New Years Eve!

Happy New year!! On Ali Edwards blog (see right side toward bottom of list), she has asked for everyone to pick a word for 2009. My comment:
I believe I will choose "STOP" as my word for 2009. Stop and appreciate my family more, stop and enjoy the simple things in life, stop and be content and just love my life the way it is.

It is open until sometime tomorrow if you are interested.

We finally made it back from our trip down South. We had a good time visiting with family. My grandmother is not doing well and it was really great to visit and see her. (She was given 4-6 weeks to live in Sept. 2007; she has breast cancer and it has spread into her lungs-really all over.)
So, what are you doing this evening to ring in the New Year? I am going to bed early! I've had a wiggle worm sleeping with me since we were gone out of town!!

New blog release date: January 1, 2009

Shh! It's a secret!

I will be gone for a few days, but I will be working on ideas for the new blog. Don't ask me-it's a secret!

Ok, so yesterday, I did not stay home all day or even cook, except for throwing together a homemade pizza kit with Landyn. I went out with Jason, the boys, and Jason's parents. Then, I had the great idea that I needed to go see 4 Christmases-so MIL and I went. It was really funny. But that meant today I had to really work extra hard on putting away the Christmas decorations, laundry and cleaning up because the boys and I are going to ElDorado tomorrow to visit my grandparents. We are picking my dad up after he gets "off" at 12:30 (he's a pastor) and then we are meeting my mom who's already there. So, later!

What a Lazy Day

I am so excited to have a lazy day today. No stores to HAVE to go in, no food I HAVE to cook, no more presents that I HAVE to get wrapped. Just staying in from the coming wet weather, cooking spaghetti, and reading my new magazines. Jason has things to do, Kordyn has things to buy! Landyn and I have no agenda. I would love to go to the after Christmas sales, but I'm content to wait and just see what bargains I can find later. Like my new background? I went ahead and changed it because Christmas is over! And I'm working on being more organized this upcoming year. Have a great day! BTW, coming soon, a NEW BLOG from me-stay tuned for the new release. Sorry there will be no midnight release party!

Merry Christmas!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Snow, er, Ice day fun

Since we were stuck at home all day on Tuesday due to the "Winter Blast 08" (gotta love kait 8), we wrapped presents, made Christmas presents (sorry no pics b/c they are presents for people who read this!) and played. Wednesday, today, we ventured out after lunch and went to the mall-for 5 hours!- and then on to Winter Wonderland. Even though we fought the icy roads and parking lots, it was a great day!! Don't you just love the way that Landyn "helped" put the packages UNDER the tree! Maybe he is a little OCD-he even lined them up largest to smallest!

Christmas Decorations

I have finally finished my Christmas decorations. Here are some pics for you. Please disregard any toys, dishes, etc that are also in the pics. Remember, we live here and I have kids!



1: the boys decorating the tree. 2: the tree topper
3: top of my entertainment center 4: pie safe cabinet in kitchen

I have decorated probably every surface in my house but these are my favorites!
Merry Christmas!

Updates

What a week we've had! I know that this is a crazy time of year, but I have really tried to keep our lives calm, peaceful and NOT busy.(Landyn sleeps all night when not sooo tired!) This week was not one of those! We've had: concerts, head colds, Christmas parties, parades to ride in and finally, last night, an evening at home! I think we need really work on this week being not so busy; especially since when we are pre-occupied, Landyn starts exploring on his own and "finds" Christmas presents, hands them out, surprisingly to the correct person and has so much fun playing with them! Note to self: find new hiding spots next year. But who can be mad at a little 3 yr old who looks at you in his thick little glasses and says,"you buy this for me?" Just melts your heart!
On a new topic, I am making a commitment to cook more at home and I am going to even try new! recipes. I will blog the ones that "make" it!! Jason will be so surprised when I actually cook dinner instead of picking up things. Look out, Kroger, here I come. On a positive note, I will probably qualify to save 10 cents off a gallon of gas after this trip!
Coming soon, pictures of my Christmas decorations-I am still putting on the finishing touches. Hopefully, I will blog this tomorrow. We have Jason's party (Families, Inc.) tonight and the boys are spending the night with Mamie and Peet so we are going shopping after! Got to get this finished so that we can wrap!!! I hate having an empty tree!

Happy Birthday, Landyn!

Today, Landyn is 3!! For a little boy who had a rough start in the world (which continued until he was about 18 mo!), he is the sweetest, gentlest and quiet! kid!!! We are so blessed to have him complete our family. Here are some pics from his party: Top : checking out the fireman birthday cake, middle: all dressed up like a fireman and his new "guitar hero" guitar! bottom: eating on the red plate at school! (wearing his birthday shirt!)
Wish he could stay this age forever! We love you, Landyn!

Pictures from my trip

Here are a few pics from my trip: the horse and carriage you can ride around the Biltmore estate, a view of the mountains of Tennessee, and the Biltmore at night- all lit up for Christmas. There are more, but they are on my mom's camera, she has a night vision thingy on hers and we used it alot!

