Barbie and Jesus

When you are a parent you spend most of your days contemplating is my child getting what I am trying to teach them about life. Some days you feel like a failure and sometimes you feel like a huge success. This morning was one of those good days!

The most important fact of life that Andy and I can teach Pumpkin is the grace of Jesus Christ, if you have that in your life you are great. This lovely morning Andy passed by Pumpkins toy room and she was playing Barbies. This is what he heard one Barbie say to the other "Have you heard about Jesus? Second Barbie "No." First Barbie again "Well let me tell you about him." Praise the Lord!

Channeling John McEnroe

First let me say I realize I promised to keep up with the blog and I haven't sorry, but no more promises you will get what you get.

Pumpkin's school had a Fun Run to raise money a couple of weeks ago. She did great and ran 28 laps in 30 minutes! Earlier in the week she had won a headband and wristbands for her pledges(which basically means I paid 100.00 for these items) Pumpkin was very excited and put them on and started posing. Now I know for a fact that my daughter is pretty so could you please tell me how she looks just like John McEnroe in these pictures?

Bad Blogger

I know I said I was going to do better and I did not, but I am truly going to stay on top of blogging now. School has started and I have a lot more free time so I am going to try and do this every day! Since I missed most of the summer here are the highlights:
VBS was great, we had over 105 kids and decisions were made
We went to Denver to see our new nephew
We went horseback riding, Pumpkin for the first time(she loved it)
We went to a baseball game
We spent many hot hours in a gym
We spent many hours playing Barbie
That is how we spent our time this summer. We did a ton of fun activities and I am really sorry Pumpkin is back in school. She started back on Tuesday and now she is a big first grader.

I am filling my time with a new walking group, who maybe trying to kill me! I am also going to participate in a book club for children. I promise to keep this updated with all our fun adventures this year.

VBS

It is VBS week here and it is crazy busy. I am the director and Andy is the worship leader. So we have been going crazy for two weeks. One week getting ready and now actually VBS. I will post this weekend with pictures of our church it looks amazing!

Shopping

Anyone who knows me longer than five minutes knows I have a passion for shopping. My husband says that my family carries a shopping gene. I do believe that this is possible and I am looking into funding for research on this particular gene. My mom passed me the gene and now I have passed it on to Pumpkin.

New Baby

There is a new baby in the family! My brother and sister- in- law had a handsome baby boy on Friday! He weighed 7lbs 3 ounces and is to cute! Congrats!

Holiday World

Day: Friday June, 6th
Time: 5:00
Phone call: To Andy
Conversation: Hey when you get home from work why don't we pack up the car and go to Holiday World!

Which is excatly what we did. Andy arrived home around 6:45 and we were in our car by 7:45 on our way to Holiday World. Pumpkin had seen a carnival set up in town and was begging to go, I am not a huge fan of carnivals (hello anyone ever seen Funhouse?) so I thought a great compromise would be traveling to an amusement park! We called Philip and Andi to see if they wanted to join in our fun. They did, so we headed to Louisville. Saturday we made it to Holiday World and had a blast! The best thing about this place is free sodas! All day long all through the park they have FREE sodas. Cool! We had a ton of fun with Philip, Andi and their little one.(who was amazing) It was nice to spend time together before they move so far away from us.

Pumpkins fave part of course was the water park. For you who don't know Holiday World is not only an amusement park but also a water park. So great fun was had by all. We left there around 9:00 and arrived home at midnight and was up bright and early for church on Sunday. It was well worth being tired on Sunday. You only live once and great memories were made.

Charity

Every parents dream is for their child to listen to and do what you teach them. However what happens when you teach them to well? I will tell you a Mom ends up sad!

Andy and I believe in donating to worthy charities and have tried to instill that in Pumpkin from a very early age. She has participated in many different acts of charity including the Lupus Foundation, Asthma Foundation, Angel Tree, Shoebox Ministry and Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. What I did not expect is my child to come to me and say "I would like to cut my hair off for Locks of Love". What?? My daughter is known for her beautiful flowing long curly hair. I told her, your hair will be really, really short her reply "I don't care". Of course it is a great charity and we let her but I will admit I cried. Not when she had it done but that night after she went to bed I cried and I mean I cried. For any one who really knows me you know I don't cry. I am not an sentimental person at all and I am not a crier.

She looks so grown up. However Andy and I could not be more proud. The other day she said "I hope my hair is making some little girl feel better" and then I realized she really understands what is important in life. Of course not all the time but some of the time and I know a lot of adults that don't get it all. Making other peoples life a little bit better is one of the most important responsibilities we have on Earth. So I do hope some little girl is enjoying her hair and I pray for all the families dealing with cancer or alopecia. If you would like to find out more about Locks of Love just google the name and their site pops up.

