Christmas is almost here and it is such a magical holiday for some but for other it can be full of trial and tribulations.  I am a people watcher and some things I see  I don't agree with but keep my mouth shut well..almost I guess my opinion gets voiced to a few friends and my main "squeeze".  Either way 9 times out of 10 What I see are people struggling this time of year or go break the bank to get all they can for their loved ones.  Those that struggle are for me classified in 2 ways you have the people who talk about how hard up they have it which I am sure they do but they do because they choose to spend their money not so wisely and those that are quiet about it but you can just tell that they don't have much and deep down inside are struggling with it but for these people they never will ask for it or question it.  These are the people that really put my life into perspective.  I often wish I could have a bigger newer home or a newer car and yes I could I just choose right now not to be the time.  I keep telling myself patience is key.  When I see a child sad because mom or dad can not help them I just want to scoop them up and give them what they need.  I have heat, a nice warm bed, food to eat, and all the trimmings and sometimes it is just not good enough.  They have the worry and anguish of what to feed themselves and their families.  Then I struggle with the fact that  I work very hard for what I do have, lots of time away from my family, and a lot of anxiety over it just so the government can take it away and give it to them and they can sit on their butts and do nothing.  I can be a hypocrite to I am not good or perfect. In the end I come back to the kids even though the parents are like this it is not the kids fault and in order to help them I must help their parents.  Just like my kids love me even when I tell them we can not afford that toy at wal-mart or do not need to go to McDonalds these kids still love their parents in light of all their wants.   So I feel the need to help out who I can and in what ways I can.  I have been touched by this in the past few months and maybe I will get burned in the end but I know that a certain someone that has touched me and put my  views back into perspective I hope will take something from me and apply to their life.  We are all teaching each other how to live even if you don't see it right now someday you will.  I just urge everyone this holiday season to maybe spend a little less and give to someone else.  If you feel like the whole world needs to know that you have done so then so be it as long as you give someway somehow.  Even if you really don't want to and look down at "these kinds of people"  in the end we are all brothers and sisters in the Lords eye.  Okay thanks for listening and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We took the kids to French Lick a couple of weekends ago and had a great time!  We stayed at the Big Splash and they swam in the indoor water park.  Sat.  I got tickets to go on the train and witness the McKnight Bandits come up on horses shooting their guns and rob the train.  On Sunday we went to Mitchell Indiana to the Spring Mills state park.  It was such a pretty day and a very pretty state park, they even had a live Pioneer village the boys enjoyed looking out.  What a very relaxing weekend no phone calls,laundry,dishes,or places to be I can't wait to do it again real soon.

One month already.......
It is so hard to believe that my little miss Piper is 1 whole month!!  Where has time gone?  She is so far a good baby.  She still likes to sleep during the day and up all night.  Really she is not up she just is a lazy eater so by the time she eats and diaper is changed it takes about 2 hours.  Oh well she is eating and growing so that is all that matters.  Some days it just makes for a tired and grumpy momma.  This first picture she is in one of my favorite outfits!  Lori found this cool hat and I found this cool outfit to match it perfectly!!  In the video she is wearing a shirt that not only did Brad's sister give her but the same day my sister gave her the same shirt at least my sister got newborn and his sister got 3 months.  If you pause the music you can hear her noise making she does.

Patton can always make a person laugh!  I guess he is trying to be the next Taylor Swift here.  I just love this kid always has something to say.  He might drive me up the walls but in the end I can always look back and laugh:)
 












9-11-01

7:58 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 175 departs Boston for Los Angeles,

carrying 56 passengers, two pilots, and seven flight attendants. The

Boeing 767 is hijacked after takeoff and diverted to New York.

7:59 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 11 departs Boston for Los

Angeles, carrying 81 passengers, two pilots, and nine flight

attendants. This Boeing 767 is also hijacked and diverted to New York.

8:01 a.m. - United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757 carrying 38

passengers, two pilots, and five flight attendants, leaves Newark, N.J.,

for San Francisco.

8:10 a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 departs Washington's

Dulles International Airport for Los Angeles, carrying 58 passengers,

two pilots, and four flight attendants. The Boeing 757 is hijacked

after takeoff.

8:46 a.m. - American Flight 11 from Boston crashes into the North

Tower at the World Trade Center.

9:03 a.m. - United Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the South

Tower at the World Trade Center.

- U.S. Federal Aviation Administration shuts down all New

York area airports.

