The Crazy Life

2011-02-11T10:54:00.000-08:00

Well its official Payton has her car and is driving all over Earths creation! She has had a car sitting in the drive since Sept. but her grades went from A's and B's to D's and I said NO WAY!! So I told her if she got them back up I would get the licence and ins. Well all I can stay is stay off the sidewalks;-)

Payton congrats on your wheels please be safe and we love you very much!

Heading to school this morning

Don't the boys look scared

2011-02-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

Little Miss thang is doing so many things these day it is hard to keep up and kinda bittersweet for momma to.

First bite of rice cereal.
Not really into it can't ya tell.

First bath with the boys. She liked at first then we turned on the water and out came the pouty lip. I think we will stick to the sink for a while.

First time in her highchair. She looks so much like her daddy here don't ya think?

First time with applesauce. Yummy!!

The first time playing the xbox with the boys. Her big brothers just adore her and her big sis to:)

2011-02-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

Piper got baptized This past Sunday and boy did she look pretty! Lori Kilpatrick took my wedding dress and made her baptismal gown out of it. It was sitting in the basement in a box so I thought this way we could pass it down to the future babies in the our family. It was Catholic schools week so I had a friend make her a onsie that said future wildcat on it. We had a dinner afterwards with the family and Godparents and when everyone left we put on the floor to stretch and she rolled over! She is just getting so big so fast.

2011-01-28T06:07:00.000-08:00

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well are you flipping out because we sure were! Where are we going to put another kid, how are we going to put them through college, driving, feeding another one oh my, my what are we going to do?? I had flu like symptoms and it didn't even cross my mind this could be the reason why but....it looks like it was. I got home from work and sent Brad out to get a movie so I could have some privacy while I took the "test" low and behold this is what I got two lines. I called him real quick and told him to get his you know what home we needed to talk. I really thought he was going to hit the floor. I was just as shocked as he was. Who would have thought this could happen to us again. After we picked our hearts and jaws up of the floor we knew it would be okay. Yes it has been okay Piper Jane is one of the four greatest things in my life I don't what my world would be like without her. It was one year ago today that all that excitement was going on in my world and it is still going;-)

With that no I am not pregnant just celebrating the 1 year anniversary of finding out that Little miss Piper Jane was going to be part of our world. I had you going though didn't I!

2011-01-27T06:45:00.000-08:00

My little mann is getting so big. He was able and excited to do basketball camp this year and he can't wait to play basketball for real! It is just so hard to fathom the notion of how quickly children grow. He will be having another first milestone Friday and staying out of town with a buddy and his parents. I almost said no, but can't keep him from doing these things forever:( We love Patton, you never cease to amaze us.

2011-01-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

Parker got the privilege to go check out some cool guitars the other night. One of my customers husbands makes these very beautiful guitars. He said it takes him a few months to put one together and he ships them all across the world! Parker picked out his favorite one and asked the price. His wheels were turning thinking of how he could come up with that kind of money. He said he would sell his 4wheeler and take money out of his piggy bank. Unfortunately I had to tell him that would still not be enough. So we just told him to practice, practice, practice and we would see what we could do down the road. A BIG thanks to Bob and Nancy Wallace for being the heros of the day and making a little boys evening:) The first two pictures are his favorite the first one being more in his reach of saving, the second one being the one he really wants. I think I have a guitar collector on my hands.

2011-01-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

Wedding dress part one.

I got my wedding dress out and we decided to have some fun with it. I have something special coming up and plan to use it for that

The front

The back

Payton almost got in to it

Piper waiting patiently for her turn

and yes the boys were very kind to their mother and indulged her in trying the dress on to:)

Patton thought he looked so lovely

A little long on him wouldn't you say

The best one yet Parker says you better not tell anyone I am doing this. I just laughed and said oh you know it will be on my blog;-)

The littlest princess in the family

YES! It still fits I must say I have a little bit of a tummy bulge in this side shot so I will just have to remember that for future picture taking.

I will keep you updated on what is going on with the dress. I am very excited about it:)

2011-01-05T14:10:00.000-08:00

My how does time fly!

Just a few pics of my sweet little baby. It is hard to believe she is going to be 4months old soon:(

Her first piece of mail

The sad bottom lip

Her little Christmas outfit.

The most recent picture. She got a bumbo chair for Christmas and likes to sit in it but boy when shes done she is DONE!

A New Year

2011-01-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

Well I hope everyone had a happy safe and Merry Christmas! We here at the Mann Clan sure did as well.
My favorite part was probably Midnight Mass. The Choir sang all my favorite songs, and the lights were dimmed and the smell of incense was in the air. The snow was as white as could be and clung to the trees so perfectly. The boys were little Shepard's and cute as could be, they played their part well. After Mass they were so excited to come home to get all snug as a bug in a rug so Santa could come see them. Brad and I did our traditional pull an all nighter to get their presents wrapped and put under the tree. Thank goodness all the kids slept in until 9:30 so we could have a few hours of sleep.
New Years has come and a low key one it was, we stayed home and had a couple over and their kids and sat and visited and enjoyed the ball drop. It was hard to see Dick Clark try so hard to commentate but he did a great job. Parker did not want to have anything to do with the sparkling white grape juice because he thought he would get drunk if he drank it he wouldn't even have his picture taken with the wine glass. He finally did under his mothers orders. Oh and he says if you get pulled over by the cops you will get a V.I.P. he is to funny. Payton went to a friends house and Piper enjoyed getting lots of attention. I however try to make a list of things I want to accomplish for the New Year and I didn't do that this year. I have nothing.... it just seems like I say I am going to do all these things or try hard to do better at something I never follow through with it. So I guess I will just continue to work hard at my job like usual and take care of my family.
I hope you have a wonderful and bright New Year filled with love and happiness:)

2010-12-06T11:42:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-10-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-10-12T21:20:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-10-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

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:)

2010-09-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-09-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-16T19:59:00.000-07:00

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;-)

2010-08-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-07-22T03:45:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-07-17T15:19:00.000-07:00

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 manncl an5@verizon.net

Please pass the word along.

2010-07-13T09:31:00.000-07:00

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!!

htt p://www.trendycakes.webs.com/

2010-07-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

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:)

2010-06-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

LAKE FUN PART 2.....

Enjoying the lake on a sunny day what a life:)

I think this will be the only picture I will get of the boys holding hands!

2010-06-25T05:43:00.000-07:00

Lake fun part 1....

Mitch had his 10th birthday Sunday so off to the lake to tube and swim we went, but first we had Reid's 9th birthday after church. Patton and Marni and Maci did some tubing and all Parker wanted to do was play the role of the captain. Mitch had a buddy with him and I think they all had a great time.

Happy Birthday Boys!!

2010-06-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

Weekend fun
My dad is on the Catholic Social Service board and put together a golf outing. The Catholic Social Service offers many services and one of them is helping elderly find jobs. A part of the funding is from a grant the state offers. Well this year the state has cut out a lot of the funding for it. So to raise money this was one of the fundraiser. Dad asked my siblings, ma and I to help and with open arms we were there!
I became DD for those who were drinking which I might add was so stinking funny!! I had a blast I really don't know when the last time I laughed that hard! Thanks to Beals ride of a life time in the golf cart I think my tummy muscles were a little sore. WWJD Beal!!LMAO
On the way home we took the scenic way home so my ma could seethe belted Galloway's cows in Sumner. Unfortunately I forgot to get a pic. However we did see some cute little people on the edge of someones woods. Thanks gals for a great time! Oh and I think my ma learned a few things to;-)

2010-06-19T06:59:00.000-07:00

Lion and tiger and bears oh my!!
I took the boys to the St Louis zoo a couple of Sundays ago and what fun we had. Brad and Payton didn't want to go Boooo!!
We didn't see any chimpanzees and the penguin house was closed for cleaning.(we still got to see the penguins that were outside) and didn't see the stingray attraction because it was to late in the day.

Nice blue teeth

Wow...those are some white legs!!!

2010-05-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is how we spend a lot of of evening the past couple of weeks. This is Patton on the go doing what he likes to do best play ball. The past couple of games he has told us he doesn't like baseball and he doesn't want to play anymore. Well after Friday nights game he is back in the game of liking it! He was so excited that he hit off of a coach pitch and not the tee!!! What a little bit of self confidence will do for a person.
Growing up we heard a lot of Harry carry and take me out to the ball game, just don't let Patton know that I put a song in his post that cheers on the Cubies;-) My Grandpa Joe was a big Cubs fan and my grandpa Jack was a big Cards fan so I had the best of both worlds. My daddy always taught me to cheer on every team and every player even if you were playing against their team. I intend to teach my kids the same thing. It shows great sportsmanship and that nobody is better than the other.

2010-05-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

Wow 20 plus!! Still have a ways to go but just wanted to post a few pics and share in my excitement. My last checkup everything was good and baby size is perfect.
I went to visit a friend and her new little boy (congrats Sacha) he is so cute! She gave me a bag of clothes and these snake skin maternity pants were with them. She said she found them at the good will and they still have the tag on them. I can't wait to wear them out to eat soon!! I guess maternity clothes comes in a sorts of styles to. I am so excited to be like my idol Peg Bundy!! She would definitely love these pants;-)

2010-05-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures I just wanted to share with you of my pretty niece. It is so hard to believe that she will graduating high school already! We were worried what we were going to do with her hair and I must say it turned out great. If anyone knows Mikeala Joe you know she has short hair, so what to do with it was a mystery to both of us. That is one part of my job I love, creating new do's:) Prom hair day was a long hard day that I dread every year and will say am glad it is over. I will say I had a great group of girls this year. Thanks gals.

