn't believe them...
65. She is my precious girl...and she is so much like me, it is almost scary...I love her so much.
64. I love to watch my children learn new things..it is amazing to me at how fast they pick things up....
63. Ian struggles with his school work...It has brought us closer to each other. I love him..I will be here no matter what...We will get through this...
62. I am a phone "screener"...I admitted it...If I don't want to talk...I don't answer....
61. I have the coolest cell phone...
60. I love new gadgets...phones, computer "stuff", jump drives...yes, I am a dork.
59. I love photography...Capturing memories to me is just part of my life...I want to be old and sitting in the nursing home with plenty of pictures to remind me of the "Best Times in my Life." I think I just shed a tear....
58. I love the color brown.
56. I love to get my nails done...but I sacrificed for the budget...I told you, we are on the ball!
55. Flip flop season is my favorite time of year...I have already been wearing them...My croc flip flops are my favorite....love them
54. I have been to Alaska...it was really nice place to visit...don't want to go back...
53. I have been lost, to the point of being really scared....
52. I have been sitting beside my child in the hospital for 7 long days...wondering if we would ever be normal.....again..
51. I have had some of the best friends in the entire world. I realized through circumstances, that all friendships don't last forever...even if we wish they would...
50. I don't know what I did before meeting James..I think we have been together forever....
49. I love spending time with our friends...It makes me happy...Friends are the family that God forgot to give us....
48. My sister lives in D.C. and I miss her...even though we argue sometimes....
47. I hate cats....
46. Yes, I have one...and she is kind of growing on me...I didn't think that would happen...
45. I have problems trusting people....seems like when you get hurt once...trust is just hard to come by...I am trying though...Praying about this one...
44. I like peanut butter and banana sandwiches...especially at the beach...
43. Diet Coke is my drink of choice....
42. I love the YMCA...I am so glad I have a membership....
41. I don't care to throw things away...anything....I love to be clean...James, he's the opposite...not on the clean part...the throwing things away...
40. I love James, more than he knows..I don't tell him enough, but he is my best friend in all the world...He is everything to me, and I love him with all of my heart...
39. We will celebrate our 14th Wedding Anniversary this August....
38. He rented out the entire second floor of Calhoun's in Knoxville, to propose to me...he is such a romantic....and he also wrote me a poem...so sweet...
37. I love my laptop....I am on it way too much...
36. I still have my Smurf sleeping bag....
35. I love to decorate my house....I tend to be crafty that way...
34. I love to scrapbook....paper and digital...
33. I don't wear a watch...there is always someone around that knows what time it is
32. I don't like to go to the dentist...I actually hate it...would rather give birth...
31. I have hypothyroidism.....it is a large pain....
30. I am pretty crafty...love to paint, draw, design, you name it...I enjoy it...wish I could craft all the time.....
29. I am doing better at cooking....the budget once again...
28. I am a quick typer...
27. I have belonged to my church my entire life....never been to another one...and I love it...It is my extended family...I don't see how people function without a church family...they mean the world to me...
26. I love to play Domino's...it is fun...I am not a game person..so this is big for me...Thanks Tina!
25. I love to swim....it is my favorite summer past time...My mom has a pool...so I am there a lot.
24. I can't stand the person on the side of the road advertising Little Caesar's Pizza...Makes me not want to ever eat there again....
23. I like Ellen...don't judge me...She is absolutely hilarious.....
22. I like tattoos...even have had the thoughts of getting a small one...if I reach my weight loss goal...Don't judge me for that either.....If you do, just don't tell me =)
21. I support my daughter's dream...She wants to be an actress, and I don't want to stand in her way....
20. I think we should all Dream Big.
19. We can do anything through Jesus Christ....Phill.4:13
18. I pray for my children....
17. I have 2 earrings in one ear, 3 in the other....
16. I love short hair...and crazy color....
15. I can't make decisions....when asked on the spot...I am a "it doesn't matter girl"
14. I love my camera...it is one of my best friends...goes every place with me....
13. I don't like to talk on the phone... even though that is part of my job.
12. I love to read...
11. My house needs a roof...badly...working on that one...
10. My favorite show is American Idol...love to watch Miami Ink, Dinner:Impossible, and a few other learning channel shows...
9. I used to schedule my college classes around Days of our Lives (hence the name of my blog)
8. I also used to lay out of class in college to lay out in the sun....shocking, I know...
7. I have never tasted alcohol, or smoked cigarettes, or tried any type of drugs...haven't ever wanted to....
6. I am glad that I haven't...something to be proud of....
5. I love my parents...so thankful for them...
4. I rented my wedding dress..and am glad I made that decision....
3. I love my Lord and Savior...I want to grow closer to him...daily...
2. I would love to go on a mission trip and share Christ with others....
1. I love to blog...you would have never guessed...now would you? Considering I sat here and typed out 100 things about myself =)

Hope you learned some things about me....I challenge you to do the "100 things" post if you haven't done it yet....Let us get to know you better.....