The details

Tuesday, Nov 25-left Jonesboro and drove until my eyes were ready to fall out (made it to Knoxville)
Wednesday, Nov 26-arrived in Asheville, NC. shopped in the Biltmore Village area. This was a beautiful area. All of the shops are in old houses that the servants used to live in. Ate lunch at Chelsea's English Tea. Then that evening, we went to the Biltmore for the candlelight Christmas Tour. It was absolutely breathtaking. I have never seen so many trees. The one in the banquet room was over 35 ft. tall! We shopped in the stable gift shop-so many great things they had.
Thursday, Nov 27 (Thanksgiving Day) We went back to the Biltmore and toured the farm and winery. Really neat places. Then we had our Thanks. lunch at a French Steakhouse. Really good food. We then drove to Gatlinburg. We were really not impressed. We liked the Asheville area better! But we finally got the hang of the trolley system and rode around and saw a lot of lights. AND shopped again! (Do you see a pattern here?)
Friday, Nov 28-We drove into Pigeon Forge and shopped at the Christmas Place-if you ever go to Pigeon Forge, you gotta shop there! It's like a Wal-Mart full of Christmas stuff. Really neat stuff!! Then on to one of the outlet malls. Finally, all shopped out, we ate dinner at the Happy Days Diner
Saturday, Nov 29- Shopped at the Old Mill Village in Pigeon Forge. I bought some really neat pottery! After lunch at the Old Mill Restaurant, we started our drive home. But, we only got to the other side of Pigeon Forge and had to stop at a Shabby Chic Antique store. We only made it to Cookeville because it was really raining hard and we were really tired.
Sunday, Nov 30- We got a late start because next door to our hotel was a club that played loud movie until 3 am. We stopped in Mt. Juliet and shopped at a Home Goods (it's a TJ Maxx) really great place. Then about 5 pm, we finally arrived back in Jonesboro.

I will have to blog some pics soon, but I haven't had time to load them into my computer because now I am sick! I have too much too do this week (Landyn's birthday is Sunday!)

I'm back

We got back to Jonesboro about 5:00 tonight. I have never been so glad to be home! I will blog tomorrow on what all we did. I'm just too tired to think tonight!

Father-son bonding time

Jason is a trapper. He traps bobcat, fox, raccoon, possum-whatever he happens to catch. Kordyn has recently decided that he wants to get up early and go with him on Saturdays. Here is Kordyn's first bobcat!

It's so much work!

I have never been away from home for more than probably 2 days without Jason and the boys. But that will be changing come Tuesday. My mother and I are going on a trip to the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, North Carolina (we are going on the Candlelight Christmas Tour). Then, on Thanksgiving Day we are going to Gatlinburg, Tenn to shop and spend lots of money! We won't return until probably Sunday. I can't wait! I am only dreading the drive-I get really bored driving to ElDorado and it's only 5 hours. This is like 9! I am leaving a very clean house and NO dirty laundry-But I'm not expecting it to be like this when I return. As long as my boys are semi-clean and have been fed, I will be happy. Stay tuned for future pics!

Friday Favorites

Well, I am finally getting around to posting my favorites again.
1. Sharpie markers and paint pens. You can decorate all sorts of cool things with these! I've been playing with them this evening and just decorating up a storm.
2. Super Glue. It has come to my rescue today. My glasses broke and it is amazing what you can fix with this stuff and I didn't even glue my fingers together like I did last time. It also was used to fix Landyn's head when he fell a few weeks ago-of course, now I can't get it to come off!
3. Hot Chocolate. McDonald's hot chocolate is really good. I've always loved Cafe Buono's but McD's was good also.
4.Diego movies. I can get laundry folded, the kitchen cleaned, bathrooms cleaned and I even wrapped a few presents all while Landyn watched a new Diego movie. I do believe in TV babysitting. (For the record, he only watches tv when he is in the mood. Mostly he runs around in his underwear with his guitar and sings!)

That's all, folks!

One for the memory book

As a parent, there are times when you just stop and have to say "What was he thinking?" Well, Wednesday was one of those moments. Kordyn learned an important lesson (along with after-school detention with 4 friends). I struggle with remembering that he is just 10; even though he talks like an adult:)
I'm sure next week, we'll look back on this and maybe snicker a little.

Recovering!

Landyn is recovering from sugery and is one grumpy little boy!
He has enjoyed having a few visitors like: Nana, Mamie, Peet, Emma. He is going to think that it is either Christmas or his birthday since he keeps getting get-well gifts.
Nana was our hero this weekend. She kept Landyn entertained very well(I think he climbed all over her while she was trying to rest). Thank you, Nana!

Home, Sweet, Home

We got home about 10:00. Landyn did great. He is just grumpy and dozing on and off. After they gave him "spiderman" juice and checked his muscles, he was one doped up little boy!

On Our Way

Nothing like getting up at 4:30 so that everyone can get to the surgery center by 6:00 am. Landyn is really excited to get his tonsils out. He just doesn't know what is fixing to hit him. I'll post later when we get home.

Fall pics

Pics from our yard

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Popsicle Diet

Next Thursday, November 13, Landyn will be on the Popsicle diet-he's having tonsils and adenoids taken out. He has been so sick with strep this fall. I hate for him to have it, but am so looking forward for him to be feeling better! Nana is coming to visit and help us out. Yeah for grandmas!!

What a night!

What a night we've had. The boys and I were leaving Salsa's Grill earlier this evening. Kordyn took off running for the van so Landyn decided to follow, he tripped and fell, his glasses gashed his head right above his eyebrow. So, off to The Children's Clinic we went. I love Dr. Warren Skaug! He was wonderful. No tears as they cleaned it out and used that glue stuff they now have. Landyn even got a bravery certificate for free nuggets from Chick-fil-A! We was also excited to tell everybody that his head had been "beeding". We had to go to Baskin Robbins for gummy bears (He won't eat ice cream-only baby gummy bears!). What a brave boy!!

Pumpkin Pictures (a little late)

Here are a few pics of our pumpkins. We had so much fun this year! Landyn is really into doing fun craft things. Kordyn is really into carving with knives!

Halloween 2008

Kordyn and Landyn had a blast Friday on Halloween. Layne, Kordyn's best friend, came home from school with us and spent the night. We got dressed and went to Mamie and Peet's house for dinner (the annual chili and hot dogs meal!) Then we went to Temple Baptist. That is an awesome church! They do a wonderful job and I love that they give out a story paper in every themed room.
After that, we returned to Mamie and Peet's neighborhood and took all the kids (Kordyn, Layne, his sister Natalie and Landyn) trick or treating. Kordyn was trick, Layne was treat (just look at their wonderfully made shirts-awesome paint job, if I do say so myself!), Natalie was a superstar, and Landyn was Mickey Mouse.
After all of the gathering of candy, we just had to get a picture of the LOOT!!!

