Get Well Soon, Landon

Many of you have heard me talk about my good friend Lisa...Well, her family had a rough weekend this past week...They were out of town for a soccer tournament, and her son, Landon, was injured...In the beginning they didn't know how serious it was...Lisa said she was sitting a few feet away from him, and could hear something pop...while he was on the soccer field...For those of you who are mom's-you know the feeling when you think your child is hurt...I know Cade was hurt a year or so ago, and had to have a plastic surgeon sew his lip up...And in the moment of uncertainty...lots of thoughts cross your mind...It is so difficult to see your child in pain...Not something we ever want to deal with....any of us...But thankfully, Landon wasn't injured too bad...He had to go to an orthopedic, and had an MRI...and they told him that he chipped his knee cap...He is in a brace, and is having to be "out of commission" for 4 weeks...It could be worse, but I know it is hard for him to have to miss his soccer games...and baseball...He is on our baseball team...and he is one AWESOME player...We can't wait until you are back on your feet again, and hitting home runs like you did in the scrimmage!!! This is a picture I had of Landon, when he came over and played with Ian a couple of years ago...on our "redneck slip n slide" ( a plastic tarp, a sprinkler, a big hill, and crazy dads!!) Anyway, Landon...now you can consider yourself BLOGGED!!!! Get well soon!!!!

My Take on American Idol

I am an avid American Idol fan...I have faithfully watched every episode since Season One (Thanks to Tivo) I have even went to see American Idol on Tour twice in Washington DC...Yes, I saw Chris Daughtry in concert!!! I was a HUGE Chris Daughtry fan....(and still am!)

and said I would never watch the show again, after he got voted off the show...But look at him now...He is doing so well...So, no you don't have to win to do well...but it sure would be nice for once....I was a Blake Lewis fan....saw him in concert too!!! Loved it!!

and he came in second....
I think my choice is going to do it this year...David Cook was awesome tonight again...He can sing just about anything they ask him to sing, and does it well....He is very unique, and knows how to make a song his own....

So, there you go...that is my prediction...David Cook is the Next American Idol!!!

Just imagine me sitting right next to Simon...giving my opinion....=) I am a Simon fan too

..I know, I know, I can't help it...I love his honesty...=) Let's go to work...Have a good night.....

3 Random Things

I have been tagged by my friend, Tanja, to post 3 random things about me....so here are the rules.....

Here are the rules:
1. Post three random things about yourself.
2. In your post, link to the person who tagged you.
3. Tag at least five other bloggers. Let them know you've tagged them by commenting on their blog with an invite to participate

1. One summer, I had a part time job at a local chemical company in our area, and I drove a fork lift truck...I loaded 18 wheelers..I hated it. This is the job that made me realize I needed to go to college, because I didn't want to do this the rest of my life....The highlight of this job was the day that I tore the top out of a truck...Yes, I did...I forgot to lower the front of the fork lift truck and folded up the top of the truck like an accordion...that was a bad day......

2. I am a very organized person....except for one thing...laundry...I can't get it done...no matter how hard I try...Five people dirty a lot of clothes in a week....I would pay someone to do this chore for me...I would put this expense in my budget, without thinking twice about it....

3. I am watching a "Jon and Kate plus 8" marathon...I have sat here and watched 4 episodes in a row....They are so funny! They remind me of James and I...except we only have 3 children...I think 8 would push me over the edge...I love Kate's hair...which is very similar to mine...Probably the reason I like it...I am a short hair fan. =) One of my favorite things to watch on TV (when the opportunity arises =) is The Learning Channel...I know...I am a goober...

Well, I guess I followed the directions perfectly...these things are definitely random....

So, Now I have to tag 5 people....So, here we go...I am tagging Bethanne, LeeAnn, Jennifer, Allison, and Barbara....Hope you guys enjoyed my randomness....

