The last 5 question Friday of 2011!!

1. What's the oldest piece of clothing in your closet?

     I have shirts from when my husband and I started dating which was 1998

2. How many random blog readers have you met?

    None

3. Do you let your kids stay up till midnight on New Years Eve? (Or, if you don't have kiddos yet, did you get to stay up until midnight as a child?)

    A couple years my oldest and his grandpa stayed up until midnight.

4. What are the gas prices where you live?

     $3.05

5. What is one resolution that you know you should do but are too afraid to try? Not sure its a resolution but would love to take a kick boxing class or zumba just to nervous to be around others learning something.

Blake's Christmas Break

Blake has been on Christmas break since December 16 and in that time I have seen him two whole days.... His Grandpa Mitch told him that when school got out for Christmas break he could come and spend some time with them. And since he knew he was out of school for two weeks he told me he was staying there the whole time as they had lots of farming to catch up on.

I got him to come home last Friday night for Christmas weekend and then Sunday after dinner he wanted to go back home with them when he learned his Grandpa was working cows the next day.

So this week he stayed up until yesterday when they dropped him off at my work around 1:30. I was glad to have him here since I had hardly seen him in almost two weeks When he told his Grandpa bye he told Blake he could come back Friday night.

When I asked him what all he had been up to the last two weeks he had hours worth of stuff to tell me about. From feeding cows, moving them to new pastures, placing ear tags in their ears and giving them shots. They had a camp out one night just him and Grandpa at their cabin and took sleeping bags, games, chocolate milk and snacks. Went to the dollar store each day the first week to look and buy new toys (pretty sure he has one of everything they have at that store). Then this week they started building a fence and that is what he wants to go back and help with this weekend since it will be nice out.

While I miss having him home and I know Nathan misses him I am thankful that he has Grandparents that want to spend time like that with him. And a Grandpa that wants to teach him about farming, crops, tractors and cows because one day that farm could be his to take care of. He has always loved being with his Grandpa farming and from the time he was big enough to sit up he was on the tractor with Grandpa and now drives the tractor by himself (Grandpa sits on the wheel well thing and Blake has full control)

Christmas

Well Christmas came and went the weekend was a whirlwind of activity. Saturday afternoon the kids and I went to a friends house to do gifts both boys were tired so you can imagine how long that was. So they took naps before heading to my in laws for Christmas Eve dinner and gifts thankfully they were in much better moods then.

Sunday morning we had to get up early and believe it or not I had to wake both boys up! So we rushed thru the santa gifts and the gifts we got them. Blake got a ripstik from santa and new snow pants as well as a new pair of wranglers. Nathan got a doggie pillow pet, shirt and an Elmo rocks guitar. Both got sleds from santa. From us Blake got new cowboy boots a hooded sweatshirt and another shirt and Nathan got some new John Deere sippy cups and some clothes.

So we rushed them to get ready and out the door by 9:30 to get to my grandparents house where we would do dinner and gifts with them and the rest of my family. I had made stuffed mushrooms, corn casserole and grape salad for our dinner. My grandma was baking the ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and lemon pie banana pie and blackberry cobbler. Well I ended up taking over kitchen duty as well as cooking the 2 sides my mom brought as well as the baked beans and rolls my uncle brought. While cutting the ham I cut my finger (would be nice if Grandma had a knife that would cut thru more than hot butter) in the middle of all my cooking in the kitchen my mom decides to do gifts.... So needless to say I didn't get any pictures or watch my kids open their gifts so we have boxes of stuff they got and no clue who it came from. Plus I have no clue if anyone liked what we got them it was a huge tornado free for all on opening. Luckily dinner went smooth and the boys played very well together all afternoon.

All I can say is I am very glad Christmas dinner will be at our house next year so the boys won't have to rush getting ready and actually get to play with their toys. Also there will be some changes in the way gifts are opened. But at least I got a pre run on being able to handle all side dishes and getting everything on the table in time.

Christmas Already.......

I can't believe its already Christmas and that today is the day before Christmas Eve. Where did the year go? Knowing the end of the year is right around the corner means my evening class starts in a couple weeks. I think its good Christmas and work and the new house has kept me busy so I haven't had to worry about school starting.

Last night I got all the gifts wrapped and under the tree minus the 6 (3 for each boy) from Santa. Still debating on the whole Santa issue. Blake has never really been in to it and well Nathan is still to young so we may opt out of the Santa thing next year or only have one gift from Santa. I also made a cherry cheesecake for my grandma on my dad's side she told me that is what she wanted for Christmas. She is so not the type to say oh I'd like to have this or want this so when she does request something I know its because she really would like it. Apparently my mom used to make her a cheesecake each year for her birthday and sometimes at Christmas. Knowing this and knowing she loves them I think I have the perfect gift for her birthdays from now on.

Blake has been at my mom and stepdad's house since last Friday evening. His grandpa told him when school got out for Christmas he could come and stay a long time. Well mister Blake thinks since school is out for 16 days he can stay the whole time. I told him he has to come home tonight for Christmas and can maybe go back some next week. Been strange having only one kid this week and one night this week Nathan stayed with my in laws which felt really strange on a week night. I will have to blog next week about Blake's adventures in farmland with papa Mitch I am sure he will talk my ear off for hours telling me all about his week.

Normally by this time each year I am super stressed over holiday's and trying to figure out our schedule for Christmas and where to be and when and how long to stay. This year I have tried to let that worry go and it helps that the holiday is during the weekend so we have Saturday and Sunday to split between the families.