? for you

Have any of you ever been to Asheville, NC? My mom and I are going on a mother-daughter trip over Thanksgiving to tour the Biltmore Mansion's Christmas Lights. We are wanting to stay at a B&B, but I'm not sure where would be good. HELP!! It only needs to be very old and have antiques to make my mother happy.

The Little Parrot

It is difficult with 2 boys of various ages to carry on conversations with a 10 year old and then have the 2 1/2 yr old repeat it. Examples are below:
1.Napoleon Dynamite: Jason and Kordyn love to quote lines from it. It sounds sooo funny to hear it from Landyn (who calls it the diamond show); "give some of your tots", "get some skills", "my lips hurt real bad
2. Do you have any homework? Landyn's response: arms open wide, "I don't know, okay?"

How in the world did I end up with 2 funny kids??

My Thankful List...

I'm changing this week and blogging things I'm thankful for instead of what my favorite things are.
1. Antibiotics! WOW-what a week we've had. Jason and I both ended up with strep. I really donot even remember the beginning of the week. I have suffered through 2 days of parent conferences, teaching, and being a mom all with a froggy/hoarse throat and losing my voice. Today, I finally feel better-no coughing and no soar throat and a full voice to finish the conferences with.
2. God's Provision-I am so thankful for the little things that God has given me and my family. We have several friends who are going through very difficult times and I feel so content with my life and of what God has provided for my family. Our house may not be big, we may not have new furniture, expensive clothes, but we are not in credit card debt and we pay cash for everything. It feels so nice to not have huge bills hanging over our heads
3. Family time- We had a great family night. We went to dinner (and even let the kids pick it out, so we suffered with McDonalds) and then out to Craighead Forest for a hayride and halloween party. Our friends the Findleys have this every year. Kordyn enjoyed the hayride, Landyn enjoyed whining about taking his costume off. He loves Mickey Mouse and wanted to wear it, but then got tired of it. After that we went out for Marble Slab Ice Cream. We do not do this very often, but it is sooo good. As I'm typing, I'm watching the boys listening to their CD players: Kordyn- Elvis; Landyn-Johnny Cash,

I am so guilty of taking things for granted and I need to stop and tell God "thank you" more often! What are you thankful for today?

It's hit again!

Round 2 of strep throat has hit our house again. Jason has it and I have white stuff on my throat! I feel yucky!!!!! I see another dr visit in my near future-like tomorrow!

Where did the weekend go?

I can't believe that it is already Sunday night! Where did the weekend go? I have finished my Orton Gillingham training and am ready to begin a case study to be a certified Orton educational specialist. I just need to get through this week at school and then I can begin to work on that!
Jason has done a great job being Mr. Mom for 2 weekends this month! But, my house is a wreck!

MIA, take 2

I will be gone again this weekend for the last Orton Gillingham class training. I am really looking forward to learning more about how to use it in my class. I would have blogged Friday Favorites but I really can't think of any and I need to G-O! Later

Lazy Day

I admit it, we did not go to church today, but I have a really great excuse: The boys have strep throat. Nothing like having grandparents in to visit and both start running a fever. Jason and I took them to the dr Sat morning and both are now on antibiotics for strep. I hope I do not get it (and Nana and PaT and Jason) Last time I had it, I thought I was going to die!! I have never been so sick in my life. Landyn and I took a late nap yesterday and then slept all night. Friday night, I was up with him almost all night. It was kind of nice to stay home today. There is a roast in the oven for lunch, laundry is done, my house is clean and I have made my magic "e" spoon for my class Friday night. Now all I have left is the rest of the cards to make but Landyn is helping me a little tooo much; I'll have to wait until nap time to finish the rest.

Friday Favorites

Check out my new look!
Now, for my favorites:
1. Merrill shoes. I love my Merrills. I have barely sat down all day and my feet are not even hurting. I took my class on a field trip. They are an awesome class. So well behaved.
2. Bath and Body Works- I love going in there to see what new "flavors" they have out. I did not need to buy any because I have 7 bottles in the cabinet. They make great teacher gifts.
3. Pumpkins. I LOVE fall. I bought 2 big pumpkins today for the front yard. One is painted with a silly face. I'll post a pic soon. I also bought 3 small ones painted with faces on them.
4. A freshly mopped kitchen floor. I love to walk on my clean floor with my bare feet. It feels awesome. I mop with rubbing alcohol.

That's all for now. I am having to suffer through Napoleon Dynamite for like the 10th time. Jason and Kordyn love it. Landyn is even quoting lines from it like: "You need skills".

Only 2 hours until Friday!

I am sooo ready for Friday! This has been a loooonnnnggg week. But, my house is clean, laundry is done, and we are ready for Nana and PaT to come and visit tomorrow (my parents). The boys are really excited to see them. All I have to do, is survive my field trip to the pumpkin patch and the park for lunch. Then, I can start the weekend and relax. YEAH!!!

Exhausted

I never thought that sitting in a class for 15 hours this weekend would make me sooo tired. My neck, back and rear end are really sore! I have to make all the materials for the first 12 lessons, a jailbird puppet and a magic "e" spoon by the next class (Oct 17). I will be busy (but I did buy my puppet and the disc that has all of the cards already on it, just have to print them and then go over them with puffy paint to make them "raised". I really enjoyed this and can't wait to use it in my class!