9:21 a.m. - Bridges and tunnels leading into New York City

are closed.

9:25 a.m. - All domestic flights are grounded by U.S. Federal

Aviation Administration.

9:45 a.m. - American Flight 77 crashes into The Pentagon.

10:05 a.m. - The South Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

10:05 a.m. - The White House is evacuated.

10:10 a.m. - A large section of one side of The Pentagon collapses.

10:10 a.m. - United Flight 93 crashes in a wooded area in

Pennsylvania, after passengers confront hijackers.

10:28 a.m. - The North Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May God bless the many souls who lost their lives, on September 11, 2001, at

the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on airline flights 11, 175, 77, & 93.

The courage and sacrifice shown by the FDNY firefighters, the NYC Police, and

other NYC EMS will never be forgotten. History will remember 9/11/2001.

 

 

This day will carry a whole new meaning for me now.  It is a day of prayer, a day of silence, a day to remember all of those who have lost their lives in the tragic attacks against our country.  I remember that day as if it were yesterday  how could anyone do such a awful thing and how could any God let it happen?  I never knew why and was always and still will be saddend by that day.  Sat. September 11th 2010 I lay in bed watching the news of all the recaps of that awful day crying thinking what an bad day to have a birthday.  Yes I was contracting thinking please let them go away  I don't want my babe to share a day with this tradgedy, this day is for remembrance only, little did I know that my sweet little baby girl was well on her way.  By 11:30 in the morning my contractions fizzeled out so I decided to go to fox River and do my elderly hair.  It was around 2:30 that I was having some teeth grinding pains.  I just smiled and thought to myself lets get all these ladies done and get home so by 4:30 that is what I did.  I drove home with my white  knuckles glued to the steering wheel from the pain(okay it wasn't to bad but it still hurt) pulled in the drive and waddeled my way to the bedroom where I laid for about 2 hours until Brad decided that the yard was good, the boys were ready, the car had gas, and his shower was taken, and Payton's "friend" of the male gender was gone, and that we could go to the hospital.  GRRRRR  My sister about scooped me up and took me herself.  We got to the hospital and I was a good 5 so they kept me about an hour later I was a 6-7 and  I decided that I was not superwoman anymore and opted for the epideral I was not in agonizing pain they were bearable but I just thought the last contraction was stronger enough that if they got stronger which I new they would some man sitting beside  me shootin the sh@# with the nurse and my sister would have to pay dearly!!  At 10:52 with three pushes my precious nameless baby girl was here.  She just walked right out with no problem  it was just like you would see on t.v.  I looked down and scooped her up (with the help of the doctor) and she was placed on my chest and in an  instant love was formed.  It wasn't until later that I realized that this day would carry a new meaning.  I would never forget the brave men and women of that day but I realized that life does go on and  I will pass that day on to my new little one and we will have new memories to make on that day as we had already did.  So with that never forget those lost but remember that life  always prevails and goes on.

So I would like to introduce my sweet little baby girl

Little Miss Piper Jane Mann



Well Payton turned the big 16 on the 8th!  Wow how time has flown by.  Just think about it brings tears to my eyes.  It just seems like you get lost in the hustle and bustle of day to day activities and loose track of what is important...savoring every momement with your family and loved ones.  I know I have far from done that lately she and I have not been excatly the best of friends lately.  Yes she is a teenager but their is no reason that that makes it okay for her to talk back or to run around and do whatever she wants, and there is no reason I should let her get away with it either.  I guess I think if I do let her she will think I am a "cool" mom or something or sometimes it is just easier to give in so you don't have to hear the smart comments and the doors slam.  It is just hard being a parent!  I thrive for her and I to have a good relationship my mother and I didn't and we butted heads constantly(we still do on occasion) I remeber always wishing we had a close relationship.  Payton is full of accomplishements and all in all a good girl who I am proud to say I can trust, she is not out drinking and smoking. 
Payton I am very proud of you and you seize to amaze me everyday!  I love you and hope that what ever you do in life you try 100% and never give up.  You can do whatever you put your mind to:)  I hope you dance never sit out try every new thing you can!  Life is a journey which we all go through and  I am proud to say that I get to go through my journey with you by my side.  I love you Payton Brianna please never forget that!

