Pictures of the kids.
As you can see Ryan is 6'3....this was at his basketball game. They lost but he did so good. He is so talented.
Garrett and Morgan are growing up so fast.
This was some pictures of this thanksgiving at NaNa's.

Forever and Always Band Geek at Heart

For those that are not aware...I was in band from 6th grade until my Sophmore year in high school. Life in Band was interesting to say the least. I met some pretty amazing friends. I have some pretty amazing stories that maybe one day I will share if you are interested. Once I transferred to Lakeview my Sophmore year I quit band. I had a lot of fun in band For those not familiar with Band I have added the Band dictionary so you can familiarize yourself with some band lingo. Oh...and also a little something I know about each of them.



The Best Band Dictionary Ever.

Alto Saxophone: An instrument that likes to annoy the band director by playing even after he stops the song. Squeaks on purpose and usually likes to make fun of every other section in the band. (I dated an alto sax guy once, well for my entire freshman year at high school. Todd Garrett was his name. What a cutie he was. But, yes the Alto's squeaks use to drive me nuts.)

Attention: Standing completely still, even if bees fly into your shako or your contact lens rolls behind your eyeball. (Even if a kricket flies into your mouth while playing during UIL competition...it really happened..funny to an alto sax player I knew...Kevin Dance.)

Band Camp: At least one week of marching on a sort of material considered by some to be considered dead grass and dirt while the staff attempts to train the drummers.
(Ummm...we never did the whole away band camp thing... think drum majors did this and maybe flag corp...but marching band on a whole did a band camp at the high school during the month of August. Jez...hot as heck out there on the concrete)

Band Member: One who willingly gives up their free time to spend endless hours marching on a football field with no apparent destination. (I hated marching season with a passion. The hats messed up my hair and I just hated marching...here is a secret I never told you...but I never played the songs while marching...shhhh...don't tell anyone.)

Band Mommy: A member of the boosters extremely proficient in keeping track of minute details and making band members angry a little too often. (My mom was not part of booster club...didn't have the time or the patience.)

Band 'Ten Hut: Sharp verbal command given by those in charge, immediately responded to with a shout of, "One!" and stiff (correct) posture. (I having flash backs to my freshman year in marching band)

Bari Saxophone: A.K.A. "The Pig," named for its tendancy to resemble an obese sacrificial sow with a head cold, tone-wise. (And the guy I knew that played this beast well...he was quite a character that is for sure. Funny guy...but...he was a bit of an ass at times.)

Baritone: Instrument played by those who began on trumpet, but could not achieve a big enough head. (Baritone...this is a baby tuba...I had a really good friend once...well...he is still a good friend...David Page.)

Basics: Warmup before competitions and rehearsal; marching back and forth in a 5-by-whatever block, paying attention to posture, heel position, phasing, and staying in step, among other things. (I don't ever remember doing this?? We sat around in the stands watching other bands and cutting up.)

Bus: Home away from home on trips. Good place for watching Monty Python and Drumline and listening to Bohemian Rhapsody, but bad for swing dancing. (I don't remember going on away from home trips with the band...but I wasn't in band durig my whole high school experience. Football games were interesting and UIL...in middle school we did six flags and sandy lake and then we even got to go and play at SMU..that was cool.)

Caffeine: The fuel that keeps sleep-deprived musicians functioning (relatively) normally. (I do remember Jolt Cola!!)

Cards: Small, rectangular pieces of plastic-coated paper which will keep band geeks entertained for hours on end. (What is this? I'm not sure what they are talking about here...what was I left out?)

Clarinet: An instrument used solely when the music calls for sound effects of cats in blenders. (Okay...this is BS...maybe in 6th grade we sounded like this...but actually, the instrument is used solely when the music calls for violins and there are none. We do not sound like cats in blenders...maybe shrieking rabbits in hot boiling water, but not cats)

Coffee: A hot, brown liquid containing large amounts of caffeine of great value to tired band members. (I never drank coffee...this is more for the college band geek)

Colorguard: Wannabe musicians who are used as distractions to keep the audience from noticing band members who are off-step. Dance around the field, waving flags, sabers, and rifles. (I was never in flag corp..but I wanted to be...I thought it looked so much more feminine.)