Pumpkins Graduation

It has happened my little Pumpkin has become a first grader. I am not very happy but it seems I have no choice in this. She graduated May 21st in a very cute show called "Gods Love Around the World". She played a Hawaiian girl and looked adorable!

She has changed so much since the beginning of school. Of course she has changed physically but to me the major change has been her independence. She has learned to do so much for herself in Kindergarten that I feel useless.(just kidding) But it is quite a different girl that came home May 21st then the one I sent to school in August. I love the age she is now, she really converses with me and we have a ton of fun but a part of me misses that little girl we sent to Kindergarten.

After graduation we went to one of her fave restaurants and Build- A- Bear! Here she is building her new bear Rainbow!

Andy's Graduation

Well one of the big things that happened while I have not been posting is Andy graduated from college! I am very proud of my husband. I am going to take a minute to brag on him. He works full-time, went to school full-time and never neglected me or our daughter. Impressive, huh? I do not know how he managed. He was often up till 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and then back up by 7:00 for work. So a big congrats to my collage grad with honors!

Where Are You?

I know I have been missing but I am happy to be back. Later this evening I am going to do a couple of new post. I promise not to be away from blogging this long again.

Busy Weekend

We had a very busy weekend! Andy and I went to a marriage retreat on Friday and had a really good time. We ran back to the house on Saturday grabbed Pumpkin and went to the SEC Gymnastics Championships. That was super fun! Those women were amazing.

We are leaving Tuesday for Colorado and we are very excited! I will post when we get back. Andy is going to teach me how to do pictures on the blog so I will include a lot of pictures! Pumpkin is going to learn how to ski so we are very excited. Andy and I love to ski hopefully she will enjoy it as much as us. We suspect she should be good since she has such good balance from gymnastics. We will see. Talk to everyone when we get back.

Good Day

Today was a very good day. Today we did nothing. If you know us you know that is very rare. We got up played some Wii. Pumpkin beat me at Mario Cart pretty decicdely while telling me "don't worry you have to get better". We went out to lunch at one of our fave places and then Andy and Pumpkin went shopping. Nice and relaxing. I am the type of person who loves to go, go ,go but it was nice to do nothing. I am still not feeling good but what can you do? Please keep praying for me I take another chemo dose tonight. The drs. doubled it last week and it was hard but I am hoping my body will have adjusted this week. I am going on a ski trip in a week so I need to get healthy and feel good. Pumpkin has never seen real snow so we are excited. We only get a little dusting around here, so she has big plans. I will post pictures when we get back.

No More Lunch For You

At least once a week I have to do something that could get me in major trouble. It usually involves the fact that I can't keep my mouth shut. This week does involve talking but it really is not my fault, here is the story:

Once a week moms from Pumpkins class volunteer to watch the class during lunch so her teacher can have a 30 minute lunch break. Now yesterday was my day and I thought about not going because I have a throat infection. However I had not been out all week (except to go to the doctor) and decided to go, first mistake. I am sitting at the girl table and all the girls are talking to me.(there is only 6 girls in her class) One of the girls ask me why is Pumpkin sensitive.(for you who do not know our girl she has a very sweet, sensitive, and empathetic spirit) I said God made us all different would this not be a boring world if we all looked the same and acted the same. I continued with and its not polite to make fun of someone who is different than you its like your making fun of God. God created us our own special way. Good right. Now you may think I got in trouble for talking about God at school, but no my daughter goes to a private christian school so I am still not in trouble at that point. Here comes the trouble, a girl then says why did God make Jenny(not her real name)a liar and mean person. Now here is the catch Jenny is sitting right next to the girl. Then someone else says yeah way does God make people mean and liars.

Oh God please help me. I start with God did make us all but He did not make us to treat each other badly that is a decision we make on our own. I repeat does everyone understand God does not make us liars. Yes, yes they repeat we understand. I know somewhere last night a little girl was telling her mommy Mrs. Melissa said God is who makes us mean and liars. Please pray that I get to do lunch again.

Honesty

Sorry I have not posted it has been crazy here. I have been sick for the past two weeks and have pretty much done nothing except what I have to.

I have this amazing daughter who cannot tell a lie. I am like that(not the amazing part) but I don't lie. Even when I should. I always tell the truth. I don't know if its a moral compass thing for her or she knows if she admits something its hard for us to do anything except go well lets not do that again. Last night Andy is getting Pumpkin to sleep and I am laying on the couch. I hear her talking and in a minute she appears next to me. "Daddy made me upset and I can't go to sleep" she informs me. I said well what did daddy say to make you upset? "Daddy said I was not taking going to sleep serious", I then said are you being difficult? Her response "oh yeah I am being really difficult". I busted out laughing she said "well I am". Needless to say she turned around and went to bed and was asleep in five minutes but I am still laughing today about her honesty. I love that she feels comfortable with us to tell the truth. I hope it will stay that way.

