Homecoming Parade

Candy is a hot comodity at these parades and Emma did very well in that area. Check out the last picture and pray that she forgives me someday.

This totally "cracks" me up.....

Trying to Catch Up....

When you live in a small town, football homecoming is a big deal. I even remember those days and I have celebrated a birthday since my last post.....

Ashton escorted his girlfriend April who was the Art Club sweetheart. Bo had the joy of driving the BMW....I on the other hand NEVER even got to sit in it. I have to say, I think my son looks so handsome. Granted, the pictures are not that great.
Lots of candy for Emma.

Brady attends another High School and he was in the parade the day before. His LAST homecoming parade since he is a Senior. I'd rather not think about it.

And yes, he is my son, but I just happen to think he is so handsome and what a sweet smile he had for his sister who kept calling "Brodder"..

Ashton enjoyed dressing up for Hillbilly day in his overalls and John Deere hat. Emma couldn't understand why she didn't have any overalls. I guess that means a trip to TSC.

Ashton and his Nanny. She has a hard time thinking that he is taller than her.

I promise to post more soon. Life has just gotten in the way of blogging:)

Another Busy Weekend

Another busy weekend as evidenced by these pictures from Sunday afternoon when my sweet hubby and our sweet daughter had just about had all the fun they could stand!

Falling asleep in a rolling desk chair has the potential to be dangerous.

After our first win of the season, we celebrated by playing on the playground. I am in love with that smile on her face.

And this one too.

Waiting patiently with her friends Lily and Lily (aka Boo).

A winning team. Coach Ray couldn't be happier.

Emma had her first real open field kick on Saturday. She even gave a girl at really mean look. It was hilarious to watch.

"I need a Starbucks."

Last Thursday we celebrated Grandparents Day at preschool. I managed to get a picture with Giggee but that was it. Pop and Nanny also made an appearance.

Munching on bacon while wearing her Blues Clues costume that is way too short for her very long legs.

It seems that we are constanly busy. The hazards of having 3 kids I suppose. After reading my friend Becky's blog this morning I realized that instead of complaining or stressing over it, I should be thankful for each day. It's hard sometimes. I feel like I am never "caught up". The house is always a mess, the laundry is always there taunting me. Errands never get finished, my desk is always a mess, I have numerous appointments that I need to make. Bo and I never have any time together (although I am excited to say that we are going to see Wicked in a few weeks for our anniversary). I always have projects on the back burner that seem to never get done. I am always thinking of things that I would like to do for others that seem to never get done either. Man......life can be crazy. But I need to stop and take the time to thank God for this crazy life that He has blessed me with. I'm betting that I'm not the only one.

I did manage to get a great laugh in early this morning. One of my morning rituals is to read the Big Mama blog because basically she cracks me up and I love to see what is going on in the fashion world. I have no idea why because I live in jeans and a t-shirt. She wrote about going to the post office yesterday and her comment was "Man this place is really efficient. I'd like for these government folks to be in charge of my health care." That line just cracked me up!

Have a great day.

Soccer and a Trip to the Zoo

The end of a very busy day with her new zookeeper hat on.
Emma wasn't too sure about the camels. I wasn't so sure about the guy who wouldn't get out of my pictures. Hello...He just kept brushing the camels while I was attempting to take a picture.

Look at me! I have decided that we need to get rid of our dogs and get some goats. Emma would never get this close to the dogs.

You can only brush a goat with your tongue out.

Emma was enjoying the big goat when the little goat came up and surprised her.

Brady enjoyed a day at the zoo with us. Ashton was too busy hanging out with his female friend and her family.

Reptiles. That is all I have to say about that.

A future attraction at the zoo. E wasn't so sure.

Soccer game number 3. Loss number 3. Emma is trying to help coach with the details.

"Okay Coach, I get it. I will step it up a notch, I promise, but I can't keep carrying the whole load man."

Whether it's brushing goats or playing soccer, your tongue has to be out.

What's New With Us

Why yes, it has been 100 years since I posted anything. We have had computer issues for the last couple of weeks and I am hoping that it has been resolved thanks to my very smart computer friend Joe.

Emma had a soccer game Sunday afternoon and of course her favorite part is pouring water over Coach's head.

Or it might be running through the tunnel.

I can assure you it's not actually playing the game, although she and Lily look like they are discussing strategy.

Warning...if you see these 2 guys, they only think that they are Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. They are imposters, but they look really cute. Brady has decided that Frank's music is the bomb and he and Cory dressed the part on Friday.

No smoking or drinking allowed.

I'm hoping they kept their womanizing to a minimum.

Emma enjoyed helping me make cupcakes last week. I heard her upstairs in her closet and when she came downstairs she had her cowboy hat and her snow boots to go along with her scrubs. This girl is such a diva.

We celebrated GotchaDay with the family and Emma got a new American Girl doll. Actually, she got 2 because I ordered the Bitty Twins and they are adorable. I also included the chef's hat and apron and that was a hit.

However, it was not as big a hit as the monster truck she got from Uncle Johnny and Aunt Sue. This girl loves trucks and cars.

I realize that she is wearing a cheerleader outfit to celebrate Gotcha Day. It's also much too small might I add but it was her fashion statement of the day.

And an apron as well.

Brady had his first band competition Saturday and I'm proud to report that the percussion section came in first in their division and the band as a whole came in 3rd. They sounded great and I am so proud of them.

While we were at the band competition, my other soon, daredevil boy, decided to break a few rules and ended up getting into an accident on his 4 wheeler. After being busted by his grandmother (her rapper name is snoop granny), he was found to have multiple abrasions and has been sporting bandages all week. Let me just say.....if I survive that boy......or he survives me......WELL.....

So between working, soccer practices, basketball conditioning, changing my sons multiple bandages, attempting to do housework and laundry, band competitions, gymnasitics, I have pretty much been doing nothing.

How was your weekend?

Feeling Nostalgic

3 years ago in a flurry of activity and a lot of stress, a lady in China handed this little girl to me. I can't even begin to explain how I felt at that moment and I can only imagine how this little girl must have felt. In a way it seems like only yesterday. Time really does pass too quickly.

The following days were filled with a lot of paperwork, attempting to bond, crying (me), crying (Emma), wondering what in the world we had done, praying, calling my mom and mother in law and trying really hard not to fall apart. But sometime during those days, we began to pull it together and Emma and I started to bond. It was harder than I had thought it would be, but worth the wait.


Fast forward to today and I just heard Emma come down the steps and straight to my lap for a hug. Now she sits at her table, watching Mickey's Clubhouse (her new favorite) with her mouse ears on telling me all about Donald Duck. She is busy, bossy, funny, adorable, silly, determined/hard headed, helpful, bossy (I think I already mentioned that:), and most of all, she is ours.


I am thankful to be one of the most blessed women in all of the world.