Competition: A day when every local high school band comes out and performs in hopes of beating Mead. A chance for band mommies, parents, and interested administrators to come and see just why band members have no lives. (UIL)

Conducting: Waving one's arms wildly about in the air to make the audience think something is going on, while, in truth, the band already knows what they're doing and the drummers won't pay attention anyway. (Oh most of the time so right...I rarely looked up...so sad)

Conductor: One who takes the place of the colorguard during a concert, entertaining the audience with new and astounding dance moves. (huh?)

Crayons: Sticks of colored wax used for artistic endeavors, particularily on long bus rides. (I used my headphones and walkman)

Denny's: Open-All-Night restauaunt chain favored by band and drama students prior to their exile. (I did the Denny's thing...regardless of band or not)

Director: The person who claims to be in charge when everything is going well and claims denial when things go wrong. (I got lucky and had some pretty cool directors...well until I got to LC. I hated Mr. JOnes)

Dollar Bill: A piece of paper used to repair clarinet pads and purchase caffeinated beverages. (Never used that for my clarinet pads...hmmm.)

Drill: Sheets of paper showing little black dots making pretty pictures. Good bonfire fodder. (Drills...??? I'm at a loss here)

Drum Corps: How over-devoted musicians spend their summer vacations when they're forced to go out into the "real world." (I had a thing for drummers...after my thing for sax players)

Drum Major: The student singled out by the staff to color on poker chips, lug stereo equipment, and run for coffee so they can be the ones to conduct the band on the field. (I had no soft heart for our drum majors...oh...but I did have a thing for Greg my Sophmore year...he was a cutie...but I only dated him once...it was weird.)

Drummers: 1: A group of reality-impaired individuals who go around constantly beating on things, allowing themselves to think that they are a highly-evolved group of musicians when indeed, neither of those terms apply. 2: The synonym for "stupid", "dumb", and "brainless." Often used in the phrase, "You're such a drummer!" (ummm....the drum corp at LC rocked...I dated Michael Cox when I first trasferred for a couple of months...then there was a really awakard moment between he and I where he called something Shamu and I laughed. :) Sorry...it was funny!

Duct Tape: Grey cloth of amazing strength backed with heavy-duty adhesive; an integral part of band philosophy and solution to every problem known to man.
(I'm not sure why this is in the band dictionary of terms...I never used Duck Tape...and I still refuse to use it...just fix the damn thing...or buy a new one.)

Dynamics: Volume of the music; inversely proportional to the number of clarinets on the field. (Okay..whom ever wrote this...must be a brass man...woodwinds rock people.)

Early: Impossible


Field: 100 yards in length, this is a wide expanse of mud, or more often dirt, on which bands perform. Contained within the area of this expanse are frequent sprinklers with occasional patches of grass. (We had astroturf...HBJ...unless at williams or high land park)

Flags: Large, floaty, shiny pieces of cloth on sticks waved by members of the colorguard. Good for "accidentally" thwacking annoying field judges. (Did this actually happen? I remember a couple of flag girls running into like the trombone section...I often wondered if it was on purpose.)

Flute: A silver pipe, immensely popular with beginning band students as it is the only instrument in which one can cross her legs while playing sitting down. (Also, used quite often at band camp)

Football Team: Those who would take over the band field. (Never had this problem since we were made to practice in the fucking parking lot on concrete!!!)

Football Game: The band's pre-show warm-up. (So true!)

Groupies: Those who are not in band yet wish they were cool enough to be. Often seen sitting in the hall by the band room or near the band section in the bleachers. (I was never a band groupie!) ( I was rolling down the hill at HBJ!! Oh come on...you know you wanted to...or at least you tried!!)

Halt: Command in which everyone stops three beats afterwards. (was it 3 or 2)

Hell: Band Camp Week (Entire Marching season)

Home: A place existing only in band members' imaginations as it is often described yet rarely seen. This might have been true during August.

Instructor: One who spends three months telling you everything you're doing wrong, then congratulates your excellence. (You mean private instructor)

Interval: The space between two band members, often changing in an amoebic fashion. (Often you could here our director screaming at people to close in a space...yet...there was mass confusion on the field when this happened...because everyone thought he was talking to them. Then he would come out of his little metal tower and walk over and show them how to do it. Crazy stuff...man...crazy stuff.