I will be MIA starting Friday

I will not be around much this weekend. So, no Friday Favorites. Thursday favorites will have to do!
1. Nicholas Sparks new book: I can't remember the title, but I bought it (half-price) tonight at Hastings. I will read anything he writes. I love his books. The movies I will see, but I prefer the books!
2. FALL!!!! This is my favorite time of the year-I just hate that it also my busiest!! I live for leaves, pumpkins, and the colors you see!
3. Grocery Shopping- I know, you think I'm crazy, but I love to walk around a store, doesn't even matter which one, and fill a shopping cart. I just don't like the putting it on the counter, loading it back in the cart, PAYING for it, loading it in my van, unloading it at home, putting it away and then writing the cost down in my checkbook. Too bad those cart helper guys don't follow you home and help you put it all away!
4. Pictures. I have been working on my baby and childhood albums for awhile. I just filled 2 acid free safe albums. Did not scrapbook-but did get them in a new book and wrote by each picture. Then, I went through all of my pictures to pull out all of our Halloween pics to make the boys a Halloween album. It makes me so sad to see how fast my boys are growing up. Makes you want to stop and savor each moment.

Wondering why I'm going to be MIA? I am taking a training class on Orton Gillingham. This will be very helpful in my teaching-it helps you teach a learning disabled or dyslexia child. The Apple Group is offering this. I had registered for this fall, but they were full. So I was down for the spring class, but someone is sick and had to back out today, so they called me! I am excited,but it will be a long weekend and next week! (fri 6-9, sat & sun 9-4, then same schedule again in 2 weeks) Then, on Monday & Tuesday, we have Open House at Montessori. I will be so ready for Wed night and nowhere to go!!!! Later-

"You just ate my monkey."

Bet your wondering who said that and what that was about, huh?
Landyn was eating cheetos and walked over to me and I thought he was offering me a bite of the cheeto that he was holding up. But, after I ate a bite, he told me that I ate his monkey. WHAT?? We never know what will come out of his mouth. You have to be very careful when out in public now. He is like a little parrot.
He just came over to see his picture and gave me a thumbs up and told me good job; keep it up.
What a big kid he is becoming!

Do me a favor...

If you take your child to a local bookstore, say Barnes and Noble!, please do not be one of those parents who just stand there and watch your child be a bully and not say anything to them! I got so irritated today with this lady and her son. He was at least 4 and huge. He would push Landyn and take the trains away from him and she never said a word. So after the 3rd time, I did. I told him to give it back. We left pretty quickly because she just gave me a dirty look so I told her that I wouldn't have had to handle it if she would have. Another lady there started talking about parents not correcting their children in public and how much is irritates her. The first lady NEVER said a word. I'm now wondering if she was there with us or high or something.
Thanks for letting me vent-I feel so much better!!!!

Friday Favorites

Let's see, what do I like this week?
1. BA Burrito- Since I mowed the lawn this afternoon, Jason "cooked" dinner. So, when he cooks, we go out to eat. We haven't eaten there is a long time b/c Landyn doesn't like it (he got McD's). I love their nachos with chicken and guac.
2. My Toyota Sienna van-The new hasn't worn off yet!! I love it because we know have so much room and I can go over 1 week on a full tank. Filled up last Sat and just went to 1/2 full today.
3. Paula Deen's magazine- I really do not care for her show anymore-she sounds too Southern and sort of fake, but I really like her magazine. My dream is to go to Tunica, Miss to eat at her new buffet restaurant at Harrah's Casino. (my parents are probably going to cut me out of the will for saying that I want to go to a casino!)
4. Scrapbook magazines-I am admitting that I am a scrapbook collector. One day, when my boys are a little older, especially Landyn, I will get caught up and actually make some new pages.

Did you notice that last week I did not post any Friday Favorites? I was really sick and had to go to the dr-had a sinus infection and double ear infections. I went to bed at 7:30. (I did get up at 10 pm and take Kordyn to Hastings for his new book.) Sunday, we got to stay home because Landyn ran a fever Sat night so we able to sleep in-like 9:00 am!!! It was a wonderful morning.

My favorite place

Once upon a time, I had a scrapbook room. Yes, I shared it with the guest bed, but I also had plenty of space and a closet to store my treasures in. However, since I know have 2 wonderful boys, I only get one little corner in my bedroom. BUT, I have worked very hard to organize and decorate it so that I enjoy the space and want to use it. Above are the pics I took of my palace!

New blog

Several weeks ago, I posted about a blog that I couldn't say anything about, but now I can. My I'm going to be an aunt. My brother and sister in law, Jeff and Amy Williams, are having a baby. And the due date in Kordyn's birthday, April 9th. They are missionaries in Macedonia. There blog is on my list to the right. The new baby blog they've set up is: www.macedoniansurprise.blospot.com
You'll have to go there and see the baby pics!

I love a rainy Saturday

I love to wake up to rain especially on a Sat. We just hated that we couldn't clean out the storage building and decided to go to Memphis instead! We went to Once Upon a Child; we use used to have one here, but it closed down. Then lunch at Olive Garden, shopping at Ross Dress for Less (got 6 Christmas presents!) and then my favorite: Archivers!!! I love this store. I could live in there for weeks without food or water and be just fine. However, when we got home, I decided to get ill-I think it's just the medicine I'm taking for my sinus and ear infections, but I am sick! Bed is calling me already. I just need that awesome medicine that knocks me out!

Last night, I took Kordyn to Hastings for the midnight release party for his favorite author, Chris Paolini. It's called Brinsingre. He was so excited. I went to bed about 7:30 and slept until 10:15 and then got up and went to town and then back to bed a soon as we got home. I am super mom! Here me roar!!!!

Sinus Pain

I am in pain. Sinus pain. I've already gone to the dr last sat, but I did not have an infection-just allergies. WELL, today I think I can officially say it is an infection. So, I guess I will be going back to the dr again for an antibiotic. I am tired of allergy and sinus mess-I want to move away from this crazy Arkansas weather!
I feel better by just venting!