Christmas Eve we will go to Don and Brenda's and do a gift exchange with them and then off to my in laws for Christmas Eve dinner and gifts. Then Sunday is open gifts in pjs with the kids, make all my side dishes to take to my grandparents house. Mid morning we will drive to their house and do a Christmas lunch with them my mom, stepdad and Uncle and his friend. Then home to relax or crash from all the non stop action I have done the last few weeks.

So excited that next year we will do Christmas dinner at our new house and won't have to rush the kids around or get out the door at a certain time!.  And since I have mailed out all Christmas cards I can now post our family picture!

The Ride Along......

So I meant to post about the ride along on Monday, then Tuesday and well its now Thursday.

I didn't sleep much Friday night was to nervous I would sleep thru my alarm. Felt like a child going to be on Christmas Eve! So I was up and ready at 6 even though I didn't need to leave until 6:30. A surprise to me was that I was NOT nervous at all I got to the Ambulance base parked and waited for Kathy to show up. We went in together and I still wasn't real nervous about what I was doing more nervous about meeting the others and how they would be with someone there for a ride along and hoping they were all nice.
She introduced me to everyone and then I watched her and her partner for the day do the inspection of the truck and making sure all supplies were there and full and she showed me where everything was located. Then told me that since I wasn't in school yet I would just be watching or maybe carry the bag, and then I was told that I would go out on every call so I could get a full idea of what I was getting in to. That part freaked me out I was like uh remember you said I would be with you all day... She smiled and said you will be just fine and two minutes later the first call came.
Off I went with the crew both of whom I'd just met and knew nothing about, and my first experience ever being in an ambulance but I had a huge smile on my face and was excited. After loading the patient the Paramedic had me help him by handing him this or that or turn this button on or off, I was so nervous and wanted to say hello I am riding along not supposed to do anything!! But I did as he asked and just took it as a pre learning experience for school.

After the first call all the crews met at the hospital for breakfast then headed back to base. Kathy and her partner got called to go on a transfer to Springfield and for a brief moment I was worried about being there alone. But one of the EMT's was super sweet and she stuck with me all day while the others were busy in their rooms or sleeping. Around lunch time she got her partner up and we headed to subway still hadn't been any calls since 7:40 that morning and it was now 1! I was a bit disappointed as they always told me Saturday's were busy busy and well I wasn't having any luck. As we were in line the other crew got a call and as soon as we returned to base we got two bites of sandwich down and we got called out.

In 9 hours of being there on a Saturday they only had 3 calls! And even after I left they only had one or two more that night. I was bummed that there wasn't more calls I wanted some exciting calls. Yes I know that sounds strange but I wanted a good experience of what I would be seeing and doing in school.

But even with only 2 calls that I got to ride along with I loved it and know its something I want to do!

5 Question Friday

1. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

Grandma's homemade sugar cookies that we roll out cut in to shapes then decorate. We made those every year for as long as I could remember.

2. What's your favorite holiday movie & why?

Shocking I don't have a favorite holiday movie.

3. Is there a gift that you bought for your kids that you wish you hadn't after they opened it?

Not that I have bought but there are a few they have recieved that were extremely noisy and annoying.

4. What is the messiest room in your house right at this moment?

The boy's room and the kitchen table.

5. What is the furthest you have driven for the holidays?

Maybe 5 miles.

Saturday a very anticipated day!

Saturday is almost here, I have been waiting for December 10th for a few weeks now, and waiting to have this opportunity for a few months. Now that it's almost here I am so nervous that I could throw up!

This Saturday I get to go on my first ever ride along with the Ambulance, something I have thought about and dreamed about for years and in two short days it will be reality! I don't start school until sometime in January and was surprised to find out that you can do ride alongs before school starts so you can have some idea of what you are getting in to.

So I have spent the last several days trying to figure out what boots to get asking everyone I could what they recommended, searching for a shirt to wear and one lucky break is I can wear jeans Saturday so I don't have to try and hem my emt pants yet (my sewing skills aren't the greatest). I am nervous, excited and scared all in one and I know once I get there it will be cool, and it helps I will be with a good friend of mine and she is so excited I am making this step.

My boots arrived yesterday via fedex I knew they were on the truck since I had gotten an email that they were in route for delivery. I felt like a kid on Christmas waiting for them to be delivered of course once they came my coworkers were like why on earth would you want those kind of boots etc. I couldn't wait to get them out of the box to realize they are 10in tall and well took me 5 minutes to get one on! They should have came with an instruction video!

Not sure if I will get any pictures of me on Saturday, I just hope I survive and like it. My friend hopes we have a busy day (we have to start at 7am!) and have all different kinds of calls. I am not sure what I hope for of course hope we have some calls but not sure I want have tons or have any bad ones.

The weekend

Woke up this morning knowing it was Monday and really wondering where the weekend went. Felt like it had just been Friday morning.

This weekend the boys went to spend time with Mike and April and then with Dwayne and Connie, I am sure they didn't get spoiled one bit. They both had a great time and want to go back. Normally Nathan cries when I put him in April's car but not this time he just wanted to get to where they were going so he could see Mike.