Late: Death (I don't remember ever being late or anyone being late for that matter...I never saw what happened if you were.)

Life: Supposedly it exists, but has yet to be discovered by band members.

Marking Time: Marching without going anywhere. (Okay...this is just plane stupid..but we were made to do this a lot...I mean...a lot.

Mellophone: A french horn re-designed so that the sound, which intentionally goes backwards in concert band, may be redirected at the audience to inflict pain and suffering. (We had a couple of these, but they looked like crap and belonged to the school...so...you know they were like a million years old)

Melody: Whatever is being played the loudest, usually the trumpets by default.
(yes...the trumpets...well...it sucked...because even though we normally had the same part melody wise...they were always heard over us.)

Monty Python: A British comedy troupe with such cultural productions as "The Search for the Holy Grail," "The Ministry of Silly Walks," and the infamous "Spam Sketch."

Mountain Dew: A cold, green liquid containing great amounts of caffeine. The Nectar of Life during marching band season. (I preferred Jolt Cola at the time)

Mouthpiece: A critical component of any brass instrument which has a tendency to sprout legs and wander off of its own accord. Punishable by 'shups. (I'm so glad I never had to worry about keeping up with my mouthpiece.)

Music: 1. Paper containing lots of lines and little dots which supposedly tell you what the show should sound like. A killjoy for those who enjoy improvisation. 2. That noise which can be heard emanating from the bandroom or rehearsal field at any odd hour of the day. (Marching music...sucked)

Notes: The language of music, just as clarinetists speak English and drummers bang their heads against things. (See..what's up with ragging on the clarinetists?)

On Time: Impossible

Parade Rest: Standing at attention with one's hands clasped in front and legs apart. Usual position during retreat. (Labor Day parade...uggg...is all I have to say.)

Parents: Adult figures seen only occasionally, usually at home.

Pass-Through: A move in which two lines cross paths, often resulting in bruises and dented and/or broken instruments for both parties involved. (Scarry passing through trombones)

Pep Band: A group of musicians who get free admission to basketball and football games so they can play music during time-outs, blow bubbles, annoy the players, and see how many rules they can break. (We all got to be in the pep band)

Piccolo: A small flute with a tone that only a banshee could love. Cannot be tuned, and is therefore relegated to the extremities of the field. Used to torture indolent sophomores. (One piccolo is enough...try 3 or 5 or 9)

Plume: A large, highly-flammable feathered rod vaguely resembling a taxidermified cat's tail. Rubbed for good luck prior to competition. (The very reason why I hated marching season)

Poker Chip: A small plastic disc emblazoned with one's drill number, used for marking sets during rehearsal. (never used these)

Rain: Drops of water which fall from the sky; nature's way of telling musicians to practice indoors. Will not stop rehearsal. (Rain means...woodwinds put up your instruments...yippee...brass can always play in the rain)

Rehearsal Arc: A loose semi-circle in which the band stands for long periods of time while waiting for flutes to tune. (Flutes always take forever to tune...yikes!)

Rehearsal: Three or six hours spent marching around the back field while under constant secrutiny by the staff. (We did this??? funny how I forget things)

Retreat: The last part of a competition, in which bands stand at parade rest for indeterminate periods of time while waiting for the announcer to call one school's name a bunch of times so they can go home. (I dont' remember going on a retreat.)

Rifle: A gun made out of white wood tossed by the colorguard. Though bullet-less, can cause serious damage.

Roll-Step: A method of walking in which one's head does not bounce. Good for preventing lunch-tray-spillage in a crowded cafeteria. (God help me I'm having flashbacks)

Saber: An artificial sword made out of plastic, used by colorguard members to show, via force, who's boss. (The colonel had a sword)

Scale: A pattern of notes progressing in a logical order to, in theory, sound relatively pleasant. (okay, we were made to learn our major and minor scales and the big long one....at LC...not so much was asked from us.)

Section Leader: One who thinks they are in charge, though they have just as much trouble remembering music as anyone else. (Did we have section leaders in band? I remember them in Drill Team...but not in band)

Shako: Headwear of choice, never to be set with the top on the ground. Decorated with plumes. (Again...the main reason why I hated marching season.)