Back to Life...as we know it...

Well, here we are on the Monday after Spring Break...Everyone is back to school, back to work...and the craziness might as well not wait until Tuesday...We kick off our day with tutoring, soccer, and homework assignments...We have a week full of doctor's appointments, ball practices, and I have 3 photo sessions this week....When we step back in, we JUMP!! Ha ha....

We had a wonderful week spending time together as a family...there is nothing like it...My goal is to quit work as a nurse, and to be a MOMMY(this has been my goal ever since the day Ian was born)....I realized this week, as I spent so much time with my kids, that is where I want to be...ALL the time....I think we are well on our way to this goal...Our budget is right on track...(no it isn't perfect my any means....we have to revamp it on a weekly basis) But it is much better than it was initially....I can actually see the possibility of me staying home in the future....and before I couldn't even imagine it.....We just have to keep on "keeping on" as they say...

Onto another subject...Remember James in your prayers...Yes, James...I know you read my blog...and I am putting this on here....He has been struggling with asthma for a couple of months now...He had severe asthma as a child...and around the end of December, it flared up again....He is struggling with breathing way more than I am comfortable with....Wheezing, unable to sleep through the night, he can't even go up the stairs and his wheezing kicks in.....Wheezing that I can hear across the room...It's bad....He is using an inhaler, and it just doesn't seem to be cutting it either....Can't help but worry about him...I love him, you know...=) We have him scheduled to see an allergist on Wednesday....So I will update on him later this week....Just say a prayer for him this week...Much appreciated....

Tanja, you have motivated me to write a post "100 things about me"...It is in process...Maybe will post it in a day or so...Not that anyone would be interested in reading it...it just is a challenge for me....=)

Well, just thought I would update after our weekend....Getting ready to hit the gym....Hope everyone has a great Monday....I enjoyed our break, but I am a schedule oriented person....so it is nice to be back on track....Have a great day....God Bless.

Did I really post this?

Seriously, I told you I would post a little something later on today about our "Landfill/Dump" experience...and I wasn't kidding...It was not something I want to do again anytime soon...but considering that we are still in the cleaning process around here, we may have to enter the "Dump Zone" again, one more time....=) This is a picture of the landfill that I took yesterday...It blew me away...this was only one section of this huge "business of trash"...I can't believe that people have made dumping trash into a business....I was amazed at how big this facility was, and it somewhat bothered me. I just can't believe that we have created a place in our world, just to dump things...Obviously that means that we have too many things, if we have THIS much trash...Where did the Indian's and the Pioneers of our country put all their trash? I am assuming that they didn't have any Styrofoam coffee cups, or old washing machines that they needed to get rid of....
And they charge for you to dump certain things in certain places....the wood goes in one place, the appliances in another, and there is a certain part where they weigh your truck prior to dumping and then after and charge you according...We had to pay $18 to dump our 2 truckloads of stuff that we departed with yesterday....(It felt good to get rid of so much stuff though-Our basement looks SO much better already) James and I don't think you have to have a very high education to work here either (hope no one works at the landfill, if so, I apologize) But the friendliness of the staff was much to be desired...they weren't very helpful in guiding us through this process...We didn't know where to go, how to weigh the truck, that our trash had to be divided, and most importantly....it is a state law to "Tarp our Load". And we broke the law...We drove an untarped load...Ha ha...I have laughed and laughed over this line....Believe me, after the lady with no teeth, advised us of this tidbit of info...I will never again drive an untarped load...It will forever be embedded in my mind....well, just thought I would share this experience with you in case you have never gotten to partake in such an interesting outing....

good night.

It is almost over.....