Oh I forgot to mention the dress I must say it was very pretty on her! I was skeptical at first as I was with her dress last year but she made it beautiful:)

2010-05-09T14:29:00.001-07:00

Happy Mothers Day to all!

What is a mother? Nurse,doctor,seamstress,counselor,referee,fighter,cook,baker,etc,etc,etc! The list is so long what we women do for our families. You know I have not meet a man that can mulit-task like we can or one that knows every kid in our child's class or what even is a typical day for our child. (Sorry to all you men out there that do know.) I just think that we deserve a big pat on the back for everything that we do. Yes you guys do help out to but today is not your day so I just wanted to tell my fellow gals I hope you had a great day! (I think we really should have a week) Whatever you do today I hope you took time out to do something nice that you wanted to do for yourself:)

Shaggy says it all the strength of a woman!

2010-05-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

What a handsome Mann!!
Parker had his First Communion this past Sunday and did he ever look sharp!
I took him suit shopping a couple of weekends ago. He said he wanted a black suit with a black shirt just like Cash (Johnny that is). I said fine but he had to at least pick a colored tie so he went with a blue and black one. He said mom I look sharp and it will look even better with my hair spiked up:)lol
He was not feeling well that morning I just thought it was his nerves, but by 4:00 he was on the couch with a fever. Poor guy didn't do to much smiling but he did say that the wine was yuk!
It is wed. and Parker still is running a fever and has blisters on the back of his throat. Brad took him in for a strep screen on Monday and it came back negative. I decided to call Dr. Atwood back today and he called in some yucky pink stuff. Hopefully he will be back at school on Friday!
Congrats on your Fist communion Parker we love you:)

Oh yea don't make fun of the cake. I was making a cross cake for him and made it and the icing on sat. I decided to take a nap around 6:30-7:00 and didn't get back up until the next morn. Oh well you win some you loose some:)

2010-04-28T06:08:00.000-07:00

My sweet baby on the big screen!

Well first of all I just wanted to say thanks for everyone's positive feed back on my last post. Brad thinks that I had to much information on there. I was not trying to put my woes out there just trying to see if anyone else had been in my shoes and to get my feelings out. I blog to let my family and friends know what is going on and to express my feelings.

Well we went for our ultra sound appointment yesterday. Simply amazing! we first had to have a counseling session the lady went over my test scores and what they meant. She just talked to us about what they were going to look for and what our options were. She was very nice! We then went back for the ultra sound where I must say the ultra sound tec was very nice also! She went through everything and showed us what she was looking for. The bridge of the nose...good, the bladder and kidneys....good, the heart....good, the back of the neck...no extra fat or skin built up, spine....good, upper lip... looked good.

It was just amazing to see baby and how much it had grown in three weeks (my last ultra sound). She said baby was measuring 9 oz. and 19weeks 3 days so a whole week sooner then my due date. Baby is very active all over the place it was a game of chase:) Heart beat was good in the 140's.

We then met with the doctor who I must say had a firm hand shake and was very serious! She said baby's chances very downs went from 1 in 144 to a 1 in 244. She said that we would know for sure if I would do an amnio. Tears choked me up and I was speechless all I could do was look at Brad (he was speechless to) I told her I would not do it I was not going to take an unnecessary risk. She also said the only thing the amnio would do was confirm it, it would not tell us the severity of it so why would I want to do that? I just told her that it didn't matter one way or the other we were going to love this baby no matter what! My main concern is that the heart was going to be off and it looked good. I go back in 10 weeks just to see how things are going. With that thanks everyone for your love and support!

shims(Payton's word for baby)had its hand up to its head like it had a headache. To cute!

The foot measured a whole inch!

What a great profile love that little nose!

This breathtaking to me! Sweet little fingers

2010-04-19T09:55:00.000-07:00

Wow what a couple of days it has been! The weekend started out well felt great on sat. I worked all day then picked grandma up and took her to pick out some pretty flowers at Keller's. I came home and started to cook supper and enjoy the evening. Had to go potty not that, that was anything out of the ordinary but when I wiped I had started to spot. My heart hit the floor!! I instantly called my sister and then Brad. Mel told me to lay down and drink some water she would call out to the ob and talk to the girls.(it is great to have a sister who is a nurse in the ob dept and who is going for her midwife) She called back and told me point blank that there was nothing I could do that baby is not viable until 20 weeks WOW how do you process that? She told me to meet her out at the hospital and she would listen for the heart beat. So I went out and thank the good Lord the heart beat was good and strong! It is hard to think positive when you are put in that situation your mind just wonders in every wrong direction possible! I called my doctor on Monday and she said that was not common at this point and to just take it easy and not to lift anything over 15 lbs. She said to continue with my everyday activities and to just watch for cramping. She then proceeded to tell me that my quad screen test came back high for down syndrome. Could I have another possible thing go wrong!! It is not a diagnosis it is just saying the possibility is high and I need further testing. She is sending me to a high risk in Evansville were they will perform a high tec ultrasound and determine if the baby does have it or not. If it does further testing can be done. I have choose not to do the further testing it is to invasive and I will not take that risk. God knows what he is doing so it is all up to him. I guess he just thinks I am a pretty strong gal to put all of this on my plate. I have in my heart everything will be just fine and if not I will not love this baby any less He or she will still be the most beautiful baby in the world!! I have had a few people tell me that they had the same thing happen to them and everything came out fine. I had said in my last post that I didn't want to be the incubator anymore well I take that back I want this baby to stay tucked in tight as long as it needs to so it can come out crying and healthy. It has been moving around and I am loving every minute of it. It tells me it is strong and active. I will deal with the rest if I need to as I go. I just ask for extra prayers please. Oh and I am still not going to tell if it has extra parts or not! If anyone can come up with some "P" names that would be great! I only have 1 for a boy and Brad hates it I have a few for a girl but would love someone elses input.

2010-04-15T19:22:00.000-07:00

Well here it is 16 weeks has passed and I am starting to feel a little better thank goodness! It has been a long hard road to this point with lots of visits to the toilet, laying in bed and even the hospital. I can honestly say I can't wait for this baby to come out and play! I don't want to be the incubator anymore. I just have a hard time with not doing like I normally do. I planted 6 plants and spread 4 bags of mulch yesterday and that was all she wrote:) Today my body feels like it was run over by a mack truck, guess I just am not as spry as I was.LOL No but I can tell a difference in being pregnant at 25 versus in my 30's:) Not that I am old or anything but can just tell.
I had a ultrasound compliments of a friend who works at Mt. Carmel hospital I have pictures but my computer won't read my scanner and can't figure out what the problem is. Yes I might have already found out the sex but I am not saying if there are dangles or no dangles;-) Nikki thinks she is sure of what she seen or did not see but I am not thoroughly convinced so maybe at my next ultrasound I will let the world know.
I had a checkup this week everything looks good baby does not sit still to hear much of the heart beat but it did sound good. I choose to get tested for genetic problems not that I can do anything about it if there is a problem. I will love it all the same if not more if there were a problem, I just thought it would be nice to be educated about it.
Home life is rough working lots of late nights and so is Brad and no help from him makes it rough. Oh well it will get better soon. Kids are good and ready for school to be out. I can say I am not though.
I am trying to get my house all fixed up to show to a couple who wants to come and see it. I just don't have any place to go and live if I do sell it.(I love you mom and dad)hehe
Well better get my but ready for work enjoy the lovely day out today.
Oh my brother called with a great name if it was a boy "Jamall" he says since Miles was "Jermane" on my blog that this baby should be called "Jamall" so if you notice my ticker "Jamall" it is:)

2010-03-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

Bounty Hunter

Well went to the movies tonight with a friend to watch The Bounty Hunter. It was an okay movie I did think maybe it was going to be a little bit funnier. That is alright though because I spent the whole evening with him! That's right Gerard Butler ahh cutie pie hottie!! Well at least I think so. I do recommend seeing the movie to. Why can't romance be in real life to!!??

Oh baby you could be my babies daddy ;-) Oh I mean I love you honey!!LOL

2010-03-17T03:32:00.000-07:00

Well here is the first of many picture of my ever so changing body.
I had a doctors appt. Yesterday and baby sounded good the little devil kept on moving so all you could here was maybe 5 seconds of heartbeat. She said that my thyroid level was low and wants to repeat it and if it is still low she will put me on thyroid meds. That does explain a few symptoms that I have been having that I just passed off as pregnancy woes. I did loose 4 lbs which is better than what my scales said at home. She gave me another script for med to make me feel not so yucky. Yesterday was a good day and so far today has not been bad so I hope I am on the mend! Brad thinks it is a girl because it has been causing so many problems already for Payton and grandma Poopsies sake I hope he is right. I will not say one way or the other because i don't want to jinx's myself and as long as it is healthy that is all that matters.