The Story of Esther

Sunday night at church, the children put on their performance of "Esther-day"...Macey and Ian did a great job. It was the first church play that they had a major part in, and they both did fantastic!! I was so proud of them....Macey was the character, Zerox the scribe,(sort of the narrator of the play) and Ian was Haman, the evil one....They both had a great time doing the play, and had put lots of hard work into learning all of their lines...Here are a few pictures from the performance....This is Mace, singing one of her 2 solos....This is a scene where Queen Esther is talking with Xerxes and Haman...Cade's choir also sang....The are called the "Little Treble Makers"...Here is a shot of him singing next to his friend, Jett...Cade got into trouble during his last "stage performance" , so he had been threatened with his life this time...and did FANTASTIC!! We were so proud of him! Here is a picture of Cade and his friend, Spencer after the show...They were posing for me...The kids did a great job...and really enjoyed learning about the story of Esther....Worked last night, so good night....

A Perfect Day for a Hike

Today the kids were out of school, so we decided to meet the Hite's and go for a hike...We went to Bays Mountain ( a local park in the area) and hiked around the lake ( Did you know there are jellyfish in the lake? Sorry, LOL, I had to blog that....Ian and Macey swear this is a true statement. I will have to google that one..Not so sure they know what they are talking about)....The kids had a blast and it was some good exercise...a beautiful day...85 degrees and sunny...You can't ask for anything more!!! Here are a few pics...Gotta work all weekend, and so does James...so this was our "fun" for the weekend...I guess....Enjoy...This is where we stopped for a lunch break..We packed our lunches and had ourselves a little picnic... Not far from this spot we saw some deer. We actually saw about 5 during our entire hike...One particular one, Cade spotted first, and we were bragging on him for seeing it, and he said, " I have really smart eyes, Mommy..." He is so funny
Here is a picture of me and James...Bless his heart...he worked nights last night, and only slept about 3 hours because he wanted to go with us...He was glad he did though...we had a great time. We stopped here, at the end of our hike, and watched the otters...they were so cute..Cade loved them....
Here is a picture of my good friend, Christy...She took off work today. We usually don't get to do stuff together during the week, so this was a special occasion... =) Last but not least...this has nothing to do with our hike...but I took this picture of Miss Milly today...She is very photogenic...I thought I would let everyone see how much she has grown...We got her in December as a kitten, and she is growing like a weed...She is growing on me too--because I am not a cat lover...but I really like Miss Milly...=) We had a great day, but everyone is pooped...After our hike, Ian had baseball practice, and Macey and I walked on the track...We have burned some major calories today...Yay for me!!! Hope everyone has a good weekend....It is off to work for me....

Happy Birthday Daddy

Today is my Daddy's birthday...So here is a special post just for him... Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Daddy, and Papaw

Happy Birthday to you....

We love you and hope you have the greatest Birthday EVER!!! (My mom's birthday was in February, and I didn't want her to think I forgot her...I just didn't think to do Birthday posts until now...So Happy Belated Birthday Blog post to you Mom/Mamaw!!!)

Flashback Friday

Where does the time go? This is a picture of Ian, when he was about one year old...He will be graduating from elementary school in about 3 weeks, and this picture seems like it was just yesterday....and yes, James had hair....=)
I love these guys so much...and little did I know back then, when I took this picture that I would have a precious little girl, and another little boy in a few years.....Time flies when your having fun....

The kids are out of school today, and we have plans to go hiking and have a picnic...James is off today, so he is going with us...We are meeting some friends of ours, so we should have a great day...Hope the rain holds off...Hope everyone has a great weekend....

If Your Lawn Mower is Broken, Take Pictures...

Yes, you read that right...My lawn mower is torn up...We called to get it serviced on Friday, no one has called yet...That is so aggravating...but, why not enjoy the vast amount of dandelions that we have in our lower yard....=)

I did borrow my dad's push mower yesterday, and got 90% of the yard finished...I saved the worst part for last, and then ran out of gas, and time....so James is going to finish it when he gets home....We have about an acre, and it is all hillside....not easy pushmowing, but good sun, and great exercise...I am sore today...believe me....

I had visitied a website the other day where a photographer did some shots with dandelions...so, I thought I would give it a shot...Cade was my model...who else???

Here is a shot of the redbud tree in my yard....pretty....Here is my handsome little guy...posing for me...Cade blowing dandelions....too cute

I AM going to MISS you....