Shoe: That which can be used as ammunition for target practice by the director. (I remember having to wear my marching shoes to school for initiation. I was so embarassed. All my none band friends didn't get it...either did I...but I was so freakin' embarassed)

Sight-Reading: The first time playing a new piece of music. Usually sounds as if the composer had intended their music to be played during a train wreck. (Sight reading was the most nerve racking part of competition....but we always got pretty good marks.)

Slide: 1. Device used by trombone players to change notes. Excellent disguise for poking innocent woodwinds in the backs. 2. A marching maneuver in which the torso is parallel to the stands while the feet are pointed another direction. Saves band members from frequent chiropractic visits. (Again...I told you it was scarry passing through Trombones or standing near them. They loved to hit their slide in my back or in the back of my head.)

Solo: A chance for a few special musicians to play the melody themselves, sitting out during rehearsal and laughing at the poor saps who have to march. (I was never lucky enough to get a solo, except one time my freshman year with the E-flat clarinet and the note was too high for me to hit and I cracked it...oh...the horror.)

Sousaphone: A large, low-pitched brass instrument which makes an exceptional hula-hoop. Goes crunch when sat upon by floutists. (We never had one)

Squeak: Clarinet section's tuning note of choice. (Okay...I never squeaked...please!)

Staff: Band alumni who cannot, no matter how hard they try, give up marching band and eventually try to eke out a living by being in charge. (I will never be in staff)

Telephone: A device whose sound is often mistaken for that of a doorbell, though the doors in the band hall have no bells... (It never failed the phone would always go off during practice)

Tempo: Speed of the music; directly proportional to the amount of Mountain Dew consumed before rehearsal. (the drummers loved to speed up the tempo on us...just for fun.)

Tenor Saxophone: A larger version of an alto sax, but sounds like a German cat in a large food processor. (I knew a really cool Tenor Sax guy...but not sure what happened to him.)

Theory: A two-hour annual lecture from the director, explaining why key signatures are relevant in the whole scheme of Life, the Universe, and Everything. (Never had to take this..thank goodness)

Trombone: A brass instrument with a slide instead of valves, as even three buttons were completely baffling. (Tromboners rock!)

Trumpet: A brass instrument which, strangely, has a tendency to swell the head of the player. At the moment, there is no scientific evidence to prove this, but it's under way... (My step brother played the trumpet for North Mesquite. I couldn't stand him..not because he was a pain in my ass..but because he was a trumpet player.)

Tune: A time for the band to rest while waiting for the piccolos. )(We always tuned to the oboe.

Uniform Violation: jacket not zipped, hanger backwards, junk in shako boxes, happy zippers, placed on wrong racks. (I think that the only uniform violation we had was not getting it cleaned at the cleaners.)

Valves: Sort of like woodwind buttons, but greatly simplified for brass mentalities.
(This is a brass term)

Visuals: Futile attempts to turn the band into a colorguard. (We didn't have many of these. Flags and twillers.

Vocals: When the band attempts to yell louder than all the talking audience in the stands. (I think I remember yelling chants...between songs.)

Woodwinds: Proof that God has a sense of humor. (Once again...woodwinds rock and the person that did this was a trumpet player...has to be.)

Xylophone: A percussion instument who's keys seem to draw the player's eyes so that they do not look up at their conductor.

Well...hope you enjoyed my little tid bits about life in band. Being in Band was fun for awhile and then it just got old. But, I have a lot of good memories. I'll tell more later...I have some really wild stories that probably people have no idea about. ;)

Turkey Day

Our Turkey Day was great. We spent a week at my mom's and I got to see Ryan play basketball and we had our family pictures done. We had 4 generations of women and 3 generations of women taken and then family and all kinds of stuff. They looked really nice on the digital camera. I had my grandmother's 80th portrait done and they turned out great! I'm so excited.
I can't wait to see what the pictures look like.
We had turkey on Turkey day...it was a Martha Stewart receipe. OMG! It was the best bird I have ever tasted.
Well...I'll post some pictures later.
We had a great time.
Hope everyone had a great Holiday.