Me at 12 weeks 4 days

What peanut should look like at 12 weeks and 4 days. Starting to look a little human instead of like a peanut or a gummy bear:)

2010-03-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

Ahh the luck of the Irish....
Lets see if Patton has any luck catching his green little Leprechaun tomorrow at school. His homework last week was to make a Leprechaun trap and so we did.
He came home yesterday all excited the little green guy had been in the room while the kids were away yesterday afternoon. He turned Patton's backpack upside down and put Mrs. Burgener's stuffed dog on top of the memeo board.

Work in progress geez dad you look so excited!

The platform has a piece of tissue paper that is painted green and real thin so when he steps on it he will fall to the bottom

and into this plastic container

Patton all excited and can't wait to show his off and see how everyone in his class made theirs.

Happy St. Patty's day don't forget to wear your green!

2010-03-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

Saturday we headed to St.Louis to the PBR(professional bull riding) We meet Larry and DeAnn Dorn and their boys and had a great time.

We started off by eating at Hard Rock Cafe then headed to watch some bull riding and off to do some swimming at the hotel. On Sunday we went our separate ways and we headed to the Mills to the firehouse museum and to Cabela's. The only thing I asked to do was eat at the Cheesecake Factory so we headed there next. During our wait poor Parker fell asleep in the booth. What a great weekend!

Oh and the weirdest thing I really thought that they would play country music during the PBR but instead they played this....

2010-02-26T07:36:00.000-08:00

Supper is a rare find around here these days. I usually come home and reside in my room with the door shut and try to eat a little bit of nothing. Poor Brad has been a great help around here (more so than usual) so I really feel bad that I don't even feed him something besides take out.
He asked what I had going on after work yesterday and I told a big fat nothing besides hanging out in bed. He just looked at me and said will you be going to bed before or after supper? He said he is worried about keeping his figure:) So this is what I came up with.
I took a loaf of Italian bread and spread a garlic spread on both sides, you can get the spread already made at wal-mart by the breads in the deli. I then cooked 3 chicken breasts in a little bit of EVOO then cut them up into slices. I put them on the bread first with provolone cheese on top and then diced tomatoes and sprinkle with garlic salt and basil. Put it back into the oven for about 10 or so min. until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.
We love fresh asparagus around here and eat a lot of it. Just take it and cut the ends of drizzle some EVOO over it add salt, pepper,garlic salt, onion salt, and some fresh garlic and mix it up. With this batch I put some basil on it to, to go with the basil on the "swandwich"(Patton's saying). Bake it at 400 for about 20 min. or until the top of "tree" is crunchy. Yummy!! Yep better go to the store and get some for lunch. I have to feed my every craving which is next to nothing.
After dinner I enjoyed listing to Parker practice some Smoke on the Water. What a good night:)

2010-02-19T12:26:00.000-08:00

Birthday wishes goes out to a great friend. I hope you had a wonderful birthday:)

2010-02-16T11:13:00.000-08:00

What do you do with all those broken crayons? Well Patton and I decided to take the wrappers off and put them in a pan stick them in the oven and melt them. I then took and cut out two crosses out of wax paper. Patton smeared a little bit of the crayon in between the two cross cut outs and we had a pretty cross decoration. You can also put them into molds and make different shape crayons.

2010-02-09T16:43:00.000-08:00

When life gives you lemons make lemonade......
Well that is all to true, Brad and I never dreamed that we would be parents again. Yes that's right Peanut was not planned. Hey that is okay I always secretly wanted another one until I got comfortable with the independent lifestyle. Besides that baby was planned by God, he has a plan for all of us so with that I am very excited and can hardly wait to meet this baby. It has been a rough start as far as not feeling well, I am very tired and I am just so nauseated all the time. I know it could be worse but it still stinks. It does make me feel like peanut is growing and doing well as my body and hormones are turned upside down. The little bambino is due on the 25th of Sept. still a ways to go. I can tell a difference with this one from the others just by simply looking at my tummy. How can something so small right now make me need to go up a pant size already? Oh well can't wait till I feel good enough to eat and not feel yucky afterwards.
Brad and I are going to try to sell the house sometime in the near future. Not sure what we are going to after it sells guess that is where my mom and dad come in they have plenty of room.
(that is if they don't sell their house mom told me today that the realtor was coming to look at hers Fri) We were considering buying a car soon and keeping the van so if we needed to haul kids we could. Guess a new van will be in store for me instead. I would love a suv of some sort but the "boss" man says no way due to the gas mileage. Things will work out they always do. We both have decent jobs and we do okay for ourselves so I don't think we will need welfare or anything like that. Yes after this little punk is born Brad will be hanging out in the nearest waiting room to have his "tubes" tied and burnt and clamped heck just pull them out!! No just kidding honey but you are getting neutered:)
So there you have it the so called game plan as I am sure it will not go as according as planned but oh well life never does. So thanks for your love and support we do greatly appreciate it.

2010-02-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Guess What.........

2010-01-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

Bowling fun
Went went out to eat Sunday to subway and had a great lunch with the family. The boys got cute little purple lunch sacks that had butterflies on them. Patton thought I needed to turn mine into a purse so I put my stuff in it and carried it for the day. He thought that was pretty cool! We then went to the bowling alley and had a great time bowling. Brad beat me by 1 on both games GRR. I tell you what I was sore for two days after that, I used muscles I didn't know I had:) Payton stayed home and slept since we got home so late the night before:(
Rex the owner informed me that next year his insurance was going up and you had to be 8 to bowl what a bummer.

2010-01-25T17:34:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday night the High school youth group and myself,Parker,and my parents all took off to Champaign to go see Winter Jam. It was "awesome" as Parker said there were 6 Christian rock groups that preformed and a good time was had by all! Parker even danced and clapped and waved his hands in the air.
It was very nice to be able to separate my kids and spend time with them individually like that. Patton got some good dad time as well.

Mema and Parker at dinner

He reigns by NewsBoys

By your side by Tenth Ave. North (sorry for the shaky film Parker and I were swaying side to side)

Aww all tuckered out. We didn't get home until after 1:00 that morning.

2010-01-24T15:25:00.000-08:00

Geez just looking over my blog and checking out all the mistakes I make. I swear I proof read it but I obviously miss a lot;-)

2010-01-19T05:39:00.000-08:00

Miles of smiles
No matter what my day brings or what kind of evil is lurking in the world I can always look at mister Tompson and smile. I enjoy my Tuesday with the little guy:) Oh and look what he can do know! Yes he is all over the place.

2010-01-14T08:05:00.000-08:00

Wow I just got done watching some of MSN's news about Haiti. To be quite honest after dealing with my feelings with the other tragedy wow is all I can say. I have not watched the news or checked it out on the Internet just because I don't want to know.45,000 to 50,000 people are expected to have perished in this awful quake. You know what is really scary, at any given moment that could be us. I feel helpless all I can do is pray. I am urging you to take this moment and bow your head and pray.

2010-01-12T19:09:00.000-08:00

Answers from above?
I heard some news today that I just don't know how to process. I am sure many of you have heard the same story of the Fletcher family. If you haven't this is what I know.
There are 9 kids in this family and a mom. The mother and father are going through a divorce. Last night their trailer caught on fire 6 of the 9 kids got out the mother went in to save the other 3 and the roof collapsed on her and they did not survive.
Rashanda – age 16
Rolanda – age 13
Rahaina – age 10
Rhona – age 6
Rylin – age 4
Rylee Ann – age 6 months (she was a twin – her twin brother, only boy did not survive)
I don't know these people at all never meet them never heard of them. I just don't understand how the God that I follow and praise and worship let something so horrible happen. I do believe that things happen for a reason and sometimes we just don't know that reason and never will.
Every time I think of this story I just get sick to my stomach. What was going through that poor mother's mind when she ran back in to try to save her other children? What in the heck was that dad doing where was he during all of this? Those poor kids what is to become of them and what will they do with themselves?
I know these things happen everyday but for some reason it just has taken a toll on me and my heart. I just keep telling myself what can I do to help them. There are different people who are starting collections of clothing and such for them. I guess I could just right a check I don't know what to do. I guess the way I think of it we are all Gods people and he did give us his son to wash away our sin so we could stay in the world that he created. So we all need to pull together in time of need and take care of our fellow brother and sisters who are hurting and distraught. That is practicing being a good Christian. Sorry here I go again with the faith thing but it is what keeps me going.
All I know is for these poor kids out there all I can do is pray for them and try to give a little monetary donation. I invite you to do the same or at least pray for them and what their world has in store for them. Life is short and precious so make the most of it. If we take care of one another maybe just maybe it will be an okay world after all.