We went, we rode, some of us puked

It's fair time again, NEA! We went tonight. We usually only go whatever night Jason has to work in the Families, Inc booth. So, tonight was our night. Kordyn rode too many fast and spinning rides with Peet that Peet got very sick and had to finally go home. Landyn loved riding-I was really surprised because he is usually a big chicken when it comes to loud noises and moving things, but he loved the Merry Go Round the best.
I do think the hi-light of the evening was this: Karla, Peet and Landyn went on home around 8 pm because Peet was sick and Landyn was cold. ( I can't believe this awesome cooler weather!) Kordyn and I had to wait on Jason to finish at 9 so we used up the rest of the tickets, walked around the animals, and went to listen to Chuck Wickes sing. (We heard him last Feb with Brad Paisley-he's ok-just starting out.) Anyway, his one big hit song is Cinderella-it's about a guy going to ask his girl's father for permission to marry her. WELL, only in Arkansas could you actually see a guy propose during this song at the fair! It was hilarious. Kordyn looked at me and I just said, Only in Arkansas. Some may think this was romantic, but I for one would not want to tell others that that is where I got engaged! Maybe I'm just a snob or something.
I would post pics from tonight, but our printer is still broken and I haven't had time to buy a new one yet.

WE SURVIVED HURRICANE IKE!

I never thought that living in Arkansas, (Northeast Arkansas, at that) I would be glad that we survived a hurricane. At 3 am this morning, Ike moved over NEA and I thought our house would be going with it! The winds were gusting up to 55 mph. I am so glad that we do not trees close to our house. The tv station came on to inform us that power lines and trees were down all over town and to not go outside. We were not planning on going to church today anyway (Kordyn has strep, Landyn has 2 ear infections, and I have allergies, according to the dr we went to see yesterday). Instead, we cleaned our house (which only took 1 hour with everyone helping me). I am to thankful that we did not receive any damage. There were others who were not so lucky-one even died in a trailer when a tree fell on it, south of here. Now we are lust left with cleaning up the yard from all of the "stuff" that blew everywhere!

Friday Favorites

1. Books. I love to read but have to limit myself to only reading when I know I can read without having to stop. I sort of get addicted and can't put it down. That is why it is 12:17 am and I am just know blogging.
2. My boys. Landyn is spending the night with Jason's parents tonight. They texted us at 10 pm and said the party was still going on strong. (Cousin Emma is also there). However, at 10:10 pm, the text said, Lights out and sleep is coming! I just hope he sleeps in in the am!
Since Landyn was gone, we were able to spend the evening with just Kordyn. We really enjoyed being able to talk and watch a movie with him. We let him pick the restaurant, Ruby Tuesdays, and then he wanted to rent a movie so we watched something that I can't remember the name of. Very Kordyn like movie-far out thinking and battling with karate I think?
3. My new van! I LOVE my minivan. Even Jason told me that this fits our family much better! I love taking the kids to school, grocery shopping, even buying gas (only because I can usually go almost 2 weeks before a fillup!). That is a good thing since gas jumped up overnight! I am ready to move to another country that is not so screwed up, but I just can't think of one.
4. Salad. I had a salad at Ruby Tuesdays and I love their balsamic dressing. It is my favorite! I've tried other balsamics but theirs just don't taste the same. I also love their croutons!

That's all for this week. I think I need to dig a little deeper; these are beginning to get very superficial! Have a great weekend!

Once upon a time, there was...

peace in our house. Jason was outside in his shop, Kordyn and Landyn were playing with play-do in the kitchen and I was doing my wifely/mommy duties: folding laundry. And then, the boys started screaming at each other, Jason came in and I had to play referee. It was nice while it lasted.

Early Fall?

What is with this weather? My sinuses are going crazy-this usually only happens during the "cool down" in late October. I'm sure we will have a hot October now. But I will enjoy this nice weather while it lasts! And...I haven't decided if we have that "cold virus" that's going around or if this is sinus. Kordyn and I have it the worse. Landyn just a little and Jason is beginning with it. What a great way to start the week.
BTW, I will be able to post pics soon. I think I've figured out the problem with the printer-We need to buy a new one!!!

Friday Favorites

1. Former (and Current) students. Tonight, one of my kindergartners had a b-day party and invited last years class and this years class. It was like the Montessori Reunion! It was great to see everyone and get caught up with how 1st grade is going. And, I was able to visit with my new parents that I don't know as well. Landyn had a blast! The party was a carnival and the little girl did not want anyone to bring her presents; all the presents will be donated to St. Jude's. What a great lesson to teach children.
2. Sam's Club. I love to just walk the isles and look at the stuff. I'm so glad my family is small and we do not have to buy in bulk like that. I also found my new car mats there tonight!
This is a short list. I can't believe it's 10 pm and my boys are still up. I'm ready to crash!

Finally Home

We left Friday evening to go to LR and then Sat on to ElDorado. We started driving today around 4 pm. What a long trip. We finally got home around 10 pm. We have 2 very tired boys and 2 very tired parents.
But, it was a good visit with my family; we were able to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. This time last year, I did not think we would celebrate it again. It was great to be able to be there today.
On the way to LR, we about lost it with the boys-they fussed, argued, screamed,etc at each other. On the way home, it was peaceful! Because,....I traded by Montero and got a minivan!! A Toyota Sienna. I've looked at these for a year and researched them. We got a great deal at Landers in LR. Now each boy has their own seat and they can't reach each other and there will be peace in the car!! YEAH!!!

Friday Favorites

What a week!
1. FRIDAY!! It is my favorite day of the week. I thought today would never come. I am ready for a 3-day weekend.
2. Rubbing alcohol. You should try mopping with this. I makes your floor feel sooo clean under your feet and you know is has been disinfected!
3. My family. We are going to Little Rock tonight and then on to ElDorado tomorrow. (AFTER, we look at Landers Toyota for a minivan). My mom is waiting on us to spend the night and then she will go with us. I love traveling with my guys. It is usually a very interesting trip. We are going to visit my grandparents (my mom's parents) Grandma has breast cancer and 1 year ago this month, she was given 4-6 weeks to live. She is a fighter! Grandpa is slowly going downhill; he has been taking care of her, along with the 5 daughters, for a year now.

That's all for this week-gotta get packed before Jason gets here and is ready to go. Have a great weekend! And be safe on the roads.

HE PASSED!!!