Kenny and I spent Friday evening and into early Saturday morning painting primer on our walls. Got up super early Saturday morning and started all over again and went until around 10 that night. Sunday we had to pick the kids up early then have family pictures taken. After that we met my mom and stepdad for lunch and they took the kids home with them for a few hours. So we started applying color to the kitchen and dining room. I was in charge of painting the corners and around the windows. I am still a bit chicken on painting color afraid that I will mess up somehow. However I need to get past that we have a whole huge house to paint. I will post pictures as soon as more color is up, the primer was white so you can't really tell the difference from drywall to primer.

But I can say painting is one heck of a total body workout! I am sore from head to toe! Our heating system should be hooked up today or tomorrow so that will make painting a lot more enjoyable.

5 Question Friday

Wow Friday already the week seemed to take forever yet seemed to fly by...

1. What is your favorite Christmas decoration in your house?

My squeaky santa that I got as a child, its as annoying as they come but it something I've had for as long as I can remember. Now my kids play with it and I know why my mom was glad to pack it away each year.

2. Do you finish your Christmas shopping early or are you a last minute type?

Usually finish early there are a couple people that we are usually last minute for just because they are HARD to buy for.

3. When do you turn on your heat?

Wait as long as we can before making the switch this year it was November.

4. Do you ever wish your blog was private?

It used to be private but I decided to make it public still don't have any more followers than before.

5. Do you put your deodorant on before of after you put on your shirt?

After because those stains suck to get out. Sometimes I get ahead of myself and put it on before committing to a particular shirt and then have to carefully get it on and off without getting those spots.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Having four days off from work is a very rare occurrence but a very nice one (well 95% of the time).
Thursday we ended up going out to eat with my grandparents at Sirloin Stockade and it was so busy that we didn't get to sit together. So to me it didn't feel like a "family" dinner or any different than if Kenny and I took the kids out to eat. I was very bummed and disappointed that none of our family on either side did anything on Thanksgiving. But next year we decided to have it at our house for both sides of the family.
Later Thursday afternoon Kenny and I took Blake and met another couple and their daughters to watch Happy Feet Two in 3D. Blake loved the movie and it was the first ever 3D movie it was strange seeing stuff come out of the big screen at you. Was cute watching the kids trying to catch things that were coming at us.

Friday morning I woke up to a very awesome text from a very good friend... that she had gotten engaged the night before. I am so happy for her and Blake is happy and excited that he will finally get to attend his first wedding ever. I opted to stay far away from stores on Friday figured two kids and crowds were a recipe for disaster. So we stayed home then went to my in laws for dinner that night.

Saturday we got up bright and early the kids were already at their grandparents house (apparently grandpa can't resist the kids crying wanting to stay so they got to stay over night). We headed to Jeff City to shop for appliances, I knew Sears and Best Buy had some good specials going on for Black Friday weekend. After a couple hours of shopping both stores we decided to get Samsung appliances from Best Buy and got one heck of a deal! Our refrigerator is a bit more fancy than I had intended but for the price I went ahead with it. The oven is a new version of the double oven but only has one door. Once we have it in the house I will take pictures and explain better. We also got our over the range microwave and dishwasher. We got some other shopping done and I was able to get prices and ideas of other gifts.

Sunday we got up early again (so much for getting caught up on sleep with the long weekend) and headed to breakfast and then to Lowes to pick paint. I knew going in to this that it would be a battle. Amanda and I went a few weeks ago and picked several colors and Kenny liked most all of them. However he got frustrated with me because I wanted to make sure what colors we chose I could easily match curtains and decor to. Granted I won't be buying that stuff soon but I wanted to be sure it wasn't going to be a color that was hard to match. We survived that trip got samples and headed home to put them on the wall to be sure we liked them. Having two kids running/helping/arguing was a challenge but we liked all the colors we picked. So back to town we went to buy all the paint and primer. Felt great to have two big things out of the way.

So this week/weekend we will be putting on the primer and then painting the walls and be ready for tile. Another huge task that will cause some arguments I am sure. The way I look at it is we are going to live in this house for ever and I don't want to just settle or pick because we are in a hurry and not like what we get. I've talked to several people that did just that and then hated the floors or wall color for years to come. Not to mention I am a big price checker and want to get the best deal out there which aggravates Kenny at times. But he had to admit my shopping for deals on appliances online and making him go shopping Saturday really paid off.

5 Question Friday

1. Do you have a go to song that always puts you in a good mood? Not necessarily a certain song. Although listening to Blake sing his and April's song Big Green Tractor usually makes me smile no matter the mood.

2. Are you a real Christmas tree kinda person or do you go with a real fake one? Fake fake fake way less mess. Although the real ones are pretty and smell nice I just don't like their mess.

3. What are you thankful for? My kids, husband, family and my amazing friends! As well having a good job and a home.

4. Which fashion fad from the past do you wish you could wear today?

Hmm, not really sure. But I would love to have a job where you could dress casual from time to time and wear something more comfortable.

5. Do you wait until the "low fuel" light comes on before you fill up the gas tank?

Yep and guilty of even waiting awhile after it comes on to fill up.

My Deer Hunters

Deer season around our neck of the woods is like a huge deal guys drop everything they are doing to go hunt. I don't mind going out and hunting but I am a bit picky there isn't any getting up before daylight walking thru the woods in the dark to get set up for this girl. But living in a house full of all boys well this past weekend was like Christmas!
A friend of ours from Illinois was here to hunt and when he is here there is no chance of watching anything on tv other than the outdoor channel (thank goodness for DVR)
Blake has been going out with Kenny since he was about 2 1/2 and LOVES it, this year Kenny thought he would let Blake sleep in and come back for him in the afternoon. Much to all of our surprise Blake woke up by himself at 5 am and got dressed and was ready to go before the big guys!