2010-01-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

My own creation "la fiesta chicken"
I have been very lazy yesterday after work and today lets just say it is 4:11 and I am still in my p.j.'s. last night I was trying to think of something to cook I knew I wanted some soup with chicken and rice in it but what else? Well I had a pack of pinto beans mmm
Okay so here is how it goes,
Boil your chicken
take 1 green pepper diced and one red onion diced and put it in a pot, add about 1/4 of the chicken stock from the boiled chicken.
I then put in some fresh garlic
oregano
parsley
basil
salt
red pepper flakes just a shake
a shake of cumin
pepper
a pack of taco seasoning
a can of diced tomatoes with basil and oregano flavor
a jar of salsa
about 2 cups dry pinto beans(next time I will boil them first)
a jar of canned tomato juice
a can of fiesta nacho soup
a can of cheese soup
a can of rotel
a pack of frozen corn
a small carton of sour cream
It was a little thick so I poured in some milk
stir it up and then I added about 2 cups of 10 min brown rice
I didn't think that was enough vegetables for the boys so I added some fresh broccoli just one head.
shred your chicken into it and put the lid on and let all those yummy flavor cook together
I also added about a 1/4 of a block of Velveeta cheese about 10 min before we ate it.
Before serving put a spoonful on sour cream on top and a few green onions and then sprinkle some blue corn chips ( any kind would do but we like the blue)
ENJOY!It was a little bit spicy but you can omit the red pepper and the rotel I am not a spicy fan and I thought it was very delish, my boys even like it!

I must say my choice in music really makes me what to be in Mexico laying on the beach with a Miami vice in one hand and soaking up the sun!

2010-01-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

Warning very long post
Oh my goodness......
Well today I have done nothing!! Yesterday was the day from HELL!!!! I guess this whole week has been. Monday I gave a lady a perm and she has been a regular of mine for a while now. She is one of my friends and customers mother. Lets just say she gets emotional from time to time! She moved here not to long ago and when she came someone had gotten a hold of hair and it was just not what she wanted so I have been getting it back into shape. She had been wanting a perm for a while and I said no it is not ready for a perm yet well finally she got her perm it was exactly what we talked about and she was good until I took the rollers out and and showed her instant crying. Got her fixed up and she was still crying called her daughter to come and get her and didn't know what to say. She gave me a hug and said she would see me Monday and sorry for her crying. It was a little bit uncomfortable with everyone else in the shop. In the mean time I had a lady under the dryer that had gotten a perm the week before and was complaining about how there was no curl and it a frizzy mess. I got her trimmed and frizz free and sent her on her way. Then I had a new guy waiting in the chair. He was about 25 and very tall!! I cut his hair and showed him and he wanted a little bit shorter. Okay fine but after about 4 times of that and him telling me how if you want something go for it and he wants his hair blah,blah,blah. Well then the crying lady comes back with her daughter so her daughter can get her hair cut and lady his fine and talkative and I thought her hair looked great! I then come home and just want to go to bed, about 3 in the morning I awake to the guy beside wanting to know if I am "awake" (sorry Mischelle and Kristina I know that is probably gross to you) are you freaking kidding me hell no I am not awake go back to bed! Men good golly miss Molly!
Tuesday: Good day had Miles did a lot of laundry got the bathrooms cleaned. Picked up the kids and headed to Effingham to get supplies for work. Get them and drop Miles off and come home open the back hatch and oh my goodness a whole gallon of peroxide developer is everywhere. (sorry mom don't tell dad) No hole or crack just simply the lid was not on. The floor mat we put in the Tub instantly to try to get it out. It is okay just a few small spots. I have my parents car due to the fact that mine is parked in the drive broke. It is going to cost anywhere from 500 to 1200.00 to get it fixed and the guy is a week behind. I just need to get a new one but don't want to shell out the $$ for it.
Wed. Not even wanting to know what is going to bring I still must force myself out of bed. Take the kids come home do a few things talk to Payton's dad on the phone to find out that his step dad was very ill and in the hospital. Then head to the school to copy papers, get there with 30 minutes before I need to be at work thinking that is enough time. I had to go to the other building to use the dye cutter something new to me so the principal showed me how to do after she went to find out exactly what the teacher wanted. No biggie got it done and was 5 minutes late for work. Get to work notice that I cut my finger somehow and there was blood everywhere yuck! Do my fist customer starving by this point it was 12:45 no time to go and get something because the the crazy lady comes in for another conditioning treatment at 1:00. She comes in and chews on me for a bit and wants to know what she is going to do with her hair. It is awful on there is no curl. I told her there was the curl for the rod size she picked and she argued with me. I remained silent because I didn't know what to tell her. We go to the front where she proceeded to chew on me some more at this point I had tears in my eyes and then she says I cleaned many houses and you just can't please everyone and not to worry about it that she was just a hard woman to please and then she told me to come here so she could give me a hug. I am now rethinking my haircutting abilities do I suck at my job or is she just a fruit loop! In 13 years I have only had 2 people complain like that and she was one of them so I guess I am doing something right. I love my job and try to give it my all but that really knocked me down. I get the kids and tell Payton about her grandpa and talk to her dad on the phone and he said that Jerry had a few heart attacks his kidneys were failing and his lungs were filling up with fluid. Brad's parents were going to vinn. so they took Payton with them and dropped her off at the hospital about an hour later she texted me and said he was gone. Poor thing I feel so bad for her that is the third death in that family in 2 years. She wanted to know why everyone was dying. I finished my third beer around midnight and went to bed.
Thursday I get a call at 6:00 saying that there was no school yippee I got to sleep in and my 1:00 cancelled due to the snow so here I am still in my p.j.'s at 5:00 needing to get in the shower to go to work by 6. A very welcomed uneventful day! After work I need to go and pick up my new best friend Mic at the liquor store and finish off my very lazy day!
What will tomorrow bring who knows but i guess it could be worse. My family is all in good health and we have heat and the bills are paid or at least somewhat.

2010-01-05T11:54:00.000-08:00

I have huge news I am sure most of you already know but I will tell you anyways......

Its COLD outside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!he,he,he Bundle up if you have to go outside:)

2010-01-02T21:16:00.001-08:00

Somewhere over the rainbow is where I want to be
Somewhere My kids can stay little
Somewhere there are no worries
Somewhere it is sunny and pretty all the time
Somewhere we can play candy land and play all day
Somewhere we don't get old
Somewhere our health is always perfect
Somewhere no people talk or judge others!

With the new year I struggle with these things especially my kids growing up right before my eyes!
We watched Rocky Balboa last night and I cried like a baby because I can completely relate to it. I don't want to leave the past behind me, I think about it all the time. I don't live in the moment at all and I don't live for the future. I think of when Payton listened to Elvis and loved him, how she was so cute and she would strive to please me even though I hardly spent enough time with her. I just wanted her to grow up and be independent so it would be easy to take care of her. I think of the times I got upset with Parker when he was a tiny baby and had colic I wanted to rush time then. Every time Patton did something off the wall and I just thought if he was a little bit older I would be able to handle him better.
All of this time I missed out I wasted all my energy on the negative.
Life is a privilege and I should live it moment to moment but I think that is easier said than done. I have to work to pay the bills and I have to take care off the day to day stuff so I guess I feel like I leave the fun stuff behind. Where is the happy medium?
The future what is that really? What will my fate have in store for me and my family? I am truly thankful for what I have and for my family. I guess the future just scares the crap out of me it is the "unknown".
"Life is a journey we all must take what you make of it will define you in the end"
I hope you have the best 2010 you can! Enjoy every moment I will if you will:)

2010-01-01T08:26:00.000-08:00

Libray cards and Mad Housewives.....

Patton has been waiting for the day he could get his very own library card for 2 years know. Ever since big brother got one and he couldn't he has cried over it. Library policy says you have to be in Kindergarten to get one. Babaw (A.K.A. Brad's dad Steve) loves to read and they live out in the country so there is a fee for his Library card so that was one of his Christmas presents. Patton thought they needed to go together to get them. How Cute.

I don't understand why he never looks up when you take a picture. At least the librarian is smiling.

Patton and Babaw. They ended up bringing the kids home because I had to go back to work. When I got home the boys had 5 new books that they"bought" (Patton stills doesn't understand the concept of checking them out) and were very excited about them.

Mad Housewives a cool bottle of wine my mom got me for Christmas. Mom always gets some of the craziest things for us. I am not sure where she find them. She got Lindsey a bottle that says moms night out.
I tried to take a picture of the back of it and it was just a blur. It says:
Somewhere near the cool shadows of the laundry room. Past the litter box and between the plastic yard toys. This is your time. Time to enjoy a moment to yourself. A moment without the madness. The dishes can wait. Dinner be damned. Mad Housewife White Zinfandel.

Happy New Year hope it is full of joy, pleasure, and health! I tip my Mad Housewife glass to you and say CHEERS!!

2009-12-25T20:48:00.000-08:00

From our house to yours......
We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! With all of the hustle and bustle and stress of the season I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and didn't loose sight of the real reason for Christmas. It is not running around looking for that shirt or certain gift it is celebrating Jesus's birth to the Virgin Mary. It is a time to spend with family and make memories for life times to come. I got tickled at my mom she had a few gifts that had the wrong name on them and my sister pipes up and says it is going to be a grandma Alice kind of Christmas. Just like that even though grandma was not with us she was in our hearts, minds, and memories. Christmas is a time to remember the less fortunate and a time to giveand be wonderful followers of God. Without Jesus this season would not be possible, better yet we would not be possible.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS and a very Merry Christmas to all!

Isn't she beautiful!

Even though you can not hear her Penny Princess is singing We wish you a Merry Christmas:)

2009-12-17T06:29:00.000-08:00

Parker received his blue belt in karate last night. I left early from religion to go see him receive his belt but I was a half an hour to late. They used to do it after they did practice but this time they did it before. Kelly told everyone he called Parker smiley because he is always smiling during practice. Parker has decided that he wants to take a break from karate and that is okay with me. One less thing to go and do of an evening. I don't imagine his decision will last long though.