I can't believe that Spring Break is almost over....It is sad...I have gotten used to the kids being here, and not having to get up early...I don't want them to go back to school...I love summer...We have had a wonderful week, all of us at home together....James and I both took vacation this week, and we have just enjoyed being together....We have gotten lots of work done around the house....There is still lots to do...but I am very proud of our accomplishments....We have a huge unfinished basement that is nothing but a catch all for our unwanted junk...and we have cleaned it completely out...I will post about our trip to the Landfill later on today...It was a very interesting experience, to say the least...I even took a picture with my cell phone...because I was amazed at the sight of the place...No, I don't get out very much....=)

We are getting ready to finish it up today...and then we hope to clean out the closets upstairs, and we will be close to finishing the "Spring Cleaning"... We have enjoyed our time together as a family...It has been good..I am smiling...Wishing that it wasn't almost over....

A Little of This and That

This post isn't about anything all that important...Just wanted to first of all, comment on American Idol last night....David Cook was AMAZING!!! He sung a "rocker" version of "Billie Jean" by Micheal Jackson, and it was perfect...Loved it...He is one of my favorite's of the season....He reminds me a lot of Chris Daughtery, who was my favorite of season 5!!! I think he will be in the top 2...maybe even win it...that is "Cassie's prediction"....=) I am an American Idol Junkie...for those of you who don't even know these people, I am sorry...but it is the one TV show, that I look forward to every year....I have even been to the American Idol on Tour concert, the past 2 years in a row...in Washington, DC...I told you I have it bad....That was my little AI spill, I was just so glad that Amanda got voted off last week...I didn't think I could stand another week of her strange faces, and her "wanna be" rocker voice....She just didn't have it, to me...(this is just my opinion, but remember this is MY blog)


I have spent the last 24 hours preparing for a consignment sale, that I am consigning some of the kids clothes in...It is this weekend...and it is called Heavenly Hand Me Downs Children's Consignment Event....I am attempting to get rid of quite a bit of the kid's clothes, toys, ect....So if anyone is interested in shopping at this consignment sale, email me, and I will get you the information...Sounds like it is going to be a pretty good sale...Looking forward to it....

Last night, Macey and I cooked dinner, and she did a lot of it herself...We really enjoyed cooking together, and I think she was pretty proud of herself...We made cheesy chicken rolls, homemade mashed potatoes, corn, and brownies for dessert!! Yes, for those of you who know our potato "secret" (we use instant mashed potatoes) We made real, homemade mashed potatoes....and they were YUMMY!!! Kevin and Christy were shocked that we used instant, and after our homemade ones last night...we may be done with instant...unless, we are pushed for time....So our budget, has got us in the kitchen, cooking together...I told you that this class was changing our family..I am so thankful for this class...We have paid off a number of debts, we have saved $1000 dollars for our savings account, and we are on our way to becoming debt free....If we keep on the right track we should debt free by 2013....including our home and cars...which will mean I will be debt free before I turn 40!! That is AWESOME!!!

Well, I am getting off of here...We are making an attempt at cleaning out the garage today....going to get a few more things together for this sale...Hoping to make some money to buy the kids some new spring and summer clothes....We are heading to the Y this morning....to work out first(wanna get this weight off before bathing suit season)....Hope everyone has a great day...

Horton Hears a Who

We took the kid's to see Dr. Suess, Horton hears a Who today...considering it is Spring Break and SNOWING outside!! Can you believe that? Anyway, we had told them for a while that we would take them to see it, and what better day than today....I loved the movie...very cute, with a very good point...My favorite line from the movie....."A person's a person, no matter how small.." Be sure to check it out...Great family movie....We gave it 5 stars =)

Is there a mouse in the house?

You read the title to this post correctly....a mouse in the house....that is exactly what occured last night in the Allen's house when we got home from church and settled down for the night....We were all sitting around in the den...doing what families do...I was on my laptop editing pictures, James and Ian were watching a movie (we had free HBO this weekend, and I think they Tivo'ed every movie they could) Macey was reading, and Cade was playing on the computer.....(something he loves to do, I might add....) when suddenly, in the corner of James' eye..he spotted something very small, and grey scutter across the floor, right under Cade's feet, and it darted under the computer desk...

"There is a mouse in here!!!" James yelled....(as Macey, Ian and I ALL jumped onto the coffee table....screaming.....
"Where?" said Ian and Macey....
"Under the computer desk!!!" James said....
Cade was sitting at the desk, still in his world of learning to read...which he is doing so well at, I might add....and he looked at us, and started screaming....he had both of his feet pointed towards the ceiling...screaming at the top of his lungs, "MOMMY!!! COME GET ME!! I AM SCARED!!!WHERE'S THE MOUSE?"

