Oh what a happy day in the Mann house hold:
Sunday morning Parker wakes me up at 5:30 to tell me goodbye he was going with dad to hunt. I woke back up at 8:22 to Parker he could not stop talking. They got a deer! Patton woke up and ran outside to see. I got up grabbed the camera to capture the exciting milestone in Parker's life.
A little buck but Parker talked Brad into shooting it. Parker spotted it and said it was about 30 yards from them and that dad would be silly if he did not shoot it. "Come on dad it is the last day we have to shoot something."
He even helped Brad gut it Brad said he had a few questions one being "is that round stuff what Larry gave me to eat at Gavin's" hehe Brad firmly said NO. He said he was curious about other body parts and when he asked about them he just chuckled. Oh Parker how excited I am for you but you are growing up so fast before I know it you will be killing your own deer.
Good job middle mann mom loves you;-)

I got another e-mail today that I would like to share. It came at just the right time in my life. I read this and just started crying because it is so true. I know, I know I am a big ballbag:( I am having a hard time with the kids and them growing up and with life in general. It just seems like it all passes by way to fast! I blink and someone has grown a foot or something else has gone on in my world. It is very hard not yell at the kids or be a good wife, sister, sister-in-law, friend, and just all around good person. I find myself mad and stressed about the little things in life and that is just not me I just want simplicity! I really just need to clear the air and make "pancakes" with everyone in my life. Life is short and no matter what I have said or have done to upset anyone in my journey through life I am sorry and I love you. It is hard to say that when someone has hurt you by their looks, words, and over all actions. It is hard to say that when my children aren't comprehending the values I am trying so hard to instill in them. (Don't get me wrong they are good kids it is just hard being a parents these days) I don't know maybe I am whining and that was not the point of this post it was to share with you a wonderful e-mail.
Father Jerry said today in church that we should love one another as God loves you. No matter what! Very hard to do when someone has made you so mad you can't see straight he said to say a prayer for that person. That is exactly what I did for a few people that have really caused me pain in my life and continue to cause me pain. I do hope that they can make "pancakes with their lives and make it better and become better people.
Okay so anyways thanks and love to all:)

Making Pancakes:
Six year old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.
Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad..
He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked! Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.
And just then he saw Dad standing at the door big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon 's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess.. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.
Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!
That's how God deals with us... We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour.
Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.
But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to 'make pancakes' for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then they'll be glad we tried...
I was thinking and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said, sometimes, 'I love you' can heal & bless! Remind every one of your friends that you love them. Even if you think they don't love back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do.
Just in case I haven't told you lately... I LOVE YA!!!

Some friends of ours who live in Pennsylvania were coming home and asked us to babysit we were all excited to see the kids!

Cowgirl Ali!

little Johnathan

Ali sweeping the floor she loved the swivel sweeper!!

Thanks guys for visiting us we had a great time:)

I received this and after reading had to post it. It is so true. Some of us read these and say we are going to change but it never happens, I think I am going to try extra hard this time. Slow down and enjoy life;)

A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, ' I love you ' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Well it is saturday and I can say I have officially been in bed since Monday night. Parker started our week off right with a high fever sunday night. Brad stayed home monday while I ran some errands and went to work. I started the day with a cough and ended it with a high fever. Parker and I laid in my bed so Brad decided to sleep with Patton little did he know that Patton was going to end up sick to. I guess it was 2 or so in the morning that Patton woke up with a high fever to. Well there lay the three of us sickly people in my bed. We have been stricken with the FLU!!
I know, I know what you are thinking I shouldn't have been so quick to post my feelings about this whole H1N1 stuff. I guess I just jinxed myself.
We ended up having Influenza A, or so we think I got a diagnosis over the phone. No I didn't give any of us Tami-flu I let our bodies fight it off. I did push the fluids and tried controlling the fever. There was one night that Patton and I's fever got real close to 104. I had Brad put him in the shower while I passed out not really sure what happened after that.
I guess I can throw the salt and water e-mail out the window it was worth trying though and I am up for any other homeopathic suggestions. We are just going to have to be extra germaphobic! I guess I was not crazy enough making my kids wash their hands ever time they turned around.
Kuddos to Dr. Rodriguez I did call him one night I was thinking about spreading my nasty germs to the ER. Even though I really don't remember the whole conversation what I did get out of it was to keep the fever down and push the fluids. I did express to him that I was second guessing my decision on not getting the kids the shot and he said that I was not the only one who choose not to and that this could happen to anyone. Thanks Tony your compassion was very appreciated.
Well bring on the new week besides a crazy schedule at work and a whole bunch of homework for the kids.

Halloween is official over!
The boys had a great time trick or treating and after worrying about their costumes they looked great!
We got home and I proceeded to put the candy and goods away. Like every year they get way to much and then we go to Brad's parents and they get overloaded!

Part of the stash and I had put quit a bit up already

The books and play dough, and pens, etc stuffed into a bag

Mamaw even gives them a sack full of clothes to. I personally think it is over kill but whatever.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween. Look forward to Turkey!