Jason passed his test today! YEAH!! He is now a licensed master social worker (LMSW). He called me at 12:15 this afternoon to share the great news. What a relief I feel; I can just imagine how he feels.
We are going to celebrate with dinner out and me going to Kordyn's PIN night at school. I'm sure Jason will be the first one asleep tonight since he hasn't slept very well due to stress!

New Look

I've wanted to change my blog background and finally figured it all out. What do you think? It was FREE!!!! I love a good bargain. The only problem is that I can't get a new picture to upload. Will work on that later. I have tried to load new pics to post but our printer is not working well and I think we are going to need a new one.
Jason is taking his test Tues in Little Rock starting at 8:30. It is a 4 hour test. Please pray for him. He knows the material; he just needs clarity of mind and calmness and durability! I couldn't sit for 4 hours and take a test!
Kordyn is liking school so far this year. It is so nice to hear positive comments instead of negative like we heard last year. I feel that this will be a great year. His PIN night is tomorrow so I hope I will not change my mind!
Landyn is doing great in potty training. He is all about making bubbles in the potty. Still in a pull-up at night, but otherwise dry during the day.
I am loving my new class. I miss last years but I am looking forward to this years. I just have to readjust my thinking and remember that they are beginning kindergarten not leaving it!
Well, Jon and Kate+8 is coming on soon. Baths are calling me!

Friday Favorites

Here is this week's list: It looks a little slim. Maybe I need an attitude adjustment!
1. FRIDAY!!!! I love teaching, but this week has been a little nuts. I am ready for a calm Friday night and sleeping in on Sat. am. Kordyn's friend, Layne, is spending the night so they will be occupied and we will only see them for meals! Landyn has not had much of a nap this week in his class; new room, new noises,etc, so I hope he sleeps well tonight. I know I will!
2. Recipe books. I am looking through all of my recipe books trying to find new recipes. I'm so tired of fixing the same old foods.
3. Big pillows. I found these awesome big pillows at Stein Mart for under $10.00 and we love to lay on them in the floor. Landyn will stack them up and jump on them. He is doing that now.
4. Last, resale shops. If I can get the energy, I am going to clean out the boys' closets this weekend and take their old fall/winter clothes to be sold. I love to shop at resale shops-great bargains without having to get up early on a Sat am!!

What is with this rainy weather?

I woke up this am with a major migraine headache. I haven't had one since Kordyn was about 2 years old. I finally got medicine to stay down and made it into school about 2 hours late and was only told 20 times that I was late. I think this crazy front is what triggered this. If it happens again, I will definitely go to the dr for medicine. Excedrin for migraines worked pretty well. I just had shaky hands all day?? Maybe from the caffeine? I feel for anyone who regularly suffers from these.

Welcome, consistant schedule!! We missed you.

I am probably the only teacher ready for the new school year to begin. I was really ready to begin. I have 14 kindergarteners this year. I am excited to get started. I love when the kids are so excited and eager to learn.
Kordyn had a great day. He is in 5th grade this year. He and his best friend Layne are again in the same class. They are in Mrs. Orr's room; she teaches reading, etc. Mrs. Lassiter will be his math and science teacher.
Landyn moved up to the "White House" building today since he is potty trained now. We have wonderful teachers in this room.
Jason is busy studying for his state boards next week. We will see him when he finishes; he will be studying all this week and weekend!

SATURDAY Favorites

Since I was out of town yesterday, I will post my Friday Favorites on Saturday.
1. Spending time with Jason. We went to Memphis Friday afternoon for Jason's birthday. It was sooo nice to spend time with just him. It is sometimes impossible for us to talk with the commotion at our house.
2. The Archiver's store in Memphis. Why haven't I been there before??? It is am awesome store and I was so proud that I only spent $20.00.
3. Shoney's hot fudge cake. I really do not like chocolate; I only eat it ever so often, but this cake is wonderful. I haven't had one in years. Still great
4. Flip-flops. I love just throwing on shoes and telling the boys to get their's on and we can leave so fast.
5. Blogging. It is so fun. This week I was sent a new blog to visit, but I can't list it as one of my list yet because the information on it is still a surprise! (Keep an eye out for it coming soon!)


I have already bought 5 Christmas presents! YEAH!!
Later, Rhonda

One is potty trained-One is a pre-teen!

Tonight, I am not believing how big my boys are getting!
I am in shock but Landyn is actually potty trained! I have hesitated this whole week to use that phrase, but he has only had 3 accidents since last Thurs! I am so proud of him. But, this means that he is getting bigger and moving up to the White House building at Montessori. Kordyn started there around age 2. Landyn is ready and will love it, but mom is having a hard time letting him grow up!
We went to Kordyn's school's open house tonight. He will be in the 5th grade. I know he will have a great year, but I am also sad because he is growing up sooo fast.
I am just so thankful to have 2 wonderful, healthy kids (even Landyn's heart problems are minor compared to what we could be going through). This week has been a reminder of how precious they are to me.
However, I am looking forward to Jason and I going away this weekend. What fun to sleep in late!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prayer Request

Some friends of ours are really needing your prayers. Robbie Johnson was hit by a car while cycling yesterday morning. (His wife's blog is on my list with updates-Stacey Johnson, The Johnson Chronicles). He is in stable but serious condition at the med in Memphis.
This hits home closely to our family-Jason's brother was in a bike wreck last Feb. He was fortunate that he only sustained facial injuries, but did have to go to UAMS in Little Rock and was suspected of brain injuries. He had to have steel plates put in his cheekbone and upper brow area. Please pray for the Johnson family. He is facing a very long and painful recovery.
I also received an email today that a former student, he is just 7, was diagnosed with leukemia and was taken to St. Judes today. As a parent, this is one of your worst nightmares to have to go through. Please remember the Sherman family.
Thanks RT

Life is good correction

My great relaxing day only lasted while everyone was sleeping. Once, the troops made it back into my domain (the living room) all chaos broke out, fighting was heard, screaming, oops (my favorite word!), and yes, the daily question of "What's for dinner?". Oh, well, it was great while it lasted.