I continued to stand on the coffee table, trying to bribe my 4 year old who is frozen in fear, to jump down, and get on the coffee table with me....James finally picked him up and gave him to me, and then the process of catching a tiny furry creature began...We felt violated, it had invaded our territory, and it was going to pay....ha ha ha...that was a little much, but it made me laugh...Anyway, we all got out of the den, and James and Ian were in there with towels stuffed under any possible escape route for this little guy, and they were determined to catch him and remove him from our property....Cade, still screaming, is attached to my hip, while I am trying to help the guys out ;)

"Please, Mommy," he cried. "Don't go back in there, I am scared" he kept saying over and over...I tried to calm him down, but to no avail....

Anyway, we had the bright idea of bringing Milly(our kitten) into the den...She is a cat...she loves mice...Maybe she could help us....She is 3 months old now, but I don't think she is a "pro" at mouse hunting yet...We found this out last night....I do think she is the reason the little varmit was captured....she was a great assistant....but definitely needs some practice..

Well, the story ends after about an hour of James removing every possible piece of paper from the desk area (what a great way to get him to clean the desk !!!) and moving the desk out from the wall, we finally determined the mouse had gotten into the crevice beneath the filing drawers in our desk...James pulled the first one out slowly, afraid the little thing would jump out at us...Not like it was more scared of us, than we were of it....no mouse in the first drawer....Now to the second one....He slowly pulled it out, and jumped back...there it was...We put Milly down, and she saw it right away...she watched it for a second, and then she smacked at it a couple of times..it almost got through a crack behind the entertainment system, but Milly didn't let her...and then James trapped the mouse in a clear container....against the step...He scared Milly and she went and hid behind the couch...She was finished with the mouse hunt....So there James was, stuck holding this container against the wooden step...unable to remove it, or the mouse would be free....So, he had the bright idea of sliding the lid over it very carefully....as he did this...hmmm...the nicest way I know to put this is, the mouse got in the way of the lid....and, well, he is no longer with us....I know some animal lovers out there, may think this is horrible, but the little varmit shouldn't have invaded our home...that's what happens if you are someplace you shouldn't be...and you are a mouse....Life is Hard that way sometimes....

and then James said, "Who said I would get rid of this mouse?"
"You did Honey...I am so proud" I said to him...smiling...
Needless to say, we have set a few mousetraps too...Don't want any family members coming back for a visit.....

Easter Sunday

Today was Easter Sunday...took a few pics of everyone dressed up...We enjoyed eating lunch with Mamaw and Papaw Horne...She cooked some yummy food, and some homemade banana pudding....We enjoyed getting to spend some time with them after church....Thanks so much for the wonderful lunch Mamaw...We love you....Daddy with his babies.....

Mommy with her kiddos....Hope everyone had a blessed Easter Sunday...Ian went forward this morning in the service...It was such a wonderful day for him to make a public profession of faith...Easter morning....Good night....

Easter Egg Hunt

We took the kids to the Easter egg hunt today at church....They had a great time...Ian won the prize for finding the most eggs, 39 to be exact....and Cade found a prize egg....Macey didn't win anything, but she had lots of fun anyway....She loved hanging out with her best bud, Alivia...Here are a few pics from the day....Here is Cade with his friend, Campbell...(Greta, I will send you all the pics that I took)

This is Ian, Hunter and Nathan talking with Pastor Graves....Cade right after they told the kids, "Ready, Set, Go!!".....He was a little excited...Macey counting her eggs....No prize egg....=( Cade and his sissy...they love each other so much....Me and my precious crew....love you guys...

A Part of God's Family

After the Easter program last night, when we got home, Ian had lots of questions about the play...the skit ect....We were answering them the best we could...When he asked this question..."What if you thought you got saved when you were little, but you don't think you really did? Would you still be saved?" We explained this to him, and Ian proceeded to tell James he didn't think he was saved...(Ian asked Jesus into his heart when he was 5 years old, and last night informed us that the only reason he wanted to get saved then was so he could do the Lord's Supper) So, I guess you know what comes next....Ian made the desicion last night to get saved...10 years old..crying because he knows he is a sinner, he wants the protection of the Lord that he saw last night on the stage of the Easter play, He now can say, "I know, that I know, that I know." ....My baby is now a part of God's family...Thank you Lord...