Couldn't get him to smile because he kept going MOM we are going to be late! So off they went at 5am with their chocolate milk, donuts, blaze orange and guns. Nathan was awake and didn't know why he couldn't go with Daddy and Bubba.

About mid morning I got a call and it was Blake who was so excited he could hardly get the words out. Finally I put it all together him and his daddy got a big 8 point buck. I didn't really think much about it when you hear of people getting 12, 14 and 20 pointers. Later in the day Kenny calls and asked how to send a text with a picture. Finally about an hour later I got this picture delivered to my phone and then knew why they were so excited.

It was the biggest deer Kenny had ever shot and it was the first deer that he and Blake had ever got together. I was also told to be thinking of a wall for it to hang on in our new house (he suggested above our bed and I said NOT)

I'm really glad that Blake enjoys going out with his dad and hunting and doesn't get freaked out by it. Won't be long and he will be the one shooting the deer and it won't be long before Nathan is tagging along with them. However I have a feeling when that happens I will have to become more of a hunter and be taking Blake out in the woods. Now if only they made deer rifles in pink.....

My boys are growing up

Last weekend Blake wanted to stay with my mom and stepdad of course they were excited to have him. His Grandpa took him hunting since it was youth season and then the had to go to the dollar store and buy some toys. Sunday they painted the master bedroom closet then right before I got there they went out hunting one last time.
When we were getting ready to leave Blake wanted to put the ATV back on the carport and well Nathan wasn't going to pass up a chance to go for a ride. However I was a bit nervous that Blake was taking Nathan for a ride without an adult. Even though it was only 20 feet to the carport I was nervous but Nathan had a huge smile on his face.

Now Blake thinks he can take Nathan for a ride on his four wheeler. I think that is something that will have to wait until next summer. Nathan has his own power wheels four wheeler and that suits him just fine.

Storm Chasers

I love the show on Discovery Channel Storm Chasers. And yes I am terrified of storms but still watch the show every season.
Well yesterday Kenny called me at lunch and said you'll never guess what's in town, followed by um check the radar and make sure there are no storms coming our way. He then told me that the TIV (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) was sitting by his work on a trailer. I of course jumped in my car wanting to actually see it in person, when I got across town it was sitting in Plaza Tire's parking lot.

I felt like a total weirdo driving by taking pictures and circling the parking lot. I hoped that the actual crew that drives the car in the show would be here but nope. I think they were just hauling the car somewhere. But it was SO cool to see it and I was shocked by the size of it.

Blake loves watching the show with me so he thought it was super cool that I have real pictures of the TIV.

Halloween

Halloween a night of rushing, stress and over stimulated kids.... While most kids love trick or treating and dressing up mine seem to be ok with one stop then go home. Blake has never been in to trick or treating at more than one place maybe two if I was lucky, he doesn't like candy so guess that could be part of it. But each year grandparents want to see the kids dressed up so each year I try to make it fun.

This year Blake wanted to be a ninja which for anyone who knows him will find that strange. He has been a bullrider each year for Halloween since he was 2 and he is now 6. He still wanted to be a billrider but talked his papa Mitch in to getting him the ninja costume. Nathan well I had planned on putting him in his boot and wranglers with chaps and letting him be a cowboy like bubba. Night before Halloween I got a text from a friend saying she came across a elephant costume her son had wore, so Nathan was an elephant and a very cute one at that.

Although not a fan of the hood because he couldn't see past the trunk he was still cute.

Our first stop was at the St. James Nursing home so the kids go see their Great Great Grandma, they had several of the residents sitting in the community room handing out candy. Of course Great Great Grandma wasn't out there so we had to venture back to her room. Needless to say it was a weird experience that I will post about later. But the boys got to see her she told Nathan elephants were ugly and told us she was dying.
Couldn't get a real good picture with both kids and her since she wasn't very cooperative

We left there and headed to my Grandparents house stayed a few minutes then headed to Vienna around 8 (which is past Nathan's bedtime and real close to Blake's) to see my parents. Both boys fell asleep on the way there and I had to wake them both up to go in. After leaving there we had to head back to Vichy to my in-laws house by this time I was wore out stressed and ready to be home.

I think next year if Blake isn't interested in going to more than one place we won't. I will not push it on him and I wont push him to get candy he don't eat or try to get him to eat it.

Pink Fish

Yesterday we were on our second day at an auction in Steelville. These people had a collection of everything imaginable. Even pink ceramic fish that hang on a wall, while I like pink these fish were well not cute. Kathy however fell in love with them and wanted to buy them. I found a couple of Fenton glass pieces I wanted and they were located next to the pink fish. This picture below is from ebay but its a close match to the ones yesterday.

We knew it would be late in the day before they got to the trailer with my glassware and those fish. Donnie texted me to hurry up and come over as they were getting close to what I wanted. He did get the winning bid on one of the pieces of glassware I wanted and its a very pretty pink and white vase like thing. (as soon as I get pictures I will post on the things I have purchased at auctions recently)

Then they picked up the fish and he looked at me and said should we I said yep she wants them. So he started bidding on them and much to our surprise no one really wanted them! We ended up getting the three of them for less than ten bucks. So I hid them in my coat and took them back over to the trailer and grill and showed Kathy her newest addition to her house. She was thrilled with it but her husband not so much! Guess when your a guy you don't want pink fish hanging in your bathroom.

