To my buddies

I do apologize for slacking in the blogging department here lately. I've been extremely busy at work and at home and have recently come into contact with old friends on Facebook. I promise that soon life will slow down just a bit and I'll be back to my old blogging self.

Feel free to shoot me an email if you get to missing me too much!

One down, one to go

Well, this past weekend I attended the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to. My "baby" cousin, Vanessa got married to her love, Matt. They really are a gorgeous couple.

We weren't able to take pictures during the ceremony. In a way I was disappointed but understood and was more than happy to respect others wishes. Then again, I probably wouldn't have been able to see thru the tears. I was very honored to have been there to see that. Matt and Vanessa recited their own vows... more boo hoo'ing. Then as they lit the unity candle, Jackson and Audrey (Vanessa's children) joined them as their family became one. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. Even Becca was crying!!! After the kiss and the walk back up the aisle, it was time for the reception!!!

And I was allowed to take all the pictures I wanted now!!! And boy, did I!!! Over 200 pictures!! The reception hall was beautiful, of course. There was food, drinks, and dancing for those of us who cared to participate. Lots of conversation was going on and a good time was had by all. I'm glad I was there. Here are just a few pics that I'd like to share from the reception.

Aunt Sandra dancing with Isabell and Audrey
Doing the Cha-cha Slide - break it down Blake!
MMMMMMM, cake!!!
Father/Daughter dance... this picture makes me want to cry everytime I see it.
First dance as husband and wife to Brad Paisley's "then"......

Ummm, Matt, are you sure you're doing that right?
Sweet Sophie!
Me and Nessa Bobessa
Me and Kim and Andreas watching over us. It was such a pleasure to meet him!
And my cousin, Tommy!

I love these guys! I couldn't be more happy if it were my own sister up there. I wish Vanessa and Matt the best and hope they live a long, happy life together..

Now, this weekend my friend, LaTonya is getting married. So one more to go!

My beautiful daughter

 

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DANCING WITH MY MAN

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my friday is today....

So, today is my Friday. I am taking the day off tomorrow. Addison has a preemie follow up appointment where she will be assessed by a physical therapist, occupational therapist and a speech therapist. I think we will have a good visit. The only concern I have is her not sitting up by herself yet. Also, the next time we go to see her pediatrician I'm going to talk to him about allergies. She has a runny nose it seems like all the time...

On the other hand, she has got to be one of the most smilingest (yea, i know that's not a word)babies I've ever seen in my life. She is almost always smiling! To me, that's a GOOD thing.

I often wonder what questions she will have for us when she is older. I wonder if she will think she was unwanted. A million things go through my mind and the only thing I can hope is that she realizes how much we all love her and wanted her as part of our family.

So, I was looking at my calendar today and I pretty much don't have any spare time.

This weekend I am attending my cousin's wedding. She's marrying this guy named Matt who is pretty cool. He fits with the family! I will get to see my cousin, Kim, from California and her husband, Andreas. I've never met him before but he's gotta be a pretty good guy to deal with Kim on a daily basis. (just kidding bobo, you know i love ya) So I can't wait to meet him. My uncle and aunt from Oklahoma will also be there. I'm hoping we can swing by after Addy's appt tomorrow and visit before Saturday because I'm sure things will be hectic then.

Anyways, can't wait to wear my new dress and such. These are the shoes I bought to go with the dress. Arent' they too cute??

Addy is not going to the wedding with us. (I'm very nervous about this) Instead her and Jojo are going to Tbo's for Balie's birthday party. She will be 4. I hate that I'm going to miss it, but I had already planned to be at Vanessa's wedding. But HAPPY BIRTHDAY BALIE BOO!!! LALA LOVES YOU!


Sunday I plan to clean house and maybe go spend some time with the horses.

Then next weekend I have another wedding to attend. My friend, Latonya, from work is getting married and she asked if I could help with the coordination. Of course, I said yes, I never say no! So I'll be busy that Friday with rehearsal and then the wedding on that Saturday.