Pretty Boring

I'm taking this week to get ready for next week.
Yep...well...we are over all of our sickness now. Thank the Lord, Garrett did not get the virius that Morgan and I had!!
So, I've been doing clothes like a bat out of hell. I don't want any clothes except what is in our luggage to do when we get back!!! I'M ON A MISSION FROM GOD!
(Ever seen Blue's Brother's?)
One of my favorite movies in the world!!!
Ummmm.....Let's see....well....Garrett is doing great in school and both kids are doing realy good in Gymnastics.
I have Garrett in only one thing now and Morgan in two. So...looks like it is working out great so far. My weekends are free!!! Yippee!!! No games....well not until March when we start up Soccer again.
We got some new games on the Wii....this game is so much fun. But, I only allow Garrett to play for 1 hour each day and his homework must be done before and he has to read at least 1 book to me before he can play.
Recently...while the weather was still good, I was making him go outside with me and play basketball or work in the yard. At least he was getting some outside time.
He seems to be okay with everything...though sometimes...he complains because he wants to play longer.
The other day...I asked him what he was learning from his Wii games?
He said, "To play them...duh!" I said, and will that help you become an astronaut?
He said, "I don't think so." I said, well you are right...this is for fun...and you really don't learn anything from them. I told him it is better to read a book or go outside and play then sit on your tushie and play this game.
He actually agreed and we have had less complaining since.

One more thing...sorry if I hurt anyone...but...I have to say it.
My daughter had to cut her hair recently because her brother cut it for her and didn't do such a good job. When I took her in to the hair cut place we gave her the cutest little cut. Then about a month ago she starts telling me she hates her hair because she looks like a boy!!!! Who in the hell told her this?
Sorry...I am so mad! She does not look like a little boy!!! So...I asked her very calmly, has someone said that to you? And she named off a bunch of girls and boys in her class at school. I'm not sure why I was mortified, but I was. My daughter had no idea of the beautfiul sterotype that all girls should have long hair. Well, she does now and she is very sensitive and made at me and herself about her hair.
I just wanted to cry. So, I talked to her teacher and asked that if she heard any kids saying this to please correct them right away!!!
Then, again...we went to Gymnastics this past week and a little boy about 2 years old came up to her and asked if she was a boy or girl!!! It was very innocent...but I had to wonder is this something that is learned in the home or is it just natural for boys and girls to think that boys have short hair and girls have long hair!!
So, today we went to get Morgan's hair cut and she didn't want to cut it. I showed her a picture of a bunch of girls with their hair short!!! And that seemed to help.
Heather I showed her a picture of you too...and she was like "IS SHE A GIRL?" I was like oh yeah!!
Poor thing!!!
I just hate to see her so worried about something so silly this young.

That is about all I have.
Pretty Boring!

Sick

We are all sick. Well...except Garrett...so far.
I have a horible sore throat and Morgan was up all night pucking and dry heaving!!!
She seems to be over it this morning.
But...no church for me. I'm just not up for it today. I'm sure God will understand.

If I don't blog for awhile, please forgive me...I am exhausted and I have fallen behind on my normal chores because of illness for the past 3 days.

Enjoy your week.

Turkey day is around the corner.

My new Hair cut

Here are some side profile and a frontal of my new hair cut.
Notice the dark color?
Yep...that is my natural color. I love it.
I'm going to get some low lights on Friday...should really look good.