Easter Program

Tonight we went to the Easter Program, "The Mercy Seat" at Higher Ground Baptist Church. James' sister goes to this church, and for the past few years we have attended this program. It was AWESOME!! We invited our good friends, Kevin and Christy to go with us...so we headed to Cheddar's for dinner (Yes, FPU friends, this was in the budget) and then we went to the program....It was phenomenal...Talk about feeling the Lord's presence...It was in this place tonight....They told the story of Jesus, from his birth, his miracles, his Crucifixion, and his death...and his Resurrection....Our kids, all 5 of them, sat still in amazement the entire time...I haven't cried so much in a while...To sit back and realize what Jesus did for us, and what we give to him....We are not worthy of his love, but he Loves us anyway....

One of the skits during tonight's performance was called Everything...It was a very emotional skit that the youth performed...I looked it up and found it on Youtube (this isn't the youth from Higher Ground, but it is the same skit)....I had to post this, because it is unbelievable....and yet so true...No matter how far away from God we go..whether it be in sin, drugs, alcohol, whatever it is....Jesus is there...praying for us...drawing us back to him...protecting us from evil....Watch this video...it is amazing...

"

This was a wonderful way to spend our Good Friday...Preparing our minds for a Blessed Easter Weekend....and celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord....Good Night....

This Man

This video is a song titled This Man from Jeremy Camp...It is an awesome song to listen to considering the upcoming Easter holiday...The video uses footage from The Passion of the Christ...So be aware of that before watching....if that is something that bothers you, or if little ones are watching....I think this video says it all....This Man, Jesus, did this for us...I love my Lord....Happy Easter.....He is ALIVE!

In only a moment truth was seen
Revealed this mystery
The crown that showed no dignity he wore
And the king was placed for all the world to show disgrace
But only beauty flowed from this place

Would you take the place of this man
Would you take the nails from his hands
Would you take the place of this man
Would you take the nails from his hands

He held the weight of impurity
The Father would not see
The reasons had finally come to be to show
The depth of His grace flowed with every sin erased
He knew that this was why he came

Would you take the place of this man
Would you take the nails from his hands
Would you take the place of this man
Would you take the nails from his hands

And we just don't know
The blood and water flowed
And in it all He shows
Just how much He cares

And the veil was torn
So we could have this open door
And all these things have finally been complete

Would you take the place of this man
Would you take the nails from his hands
Would you take the place of this man
Would you take the nails from his hands,
from his hands, from his hands, from his hands

Waffles for Wonder Woman

Today in Cade's Pre school class we celebrated "Waffles for Wonder Woman"....(They are celebrating the letter "W" and mom doesn't start with "W", so Mrs. Fuller decided that all moms were Wonder Women--that is where the name of the event came from) It was for all of the mom's of the kids in the class...We had a yummy breakfast of waffles, butter and syrup...Cade loved it....He ate 5 or 6 waffles...and the best part was we ate them with out any silverware...which the kids thought was pretty cool...They simply dipped their waffles into the syrup....I got to be a "mom" for a little boy named Jon...He is one of Cade's good friends, and his mommy was not able to be there today...so we gladly let him spend some time with us...After breakfast...Cade and Jon picked out their favorite book and we sat and read them together....Lots of fun....Cade started to cry when I had to leave...but I told him that after today we have an entire week together...Because it is SPRING BREAK!!!!! YIPPEE!!! James and I both took off the entire week of Spring Break so we could spend some quality time together as a family...We aren't going any place special...just staying home...but I do have some fun things planned...

I picked the kiddos up from school a little bit early and we went to Claude's ( a local barber shop) and got the boys hair cuts for Easter...and then we came home...Ian and I did our "training" and we are doing pretty well...While we were outside...I saw my favorite tree, the Bradford Pear, is blooming!!! Yeah!! Ian told me while we were running that today was the first day of Spring...I had forgotton...and coming from a Seasonal Affective Disorder Mama, that is very uncharacteristic of me....So, I had to run in and get my Best Friend, My Nikon =) and take a little picture of it...I will take another one in a week or so when they are in full bloom...We have 3 in our back yard, and they are beautiful....Well, the boys are off to baseball practice, and I am hitting the showers....Running is great exercise...but it wears me out....Hope everyone has a great Spring Break and a wonderful and blessed Easter Weekend....I will still be posting....I want everyone to see what great fun we are having =)

Ian was published....