On May 13th, my son graduates from the 5th grade.... ugh! He is growing up too fast. He will be in junior high next year. I'm not ready for this. He's trying out for football. As boney as he is I'm so very thankful he has speed. He's become infatuated with Shawn Johnson on Dancing with the Stars. He even told me last night he was writing a poem about her. Awwwwww!!!


I just have too much going on.... anyone have some calgon I can borrow?

p.s. i have a facebook now!!! whoo hoo!

okay, we gotta do this!!! NOW!!!!

Please, please, please everyone pray for sweet Kayleigh. She has taken a drastic turn and is not doing well. This sweet angel and her family need our prayers!



Dear God,

Please watch over Kayleigh and her family. We know that your plan is in progress and only you know what is in store for her. Please give her family the strength to deal with your plan.

In your name we pray,
Amen

I gotta button, I gotta button

Okay, so I've felt left out of the popular crowd... I didn't have a button! So I tutored myself and made one!!!!! Here it is for your viewing pleasure!!!



Whatcha think??? Go on over to the left side of the page and grab it for yours... yea, I know not the best link to a code, but c'mon and give me a break... I'm still learning!

Not a Not Me Monday

As most of you have realized, I have NOT been posting my Not Me Mondays.

And I'm not going to, not until baby Stellan is back home and doing well. Until then I spend my Monday's (and every other day) for baby Stellan, his Momma, his family, and just praying in general for miracles and for peace.

So, get well soon Stellan!!!

Tag, you're it...

Okay, I've been tagged by Suzanne over at Shabby Chicks..... so here it goes!

**8 Things I'm Looking Forward To**
1) Addison's adoption to be final
2) Seeing my sister, niece, and nephew this summer
3) Blake's ball games
4) Having my house paid off in October
5) Mammarazi's Favorite Things Swap
6) My baby cousin's wedding this weekend.
7) Summertime and relaxing on the beach
8) Taking my kids to the zoo.

**8 Things I Did Yesterday**
1) Laundry... every Sunday... do you know how much laundry 8 people make???
2) Put my pictures into my new photo album...
3) Talked to my sister on the phone.
4) Took the bassinet back to Amy
5) TRIED to take a nap!!!
6) Cooked steak, mac n cheese, and ranch style beans for dinner
7) Watched Family Guy
8) Played the XBOX with Blake

**8 Things I Wish I Could Do**
1) Go back to bed.
2) Have a full nights sleep
3) Get all my photos organized
4) Go on vacation for a couple of weeks to the beach
5) Take better pictures
6) See Clifford again
7) Say "NO"
8) Not go crazy whenever margaritas are involved!

**8 Shows I Watch On TV**
1) Dancing with the Stars
2) American Idol
3) Family Guy
4) The Simpsons
5) House
6) Two and a half Men
7) Operacion Repo... just started watching that.
8) Cartoons...

**8 People I Tag** (Please visit them... And to those I tagged, I can't wait to see your answers..unless you've already been tagged with this and then I excuse you from the tag:-))
1) Beverly @ Just 2 Get It Out N the Open
2) Stephanie @ More than a Mommy
3) Sandra @ Salutations
4) Kim @ This and That
5) Kristi @ Kristine Corpus
6) Becky @ Becky's Blogs
7) Heather @ A Day with Jake
8) Bethany @ Somethin' to talk About

A few of my favorite things!!!

Come on Ladies!!! Get on over to Mammarazzi's site and get signed up for your favorite things swap. You never know what you might come across!!!

oh wow!

I just realized that my girls are 16 years and 4 days apart! My oldest and my baby!!! Will this have an effect on their relationship?? I sure hope not!!! I hope that they love each other and admire each other as much as Me and Beverly do!!!

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will you pray?

an honor

As many of you know, sometimes I don't have the best relationship with my sister because we often don't see eye to eye on everything.  And I do mean OFTEN... lol
 
But regardless, I love her and am proud of how far she has come in life.  She recently surprised me by nominating me for a "Special Mother's Award.".... of course, this means alot to me (even if I don't win).  Because I know she is proud of me and that means the world to me.
 