My Life

Okay, I am going to write a book about my life.
I know it may be pretty boring to some, but it would be more
of a reflection of my life then and now and how much God has
truely changed, not only my life, but my heart and mind as well.
About two weeks ago my mom calls and asks me for a time line of my life.
Like bullet points, dates, years of my life experiences. I was like...MOM,
you really don't want to know what I did and where I was. She was like, well
it's not for me...it will be for you. I told my mom that I has surpressed all
that so I would never ever remember it again. I don't want to remember it. So, I
sort of blew her off. I mean..who wants to go and relive their past. Mine was not the most pleasant past to relive. Well, at least from 1990 - until 2000.
But the more I thought about it...the more I thought...well maybe there is something
to learn here. So, I started in 1990. Of course, mom wants me to start back in like middle school. Why?? I think she forgets when I was in school.
Anywho! I started in 1989 when I left home to go live with my dad, ended up getting pregnant and giving my child up for adoption, going on to then graduate from high school in Grapevine.
At this point my life takes a downward spiral that I do not really recover from it until the year 2000. What I mean by recover is actually starting to work my way back to GOD. Yep...loooking back, I can totally see what life is like with out God. Now, don't think that I was like a "Non-believer" Because I always believed in God and Jesus Christ as my savior. The difference was that I didn't live or love in the truth. I didn't bask in his glory. I didn't have a one on one relationship with him as I do now. Thinking back about my state of mind during this time...and remember not ever praying or talking to him. I was so lost. I can remember how I felt, always running away from something. When I say run, I litteraly would disappear. I would run to a different city and just try starting new and try to figure things out, and then end up right back where I started. I did this numerous times from 1991 - 1995. I finally gave in and went to my mom and asked for help. We talked and I went back to school. (1995 - 1997) Thinking that I might find myself in school and get away from some negative influences that kept surrounding me. Again, still running, but not the right direction. It did help a little. I was able to at least stablize myself and get a better grasp on my life. However, I made a big mistake and ended up right back again where I started. Two years after I married, I was divorced. I had met up with an old friend during this time and she sort of re-introduced me to God. I wasn't ready yet...but it got the ball rolling. I realized that the person I was married to was not heading in the same direction as I was and I was desperate to get out. However, I promised to stay with him no matter what, in front of God, and that meant a lot to me. I stuck in there until I couldn't take it anymore and left. It was the best thing at that time to ever happen to me. I met my husband two months after I moved out and we started dating seriously after the divorce.
Again, I felt lost and alone and not sure what to do with my life. I was scared. I started reading the bible and remember the talks Heather and I had working together. I got a bible from my Aunt that X-mas before 2000. One day I picked it up and started reading. I was back on the right road, I just didn't know it yet.
In May of 2000 Kirtus and I were dating pretty regularly and I was feeling that itch to run again...and was about to break it off with him. On June 10, 2000 Kirtus and I were driving to Dublin and we had a head on collison. (Dublin Texas, Ya'll)
I had just gotten a new job...and was about to put in my 2 week notice.
It was crazy. I was the only one to walk away from that crash. I should have been dead. The truck that we hit head on was actually going to broad side us and hit my side head on. I remember feeling like I was not ready to die. This all happened within seconds but playing it back in my mind it was all slow motion.
WHY? Why did I walk away? Well...Kirtus broke his ankle and had to have 2 surgeries on it. He shattered his femur and has a metal rod shoved down the middle of it now. His knee cap...well they made him a new one where the femur exploded. His left hip had broke, but it was a clean break and has two long ass screws in him there. He was in bed for two weeks in the hospital. They thought he would be in longer, but my husband heals pretty quickly. Thanks be to God.
I took care of him for the next 4 or 5 months. I worked and paid both of our apartment rents and his child support,food, bills. I fed, and bathed him and basically took care of him. All on my own.
The man in the truck we hit had severe brain injury and the woman in the passenger seat was pregnant and died.
So, I see now why I lived. I still had much to learn about myself and God.
Of course I thought of running and getting the heck out of dodge when I saw Kirtus out cold in the hospital bed. Thoughts went through my mind...your not married, you have no obligation. But, I see now that Satan was feeding me that fear.
I loved this man so much that I did feel obligated to stay and take care of him. And it wasn't about loving him in a marital sense...it was about loving him because he was a human being that needed help. I think now that maybe God touchd my heart in a way at that time I didn't understand.
God has a plan. I'm not sure that this is all his plan for me. I'm sure there is more to his plan that hasn't been revealed to me yet.
So, after the crash, I started having major pains and thought that it might be due to the crash and went to the doctor. I had a cyst the size of a grapefruit on my ovary. It had totally crushed my ovary and fallopian tube and all was removed except the right ovary and tube and my uterus. I thought that I would never have kids again.
Time went on and Kirtus and I got closer. Now, I'm not perfect. I had premarital sex and yes...I got pregnant. Kirtus and I had just started talking about marriage and well...bam!!! So...there wasn't a shot gun wedding. I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing and so was he!!! Garrett was born 12/02/01...I was married 5/03/02.
Not many people know that. I guess I've just been a bit ashamed, but we loved each other and were committed even before we took our vows before God.
Oh...and I still haven't totally committed myself at this point...so all is forgiven. ;) (that is a little joke)
Well...I won't get into it much futher than this. 6 years later on 5/13/07 I was washed in the baptismal waters. All those fears of what will be is gone. I've given my life to God and to serve him.
He has touched my life and made me whole again.
I sometimes sit in my bible study class and feel like I have nothing to give, nothing to show how God has touched my life.
Well, I am a walking miracle. I just never realized it until tonight when i started doing that crazy time line for my mother.
Isn't God amazing, how he uses othe people in our life to knock some sense into us?
My faith is strong!
There is so much more to my crazy life that I didn't share, sex, drugs and rock and roll. Crazy trips to no where and people I met. Things I did. The horrible things I did and said to my family and friends. 10 years I was lost.
If anyone ever questions God's patience...tell them about me.
Thanks for reading. I know it was really long and a little deep. I may have gotten off track a bit...but I feel like I need to put it down in writing so that I can remember this moment and share with others.