Ian got off the bus today so excited..



He said, "You will never guess what happened!"

"What?", I said, dreading the answer...Because that statement ususally means something bad...

"My paragraph that I wrote was published in the newspaper!!", he said, as he handed me a copy of the paper that the teacher let him bring home.

"Wow..(I was shocked)...I am very pround of you, Ian...."



Ian's class partcipate in a program called Newspapers in Education. Every week of school, they are required to write a paragraph about a certain topic that they are assigned. These have the possibility of getting published in our local newspaper....and Ian's did...I am so proud...This week, was Music in Education....The question was " What does Music mean to you?"

Music means alot to me. When I am sad, music sings a song aout what I'm sad about. When I'm bored and want to have some fun or when I'm at a party, it can get a party going. In basketball, football, soccer or baseball, we will play music. If you workout, music can get you going when you run. Music can be good for memories of the past. In movies, music is good to know when something bad is going to happen or when someone is going to get hurt. Music can be used in a whole bunch of ways.

Ian Allen, 5th Grade

Jefferson, R. Gullion, Teacher



This is really extra special for Ian, because the trouble he has been having in school, is in Reading and Writing...so this was a big "pick me up" for him....He started his tutoring this week, and he LOVES it...He is really trying...It is hard to believe that this is his last year of elementary school...Where has the time gone? I know lots of people have been posting about Kindergarten registration and how sad it is..and I will be sad when Cade has to go to Kindergarten..But where he attends Preschool 5 days a week...it almost seems like he has already started school....Not going to be a very big transition for him...The clincher for me is my baby, my first born, is going to middle school....He will no longer be in elementary school...I have to attend 5th grade graduation in just a month and a half....I am tearing up as I type it...He is growing up on me...and I don't know where the time has gone.....One child going to middle school, and one going to Kindergarten...They just grow up too fast....=(

To Post or Not to Post?

That is the question...And since you are reading this, I guess you realize I have decided to post....This was one of the funniest things Ian has ever said...and left James and I speechless....Wasn't sure if it was "blog appropriate" but I think I can tell it in a "family oriented sort of way"...Tasteful, one might say....So, here goes.....

We are all sitting in the den watching tv, right before I had to go into work last night.....and a Viagra commercial comes on tv....

"Mom? What in the world are they talking about?"

"What?", I said, not paying any attention to what was on the television....

"That medicine they are talking about....They said it could help with 'reptile destruction'..."

Enough said....I was cracking up...Priceless...And I am sure you know, the minute he said it, I thought--That really needs to be blogged...I will leave it up to your imagination to figure out how we answered that one....Too funny...Have a great Tuesday....

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Cade made this leprechaun mask in school last week...I have been saving this one for St. Patty's day...Hope everyone has a great St. Patrick's day...Don't forget to wear green...or you'll get pinched!!!!!!

God is Good

God is Good. His hand is in everything in our lives, and sometimes we don't even realize that..Or, I guess we just tend to forget that he is in control...Many of you know that Ian has been struggling with school..Reading comprehension to be exact...He just doesn't enjoy reading, and therefore it is difficult for him...Fifth grade has really been a challenge...He isn't failing or anything, just really struggling....We have been fervently praying for him for quite a few months now..I have shared my concerns with many of you...especially my "teacher friends"....Well, this is amazing to me...I voiced my concerns to Cade's pre-k teacher, who is a good friend of mine...she told us about one of the teacher's in the school, who tutors in reading comprehension. We have since talked with her, and she is going to be tutoring Ian 3 days a week after school, for an hour and a half....So, she and I have been emailing back and forth for the past couple of days...She is working on a plan so she can help Ian in the best possible way...This was part of the email that I recieved from her this morning....

"Amy (Cade's Pre-K teacher) explained that Ian has lots of prayers behind him. I will be contributing my prayers as well. If you aren't already doing so, pray for Ian's teachers to be able to figure out how to best help him. During a family health crisis, I was praying fervently for my mother. A dear friend reminded me that I needed to pray just as much for the doctor. I was reminded that, although God can instantly heal, He can heal through others as well. Have a most wonderful weekend! "

How great is our God!! He has placed a godly woman in our lives who is ALREADY praying for my son...I was in tears when I read the email this morning...So, I wasn't going to share about Ian and his learning "issues" in detail, because he doesn't want me to...but I had to share what My God is doing in Ian's life....We truly feel blessed...Will be sure to keep you updated on his progress....