Two Weeks Later

Well I told you I would let you know how Pumpkin did in the championships and now its two weeks later! Sorry. I have been sick and not on the computer. Pumpkin did great! Not one single fall or mess up, she was very happy. Pumpkin got second in all around. We are very proud parents not because of what place she gets but because she always has such a good attitude. I think sports are important in teaching children how to deal with winning and losing. She is done competing for the season, she starts back in September. However never fear I will still live at the gym.

Gymnastic's Weekend

We are leaving today for The Championships. We are traveling about 3 hours away. Pumpkin is very excited. It is her first championships and she keeps asking if she will get a trophy. I don't know, but I hope she does. Please pray for all the girls at the meet, to keep them safe while competing as well as traveling. I will post on Monday to tell you how she did. Have a good weekend.

More Medicine

I had decided when I started this blog I would be open and honest about my health. I have an autoimmune disease and it consumes a large portion of my life. I try not to let it control my life but sometimes it does. I feel I have a great attitude about it, life is only as much fun as you make it so you should enjoy it to the fullest.

I take three medications and two are very harsh on the body. One is an immunosuppressant which means it lowers my immune system. I have been on that drug for a year and half. I was so excited because I went to the doctor in January and he told me I might get to cut that drug in half. I go to the doctor every three weeks so I just knew in February I would be celebrating. I currently take the highest dose possible so the thought of cutting it in half was AWESOME. Well I knew I was in trouble because I have started losing my hair again(one of the things my body does is attack my hair follicles) but I still went with a optistimic hope. Lo and behold I was very disappointed not only did I not get to come off the medicine thay added another immunosuppressant and two other drugs. Usually I take the news and go my merry way because it is what it is but not yeseterday. I am sick with an infection so I did not feel good and the news did not set well with me. I am frustrated and tired of taking pills. I now take six medications daily. However today is a new day and I am back to myself. I am blessed to have such a good doctor, family and friends that care about me.

My brother made a cute post with his new baby holding a stuff animal and a comment about friends. I really thought about that because where would we be in life without our friends and family. God, family and friends those about the only things in life that count. Don't you agree? How many times have we counted on those three things in our life? So I would suggest you take time today and pray to thank God for him being in your life(or to join your life) and call a friend or family member and thank them for caring about you. You will be glad you did.

Sick, Sick and Sick

Sorry I have not posted the last little bit but I have been sick. I am still sick and Pumpkin has her gymnastic championships this weekend. So I am trying to get better. I will write on Sunday to give you all an update of how she does. Talk to you soon!

Pink Poodle Party: Part Two

It came and went. My daughters first slumber party. I would like to tell you some funny, interesting stories but something weird happened. There are no stories. No crying, no whining, no mommy and daddy shouting in the middle of the night- nothing.

We had a lot of fun. We played games, ate cake and watched movies but that was about it. I told Andy this has got to be the easiest slumber party is history.

Pink Poodle Party

Pray hard for me this week, I am having 10, yes 10 girls who are 5& 6 yrs old over for a Pink Poodle Slumber Party! I am very excited about the party! I will post on Saturday and let you know what happens. I am sure there will be a few good stories!

Gymnastics Nana

I really don't know what it is about me that brings out the crazy in every one I meet, but I do. Take this week, I am at Pumpkin's gymnastics practice, now I spend a lot of time there. Pumpkin has multiple practices a week, and I have thought about moving in there. Fortunately I have made friends with another mom, which helps pass the time. However she was sick this week and that left me solo. I am up in the balcony minding my own business when this older lady sits next to me. Now you have to understand, we are talking about a small viewing area with about 20 seats pushed right next to each other. There is no where to go. Nana(as she called herself) starts talking to me and telling me she is there to watch her grandson. I ask a couple of polite questions about her grandson and go back to watching Pumpkin. Bam, it happens before I even know what has hit me. Nana says, my daughter wants her husband to get a vasectomy but he refuses. I am not sure what to say, but don't worry Nana continues. I really did not set a good example, she has never had a father figure because I just went from man to man. Nana is telling me all this. I look around to see if I am on Candid Camera (although I know I'm not because this is my life) and no its just me and Nana. Nana then goes on for the next hour, yes hour, telling me her opinion on home schooling, gymnastics not being safe, and asking me how many country stars I have met in the grocery store. As we are leaving, I say to Nana tell your daughter good luck on that vasectomy thing. I can't wait for gymnastics next week to see who the mom is, I practically know every thing about her life! I will let you know if I meet her!