Well, it is officially done...Cade has been registered for Kindergarten...We went this morning, as soon as we dropped Ian and Macey off for school....So hard for me to believe....He was enrolled this year in the city Pre-School, which has been so good for him...He gotten to go to the same school his brother and sister go to, and he has already gotten familiar with the building, the teachers, and the playground (that is the most important, you know) So, this whole Kindergarten thing, doesn't seem like a very big deal to him...and honestly not as big a deal to me, as it was the other two...Cade goes to school 5 days a week, has lunch, ect...He just gets out at 1:30 instead of 3....He is ready...He has come such a long way this year...When we started Pre-K, he was clingy, crying daily, and just didn't "want to"...He now, jumps out of the car, hugs Mrs. Fuller, and LOVES to go to school....He is reading, and colors and draws like an artist...(he is going to take after his mother in the art department ;)

This is the conversation we had this morning after registration...

"Mommy, I am going to Kindergarten, I am going to ride the bus, be gone ALL day, and YOU ARE GOING to MISS ME!!!"Cade said, as he was holding my hand, smiling, and skipping to the car....

"You got that right little guy...I certainly am going to miss you....Don't be so happy about it" I said laughing at him....

"You'll be fine..." he said to me...as he climbed into the van....asking me what our plans were for the day....

He is right, you know, I will be fine...but I am realizing that this is an end to a season...After August of this year, I will no longer have a preschooler....The thought crosses my mind, maybe we should have one more baby...I always wanted another girl.....then I come to my senses, and think to myself...It is time for this phase of our life to end...There is another getting ready to start....

He is out of school today...and I am going to take full advantage of it...We have until 4:00(when the other 2 get home) to do whatever we want....So we have a "date" today....We are heading to the gym first (because Mommy has to get this weight off), then we have packed our lunches, and we are heading to a special place for a picnic lunch...I will definitely take my camera so I can take some photos of us....A new phase of our lives will begin in the next few months, but for today...I am going to enjoy my baby...Have a great one...

*****Added this to this post last night....Here are a couple of pics from our picnic...James and I surprised Cade with a picnic with Daddy...He left work during his lunch and met us at a park nearby....Cade was so excited for Daddy to eat lunch with us...We had a great time...He didn't want James to go back to work....=( Cade asked me this morning, on the way to school, if we could meet him for a picnic again today....I told him we would picnic on Friday (because they are out of school!!) We had a great day! (pictures aren't that great--just used my cell phone instead of dragging my camera with me)

The Secret

Our church service tonight really blessed me...Our youth minister spoke on the following verses...

"10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:10-13

He was speaking about our children...the youth primarily...(but it won't be long before Ian is a teenager...and I will take every bit of encouragement, and guidance in raising him that I can get)....The focus of these verses was the word, "secret"...The secret to a meaningful Christian life, is drawing on Christ's power for strength....through bible study and prayer....It was mentioned how hard it is for our kids in school today...the things that they have to face, the pressures, and the choices that they will have to make...It is hard out in the world..but the best way to prepare them is to keep them in the word....Have Faith in our GOD...He is an amazing God, that gave up his only son to die for you and me....The following verse really got me...I had never read it before until it was read tonight...

10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes [a] his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10

God's will was for Jesus to suffer... for us...He loved us that much...beyond the scope of my mind.

Thank you Lord for saving me, and opening my eyes to the importance of Faith in you...You are there for me all the time, and I just need to take the time to remember that...and turn to you...always...Help me as I raise my children in this evil world of ours, help James and I to make sure they see the importance of having you in every aspect of our lives....

Did they say Unneccesary Roughness?

For those of you who know Macey-Athletic is not a word used to describe her...Typically...Boy have things changed over the course of a year...Now, don't get me wrong..she still is your typical girly girl....loves pink, dreams of modeling, loves clothes, shopping, and doing "girl things"....But on the soccer field, she has quickly gained some aggressiveness....We were sitting on the field today under umbrellas, with jackets on...YUCK...when I heard the whistle blow loudly....

"What are they calling?" I asked....

"Unnecessary roughness on number 15" the lady sitting beside me said...(not knowing my child was number 15)

"SERIOUSLY?" I was in shock....

"Way to go Macey!!" James and Ian said in unison.....(Nothing like a good Unnecessary Roughness call to make the men of the house proud!!!)