2009-12-16T07:42:00.000-08:00

Brad's mom is doing some radiation treatments and didn't have her tree up yet so we went and put the tree up and put some of her decorations out. She was going to get a new one and decided just to use the old one so the kids enjoyed making it pretty. It is important to me to teach my kids what Christmas is all about. Making memories and spending time with family and celebrating the birth of Jesus is the most important! Gifts come and go nobody remembers from year to year what they got but memories last a lifetime. Thanks for the good memories!

Brad and his mommy hanging ornaments

Patton and Parker was so excited to get out all of Mamaws "beautiful" decorations

My crew with Mamaw and Babaw

Last but not least a very Big HAPPY BIRTHDAY Riley I can't wait to "skrap" with you:)

2009-12-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

The Middle Mann turned 8 on Thursday the 4th. My oh my how time flies I struggle with the kids growing up it just seems like every time I turn around they have changed.

Parker wanted a school of rock birthday party with a jam session so that is what he got. He invited all the boys in his class and a few other friends and cousins. They made shakers, decorated cupcakes, and had Leroy Jones come and play a few songs for them. They even joined in and jammed with him. Yes they ran around the house a lot which overwhelmed Parker a bit. I think he has his mothers anxiety problem. He had a bit of a melt down and locked himself in the bathroom crying and Parker is not one to cry unless he has had to much! All in all he said it was the best birthday ever. We passed out t-shirts for the kids that had a guitar on the back that said Parker's school of rock. Thanks Charlie! They also got a CD with some of Parker's favorite songs on it big thanks to Jodi! Lori helped with the shakers thank you, thank you. Last but not least Deann helped with the cake THANK YOU he loved it! I am so blessed with a great group of people that surrounds me you guys are all great friends and I am lucky to have you:) I tried to upload Leroy playing but it wouldn't do it so pictures will have to do.

My guy on the first day of pre-school

Now he is a little man with a great new guitar. Practice,practice,practice Parker

Parker and Leroy

Kamdyn listening to Leroy play

The kids listening to Leroy play

Rock on Reid!

Chow time

music time

Mikaela with her new guitar and Mitch

The whole group

Parker and his great cake

2009-12-02T07:25:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Eve was a fun time around the Mann house! We did tons of baking and had a great time:)

2009-11-22T15:09:00.000-08:00

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;-)

2009-11-18T20:37:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2009-11-17T07:21:00.000-08:00

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:)

2009-11-09T09:01:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-11-07T05:56:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-11-01T04:45:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-10-30T06:05:00.000-07:00

What the......
Payton came to me 2 nights ago and said mom I have a rash starting on my forehead look. So I looked and said oh I see. (it looked like a cluster of pimples to me but was not going to tell her that) Well last night she shows me again and it has spread a little bit more and she says it itches. Well I really didn't know what to tell besides don't scratch it and we will see if it gets worse. She goes to her room and Brad just looks at me and "one of the symptoms of the swine flu is a rash." WTH??!! So I immediately get defensive and say whatever I am sick of hearing the crap about the swine flu and Payton doesn't have it!
Brads secretary's son came by the office to tell her that he just came from the doctor the told him he had it and gave him some tamiflu. I then heard a few other people said there doctor says they have it to. Well this really ticks me off because it is putting everyone in a tissy over this.
Doctor Megan: so you are not felling well okay vomiting, headache
Jane Doe: no doctor I just don't feel good but I did manage to drive myself here and take my kids to school and go to the bank.
Doctor Megan: yep, yep well Jane lets test you for influenza A and B.
Jane Doe: Okay great
Doctor Megan: Well Jane looks like those came back negative so yep you have the dundundun swine flu.
Jane Doe: The dundundun swine flu don't you need to test me to make sure.
Doctor Megan: Oh no that test is $400.00 and I am saying you have it. So here go to the pharmacy and get this and have a great day. Oh and don't forget to pay $160.00 in office visit before you leave
Jane Doe: I am on my way to the pharmacy to spread my sickly dundundun swine flu germs to everyone.
NO I am not crazy just sick of the bullshit. These doctors are not testing for this and I know first hand from my mom. She is guilty of it to she said she has seen many H1N1 cases. I asked her if she tested them and she said oh no it is to expensive. Unless the person is very ill and about to go to the hospital or in the hospital they will not test. Well for us not so doctor smart normal people (sorry Mom) you are causing a big stir!!!!! What could be a simple stomach virus or respiratory thing going on you are slapping a not positive diagnosis on and sending these people home to tell all their friends oh my God Doctor Megan says I have the dundundun swine flu! It spreads to other people hey did you hear that Jane Doe has the swine flu shut down the school where her kids go and don't go to the place where she works oh and did you see her husband last night? I waved at him oh no my stomach hurts I think I have the swine flu for waving at him oh I think I am going to die.
Okay I think you get my point and no the children and people it has killed I feel for their families because I just don't know it could happen to us and then I would feel very shitting for posting this well part of it anyways.
Come on people if you take proper precautions maybe just maybe your family won't get it. No I don't mean run out to the nearest flu vaccination clinic. I choose not to get the shot for me or my kids. I might regret that and I might not. To me there is not enough research. I feel like they just threw it together because everyone is scared and not to mention someone is making a killing on it. (okay bad choose of words). This choose is not for everyone and I am not saying you are a bad parents for getting the shot either. It is what you feel comfortable with. You are damned if you do and damned if you don't.
My mom did send me and e-mail with a few things to help prevent you from getting it so I have been having the kids do it before bed and before school. Okay last night and today doesn't count I just remembered we didn't do it. It is a few simple and cheap things to try
1. Gargle with warm salt water this will help kill germs. Salt has some awesome uses besides tasting oh so yummy on my popcorn
2. Take a q-tip and swab the inside of you nostrils with that same salt water.
3. Rinse out your cup and fill it back up with very warm water, and drink it. This is to help kill the germs inside your body
4. Blow your nose really hard about 4 times a day. Tell your kids to blow so hard you want to see if they can blow pieces of brains out. Sick I know but I am a mother of two boys that love that gross stuff so it works for me.
5. Simple WASH your HANDS a lot!!!!!!!! Don't go sneeze in your hand and then go touch something or watch your child do it and not say anything. Your kids may not like to wash their hands but hey you are their parent make them after a few times of being consistent it will become habit.
Well what ever anybody does good luck to all But please help the spread of germs! Germ-x, soap, Lysol whatever you choose is fine with me and the world!

2009-10-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

Good Morning blog world!
Well it is 8:51 I am still in my jamms and I have no motivation. This the story of my life these days. I don't have to be to work until 12:30 so what do I do. That is where you come in. I am trying to be a little more organized with my time and I just thought i would type out what I have done this week and what I have yet to do.
Monday: Um geez I don't even think that I can think that far back.Okay can't remember I know I worked some in there. oh I remembered I took my recylce stuff.
Tuesday: Well Miles did not come today they went on vacation and got back late Monday night. I have a whole post on that little scoot. I cleaned the bathrooms,the wood,floors,wiped down the couches, gave dogs bath,fbked,fell in love with grid shock game on fb(thanks a ton Katie).Ran some errands, picked up little people from school, went to vin. got home around 6:30,did homework,read,played more grid shock,took Payton to dance,picked Payton up got kids showers did laundry, fbked played more grid shock(yes I know addict). Went to bed.
Wed. Got kids ready to go to school, fixed bfast,took kids, came home and payed bills,balanced checkbook. Got onto fb and played grid shock. Blogged and then got ready for work. Went to work came home ate lunch, went to school got script card to go to wal-mart. Went to wal-mart spent more than my script card almost late picking up little people. Got home did homework, read, got on yes you guessed it fb, went to work, laundry, fixed supper, off to karate and religion. Took Patton home after religion and went and hung out with Jodi S. Thanks Jodi I needed that! Came home and went to bed.
This weekend I know we are going to the parade and no my kids are not going to be in it. I want to enjoy the parade and so do they.
Sat. work and then a birthday party and then trick or treating.
Sunday: church it is my moms birthday. Payton has her first competition and then home to cook supper and celebrate moms b-day.
I think I have my weekend filled up so I guess I had better get of my rump and do something! That does not consist of grid shock:)

2009-10-28T06:28:00.000-07:00

To be comfortable in your own skin......
Well Payton has been not herself lately and I just can't put my finger on it. She is depressed acting and I don't like it. She comes home and goes straight to her room and shuts the door. That or she is just never home. We went to vin. last night and on our way she did not say two words. I finally asked her what the deal was and she started crying and told me that I would think it was stupid and laugh at her. I told her that I was 15 once and whatever it was that it wasn't stupid to her so it must be important. She said that she hates her body and thinks that she is ugly and fat. UHH dumbfounded I told her that she was beautiful and she had a body that most women pay high dollar for. She has a set of "girls" that women pay $20,000 or more for. She has muscles that I wish I had! I also told her that God made us this way and that everyone had flaws no matter what! I said that what we want changed only we can change so if she wants to fix something it will take hard work and dedication but she could do it.
Does anyone have some advice on what to say to her? The pressures in today's society to be this model stick figure is ridiculous! I know that is what every kid sees and thinks that is beauty but its not. The percentage of Americans who are over weight out weigh the ones in the magazines by a long shot! It is so hard to fix a broken child I feel helpless and don't know what to do for her.
I do know That Payton I love you more than life itself and you are perfect to me in every way!