Blonde Bobby Pins

My daughter is a competitive gymnast, she competes once a month. She has long hair and wears it in two buns at the meets. Last weekend we had a meet, so off to Wal-Mart we go to buy some new bobby pins. Pumpkins hair is blonde, so I buy blonde bobby pins. Regular bobby pins are .92 cents, blonde bobby pins are $2.98. We go to the cashier and she rings in the pins and puts them in the bag. She pulls them back out and says whats so special about these pins, why are you buying these expensive pins? I tell her my daughter has blonde hair. Cashier says that is stupid. Cashier says I would never pay 2 dollars more for bobby pins, thats just stupid. I turned to my mom and I say is she calling me stupid? The guy behind us is laughing his head off. Cashier then puts them back in the bag. She then rings up two more items before she says I have to see those pins again. Cashier gets the pins back out and once again says that is stupid who would pay that much for those pins? Uh, hello. I think she meant it was stupid to charge more for the other color but I'm not sure. We all just walked out laughing no reason to be offended by .92 cent pin lady.

Why Don't You Have a Job

My daughter and I were driving home from school today and she says why don't you work. What is she kidding? I say to her honey I do work I take you to school, gymnastics, play dates, come to parties at school and I volunteer at school in your Art class and lunch room. She says yeah, yeah I know that but why don't you have a job. I finally say this is my job I am a stay at home mom. She then says well since your never going to work when I have my 5 (yes 5) children I am going to let you watch them. A big thank you to her!

Three French Men

I am in my Sunday School class this morning (Andy and I teach the college and career class) when in comes my daughters teacher and Pumpkin is crying with an earache! So she sits on my lap and I teach. Well her doctor's office is open till 1:00 on Sunday so I find a teacher for my Wee Worship class and off to the doctor we go. Well needless to say she has her 900th ear infection, so we start home. Pumpkin is sitting in the back singing The Twelve Days of Christmas. I am kind of listening and thinking at the same time. Well she gets to day five and I am impressed that she knows that many days so I really start listening. Pumpkin is really rocking it out and she gets to day three and she sings three French men! I about crash I am laughing so hard, she sings all 12 days and every time she says three French men. She gets them all right but that one! Leave it to her to crack me up even when she is sick.

I Have Done It

Well I have finally done it! For a long time everyone has said you have to do a blog no one will believe the stuff that happens to you! So I am doing this for two reasons 1- my family,I stink at sending out cards or letters or pictures to my family(all sides) so I will post pictures of us on here and everyone can see and no one can complain anymore:) 2- the craziest stuff happens to me and I think its pretty funny. I told a story this weekend to my sister-in-law (my mom and I involved in a shootout at Kroger's like 11 years ago) and she had never heard it before and I realize so much crazy happens I can't keep up with it so if I blog about it then everyone can read it! Also I am just going to keep a running schedule of my life! Its crazy! So for people out there who do not know me or do not see or talk to me very often I am going to give you some background info.

I am a 35 year old woman. I have been happily married for 11 years to a wonderful and patient man named Andy(he gets dragged into a lot of my adventures). I have an amazing 6 year old daughter I will call her Pumpkin (my nickname for her) she is always with me so she gets into a lot of interesting situations. I have two brothers, two sister-in-laws a 2 month old niece and a not born yet nephew. I also have a wonderful mother who is very supportive of all of us. I have 2 sets of in-laws all of us get along, surprising huh! I am a stay at home mom (who is never home) and very involved in a lot of activities. I am a Christian who is very involved in my church, I am an active PTO member at my daughters school, and a gymnastics mom. Whew I am tired just thinking about it! So why have I decided to start this blog- well I have always thought I lived life to the fullest- but I had a wake up call two years ago. I have been sick since my daughter was born the doctors had a hard time figuring out what was wrong, at one point they told me they thought I might have this rare cancer and if I did I would not last a year (my daughter was barely one when they told me this) thankfully we were blessed and I did not have that! They did finally find what was wrong and I have an autoimmune disease. We had a party! It is not good but it does not have a year sentence! I am tired a lot and do not feel good most days but I have learned a few important lessons about life I hope to share with you all in my daily life. I will tell you I do treat everyday as it could be my last day because it could be any of our last day! Life is to important to worry about small things, yes I know everyone thinks that but I challenge you to lead your life that way. I learned aolt during the week I was waiting on the test results whats important in life and whats not. I continue to live like that every day God gives me with my family. I hope you can enjoy my frenzy life with me!