Here is the link to the story and all you have to do is rate the story!  That simple!!!
 

http://secure.jamesavery.com/stories/mom/read.jsp
 
You may have to look for the story.  If you sort them by date, ours was posted on April 14th.  The heading will look like this:
 

By:MorrIsBetter

From:Houston, TX

Age: 31 - 35

Gender: Female

Posted: April 14, 2009

a MOTHER to SIX, a sister to one, a friend to many

 

thanks to each of my friends!

 

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Name that tune.... come on, you can do it!!!

Okay, I got this idea from Shannon over at Welcome to the Nut House. And it was too cool not to repeat. I have a wide range of music in my iTunes from motown, to country, to alternative. I even have a lot of obscure songs that not many may know because they've never had "air" time. Good Luck and after you play, do the same. Here are the rules:

Step 1: Put your MP3 player or whatever on random
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 25 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song.
Step 3: Here’s the fun part: YOU get to guess what song it is from just the one line; if you’re really good, you’ll know the artist as well! (even on shuffle, alot of my songs are country so sorry you rock fans)
Step 4: I'll strike through the line when someone gets it right, linking to that someone, cause I’m nice like that.
Step 5: No cheating! And by cheating, I mean no looking them up on Google or any other search engine

1. A court is in session, a verdict is in -No appeal on the docket today Just my own sin (rock)

2. Little while pills and whiskey - Honky tonks and smoke - One night stands with his country band (country) Missy, my fellow Gary Allan junkie, guessed right with this one. It's "Nickajack Cave" - his tribute to Johnny Cash

3. You might've been hurt, babe - That ain't no lie (pop)

4. Looking back at the beginning of this and how life was - Just you and me and love and all of our friends (alternative)

5. L.A. proved too much for the man,So he's leavin' the life he's come to know (R&B)

6. Hey darkness dont you try to steal the moment or close my eyes - I won't let you in (country)

7. Go ahead and take your best shot, Let 'er rip, give it all you've got,I'm laid out on the floor, but I've been here before (country) Bethany, girl, you are hott today!!! Sugarland's "Stand Back Up"... just a side note, I absolutely LOVE this song!!!

8. I will not make the same mistakes that you did, I will not let myself cause my heart so much misery, I will not break the way you did (pop)

9. Margie said "Roy you ain't listening to me And I've got a whole lot more to say" (country)

10. Hopped out of that house with my swagger, Hop in that with girl, I got places to go! People to see, time is precious (hip-hop)

11. I should have stolen every moment, Now there's a page with not enough on it (country)

12. I've been up to my neck workin 6 days a week, wearin holes in the soles of the shoes on my feet (country) "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem" by Kenny Chesney and guessed correctly by Bethany... again!!!

13. You know just the other morning I was hanging around in my house, I had that old book with picutres of Madonna naked and I was checkin' it out (country) Another Gary Allan song, "Alright Guy" guessed correctly by Missy

14. Broke up with my girl last night so I went to the club (so I went to the club),
Put on a fresh white suit and a MiniCoop sitting on dubs (sitting on dubs) (hip-hop)

15. When the rain is blowing in your face and the whole world is on your case, I would offer you a warm embrace(country) - Shannon got this one right! It's "To make you feel my love" by Garth Brooks!

16. I'm going out tonight-I'm feelin' alright, Gonna let it all hang out - Wanna make some noise-really raise my voice, Yeah, I wanna scream and shout (country) - Shannon also got this one. "Man, I feel like a woman" by Shania Twain.

17. Guess this means you're sorry, You're standing at my door, Guess this means you take back all you said before (pop) Bethany - you rock! It's Kelly Clarkson "My Life would Suck without you!"

18. Baby, the clock on the wall is lying, It's not really that late - It's too cold outside to be walking around the streets of this town (country) Josh Gracin's "Brass Bed" or "Stay with Me"... and Bethany guessed correctly

19. These are my confessions, Just when I thought I said all I can say my chick on the side said she got one on the way (R&B) Bethany again - Usher and "confessions, pt.II"

20. I'm waitin' on the sun to set cause yesterday aint over yet - I started smoking cigarettes there's nothing else to do I guess (country) Missy guessed correctly. Miranda Lambert and Kerosene!