Life is good

I LOVE cloudy Sunday afternoons! Jason is taking a nap. Kordyn is reading in his room. Landyn is on his way to a nap (as soon as he realizes that I am not going to let him get up from his bed) and I am blog stalking, watching HGTV and have a stack of cookbooks to look through for something new to make. I could live like this everyday.
With the new school year fast approaching, I feel the need to "makeover" my attitude and start afresh. I've been reading Beth Moore's book, Get Out of That Pit, and it has really changed my life. Wonderful book; very uplifting and motivating. I am working really hard on making positive changes in how I look at others, how I treat others, and how I manage my time. I feel like God could do so much more in my life if I would just stop and let him take more control. I try to hang on to too much!
Well, since everyone else is either asleep or quietly reading, I may feel the need for a little snooze myself.

Friday Favorites

This week is a little skim in the favorites due to a BUSY week and I have a huge headache and I have to take someone to the potty about every 30 min!
1. My job. I really enjoy teaching at Montessori. This will be my 12th year there-8th to teach kindergarten. I have found my perfect match. And I love taking my children with me! (Well, Kordyn used to go there and his school is only 2 blocks away now)
2. Praise music. I love to turn up my radio and belt out my favorite songs. If I could change one thing in my life, I want to sing! and in tune! I would give almost anything to be able to sing like Martina McBride. I used to sing in Centrals choir when Ric Hunt was there. I only lip sang because I did not want anyone to say I was off-key-I only joined so Jason would do it. He can sing; I can't.
3. Looking for a new van! I love looking at them on-line. I just haven't had time to go out and test drive them yet. I just want a good deal with a great payment!
4. My blog. Jason never reads this and he will never know if I talk about him or not!! HAHAHA. (I just wrote this because he told me that he hopes I never write about him without his approval. What he does not know won't hurt him.

I'm off to take more tylenol for this massive headache of mine!

Toilet training

Well, we are officially toilet training and I can not believe how well this is going. Landyn is telling us when he needs to go (#1 and#2). It has been really a nice week, we'll see how well he does at Mammie's house tomorrow. We have Inservice all day and Montessori is closed. Kordyn has even helped take him to the potty. I'm so proud of Landyn!!
It does make me sad because my baby is growing up and is not going to need a diaper anymore. Oh, well that $75.00 will be gladly spent on other things!

Weekend went too fast!

This weekend was over too fast! We went to Searcy on Saturday to meet my parents, aka PaT and Nana, for dinner. We sat at Doc's Grill for about 2 hours. It was just too hot to do anything outside. It was nice to visit with them;it's been about a month that we saw them. We went early so we were able to just sit and visit (and Landyn took a little nap!)

Friday Favorites

Here is this week's favorites:
1. My friends! You know who you are-we just spent an evening laughing and talking 90 miles an hour at Cafe Buono. I am so blessed to have them in my life. They are a gift from God.
2. Cafe Buono-I do not like to drink coffee, but they make the BEST hot chocolate! No, I did not drink it tonight, way tooooo hot. But they have these new green tea fruit smoothies and the carribbean colada is the best.
3. TJ MAXX-had a little retail therapy and only spent $5.00 on a Christmas present
4. Hearing Kordyn talk about what he will be when he grows up-please don't hurry too much. I hurt every time I hear him say he will be in the 5th grade. I remember, really well, when I was in the 5th grade and to have a child in there is really making me feel old!! I came in this evening to overhear him and Jason discussing this. They decided that he could probably do anything but he will need to do better in math this year.
5. Lastly, blogs. I have become a blog stalker and I admit that I am really addicted and I love it. I know others who also suffer from this.

It is late and I am really having a hard time keeping my eyes open to type this. Good Night!!

Birthday Parties

Landyn has become obsessed with birthdays! He sings "Happy Birthday" and will stack up things (books, bowls,etc) and will bring them to you and sing to you.
Today, we celebrated Jason's brother, Eric, and sil, Barbara birthdays and Landyn actually ate cake!! He is the child that will not touch anything that will get his fingers sticky or dirty. He will not paint, or even eat most mushy foods.
Later in the day, he wanted more birthday and pretended to blow the candles out-several times!!
Then he ATE a bite of the candles and decided that he was finished with the birthday stuff.
Guess he won't do that again.

Friday Favorites

Here is this week's list:
1. listening to the boys play (and with only a little screaming thrown in). Legos are wonderful for any age!
2. Watching Jon and Kate +8; I watch and am so thankful that I do not have 8 children. 2 are plenty
3. being home all day and getting caught up with laundry-my house smells sooo good!!!
4. Baskets!! anyone who knows me knows that I always use baskets, in varied sizes, to bring whatever I need somewhere
5. teacher websites! Thank goodness, someone with a lot more time than me has worked really hard and they are willing to share all of their hard work. I have found so many awesome ideas to use next year in my class!

Kordyn seems to be the only one who did not catch even a slight stomach issue. I just have a little touch; Jason was really sick with fever, chills, aches, etc. Dinner this evening will be very light.

It's hit our house!!

The very contagious stomach bug has hit my family!! So far, only Landyn and Jason have gotten it. I am really praying that I do not because tomorrow is my last Friday off this summer and I really want to get my to-do list finished-not be sick all day!!! We really thought that Landyn had a reaction to the milk we let him drink Monday night-BTW, twizzlers and milk do not come out of carpet! We have pink splotches now in his room. Hope no one else gets this fun thing!!