Macey just smiled, and continued on her merry way...Playing hard...Like an athlete....

I am so proud of her....She really wants to pursue soccer..and I am going to support her on this one...She is little, she is fast...and she is learning this sport so well...and now, I guess, I can add the adjective, aggressive...=) .
( I didn't get any pictures, once again, for not wanting to risk getting my camera wet...I know, but it matters to me....Just imagine, my cute little frizzy (due to the rain) red headed cutie...pushing, shoving, and kicking her way to making a goal!!!) Priceless.....

Just a little note about Cade's game....this is his first year playing soccer...But, he carries on the Allen spirit...He's a mean, lean, running machine!!! The kid is so tough...and fast as lightening....He is the youngest one on his team, and he has an awesome coach...He was the only one that had yet to score a goal this season....so his coach kept him in, and to make sure he got one....Well, Cade was all over the field...running fast...They passed him the ball, he dribbled down the field, set up the kick, Shot, and Bam...Scored his first goal of the season...The crowd roared..they were on their feet, cheering and yelling for Cade....Cade loved it...He smiled, ran, jumped, and gave his coach a big high five....Then, that was the point where his game plan changed....He all of a sudden knew how to play soccer.....He took the ball, down the field, shot, HE SCORED AGAIN!!! Now, this kid has let the cheering section go to his head....Everyone cheered...clapping, he thinks he has his own fan section...His head was so big, it was about to pop.....He had a great game...and is already asking when his next game is....

I know how important it is to build your kids up...in sports, school, even just helping out around the house....Praise means so much to them...They need to know that we are proud of them...It is amazing what just saying, " I love you, and I am proud of you" can do for them....I pray daily that I can be that kind of mommy...Not to be negative, or bring them down...I want them to know whether they make the best play of the game, or they just sit on the bench, that they are number one in my eyes....always...

My kids are avid blog readers...mine anyway...So guys...this one was for you....Ian, Macey and Cade...You are the best...and I love you...Unnecesary Roughness and all....=)

(didn't want you to think I left Ian out, but he isn't playing soccer this year, he had baseball practice today only....His games will start soon...)

Good Night...

Win, Lose or Draw (YMCA 2 Style)

Tonight we had a social for our Sunday School class (YMCA 2-Young Married Couples in Action). James is the teacher for our class, so we try and plan some get togethers...We haven't had anything in a while, so we decided to have a Game night tonight...We had one last year that was a big hit, so why not again?

We had a great time...We played Win, Lose or Draw...which was a blast...Everyone wants to do it again sometime....We had some serious "laugh until you have to pee moments" tonight....We borrowed a dry erase board from the church and propped it up on our entertainment center..which worked really well...Everyone ate, and then the games began...Here are a few pictures from the night....Here is James explaining the "rules"....

This one is a collage of some of the game...We laughed until we cried!! Our Sunday School class is like our extended family....You guys are so special to James and I...Thanks for a great time tonight...We love you all....Here is Sarah's version of a calendar...That was only one of the funny ones...a few more that created some laughter in the room was Christy drawing a blister...Kevin drawing Phantom of the Opera...Daniel's "The One Armed Man", Tanja's questionable word during the speed round.....I won't put it on here, but it was hilarious!!! Bruce got the word NOSE!!! Are you kidding me? We had some hard ones, and he lucks up and gets NOSE???? There were so many, I can't remember them all....I took quite a few more pictures, but didn't want to bore you guys with them...If any of you all that were here want to see them all, I will email them to you....
Christian Fellowship is one of the best blessings...I am so grateful for the friendships that I have with these special people....For those of you who were planning on coming, and didn't make it-We missed you!! Hope everyone has a great weekend...Ours is going to be a busy one...We have 2 soccer games, baseball, and grocery shopping to do tomorrow....Good night...

Every time I think of you, I thank my God.And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy.Philippians 1:3, 4

Flashback Friday

Well, considering that tonight we are having another Game Night for our Sunday School Class...I thought it would be appropriate to post a few pics of last year's game night...We had a great time...Sorry, Tanja, I told you I would post this on the Internet...This time last year, I didn't have a blog though....so Here is a Flashback of all the fun you had!! Hee hee...love ya!
For those of you who attended...You will remember what Christy is doing...she is telling the "Doughnut Story"...Hilarious....We had a great time.....Looking forward to tonight.....
Gotta get off of here, and finish cleaning....Have a great weekend!!!!