2009-10-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins and Halloween party
St. Joe had their annual pumpkins contest and Halloween party last Thursday night. The kids didn't win but I can say they did their pumpkins all by themselves except for the cutting. They wanted good old fashioned jackolanterns and were very proud of them! The costumes turned out nice to. Patton made what I thought was a cheesy costume look very cute! They were very excited about getting their faces painted to.

2009-10-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

Halloween Costumes errr.....

Well we have 2 days until the big Halloween parade at St. Joe and our costumes are not complete. Not that this is anything out of the norm but every year I say I am going to get them early so we won't have to fret about anything or have to run all over earths creation trying to find something. I guess I really don't get to worked up about them but I do want my kids to look cute. I was going to order their costumes a couple of weeks back, but I just have a hard time spending all that money on a costume that they are going to wear once! Yes the ones at Wal-mart are a lot cheaper but it shows! I then say well I don't want to spend $15-$20.00 on junk either. Where is the happy medium. I really forget what Halloween is all about, the kids. Patton reminded me this morning when I sat them down at breakfast and told them we are going to have pick something else for a costume because I was not buying the stupid crap at Wal-mart! Patton spoke up and said but mommy it is not stupid crap to me! So I looked at him and said okay and I went to Wal-mart and bought the costumes I said I wasn't going to buy, brought it home and the boys have decided to go another route. So with two days left I think we have Parker's costume taking care of, now we have to work on Patton's! I guess all that matters is that they have fun at the party:) Trick or treating to all!

2009-10-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

Well Parker finally saved up enough $$ to buy his new ride. We went to the bank cashed it all in and went to find uncle Mike(I pitched in the rest of the $$) Parker worked very hard to save his money for the past couple of months and he ended up with a decent amount great job little buddy:) He even was looking under all the aisles in Wal-mart to find loose change. Okay it was a little embarrassing having your kid on the dirty floor but it was fact of how excited and how much the 4-wheeler means to him. He did end up finding a little over a dollar I think. Okay I am sure some of you like me are a little nervous about a 7 year old boy on a 4-wheeler but rest assure that he knows the rules and the safety and knows what will happen if he breaks them. This also teaches him a valuable lesson that not everything in life will be handed to him the great benefits of hard work and dedication do pay off. So with that said congrats on your first major purchase in life Parker mom and dad are very proud of you:)
P.S. This is the middle Mann the redneck new favorite song maybe the little Mann won't be so hick like.lol not that being a hick is bad I am one myself I just choose to believe that there is a little bit of a city girl in me;-)

2009-10-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

My family and I went to the Pumpkin Patch in Aurthur Il. It was a 200 acre patch with lots to do and lots of mums and pumpkins. 200 different varieties of Pumpkins to be exact.

I thought this was a neat tree so the boys reluctantly posed by it for me

The 901 lb pumpkin!

They had these pumpkin poles everywhere

Mema and Bobo with the grand kids except for Smiles. He will be the perfect age next year.

My favorite flower and they even had a maze to go with it

The sunflower maze. The boys also went through a big corn maze that they didn't find the exit to, they said it was really hard so they just came back through the entrance.

This one was the at Dorney's pumpkin patch. The boys had a great time picking pumpkins here:)

2009-10-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

Well I finally have something to blog about. It has been pretty boring around here. It seems like so much to do in so little time. I got the opportunity to go with Patton this year to the pumpkin patch in Barn Hill. It was a good time:) Patton is just soooo excited about Halloween and all the "boodiful" Decorations. I finally got my corn and hay and pumpkins arranged yesterday. Went to buy a few mums and the two places I checked today were out. I should have gotten them in Vincennes yesterday. Oh Well lifes to short to sweat about mums and the only person I am trying to impress is a 5 year old;-)

What a little Ham

Patton with his buddy Maddox

Mommy and Patton

Patton was on the hunt for the "biggest Pumpkin" in the patch.

Patton and his class

Thanks little Mann for showing mommy a good time:) I love you beary much.

2009-09-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY goes out to my dear friend Deann today:)
If you see her wish her a wonderful happy 21st birthday!

2009-09-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

A little boating fun and sister's birthday.

]We finally got the boys out to go tubing this year. What fun did they have. Parker was reluctant at first but got out there and was asking bobo to go faster. Patton was a little unsure this year and just rode in the cove. I looked over and the poor little buddy was all worn out and fell asleep.

We also celebrated Payton's 15th birthday. Wow 15 she sure is growing up. 15 years ago on October 8th she was born. There was a lot of action in Olney that night, right after she was born the hospital E.R. became full as they were bringing in hurt victims from a factory in town that had blown up (Wynmen's). Well Payton I can't wait to celebrate 15 more birthday's with you(: I love you very much.

I recently heard somewhere that as a child you spend your whole childhood trying to grow up, and as a grown up you just wish you could be a child again. Enjoy everyday of your childhood because it will be gone in a flash.

2009-08-31T07:33:00.000-07:00

Look What Smiles can do!!

All that rolling over makes him so tired!

2009-08-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

Well I forget to blog my anniversary
Brad and I got married July 22 2000. This year with all the hustle and bustle of work summer and kids running here and there I just plum forgot. Brad didn't though. To my surprise Ivy's delivered these at work. Through all the happiness, toil, and tears thanks for still being my best friend! I know I am not the easiest person to live with, so thanks for sticking with me:) Love Ya.
Just a little tid bit about deep thoughts by Megan Mann: I wrote there's got to be somebody out there for me and unfortunately I got all wrapped up in my feeling the blues that I just couldn't see that it is right in front of my face. I guess we all lose sight from time to time and I am sorry love that I did.

My favorite flower is the sunflower and these were so very pretty

Thanks for giving me my beautiful family

2009-08-21T05:58:00.001-07:00

Well nothing new to report here. Today is my first full day of no kids and really no work. I took today off besides the lady that comes ever Friday at 10:30. I have all sorts of things that I want to do but really don't want to do. We will just have to see how much gets done. The kids are doing better on bed time and are getting up okay, we even were early today! Lets see how many times that will happen.

I am going through all of my pictures and downloading them to snapfish so I have a few to upload. That will be the first thing on my list this moring. In the mean time here are a few random pictures for everyone.

2009-08-19T06:41:00.000-07:00

Well the kids are at school and I am now cleaning the boy's room in peace.

The morning started out good until Parker told Patton that his shirt was stupid and then Patton threw a fit because he didn't want to wear it. That did break the ice for me no tears just angry because now I had to yell at Parker and make him apologize to Patton and tell him that his shirt was cool so he would wear it.

Payton was yelling at he boys to hurry up because she was going to be late and it was only 7:20. The morning traffic I was not ready for and we finally arrived at St. Joe at 7:47 not much time to get tell the kids good bye. I forgot it was church day so the teachers were looking at me like okay Mrs. Mann please leave so we can get going. Got Patton in his seat and he was quiet and seemed very nervous. He said his tummy hurt poor guy has his mommy's nervous tummy. I did tear up a little but I guess I will live. They can't be little for ever and that is the hardest thing to accept. It will be different not having the little guy with me everyday.

So now what, I have a list of things I need to get done when I am not working so I will start with the boy's room and go from there.

Poor Morris the cat has followed me around all morning I guess he knows that mom is sad and wants to console me. He is laying on the mouse pad as we speak. He even cleaned my arm while he was giving himself a bath. Off to clean only and hour left before I have to pick them up.

2009-08-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

Okay just a quick note to say that my baby is going to kindergarten tomorrow:( I am getting a little more nervous about the morning than I thought. We even skipped out of the open house. I know I have to let him go but I am finding it hard. Okay so he is not getting married and moving to China or anything but seriously this is hard! He has done told me I would embarrass him if I cried and I told him I was going to anyways so look out. ( I hope I am not the only one crying I can be a big ball bag sometimes)

To Be Continued........

2009-08-17T05:31:00.000-07:00

Patton and his big boy bike

This was Patton trying to learn how to ride his big boy bike. How proud I was:)

This is Patton learning how to ride a dirt bike for the first time. Uncle Mike taking time to show Patton a few things to work on.

Don't mind him beating poor Mr. Winston he kept on getting in the way!