Almost there!
Had the last ultra sound done on Tuesday.  Amazing simply amazing!  We think it looks a lot like its big  brother Patton but guess we will wait and see.   The babe is weighing in at 5lbs 12oz.  I am weighing in at ........um sorry no details there;-)  I had my checkup after and she said I was dilated to a 1.  I know its not much, but I will take it!   Lots of braxton hicks contractions that are little more painful every time I have them, better get used to that because the real ones will be 10 times harder.eekkk  We will keep you posted:0

The first day of school!!
  Well I can say it was most definitely time for the first day of school.  The boys were starting to fight, my house has been a wreck, and Payton Payton who??  I think today was good for the kids not to hard.  Payton came home and has decided to play tennis never played before but I guess there is always  room for something else.  Patton fell asleep in Brad's truck early and Parker just is Parker doesn't say much and pretty content with whatever.  Myself well in between customers I have managed to make bread and butter pickles and some homemade salsa.  I am trying to savory my last moments as a free woman!    Don't you just love Payton's choice of clothes for the first day;-)

Fall Kids Mall Wow!!

Well if you are wondering what FKM is it was started last year and I was drove to be part of the committee!  It is simply taking pre-k through 5th grade and letting them pick out 7 pairs of socks, and undies, 3 brand new nice shirts and 1 spirit shirt (tigers or noble wildcats) and 2 pair of pants that get tailored on site if needed, a bag of toiletries (toothbrush,toothpaste,soap,shampoo, deodorant if needed etc) and this year BRAND NEW SHOES!!!
This whole experience is heartwarming,exciting,and emotionally a little draining!  An all around awesome thing I am proud to be part of!!!
A committee member shared some of her experiences with us through an e-mail and here are a few things she had to say
God is good all the time! All the time God is good!

Shopping day 2010 was amazing!!!
Statistically, we served 238 children. Up from 110 in 2009. The weather was beautiful, although a bit warm in the afternoon. Our last volunteers left the church at 5:30 p.m. ending an almost 11 hour day.
Statistics aside though, yesterday made a difference. I know because it made it made a difference in me.
There were moments of laughter because of a child's excitement or words, there were moments that brought tears.
One mom, with pride in her heart and tears in her eyes handed me a $5 bill and said that she just wanted to make a donation, maybe for next year. She said we had no idea how much the new clothes and shoes meant to her and her little boy.The last shopping buddy I had for the day was a 5 year old little girl. She sang and talked while she dressed in the dressing room. She danced and posed when she stood in front of the mirror. Her joy, excitement and beauty could light up New York for a night, I am quite certain. Her new red shirt that "shines when she moves" paled in comparison to the glitter in her eyes. It was an honor for me to meet and serve this beautiful child.
These were my moments. I'll bet every volunteer has at least one they could share.Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who supports Fall Kids Mall and makes moments like these possible!!There are a million specific thank you's we should say today to volunteers, seamstresses, businesses, churches, the DJ, even the port-a-potty guy, but maybe we can think of them all tomorrow. Today, my heart is too full to think.
God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
Father Jerry said Sunday in church  What is the ultimate treasure in life?  To some people it is thier big screen, or thier cars or thier fancy houses, to others it is thier  family, and friends.  In all reality the ultimate treasure should be your faith and your faith in the Lord because without it you don't have your talents that  bring you your riches that in turn will help those less fortunate or those in need due to hard times.  I think to myself sometimes of how I work hard and I deserve more.  Then I see or help out or hear a story and realize how lucky I am.  These kids Saturday did no wrong and know no different but were so excited to get nice underwear or a new pink toothbrush!  I had one little boy that just picked out his shoes and came and showed me and said look I got a pair of Reebok's!!  These are so expensive and I actually got a pair wow!!  One child went in the shoe room looked around and said oh my I can't take a pair of these they are to expensive but thank you anyways.  Overwhelming to grasp that there are kids out there that have nothing.  It just puts my life into perspective and makes me take two steps back and think how good I have it.  My ultimate treasure is to praise the good Lord and continue to help do his work and try to make the world a better place.  If everyone could just touch the life of one child wouldn't it make a little bit of difference?  Not to sound like to big of a "holy roller" as Brad says  but it is just how I feel and I know that I am not perfect and how I have greedy thoughts but I am only human as we all are, but it does make me feel like a better person when I do help someone out.  So what is your ultimate treasure in life?