At the end of the auction she kept asking Donnie and I how much it was and had her checkbook out ready to pay. He told her the receipt for it wasn't in the stack, he had handed it to me and I stuck part of the money with it and gave it back. She kept asking how much and then realized we had split the cost and it was our gift to her. I think she was about to cry, who knew pink fish could make a person tear up!
Now I just hope that I don't end up with any pink wall hangings in return, I am a huge fan of pink but not so much in my house on my walls....

Changes

Any of you who know me very well know I don't do well with change. I like a routine a schedule knowing what comes next. After change happens and the shock or new wears off I bounce right back to normal most of the time.

This week has been strange to say the least and it took me until today to try and get a hold of what the changes mean.

Sunday evening my Grandma met me in the yard and just in general conversation she says... You may be getting a phone call soon that Great Grandma (her mom) died. I was floored yes Great Grandma is in her 90's but she is my Great Grandma whom I spent lots of time with while growing up I was the only Great Granddaughter for a LONG time and my two boys are her ONLY Great Great Grandchildren. Anyway I asked how come and apparently she has several blood clots some which are large near her heart and some in her legs. They are giving her meds to dissolve them but they aren't confident they will work or that they will move in the meantime. My family is strange with emotions you don't show any or talk about them. This news ate at me all night and in to the morning, I don't get to the nursing home to see her as much as I should or take the kids as much as she would like. But those are HARD places to go as an adult and taking the kids seems strange.

Monday morning I go to work still reeling from the news my Grandma told me the night before. Then right before noon I get some more news that shocked me and really threw me for a loop. The other person that works with me who shares the same job I do got a really great job position. One they will be awesome at but it leaves me here on my own in my department. Not only that it was just hey I can't work he any longer and haven't seen them since. I of course went in panic mode trying to figure out if I could do all the work on my own (which I know I CAN) but the thought was the straw that broke the camels back. I decided to go for a run at noon and opted to walk because you can't cry and run its pretty dangerous. But the exercise helped to clear my mind a bit.

Work has been strange this week trying to adjust to the "new" normal but I know it will be fine. Maybe this sudden change and having to bounce back quick is just preparing me for my EMT class in January. I know there is no planning ahead or knowing what you will come across and I think I really need to find a way to not be such a routine predictable person.

Hunting....

Blake loves to go deer hunting and looks forward to it each year. He and his daddy and his daddy's friend Justin have a routine they always stop at the gas station for chocolate milk and a bag of mini chocolate donuts. In fact he used to tell me we couldn't eat those donuts because they were for deer hunting only!

Last night my mom called and asked if they could have Blake today as papa had something planned that he would like... Squirrel hunting. I remember squirrel hunting with my dad and grandpa when I was young and it was fun until it was time to clean them. I hope that Blake goes out and gets to make some good memories with his papa and hope they get some squirrels.

Blake was so excited when I told him what they would be doing today that I thought he was going to bounce off the roof of the car! Then he asked if he was going to get to shoot one all on his own boy I hope not but I bet that if they see one that papa will hold him and the gun and let him pull the trigger. I haven't got any phone calls so I guess they are all still surviving the hunting trip!

My little boy is growing up!

Yesterday I took Nathan for his two year check up he weighs 28 pounds and is 33 3/4 inch tall! Did did great while at the doctor's office let them listen to his heart and look in his ears so much different than Blake was at that age!

Last weekend he got to ride his power wheels four wheeler for the first time and I think he LOVED it, although I think papa was a bit wore out after chasing him all day on it.

His papa said he is getting a lot better at steering and not running in to as many things. He thinks he just like his big brother now having his own four wheeler. I am GLAD it stays there and not at our house!

Last night we went to pick him up after Blake's parent teacher conference and he was wanting to go back outside and ride more he convinced papa to help him get his hat and gloves on...

Then I told him I thought his hat was getting to small for him, he loves this silly hat and has wore it all summer playing in the house. Here is the look he gave me when I told him he may have to get a new one.

My little boy isn't so little anymore he is becoming more and more independent and wanting to be like a big boy and do everything bubba and daddy do. Won't be long and daddy will have two deer hunters to take with him to the woods and to help him outside working.

Last Weekend

Last weekend was crazy, stressful busy and totally wore me out. Saturday we had an auction which is become a normal Saturday thing this summer. There are usually 5 of us that show up a bit earlier and start packing and loading, we have a good system that works quick and smooth we all know what the other is doing. Well we were off on Saturday not sure why but things just weren't as smooth. Should have known it was going to be a strange day. We arrive at the auction and start setting up and get plenty of food cooked and then sit and wait and wait. I went and walked around looking at some of the items that would be sold picked out a few I wanted to bid on. Around noon we had to cook some more, I think I am just getting wore out and tired of the same thing each weekend so I decided to browse around. I was able to go look in the barn and the old house which I think is cool seeing old things and the house hadn't been updated probably ever. Still had old family photos hanging on the walls the barn still looked like it had just been used for farming. They had a big dumpster and I found a poster for Blake with a motor cross rider on it something that they probably could have sold but hey I like the price I paid :)

I had been looking around for awhile and then noticed that a couple of the guys were gone, as I walked back up by the grill I was told there was a structure fire on Highway 68! My stomach sank I know just about everyone who lives along the highway. I helped Don unload his truck so he could go because they paged that there could be a possible person trapped, my mind immediately thought of all the older people who live on that stretch of highway. He couldn't get out so I had to run across the yard thru the people at the auction and get the keys to Bill's truck and move it, I jumped in started and pulled forward and hit a stump! I felt HORRIBLE!! But luckily it was just a small rotten one and didn't hit anything under the truck! Finally after the guys had been gone about an hour I found out who's house it was and that no one was home and they saved the house. We had to wait for a few hours for everyone to come back so we could pack up and head home, I fully figured I would get chewed out for hitting the stump but Bill didn't care and thankfully no one said much when they got back. It was one of those days you don't ever want to have again!