Patton did a very good job and just wishes their was more time in a day to ride. I did tell him he could not bring it home until he was a pro at it. Besides their is more room at Aunt "Wissa's" anduncle Mikes.

two thumbs the sign of a good ride:)

2009-08-12T21:37:00.000-07:00

Deep thoughts by Megan Mann:
Well as I sit here and take pity on myself I would like to take this chance to type it out and make myself feel better or at least try to.
Well I think I have just had enough with everything in my life. My kids I love them dearly, but oh my goodness! They don't listen, they want everything they see, don't have respect or responsibility for the belongs let along their actions. The boys fight nonstop and beat each other up. They never pick up their toys when asked or threatened. Payton sits in her room or is texting on her phone, never wants to have a conversation and then when you do ask her something she has started to yell at me to answer. I ask her to do something and she won't do it for days or just won't do it at all.
Work is good and busy, making some good money it is hard to find balance with home work and me.
Family okay I guess, I never see my parents or Grandma. Just always to busy, you never know when the end of the road is here and I don't want regrets. In-laws sick and in the hospital hopefully on the road to recovery. I worry about my kids growing up without mamaw but she is more worried about them having that stupid new toy or some dumb name brand clothing item. She thinks that is what they need and works her tail off to make sure they have it. I am grateful for that but what is that teaching them? Not to mention what is it doing to her and her health? Is it truley worth it in the long run? I want them to have lots of fun times with her. Greed and disrespect is bad enough in the world I don't want my kids to contribute to it, yes at this rate they will. I want them to grow up with God on their mind first and then family and friends and then material goods. Materials are not going to make things better. Sure it is nice to have nice things but not my first priority. Other in-laws I guess fine don't see much out of them but I guess that is the way it goes. Sometimes I don't feel good enough for anyone but oh well this is me right?? Take it or leave it I don't like half of the bullshit that others do and say but I am sure they don't like what I have to say either so I guess it balances out.
Marriage well what can I say I think that is 90% of this randomness that I am sure none of you care to read. Men, you give an inch and they take 3 miles! Do they not really have any clue on what we do on a day to day basis? I work too! I get told though to work harder to make more money. Well guess what buddy I make double what you do on must weeks I don't see you having a second or third or even fourth job. Okay yes you do a few loads of laundry and the dishes from time to time, but do you want a gold star? Try taking the kids to and from must every event that they have, making sure there is a babysitter when needed. having them clothed teeth brushed and feed. Make sure that everything in their backpacks are signed lunch money is given and they are happy and healthy. Heavens I don't think he looked in the kids backpacks twice last year! Do you even know what grade they are going to be in? Discipline them, hell that would mean you would have to pay attention to them. Sometimes Ijust wonder what goes on in that big head. I have to make sure that every penny is accounted for and either put in the mail to pay bills or given to the bank so they won't take our house. I have the stress and burden of how everything is going to line out for the month. You don't even know how much is in your checking account. You sure can gripe though about not having money in your wallet Or if the house payment is taking or if your Gm card has been paid. God forbid I am late or forget. Well the bank has not moved last time I checked so go get money for yourself and pay some bills to! I am not your mother or your keeper. This is not 1952, I am just to independent for all this bullshit.
Friends well I guess okay I had a couple over the other night and we all talked about our issues and someone else's problems seem so much bigger than mine. I should feel blessed that no one is hurt or sick and that we do make ends meet every month. I miss my friends though. I just have such a crazy schedule that it is hard for me to make time for everyone. I am blessed to have a lot of friends and love them all and miss them all!
Me well I don't know who me is these days or what me wants! I want to be loved deeply with no questions. I want my husband to wrap me in his arms and just stare at me and smile. It is out there. I don't want to fight, love is not work it should just come naturally. I want to feel special not like some kind of piece of meat when I crawl into bed at 12:00 and am dog tired. I want someone to dance in the rain and not care who is looking if they make faces it is only because they are jealous. I want to go out and hang and have good conversation not just stare at each other with nothing to say. I want to look out the window and see a man with his kids playing ball and chasing each other. Someone who loves every child no matter if he or she is his that shouldn't matter. I want to be passionate and wild with the man of my dreams that not even Matthew McCanohey can replace. I don't feel like I should settle for anything less life is to short! I have this one life and it is what I make it. Yelling and being mad, sad and stressed all the time is not what I want. I am the only one that can fix it. I have tried and nothing seems to work so now what? Where do I take me and my three kids from here? Okay so as you read all of this you are probably thinking good grief, but come on I am not the only one in this world who has problems. I am just a open book I guess I just don't care what John and Susie homemaker are thinking. I say what everyone else is thinking. They have problems to, I am getting older and thinking about life and I want more, more out of my marriage especially. Well world thanks for listening and if I upset anybody sorry but so be it., just know that I do love you no matter what. We are all humans and are not perfect. I feel better so good night! Okay so sit back and enjoy this song it says it all. I want a fantasy world that is out there or is already in front of me i just have to find it and I will, I deserve it. Peace Out!

2009-08-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

Arlington Cemetery and a few other pictures. We made it to the tomb of the unknown soldier just in time to see the changing of the guards. Wow what a experience. In the video you just can't see the much. Very heart felt!

We have never seen Patton's name on anything.

My cute babies!

Congressmen Shimkus at the capitol Thanks Congressman Shimkus for making our trip great!

2009-08-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

We stopped in York Pa to visit the Harley Factory. Unfortunately You had to be 12 and older to tour the factory so with the boys we could not get in. Payton and I were going to go and Brad would stay with the boys and vise versa but that was just going to take to long. Oh well they had some cool bikes to look at and a place for the kids to play. They even had a firefighter editon that Parker loved!

2009-07-31T04:13:00.000-07:00

Well The White House was neat. Shimkus meet us and took us right in. There was a very long line and he took us through it and we got to the front and got right in. The first stop was the ball room. Wow! I could do some dancing in there! Parker was excited about the blue room he couldn't wait to see it. They put a 18 and a half Christmas tree in there. They have to move the chandelier to make room for it. Then to the red room. The walls are all covered in fabric it looks like paint but its not. There were fresh flowers everywhere. Gold eagles on everything, Nice pictures of all the old Presidents and statues all over the place. It is amazing to me the amount of money that is put into the appearance of everything. I guess to me for as broke as our nation is we could cut some of these unnecessary out. When we walked out of the front doors we looked up and seen a cute butterfly on one window and a dragonfly on another. We figured this was the first daughters room. Neat to see that real people do live there. Parker was sad at the end of the tour though he was hoping that he would see the President.
After the White House we went to the Holocaust museum. We went into a room that was called Daniel's house. Very heart felt and sad. What these Jews went through was horrific! I had tears in my eyes buy the end of it. We had a capitol tour at 2 so we viewed a bunch more of D.C. and rushed around. I think we figured we walked 10 miles! Poor Patton fell asleep on Brad's shoulders he even had a big nasty string of spit in Brad's hair! Brad insisted that we not bring a stroller for the little guy so he was responsible for him. Parker what a trooper did not complain but 2 times that he wanted to take a break. Payton has blisters on her toes. Three on her little toe all bunched together. I feel bad for her I am sure it hurts! The one thing I wanted to do was take the kids to the mint but the tickets were all gone by the time we got there. We thought about going back today but just don't have time. The capitol was neat not much to see we were not allowed to see congress in session so we just toured what we could. very pretty. Guys in suits everywhere. Everybody was go,go,go. If they could just slow down and enjoy life!
I think the best part for Patton was the Metro he loved putting money into the machines and passing out our tickets. He held on tight to his and thought the machine that took your ticket to get through was fun. One machine even gave us our tickets back! The boys have seen lots of homeless people sleeping on benches and asked a lot of questions about them. I tried to explain to them that people really do sleep in cardboard boxes. Payton says well it is their on fault! I guess it is but circumstances arise in life that are out of our control and sometimes that happens to people. The weather here is hot and very sticky. Not good if you have frizzy hair like Payton and I do. It takes lots of product to control. I wore a necklace and now I have a fake one on my neck for a while do to the sunburn that resides on my neck:)lol Well we are all stiff and tired and are ready to head to Arlington this morning then to New Jersey to the beach for some play and relaxation.

2009-07-30T02:21:00.000-07:00

Well it is 5:15 and I came down to get coffee and need to get ready to go. We are to meet the Obama's for tea at 7:45. We will tour the white house and then stop at the tarance and watch the kids play on the first playground. Parker is so excited!LOL I think I was up every hour making sure that I did not our sleep. Uhhh oh well it will be neat and I can take a rest when we get back. The bad part is that we can not take any pictures. Shimkus himself is going to take us on our tour so I thought it be nice to at least take a group picture of us, but oh well. Brad is going to take his phone they did say that was allowed so maybe we can get one with it. We have a whole list of places that we want to do today so lets see if we get to all of them. Well guess i had better get ready to go. Everyone have a great day and I will tell you all about the President and the first lady on my next post! HEHE

2009-07-29T04:23:00.000-07:00

Went shopping yesterday and swimming and then out for ice cream. Shopping was good we got some good deals. Poor Carol suffered through. The kids did okay. They had those machines that you could ride. Parker figured out how to shake it just right to make it work without using money. We got back Carol made yummy pizza and then we went for a dip in the neighbors pool. Ice Cream and then off to bed! We have a busy day today traveling to the White House. I will try to post tonight but am not sure if I will. Today is Brad's birthday to and I have nothing except a happy birthday love! I will figure something out.

Oh yea Reid when we were at the mall we seen one of those rides that malla cop(Patton's version of mall cop) uses, I wanted to take a picture of it but when Uncle Brad turned around it was gone. The funniest part is when went to get ice cream last night we were pulling out and seen a service van just for those scooter things. Just think of you every time I think of it!

Oh by the way I probably won't have e-mail access so I won't be able to check any e-mail so if it is important call me:) Off to have lunch with the Obama's and let the kids play together!LOL

Happy Birthday LOVE!