What to do, What to do!!!
Well as you know from my last post we have decided to try to sell the house. In the meantime we have looked at house out in the country. When I say country that is what I mean!! It is a good 10 miles out. 6 highway and a little over 3 gravel. Yes gravel not to crazy about that.
The house is pretty and a newer build but there are a few things that I don't like most of them cosmetic. The light fixtures have to go all of them!! The mirrors in the all the bathrooms gone. The kitchen and living room are all open love that but just don't know if it is big enough to entertain. I would have my kitchen table and three bar stools. Not really anymore room to put up a plastic table anywhere. Will anybody come that far out to see me anyways?? There is a very nice back patio that Brad would like to screen in so I guess that would help. Well at least during nice weather. There are no linen closets or coat closets, but there are plenty of cabinets throughout. I am an organize freak so everything has to be in a certain spot. When you come up the lane there is a bean field on the left of you and one on the right. Did I mention will anybody come visit me??? My mom said well if it is gravel I won't come out. She did last night I told her it wouldn't be a fast trip and she came went through it in like 10 mins and said bye. Not something we could do just come and go like that. There is absolutely no landscaping. The front porch is big and blah. It needs a railing and some color. See just stupid things that will come with time.
Will my house sell and will we get what we need to get out of it? I talked to the bank and they make it sound great and the numbers they throw out I think to myself is totally doable but will that be the reality of it. What if my house doesn't sell for a year then what?? Can we handle paying 2 mortgages?? Oh I think I am sick all ready! Will anybody come see me? I am so used to an open house here and people coming and going out of all the things I keep coming back to this one.

Things that I like:
The calm of the country, it is so peaceful out there. When leaving last night you couldn't even see the house it was dark! There is enough room for the kids to run. A basement with an extra room and even enough space for another room or two if we wanted. It is a nice home a place where I think we could call home. The boys can have a dirt track for the motorcycle and 4-wheeler. Brad and them can hunt in there back yard and go on woods walks. The price is nice. We can still go on vacations and do things and not be tied down to a large house payment every month.
I guess I just need to leave my worries behind and let the good Lord take over he will provide the right answers for us it just takes time. Easier said than done though.

House for sale!

Brad doesn't want to put our house on the market he wants to try to sell it himself. (paying someone to do the work is out of the question) So I will put it on Face Book and in the paper.

If you or anyone you know are looking to buy it is a nice home three bedroom, 2 and a half bath, with a partial walk-out basement 2100sq ft. It is on 2 lots with a two car detached garage. Please e-mail me at mannclan5@verizon.net

Please pass the word along.

Six years has come and gone just like that!



It is so hard to believe that my little Mann is 6 already. It is so bittersweet. He was a good little baby and then has grown into a funny, rotten little boy! Always on the go, always into something, and always causing mischief!! I have said from the get go that he would make a great comedian or a politician you just never know what is going to come out of his mouth. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like without him.

Happy Birthday little buddy mommy loves you all the time even when you are doing things you shouldn't. You are a cute, sweet, little ham and I am eternally grateful to the good Lord for giving me the privilege to be your momma:)

I LOVE YOU!!

One of memas crazy gifts. She always comes up with something funny;)

Miles is such a big boy these days

Pattons bday cake made by Rachel Kocher she did a great job!!

http://www.trendycakes.webs.com/

Well another doctor's appt down. I am down to every 2 weeks now!! I really never thought this day would come. As much as I want to say I have enjoyed this pregnancy I can't. I feel guilty of that but it is what it is. I have gained 1 pound from last month I guess you could say I am all baby so that is a good thing. Less for me to have to worry about taking off later. (selfish I know) I am currently down in the back apparently due to the fact that my body is making relaxin to help my joints relax and let this baby slide out (that never happens but sounds good) and the more kids you have and the the older you are the more pain some mother may feel. I guess I just am one of the lucky ones. Other than this everything is looking good. I cancelled my second appt for Evansville because there is just nothing we can do and it is just really a very expensive appt so Brad and I agreed there was no need to go again. I felt guilty at first but the lady at St. Mary's made me feel better about it. I just thought maybe they missed something the first time that they would see now. I can't do that to myself so I won't.
I have a good friend who took these great pics of babe for me. Some of them are a little....well creepy. I hate to say that. I think most of them are just simply amazing! I think baby looks like its little brother Patton. Can't wait to meet it and find out for real! These were taken a couple of weeks ago and the little peanut was weighing in at 2 and a half pounds sounds so big to me having so much time left all it is going to do is get bigger.



Little leg and foot, looks like dad's long toes

This just shows the blood flow to the heart

This one makes me think of Patton

I think this one looks like babe will have dad's nose and chin.

This is where that big babe resides. Wow is all I can say:)