From the Couch to the 5K

No, I am not crazy...this is a running plan...Ian and I have decided that we are going to run in the local "race" for FunFest (a local week long event for our area) this summer....It is in the middle of July...So we have started this running program...From the couch to the 5K...I started this last summer, and did really well for 2 months...and then I went on vacation...I ran 2 days while we were at the beach...and then it was down hill after that...This program is really a great one...I could tell such a difference in my stamina after we got to week 4 and 5 of the program...Is is easy? No...I am definately not a runner, but I am dedicated this time...Ian is a great "running buddy" because he could run forever...We carry our stop watch with us, and take off outside...and just run in our neighborhood....Good quality time for us, plus we are getting in some serious shape....I have been working out 4-5 days a week at the YMCA since December....Working out with weights and lots of cardio on the cross trainer....It is getting a little frustrating because I have only lost a total of 6 pounds(and I want to lose 40, yes, I need to lose that much!)....Ugh.....So, one of my friends that goes to the Y with me, was talking about changing up her workout...so I thought I might as well try it...So, I pulled out the old "running plan"...asked Ian to join in with me...and we have started our "training"...will keep you posted on how we are doing....Hopefully come July...We can post some pictures of us finishing this race...=) Here is our workout that we have been doing for week one....we do the following 3 times a week..

Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Be sure to check out the site, CoolRunning.com, it has the entire workout posted, week by week...Hope everyone has a great Friday....Worked last night...so, good night...

Cade is a Soccer Player

Today was Cade's very first soccer practice...He had so much fun...He is going to take after his brother, Ian when it comes to sports....100%!!!! He ran so hard and played awesome considering that he has never played an organized sport before....The coach asked me if he had ever played, and I told him "No, he knows nothing about the game except what he has seen while Ian and Macey have been playing..." Well, the practice continued and they scrimmaged the team practicing at the other end of the field...and who do you think scored the first goal? You guessed it...Cade Allen...the soccer player!!!! We were so proud of him....He was smiling from one ear to the other when he scored the goal...and the coach ran up and gave him five...He thought he was big stuff!!! and he was!!! The coach came up to James and I after practice and said, "He may have never played the game before, but he must have watched lots of games because he is GOOD!" and one of the other moms said, "He played awesome!" So we left our first practice, with Cade thinking he is going to be a super star soccer player.....and his parents felt the same way...It is hard for me to look at these pictures of my baby...I can't hardly believe that he is playing soccer....Time flies...Here are a few pictures from tonight..I think he is adorable...but I am a little partial...=) Loved this shot....I had my zoom lens on..He was across the field...loved how he is focused on what the coach is saying....He listened really well....
He was ready for the ball....it was coming down the field towards him....too cute....He is actually on the red team, but he wanted to wear Macey's old shirt to practice...so he did...We will get his red shirt this week....Let's head out to work...Have a good night...

"Y" and "Z" are for...

"Y" is for "yes, I am almost finished with the ABC challenge" I have enjoyed it, but I am ready to move on to bigger and better things...I thought about quitting, but decided I would finish it up...So "y" es, I am almost done...Yippee!!! Yahoo!! Yeah!!!

and because I am so glad that I am almost done...I am going to do 2 letters in one post....Here we go..."Z" is for.....Hmmm..nothing really sticks out here...so here is a few "z" words that came to mind...
zuchinni bread(my mom used to make this and it was yummy)
zebras
zorro(hero in a mask)
zero ( a really bad grade)
zechariah (books of the Bible)
zephaniah
Zeus( A Greek mythological character)
I think that is enough....of the z's...I am finished with the ABC challenge...finally...

"X" is for....

Here we are...the letter "X"..the reason I questioned starting this ABC challenge to begin with...But how convenient that my son, has started an asthma flare up, the night before my "X" challenge....The drug that we spend lots of money on...that helps him when he is struggling to breathe..... As Cade calls it, "his bweethin' tweetment"..none other than.....(your googled definition is to follow....I love google...can't help myself...I know that I knew nothing about asthma medications until Cade was diagnosed....so here you go...)

Xopenex-Xopenex is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.
Xopenex is used to treat reversible obstructive airway conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

There you have it...I have purchased xopenex in the form of a nebulizer, and boy have we went through the stuff...and now that Cade is older, we are using the inhaler....which he does very well with, btw....So, yes it is boring...but it is a word that begins with the letter "x"...It is probably a little more interesting that the post I was thinking about on Xavier Roberts...The man who signed my Cabbage Patch Kids bottoms......;)...maybe...