2009-07-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

We went to the crayola factory yesterday and that was fun and very busy! They did their demonstration and then they had different stations you could do different activities. You also received 3 tokens to buy crayons, markers, and molding clay with. Didn't do much of anything else but have fun with Harvey, Carol, Ali J and Johnathan. Lots of play time with them! I think Ali J has won my heart over!

This is Johnathan what a cutie pie!

This is the total of crayons that has been made since they were invented. We thought the number would be higher.

The kids and I doing some activity. Parker trying to be funny:)

Carol and Ali J

Payton really didn't want her picture taken

Payton really didn't want her picture taken here by a big crayon. I guess I could use it for good blackmail.

How scary does this look! This activity allowed the kids to write on this big plexiglass wall. Parker looks like he is going to take out his brother.

The kids did very well in this very crowded place. Patton did have one melt down though, there were the machines that would flatten and mold a penny and he would not stop crying until we finally let him do one. I was so proud of them we went to the gift shop when it was all done and the only thing they wanted was a 1.50 glow in the dark silly putty! Well better go to bed.

2009-07-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

Well we finally made it! We left Olney Sat. night around 6:30ish and stopped in Dayton Ohio around midnight to sleep. After hours of driving and beautiful scenery we made it to Hershey Pa. We got to the Chocolate factory and had a good time and I think I gained a few pounds:0

somewhere in West Virginia so pretty!

The street lights were Hershey kisses. Some were wrapped and like this one some were not.

Patton's favorite Hershey syrup

mmm chocolate bars

Look Reid I thought of you when I seen this Reese's beat Kitkat on the production count for the day. I will take a kitkat any day it should have been #1

kiss anyone?

All in all the kids have done great with the travels. I was a little worried about the boys picking on each other, but they have done great. Hope Olney is doing okay:)

2009-07-20T21:08:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to ask if you would put my friend in your thoughts and prayers. Rachel Gibson Scott lost her brother suddenly yesterday. I can not imagine the pain and suffering that she and her family are going through right now. Thank You.

2009-07-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

Good night Penny

One night I was on the computer and Parker was at my feet reading

Good Night Moon to Penny Princess. Half asleep myself I got up and went into the boys room to tell them goodnight. Patton was sound asleep but no Parker so I went to our room thinking he crawled up to hang with dad. Nope not in there so I started to panic looked in Payton's room nope not there and not on the couch. I got Brad up and to tell him and he told me to calm down and walked me to the computer moved my chair out of the way and pointed. Oh my goodness how could I miss the little guy.

2009-07-07T12:16:00.000-07:00

Scenes from Rylin's b-day at The Little Toot. The kids all had a blast:)

2009-06-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Parker lost his other front tooth. He really did not want to pull it out due to the fact that he wouldn't be able to eat corn on the cob. I informed him that he could use his side teeth and that he might have a good start on his new teeth. The way things are going this year he just might have his permanent teeth before the corn is all ready:)

2009-06-28T10:52:00.000-07:00

Little baby Smiles is starting to coo and it makes my heart melt:) It is hard to believe that he is 2 months old already.

2009-06-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

Tasty Tuesday part 1
Wonder what we made tonight? Well here it is Chocoholic cake
Pretty easy to do and very moist and delicious!
You will need 1 box any moist chocolate cake
1 large box JELLO chocolate pudding
3 large eggs
1/2 c. sour cream
1-1/2 c. milk
1c. chocolate chips
mix the first 5 ingredients. Fold in the chips. bake in a bundt pan for 50-55 min @ 350 degrees
For a little extra I drizzle icing on top. yumm-o

Tasty tuesday part 2

Well I decided to make this cake for Brad Doll (Sister-in-laws hubby). I have heard he seems to like it. Brad and his brother Chris were in a wreck on monday. Thank goodness they were treated and released, by the looks of the pictures it could have been a lot worse. I think maybe somebody was on your side boys, thank goodness:) We are very glad to know that you are okay. Brad gave me permission to post the next photos. It is only human nature for people to wonder what a wrecked car or truck may look like. Thanks Brad. Oh and if you are wondering I didn't leave Chris out we made him some chocolate chip cookies. Chocolate always perks me up so I hope it will you to.

Brad don't worry your brain to much trying to figure out how things went down that day and Chris take care of yourself so you can get back to your funny crazy self. Oh and I hope it all taste good I really want to try the cake Brad so there might be a piece...or two missing. Just joshin ya.

Brad D's truck

other person's car

2009-06-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

Can you guess what made this mess in my yard?? That is right a little furry mole. The boys and I could not bare the fact of daddy killing one of God's creatures so we took him far away and let him go. Don't worry it was not around anybodies yard either. If he or his buddies decide to come back they don't stand a chance. So Mr. Mole if you read this tell all your buddies to stay away:)

2009-06-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Thank You Brady Sterchi and family!
Well sat. was Brady's benefit at the Holiday. If you do not know about Brady please go to www.caringbridge/visitBradySterchi. All I can say is WOW! What a great turn out I was not sure how the day would turn out, I figured that we would see a lot of people we kept in contact with but it was like a little high school reunion. The love and support from all who attended and those who bought raffle tickets or who even donated was breath taking from someone out looking in I could not imaging being Jay or Jamie or their family. God put us on this Wonderful Earth to take care of our fellow brothers and sisters and that is exactly what happened during this whole benefit process. Jay got up and said a few touching words and then proceeded to tell everyone that he is planning a trip to Washington to be an advocate for the UMDF. I did not realize the magnitude that this had on me. Yea I got a little teary eyed when he was speaking but I was thinking to myself boy it sure is hot in here, and I wonder if Brad has picked up the boys, oh shoot Payton had not texted yet I wonder if her swim meet is going good. Me just being human, that's all I am a body with a mind that goes all the time.
So I get home and I lay on the couch with Parker by me my mind starts to think of how wonderful this thing we call life is and how I take it for granted so much. I could not imagine what Jay and Jamie are going through and to think of what they had been through. Poor little Haylee what effect will this have on her, at the benefit I told her bye and she just looked at me and said so grown up like, well thanks for coming. Jay said on February 9th he was sitting in a meeting and got a call that changed his life forever. FOREVER, nothing will ever be the same, his world has been turned upside down and inside out. What does this mean and how will they ever get through this? What would I do if that ever happened to me? No it won't that is what we all seem to think, well they are living proof that those impossible things do happen. I believe God has a plan for all of us. Life is God will and what will he have in store for all of us who knows. Maybe for the Sterchis it is for advocacy for UMDF, or for people like me to realize how wonderful Gods world truly is. Life is full of unanswered what if"s. There is so much gray in life it is not just black and white.
With that I would like say Brady Sterchi thank you. You brought me back to reality. I seem to think I have a good meaning of life but some times I forget and get lost in the material world and need to be reiminded of what is really important, my family, friends and most of all God.
Jay and Jamie, as I sit here with tears in my eyes typing this I just want to tell how strong you two are and the love you have for one another is amazing! No matter what this life brings you always know how much you are loved and how much love you carry for one another and always keep your faith. Faith will get you through anything. Jay good luck in Washington this week. I always tell my kids to dream and dream big when it comes to advocacy dream big without it nobody will ever know! Thank You and love to all:)

2009-06-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well this one is a favorite around our house. Chicken tacos! Easy and yummy:)
Just take your chicken put it in the crock pot with a thing of sour cream, can of fiesta cheese soup, taco seasoning, and regular cheese and there you have it.

2009-06-05T05:31:00.000-07:00

Okay I just wanted to let everyone hear my Payton story. This past Sunday as I was working in the yard Payton starts helping. Confused I look at her and ask what she wants she replies "can I go on a date tonight"? What!! No I don't think so,(okay I think I said something like Hell no) as she proceeds on I told her to ask her dad just knowing that he is going to say HELL no! She comes back and says he said she could, but if she is not home in 1 hour he will knock the kids teeth out and she will never date again. Okay fair enough I let her go. I dropped her off at Chilly Willy's and then went through the drive through. She was grinning from ear to ear:) How sweet is that. He brought her with 6 min. to spare. She yells in the house and askes if I want to meet this kid and I said no you are home safe and sound and I am in my p.j.s. So I think that is the end of that, nope just the beginning. She had a game last night and asked if Jared could take her, as I looked at her she was smiling so I said yes. I finally got to meet him last night. I dreamt of this night for 14 3/4 years, I figured that I would be polishing a shot gun on the couch and look at the boy and just nod my head. So that was not the case I introduced myself and shook the kids hand and made a few smart ass comments. He just looked at me so I told him I was a big smart ass and he better carry Payton's ball bag. Poor kid doesn't stand a chance at our house. Not only does he have me and my mouth but he has Brad and Payton's two rotten brothers. Anyways the funniest part I noticed when they were leaving he took Payton's ball bag and carried it out to the car. I will say he seems to be a nice kid. I guess I had better get used to this because High School he we come!

2009-06-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine is getting married in a few short weeks and us girls decided to go to Evansville and celebrate. First we went to The Ahh Spa and got a foot massage and a back message, we then headed to eat some delicious sushi, and then off to belly dancing class. We then had a great meal at Biaggi's yummy good! Good times with good friends!