Maybe we should worry

I think we should be worried about Kordyn. Sometimes, he just does not pay much attention to what is going on around him! And sometimes he just acts like the wonderful 10 year old he is:)
Today, during Peet's sermon, he asked for those who are still living at home to raise their hands. Kordyn actually turned around and looked at Jason and I mouthed, Do I live at home?
I thought we were actually going to cry we laughed so hard.
Kordyn is such a blessing to our family. He loves!! to pester Landyn (I think just to hear him squeal and scream!). He is a wonderful student, loves to draw (he is very talented) and loves to read. I love to hear him tell others about what he is reading-he is so animated when he is passionate about a book.
We needed a good laugh this morning!

Friday Favorites

Ok, so here is this week's favorites:
1. Decorative notebooks and binders: I love using striped and decorative notebooks for my lesson plans and ideas for my class. I love!!! to organize it every year to start a new year off.
2. Haircuts! I love to have my hair washed. I went yesterday and just had it cut. Next month I will be coughing up $$ for new highlights.
3. Text messaging: now that I can do it for free on my phone, I text people instead of calling them-maybe I'm becoming anti social or something? Good thing Jason is now licensed to assist me with therapy to overcome that!
4. The smell of baby powder! It reminds me of my boys when they were little-even though I do not even remember using it with them!


Not a very impressive list this week. Sorry!! I've had to attend 2 workshops in Harrisburg and I am just really tired today. I do not mind going to workshops, but I do not like having to go on my Fridays that I'm off. That is my time with the boys and I have not had very many to spend with them this summer!

People think we're crazy!

We went to Paragould tonight to eat at the Whiskey Creek Restaurant. It is really good! I am sure that everyone in there thinks we are a little fruity. We laughed through the entire meal, but eating the dessert was the funniest. They have a s'more dessert that you can order and you can actually make s'mores right at your table. Well, Jason and his dad decided to "sing" campfire songs while they roasted theirs and then Landyn decided to sing Johnny Cash's song Burning Fire (It sounded like this: I sell into a burning ring of sire;fell down,down, down... We've seen a lot of "sire" this week, by the way (our neighbor burned his storage building since it was falling apart and we had to walk up the road and watch it burn). I love to hear Landyn talk and hear how he pronounces his words. Kordyn started talking at 18 mo and used pretty correct grammar; only a few baby words.
We did get several strange looks. Kordyn looked at me and just whispered, they're all crazy! I couldn't agree with you more, Kordyn. I'm so glad we are normal. (NO comments!!)
I would have taken pics tonight but, the batteries are dead in my camera and need to be recharged!!

What a fun day

We had a great day in Memphis today. First, we met at Bigfoot Lodge and shared a burger with Jason's family. Then the guys (minus Landyn) went to the Redbirds game (so glad I'm a girl-it was 93 outside and very humid!) and the girls went SHOPPING!!!
Landyn and cousin Emma were so good. She would tell him what to do and he would listen and obey her. It was so cute to watch them together. I told her that she was invited to shop with me anytime. He's going through this stage where he does not want to ride in the stroller, but I refuse to chase him and try to shop.
We went to the Oak Court Mall after Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn Outlets. We found some great bargains.
As I was finishing checking out at the Hallmark store, an elderly lady had just walked up behind me (NOT even checking out), as I stepped away from the counter, she smiled and said, "You were in my way." The sales lady just looked at me and I, for once, was at a lose for words. As we left, I told Barbara what she had said and we started laughing.
There is a neat antique store in the mall and the prices were really good.
Well, time to get 2 boys in the bed and me, too!!!!

Friday Favorites

I decided that every Friday I will post some of my favorite things, people, food, etc.

Here's the 1st:
1. Diet Dr. Pepper-I can not live with out my morning fix
2. The smell of baby wipes. Especially when not being used for pooh!
3. Retail Therapy!!!!-Usually, TJ Maxx is my favorite place to have "therapy"
4. My recipe book-My sister in law, Barbara, made this for me this past Christmas. It has helped me get so organized with recipes that I have collected and torn out from magazines. It's perfect for me-I admit I am a little obsessed with organizing things.
5. My summer Fridays-I am so fortunate to be able to take off on Fridays during the summer and I love having the extra day to spend with the boys, take them places, (attend workshops), and get caught up on ORGANIZING things!


Tomorrow, we are going to a Redbirds game in Memphis (and to shop at the Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma outlet stores!). I am so excited. I love a good bargain. I am hoping that I can get 4 more of the ice cream bowls that I bought last month. Why did I only buy 4? I wasn't really thinking!!

Ok, so I did make a new post and even attached a pic, but somehow it was posted on another blog that I set up-not sure how or when I did that!!
So, here we go again!
This is picture of Landyn "hiding" under the covers on my bed. When I walked by, he jumped out and yelled "Peek-a-Boo!" What I'd like to know is where is his glasses?

new updates

Okay, so I had really great intentions of posting regularly on here, but life is just too busy!!! Here is what is going on in our lives right now:

Jason: is finally finished with graduate school and will graduate on May 16! He is enjoying relaxing in his new recliner that I bought him for a graduate present. He is going to have to readjust to a real life and I'm not sure how our local library will survive without him sitting at his usual table on Saturday mornings

Rhonda: I am winding down another school year and working on enrollment for summer and fall. I really believe that we just did this!! I had a large class-18 this year and they are wonderful. I am not ready to lose them and am glad that many will stay for most of the summer with me. I just took the last 11 rolls of film, that I have been procrastinating on getting developed, to Sams. I really hope that I will get motivated to be creative and organized and scrapbook more.

Kordyn: is finishing the fourth grade, he is 10 and is a bookworm. I just bough him a 400 pg book yesterday and he finished it today (I think he gets this from me!) He loves the computer and when he was asked for a birthday wish list, he made a wonderful powerpoint to send to his grandparents!

Landyn: is a typical 2 year old. He is really alot of fun! AND is sleeping in his own bed and all night now-it only took him 2 years to do it. He had to have glasses and it is really amazing what he can see and do now! He is loving his school (supposedly he is quiet and well behaved there). He does not like "thinking time" (time outs) and will immediately hug and say I'm sorry when he is able to get up.

This is our updates and I promise to post pics and more information soon!!!