But I did end up with a teapot that matches my mother in laws kitchen which she LOVES and the free poster out of the dumpster and a wok that I will also give to my in laws. I can honestly say that is the first time I have EVER dumpster dived and technically I never got in I made a friend get the poster :)

House progress

Well in the last couple weeks there has been quite a bit of progress on our house. Blake got to spend one weekend helping the workers mud and tape and I think he ended up with more on him than the wall. But he had a great time and they showed him how to walk on these.....

Nathan even got in on helping with some of the clean up and thought it was fun, although he didn't think it was fun when we had to scrub the dust off him.

And here are a couple pictures of the progress of the drywall. As soon as I get a good sunny day I will take more pictures of the corners on our walls. I love them and even noticed last night they did the same corner thing around all the windows!

ABC's

I've seen this on several blogs and well I have some time to kill so I will play along.

A. Age: 28

B. Bed Size: Queen

C. Chore that you hate: Mopping

D. Dogs: 0

E. Essential start to your day: Having happy kids when they wake up

F. Favorite color: Pink

G. Gold or Silver: gold but I do like some jewelry in silver

H. Height: 5' 0"

I. Instruments you play: currently none used to play clarinet in Jr. High

J. Job title: Mommy, wife and researcher/title ins processer/ secretary for volunteer fire department

K. Kids: 2 boys age 6 and 2

L. Live: Missouri

M. Mothers Name: Sheila

N. Nicknames: Minnie, Shell, Shellbean, Rosie  (my grandpa's favorite for me)

O. Overnight hospital stays: just when my children were born

P. Pet peeves: Drivers who fail to signal when right in front of you. I'm sure I could think of more if I took the time

Q. Quote from a movie:

R. Right or Left handed: Right

S. Siblings: half sister that is 10 years younger

T. Time you wake up: weekdays between 5:30 and 6 depends on how long I hit snooze sometimes I get up at 6:30

U. Underwear: definitely

V. Vegetable you hate: cauliflower

W. What makes you run late: hubby or the kids stalling drives me insane, I sometimes think they do it on purpose

X. X-Rays: Just dental ones

Y. Yummy food you make: grape salad can't seem to keep it around longer than a day.

Z. Zoo Animal: I think they are all so fun to watch!

Time sure flies by when you are busy busy

Where does the time go?? We are already in the second week of October and I realized I last posted in September!

Anyway we have been super busy lately lots of progress has been done on the house. I have worked auctions every weekend. The house should be ready for paint and tile within two weeks. Which hope it works out to where I can paint on the 22nd since we don't have an auction that weekend.

Blake's going to start an after school program two afternoons a week, I told him he could as long as the bus would bring him to daycare after. I think it will really help him and that he will enjoy it. He is still struggling some days with his teacher we have parent teacher conference in a couple weeks and I hope to get more insight on what is going on in class and why he doesn't like it.

Nathan has been talking more and more lately, he was calling Blake bubba and now calls him Bake. Tractors are called trucktors. He still thinks all big animals are cows. He got to help his Papa Mitch a couple weeks ago get the baby cows up to the pen and he talked about them forever and this past weekend he got to drive the tractor and spread fertilizer. But last night was a big first for him, he got to stay with daddy and work at the new house while Blake and I came home. He was so excited and even when they got home he told me I stay with Daddy.

I will try to post some pictures in the near future.

Nathan is 2!!!

Well yesterday my little boy turned two! Where has the last two years gone? We had a birthday party for him at our house and ended up with between 35-40 people which was good meant not to many left overs.
He had a good day and was able to get a decent nap in before everyone showed up. Here are some pictures from his big day!

A huge leap?????

For the last 11 years I have thought off and on about going back to school for something in the medical field. Just never sure what however when asked what I want to be when I grow up I usually said Fire Fighter or EMT. My best friend on the school bus and I always talked about doing both and well she went on to college and got her EMT then to nursing school and is now an RN. I on the other hand well I took Fire Fighter One and Two passed all state exams and that was it never used it.

Over the last several months I have really been thinking about what I really want to do, I am still young enough to change careers go to school and still retire at a good age. My current job has no benefits no health insurance nadda. So I pay out of my pocket for health insurance on me and the kids. Always dreaming of a job where that was there and something that had a 401k or some sort of retirement fund I could invest in.

Researched going to school for nursing looked at online schools local ones etc but nothing really offered night classes. The more I thought about it the more I knew I wouldn't be happy as a nurse or nurses aid its not what I love. So I have decided to go to evening classes and get my EMT license I had the opportunity to take this class in Highschool but didn't (for some really stupid reasons that I have regretted for years). Most ambulance places you work two twenty four hour shifts and are off the rest of the week. You have benefits and also have retirement.