"W" is for....

"W" is for WHY MUST THREE CHILDREN ARGUE CONTINUOUSLY?????????? Seriously...I am not kidding here...My kids walked in the door from school, and it has been one never ending argument...

Things The Allen Children Argue about.......

• who gets to use the timer for reading...


• who gets to help Cade with his Backpack work (he is in preschool, and they love to help him...)


• who has to set the table


• who has to clear the table


• starting homework


• eating dinner, my youngest doesn't tolerate sitting through an entire dinner well....he whines


• who has to get water for the dog


• who has to get food for the cat


• who gets a snack after dinner


• who doesn't get a snack after dinner


• who has to take a bath first


• who has to sleep with Cade (he has no room for right now)


• who has to pick up the toys ( I think there is a toy fairy that just spreads toys all over the house and no one seems to know how they get there....)


• finishing homework


• playing ball in the house

I think you get the idea....Believe me, I could go on...but I will spare you....this time...

Ok, I seriously just got up and had to intervene in yet another argument....Can you believe it?

Mom-"Guys...you have to start getting along...Stop the fighting..."

Cade-" Macey did it...I didn't..."

Mom-"I don't care who did what, but if it doesn't stop, all 3 of you will be getting in some serious trouble...Do you understand?"

Macey-" Mommy, you just don't get it...We ARE brothers and sisters...WE FIGHT..."

Thanks Macey...How I would have made it through the evening without her 8 year old insight....I sometimes wonder where her vast knowledge comes from.....and then I look in the mirror...=)

Weekend Recap

This weekend was a busy one for me...James had to work a shut down, and I had to work Friday night...so I was left watching the children with no sleep to amount to anything...We celebrated with James family on Friday, James' mom's 63rd Birthday...

We went out with friends for dinner on Saturday night...and the food was so good...After eating at home all week, eating out has turned into a treat....and that it was...We ate at O'Charley's, and their potato soup is heavenly.....I love it....Yummy...After dinner, we went home and just put on our warm pj's and laid on the couch....When I opened my eyes, it was midnite....Can you believe it??? We were absolutely exhausted....so we carried all the kiddos to bed, and climbed in bed ourselves....

James was up and gone to work before we even woke up on Sunday morning....So I got up quietly and attempted to do a few things on my own before the children awoke....First on my list was coffee....with coconut creamer....We got ready and made it to church on time...which was good for me...considering I was doing it alone this morning....I was happy with that....I had already informed my children that we were eating at home today....and everyone was fine with that...For those of you who don't know, we are doing Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University...and one of the ways we are saving money...is NOT eating out very often....So the kids begged me to make egg sandwiches...that is funny because just 1 week ago, none of them had ever had an egg sandwich...So that is what we had for lunch, and animal crackers for dessert....and they were yummy....This afternoon, I played around on the Ultimate Blog Party, and then did some work on editing a few photo sessions that I am behind on...I should be finished with those in a couple of days, guys, I promise.....

Tonight at church, we had a business meeting for a proposed building plan...after the meeting, discussion, and vote...We are going to proceed with the Building process...That is so exciting...It was 92% which is phenomenal...I am so excited about what God is getting ready to do at our church....His hand is in this, and He is going to do great things....I know it....

After church, we had a Mexican Fiesta ( a social where everyone brought their fav Mexican dish) which was a big success...We got to try lots of yummy Mexican dishes...and had a great time with our friends....

After church, Daniel and Tina, good friends or ours, invited us over to play Domino's...I hadn't ever played before, but I had a great time...It was a really fun game, and I loved the company...Kevin and Christy were there too, and we laughed and laughed....There were lots of funny things about the game, but the funniest was Kevin trying to match the colors...(FYI-The purpose of the game is to match the NUMBER of dots....not the color...Too funny!! Love you Kevin!!! We really do!!) Before we realized it, it was 10 o'clock, and we had to head out...Kid's have school in the morning...Poohey...We will have to pick this game up another time, when we have more time....You guys may make a game player out of me after all!!!! Thanks Tina for inviting us!! We had a great time...Can't wait to do it again!!! Love you guys! Well, this has been lots of randomness...but I got all of my weekend festivities in one post....=) Yay, me! Well, eyes are crossing again...time to hit the sack...Good night...