God Bless.

Dana

:)

Trick or Treat!!!

Here are some pictures of our fun filled night of Trick or Treating!
Garrett was a Vampire
And
MOrgan...well she was a kitty cat. Look at the expression on her face.
She is really playing the part.
I think she is going to be my little actor.
Enjoy.
Also...for all out there...my Great Aunt is having her biopsy today. They will not be able to removed the large mass. But, will be able to give her a time limit on how long she has to live. They informed her this past monday that she was too weak to take any type of chemo or radiation. The mass in her lungs is a very large mass and is in the upper lung. She is actually 90 years old. She's had a great life and I was honored to know her and be apart of her family. She taught elementary school for over 40+ years in the same school district. She went to college and got her undergraduate and graduate degree during a time when it wasn't cool for women to get an education. I'm going to miss her. We all are.
Right now..I'm praying that her time left here on earth is filled with Joy and good memories and then with no pain.

Today...what a day

Today, Morgan and I went to Gymnastics. Morgan took her friend JJ to the gym with her. This bear is not hers. It is actually the schools bear. They let each child take the bear and this journal home. We are suppose to write in the journal about what we did with the bear and where we took it. Okay...I think this is going a bit overboard...but Morgan is just in love with this bear. So...all day I have been working on getting my damn printer to work. And guess what...it won't work. I even have a little HP photo printer...an it won't read my cards and my wonderful new computer can't find the drivers for this damn thing. So....no pictures in the journal. Morgan is devasted. I'm so upset at her school I could scream. I had no idea about this thing until Monday when I showed up to pick her up and was blind sided. The teacher was all grins and giggles and said, "You get to take home JJ today!!" I was like excuse me? Who is JJ? Okay...can you imagine what I was thinking? I'm not taking anything alive home with me? Like a hampster or bunny rabbit. I told the teacher. I have enough animals at my house. No thank you! She looked at me odd...and then said, "No, it's a stuffed bear." I was still very taken off guard and said..."OH" Okay...I guess we can do that. Then she told me...Oh...and don't forget the journal!!! I just smiled in my gracious southern way. Meanwhile, my mind is saying all kinds of things that aren't very proper.
So...we took the bear to Gymnastics today and then to the park.
So...here is my freakin' journal... Hope you enjoy our day with f****** JJ the bear!!
If it wasn't for Morgan's pure excitement about getting to take this bear home I would have chunked it at the teacher! :)

After Gymnastics we went to the park and played in the sand. Without JJ I might add. Also, I'm not sure if they disinfect this stuff animal...but we did not let her sleep with the bear.

Soccer Game

Only one more Soccer Game.
Here are some pics from today.
He just loves Soccer.

My brother

here are some pictures of my brother and where he is working at.
This is in Africa.
And the Cheetahs...are real. Those aren't zoo animals people!!!