I filled out and printed my application and went to drop it off yesterday, fully thinking ok I will drop it off and be on my way. Then wait for the phone call to see if I had been accepted. Much to my surprise I got to the office told them what class I was applying for they sent me down the hall to meet the teacher. I was not prepared for that! Not prepared to ask questions I was just trying not to puke while talking to her. Lucky for me she was super nice!  Anyway I asked her when I would know if I was accepted she flipped thru the application and said I will see you in January on Monday and Thursday nights!

It took me quite a while to process it all when I left. I emailed a good friend of mine to find out what I would need for class etc. She is the same friend who works on the Phelps County Ambulance every Saturday and told me I needed to come do a few ride alongs before school starts.

Of course when I found out I would need a good stethascope I quickly asked do they come in pink! Yeah I am a nut! I have no clue what class for sure costs I have to have some money down before school starts that will cover books but as for the rest yeah I should have asked more questions.

While I am not 100% sure if I will make that my career or use it as a starting point to go on to more schooling and work in an ER or a doctor office. I am excited to finally fulfil a dream I have had since I was young!

What a weekend and busy week ahead

Wow what a busy weekend felt like it never existed!

Saturday we worked an auction in the pouring down rain. I knew it was going to be a long day when we got soaked getting ice at 6:30am. Then wet again the first round cooking, got dry just in time to cook again and guess what more rain. Of course the rain made for some grouchy people but it was still a good auction.

Sunday was the last trail ride whole hog sausage dinner of the year. The trail ride got cancelled due to weather however there was still 7 people who chose to ride anyway. Had a great turn out for the dinner which was nice and thankfully it didn't rain while we were cooking.

The boys had a great weekend Nathan stayed at home with Ashlyne on Saturday and I am sure he wasn't spoiled one bit! Blake spent the weekend with his papa Kenny. Kenny's mom was out of town all weekend so it was just a papa and Blake weekend which Blake always enjoys. Sunday Nathan stayed with my mom and had a good time and didn't want to go home.

I have so much to get accomplished this week with being gone all weekend the normal things need done. But I also have to get the house ready for Nathan's 2nd Birthday Party this coming Sunday. Have lots of cleaning to do tonight and tomorrow night. Wednesday night is when I will make and decorate the cakes. Thursday night is my monthly board meeting which is an all evening thing. Which leaves Friday night to prepare as many side dishes as I can. Saturday I have an auction to work then get up early Sunday morning and cook the side dishes and get ready to grill the hamburgers, hotdogs and brats. Geez just typing that made me exhausted!

But I know I can get it all done Blake wants to help clean which I will take up that offer any day. He loves to vacuum (which is one of my least favorite things to do) and he likes to dust with the swiffer.

To much soda... Or just to darn exhausted

I think I have either had to much soda this week or just plain exhausted from being so busy with work that I am seeing things.

It's been a super busy stressful week at work then every evening has been filled with something that keeps me from the mounds of laundry and dishes awaiting me.

Last night we all 4 got haircuts, crazy but its almost easier to do everyone at once than try to get several appointments and juggle our schedules to who has which boy when. So for 2 hours we were at the salon and thankfully the lady who does it is super sweet and loves the kids. Because I was about to be unglued they were running like crazy. They know they get candy after their hair cut, well Nathan gets his during so he will sit still.

I was the last one to go and all that time gave me chances to look thru all the books she had. Well I found a hair cut I wanted and that my hair was long enough for. My hair is super thick and as long as it is its HEAVY and getting to the point when I put it in a pony tail I get a headache half way thru the day. So I have a new hair style I am not totally sold on but my hair is lighter still has the length and I can still pull it back if I want to. Hope that when I have more time to play with it I can make it look better.

This afternoon I had two files in a row one with the name Wallace who I wondered about him being related to Rusty Wallace's family. Next one I picked up last name was Edwards immediately thought of Carl Edwards. Maybe I have had two much soda or watch to much NASCAR.....

Good news is the weekend is almost here and I have a busy one but glad it won't be filled with staring at a computer screen and files.

Ten Years.....

I was going to write this on Friday and then on Monday but my mood was foul and it just wasn't a good time to write.

Hard to believe that its been ten years since the attacks on the world trade center. I do remember exactly what I was doing that day. I was 18 and worked at Al West I had Tuesday's off, I had ran errands early that morning then came home and found the the tv covered in news coverage of the horrible events. I sat there the entire day watching, well minus when I had to take Kenny and his friend lunch. Since they were both working outdoors they had no clue what was going on.

I remember that same week we had our fire training meeting and it was the talk of the training class. Some of the people were on lists to go to New York if needed others wanted to be put on the list. I wanted to be on a list to go and help but being only 18 they thought it would be to much for me to handle (honestly looking back yes they were probably right)

Every day I watched the news about it and felt bad for the fire personnel who lost their lives the law enforcement and all the others who worked in those buildings.

Sunday I watched the different specials on and off all day recorded a few to watch later. None of them really talked with any of the fire departments that responded. I liked watching the ones that had real footage gathered from people who just happened to have a camera with them that day. Then Sunday evening I found a special on CBS and the whole show they talked to fire personnel that been there at ground zero and how their lives had changed. It was heart breaking to hear how they were still affected ten years later how some retired or changed careers and how others stuck thru it and remained on the fire department.

Honestly I couldn't imagine seeing what everyone saw that was there those days weeks and months after. Just watching it on tv gives me the chills and goosebumps but to be there seeing it first hand well I think I am glad I didn't put myself on a list to go.

My boys and their girls.....