Summer

Today feels like

that makes me happy....

A Really Pointless Post....

Ok, this is really dumb...I don't usually participate in these things...but I was reading on a fellow blogger's site, and starting thinking what my answers would be and was laughing...to myself that is....So enjoy...It is rather comical...
1. Your rock star name (first pet, current car)......Reuben Odyssey...I could see that...Hmmm

2. Your gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe)......Peanut Butter Crocs(now that would sound a little more gangsta if you said "Yo I am Pnut Butta Crocs..How U doin?"

3. Your Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal)......Chocolate Brown Lizard =)...you could just call me Brown Lizard for short....

4. Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born)......Beth Kingsport(tacky)

5. Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name......Allca-I think this one is believable

6. Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink)......Pink Coffee..."Here I come to save the day!! Pink Coffee is on the way!!" Not sure what my superpower would be...Maybe hyping people up on caffiene???

7. NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers).......Worley Walter...I am laughing as I type that one...=)

8. Stripper name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)......Obsession M and M's.....Now that sure is a winning stripper's name....Ha ha

9. TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a city that starts with the same letter).......Evans Elizabethton

10. Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower)......Summer Daisy

11. Cartoon name: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now)......Grape Socks( I can see it now, stick figure with purple knee socks.....)

12. Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree).......Cappucino Weeping Cherry

13. "Adult Film" star name (first pet, first street where you lived)......Cat Cree

Now, it is your turn to do it...I started to tag a few people to do this...but then I thought, No, I will tag you all!! I know it is silly, and there really isn't any reason to do it...other than to get a good laugh...so from your Gangsta Friend, PNut Butter Crocs--Get to it!!!=)

Grocery Shopping...Do I have to?

Grocery Shopping....

I just simply type the words and the dread fills my soul....It is such a chore for me...I despise it...but my husband and the 3 little people do have to eat...so it must happen...I guess...I just don't have to like it...

We get groceries to last for 2 weeks....I would love to be able to shop at Sam's or Cosco, and "stock up" but our cabinet space just doesn't allow it...Hopefully someday, but for now, I have to stick with the bi-weekly trip....It happens Thursday...and I am dreading it already, because I know we are out of everything....You know the trip I am talking about...not only do you need food, but you need detergent, toothpaste, razors(boy are those things expensive!), paper towels...the list goes on and on....The reason I decided to write about this "dreaded chore" is I was sharing with the cashier (Gary, My star cashier-He always has a smile!) at Wal-mart during my last grocery run...how many times my groceries are actually handled by me, before they get safely placed inside my cabinets at the Allen's household....It is ridiculous....Here is a small little scenario of my grocery shopping trip...do remember that I am a self diagnosed OCD patient, so there are a few little "strange" things I do at the grocery store...Just bear with me...

I always start with a list...a list that is written from the back of the store to the front...at home before I leave...Milk, eggs, yogurt, ect...you get the picture...When I shop, I like to start at the back of the store, and finish at the front...Just makes me happy...=) So follow me, 1. You take the item off the shelf, and place it in your buggy...When you get to the checkout counter, 2. you take it out of the buggy, and place it on the counter to be rung up...After it is rung up, 3. you take the now bagged item off the "spinney bag dispenser", and place it BACK into your buggy....Once all of the groceries are totaled and paid for (with cash, out of our Food budget, FPU friends...) Once again, you have to 4. remove the bag out of the buggy, and attempt to find a place among all of the baseball bags, and soccer stuff in the back of the van...never fun...(I have to get the back of the van cleaned out....Adding that to my list as I type..) Once everything is in the van...drive home...and STILL AGAIN....have to 5. remove the bags from the car and carry as many bags as I can possibly carry on my arm....so not to have so many trips...into the kitchen....Lastly, 6. the items are removed from the bags, and then placed in their own little spots...Have you ever thought about that? We handle our groceries 6 times before we ever get them home into our cabinets and pantries....Amazing.....No wonder I hate grocery shopping....Just something to think about...thought I would share...2 more days...and then it is that time again....