21. Well this town has closed down way too early, And there’s nothing to do, So I’m driving around in circles,And I’m thinking about you (country) Heather got this one! Gary Allan's "Songs about Rain"

22. Sail on, down the line About half a mile or so And I dont really wanna know ah
Where youre going (R&B) Kim got this one! It's "Sail On" by the Commodores

23. All this time I was wasting Hoping you would come around, I've been giving out chances every time and all you do is let me down (country)

24. Sarabeth is scared to death to hear what the doctor will say. She hasn't been well since the day that she fell and the bruise, it just won't go away (country) Missy guessed Rascal Flatts, Skin (Sarabeth).... and she was right!

25. I'm so tired of being here, Suppressed by all my childish fears and if you have to leave, I wish that you would just leave (alternative) Yes Shannon, you guessed correctly! This is "My Immortal" by Evanescence


And I'm sorry, but there's no prize... this quiz is just for fun!
Good luck! Now, impress me with your musical knowledge...

can I get you to do a small favor

Okay, usually I don't do stuff like this buuuuuttttt:

could you please go here http://www.thecutekid.com/ckgallery/votemypic/email/21574 and vote for my sweet baby girl!!!

Oh thank you! We appreciate it so much and don't be shy, spread the word!!!

tax day and half way mark to a milestone!

Hey peeps! It's April 15th!!! Hope you got your taxes done and in. We don't want the IRS on your butt!!!

On a brighter note, today Addison is 6 months old. I can't believe it. So, here's to her:

Dear Addy -

On October 15th God set one of his greatest plans in motion. You see, that is the day you were born. Little did I know that on that day that all of our lives would change. You came into this world so small at only 4 1/2 lbs. This is because you were a little over 5 weeks early.

That day, Stacey, your birth mother called me. She knew in her heart and her head that she would never be able to give you the life you deserve so she asked us to take you instead. She did this because she loves you and wants the best for you. I, of course, did not hesitate to bring you into our family.

You spent the first week in NICU due to pneumonia, jaundice, other respiratory issues and an infection in your stomach. I was not able to see you at this time but had pictures of you. Your head was big!!! LOL.... but you were still so precious.

On October 21st you were able to come home to us. Was I prepared for having a newborn in my home again??? Probably not, after all Becca was 16 and Blake was 10, they were pretty self sufficient and didn't "need" me much. But I was ready to give you all the love I could.


You were such a good baby. You slept most of the time. You liked to be held by everyone. And you were eating like you were supposed to.

Momma went through so many emotions and fears the first few months. Scared that they were going to change their minds and take you back. Scared that it would not only break mine and daddy's hearts, but Becca's and Blake's as well. Because you see, every day that you were with us our hearts grew bigger with the love we have for you.


Now six months later, you are still with us and we love you even more than the day you came to us. You are mine and daddy's little toota, the apple of your sister's eye and your brother's pride and joy! We cannot imagine life without you and are so happy to have you as a part of our family. We will continue to make sure that you have the life you deserve and have all the love in the world. Even though, Becca says when she moves out she is taking you with her.... we might have to discuss that!!!





We love you baby girl!!!

Momma, Daddy, Becca, and Blake

some other babies...

I constantly blog about my kiddos, my babies. And, well, the others are starting to feel neglected, as if I don't love them quiet enough... so here they are, in no particular order.

This is Lily. Our evil cat. She's definitely not right in the head. She likes to attack without any warning. She doesn't like too many people but loves Becca. She thinks she wants to be an outside cat but as soon as we let her out she's trying to come back in.



This is Charlie. He is our "special" doggie. He thinks he is a cat as he will not eat dog food. And plays with Lilly and Big Daddy. Addison loves him but he wants nothing to do with her. He pretty much thinks if we sit down to eat, he should eat also and will "mumble" under his breath until you give him a bite off his plate. He thinks he owns the house and we should do his will... yea right Charles!




Here is Bandit... my big baby. Don't let him fool you, he's a big ol' baby!! Unless you try to mess with one of the kids or us. He doesn't like strangers in his area and please don't try to take his ball. He loves his ball because since he was a little pup, he and Blake would play football. He's a pretty awesome running back. I love him!




And here are some of the horses... for some reason there aren't alot of pics of them on the computer... darn it!