Wednesday night we were invited to a BBQ at Amanda and Ron's house for Amanda's birthday. Blake told me he would go with me as long as Amanda's niece Elizabeth was going to be there! So after picking the boys up from daycare we headed to the BBQ of course Blake took off with Elizabeth and well Nathan found a few girls to chase. He had a crush on one who just turned 16 and fed her cake and ice cream, pretty sure Amanda has pictures but I haven't seen them yet.
Then he wanted to be like the big kids and ride the power wheels four wheeler.

The girls liked taking him for a ride, although I think he thought he was in charge and taking them for the ride. Either way all the kids had fun. Notice the bike Blake is on, well he now wants a dirt bike bicycle for Christmas....

Hard to believe that at the end of this month he will be 2 where has the last two years gone?????

The Maries County Fair/Labor Day Weekend

I took off work Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week to work at the Maries County Fair. Going in to the weekend I wasn't sure what to expect. I was told to think of it as a 3 day Auction and honestly it wasn't bad at all. We had a good time, Blake got to watch the Demolition Derby with his daddy and watch the truck and tractor pull along with the burn out contest.

Wednesday night Blake and Nathan got to ride some rides and it was Nathan's first time ever getting to ride! He loved the train roller coaster thing and didn't want to get off. I rode the spinning berry go round ride with the boys. Blake and I rode the swings together and of course as I am on them I see a million people I know watching me ride. Just a wee bit embarrassing....
Blake also got a tattoo of a bullrider on Wednesday night then went back with his Papa Mitch on Saturday evening and got a bull skull tattoo.

Saturday was the parade. Blake had a choice to ride with me on the Fire Truck or ride with Papa in a big John Deere Tractor pulling their church float... Well give you all one guess of what he decided.... he drove the tractor in the parade! So I rode in the Fire Truck and threw candy there was so many people lined up along the parade route some had been sitting in their spots for several hours.

Nathan was at the fair Wednesday night with me and then my mom watched him Thurs and Friday afternoon and evenings. Friday was going to be a late night so I went and picked him up and brought him back to the fair, he was happy to see his Dwayne and watched a few tractors pull.

It was a very long weekend but a good weekend knowing that my hard work helped the fire department make money to go towards equipment and maintenance for the department.

5 Question Friday

I still need to post about the fair and Labor Day weekend that will come soon I promise.

 

1. What ringtone do you have on your cell phone?

When Kenny calls me it plays a country boy could survive, I have sweet home alabama for some friends then I have several nickelback songs, as well as Black Betty and Copperhead Road. Yes I know its a strange collaberation

2. What is your favorite memory from this summer?

I think it would have to be this past weekend at the fair, knowing that Nathan is old enough to ride the rides with Blake and loving it.

Oh and throwing candy at the parade.

3. Paper books or ebooks?

Paper

4. If you could have one home upgrade what would it be and why?

Would a housekeeper count??? If not then I would love to have the Kenmore Elite series stove that has two side by side ovens and a huge cook top.

5. When was your first serious boyfriend/girlfriend?

Well first serious mutual crush was when I was 13, then first serious relationship was with my hubby at 15.

Fair Time

Well yesterday was Monday and today is my Friday! And let me tell you these two days have felt as long as a 5 day work week. In my 8 years here I have NEVER taken more than one maybe two days off in a row. Minus the three weeks I was off with Blake's delivery and Nathan's delivery. But even then I worked early late and lunch hours to make sure there was nothing left undone.

I am very nervous about having 6 total days off away from work, not really sure why I know I need and could use the time away from the daily grind of the workplace. Maybe I am afraid that I will realize that I am needing a permanent change in career and that scares me too.

Tomorrow I don't really have many plans other than some small errands and lots of cleaning at the house. Then tomorrow evening I am taking both boys to ride rides at the fair.
Thursday and Friday afternoon/eve/night I will be working at the fair over on the "hill" and Blake will come after work with Kenny and they will watch the Demo Derby and Truck and Tractor Pull. Nathan will stay with my mom (which is a first for her to ever have Nathan that long two days in a row) because it will be much to hot and to long for him to have to sit in a stroller. Not to mention a little loud for his little boy ears.

Saturday Blake wants us to ride in the parade and then he and his Papa Mitch are going to the kiddie tractor pull so he can pull like the big boys. After that Papa has him an arm band so he can ride some rides before the evening festivities start.

I have had myself in a ball of nerves for the last week and half about the fair. Worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up worried I'd mess up. But a friend told me to just think of it as a 3 day auction that the pace isn't much faster than when there are only two of us on the grill. So I am going to try and go with that, seriously hoping they are right. And hope that we have four people on the grill not just two.

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend, I'll report back on Tuesday if I survived the long chaotic weekend.

5 Question Friday

1. Did you make any fun purchases this week? Well sort of my new Seeko sandals came in and I can't wait to see them.

2. If you could go to any musical concert, what would it be? That one is hard....Actually I would love to take Blake to see Jason Aldean since he loves all of his songs especially Big Green Tractor.

3. What is your least fav/ most fav house chore? Really do people have favorites. My least favorite is a tie between dishes and dusting. Favorite is doing laundry and getting to hang it outside. The smell reminds me of childhood and helping grandma hang out clothes.

4. Would you prefer new appliances or clothes? Since we are building a house I must say new appliances. Especially a dishwasher never had one and can't wait.

5. Miracle Whip or Mayo? Miracle whip all the way!