Kindergarten on Parade

My son's class got to dress up today and parade through the halls of their elementary school. Here are some pictures from that.
Garrett was super happy that I was there. He always loves it when mom comes up to see him in class or has lunch with him. It's a big treat...because a lot of the other parents work and can't make it. It makes him feel special. It won't be long and he will be embarassed to even be seen with me. So...I'm gettin all the moments I can.
Hope you enjoy the pictures. I've added some others of Morgan in her Tinker Bell costume. We purchased this at Disney World. We took her to this place Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and she got to get her hair, make up and dress done. She chose Tinker Bell. Since this costume along with the make up and hair cost me oh...a pretty penny...she's wearing it again for Halloween. She actually had forgotten about it and wanted to be a cat. When I pulled it out...she was so excited!

Update

Nothing New happening here.
Garrett is doing great in school. All of a sudden he is just doing great behavior wise and of course academically. I couldn't be more proud.
Today he told me, "Mom, I'm so proud of you." I said, Why are you proud of me?
He said, because you always tell me good job and give me hugs and talk to me. I just really love you mom.
So, tonight we do AWANA's...yep it's starting up again.
Well...it's been up and going...I've just been doing football.
Everyday I pick Morgan up sh tells me that she was good too in school.
She has to be just like her big brother.
Poor thing...it's hard having a big brother.

That's really about it.
Pretty boring..but that is my life. Pretty boring.
But, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love being a MOM! It's the
greatest job in the world.

For all of you who are aware or not.
This is my X-husband.
We are still friends. Can you believe it?
Tell me what you think?
It's rather interesting...but I just found out from him that he could
be picked to be on this new reality TV show.
He has been called back 2 times.
I guess he is in the finals.
Very interesting!!! He cold win 10 million dollars.

Last Football game! Yee Ha! The Season is over.

Hey you GUYS!!! FOOTBALL SEASON IS OVER!
I'm so excited to say it's over until next year.

We won today...which made it ever better.
We would have made it to the play offs but since it is our fist year in
this league as a team the league won't let us go. Actually, that is alright by me!!! I'm ready for a break.
Garrett still has 3 more soccer games and then he joins Gymnastics.
He got upset because he told me...that he wants to be in basketball too.
I told him that Mommy needs a break..so only 1 thing right now until Dad gets home.
In two weeks...my weekends will be free for us to do fun things as a family.

We have a football picnic tomorrow...we should be getting trophy's and stuff tomorrow.

That's really about it for today. I really wish orgainzations wouldn't schedule things on Sundays. But, at least it is after church. I am so amazed at how many people don't go to church. It's weird....when i wasn't a Christian and not going to church...I thought everyone went...but not so many people go...or maybe they do...but they go on Saturday night...being that this area is predominately Catholic. ;)
We had a very busy day ... and get this...I was able to mop the kitchen floor, do dishes, take the trash out, and do 4 loads of laundry.
Am I a bad ass home maker or what?

Updates

These are Garrett's Football pictures and of his team.
The other picture was us before church.
Don't we all look so happy. Well...they do. I'm the one behind the camera!!
So...I spoke to the Gym again where Morgan takes...and I'm going to just sign her up for another class. So, it will be 2 gym classes and 1 ballet class. Garrett is going to start taking Gymnastic starting Oct. 29th.
So...my new schedue.
Monday...Morgan's gym.
Tuesday...Morgan's gym
Wed....Garrett's gym
Thursday...Morgan's dance
Friday................I'M FREE..................
After speaking with the football coach's...they really want Garrett to come back again next year.
(I still haven't let the whole incident go yet...but I'm working on it)
So...talking with my husband we were thinking about putting Garrett in a Karate/Judo/Martial Arts class.
I'm a little scared. Only because I can see Garrett really hurting someone that is picking on him. Everyone I've spoken with swares they teach dicipline and self control and GL would never do that. Ummmm....I just keep thinking that there is always a first and my son woudl be the first to seriously hurt someone. I don't know. I know it's not like he would be a black belt in 3 weeks or anything...but you should see my son pretend he is a power ranger! And FYI...my son has never ever ever watched that show.

Well...That's it for now.

Tuesday

Got my exchange dresser today. Ashley gave me a hard time at first...but eventually they saw my point. I'm not one to back down when I know I'm right. Ever heard of the customer is always right? Well...Ashley's furniture...found out real quick that you don't make promises you can't keep. Anyway...I got a $100.00 gift certificate for my trouble and a new dresser..since the first one delivered was damaged and they tried to fix it...which they didn't!!! Tried to sneak it by me. NOT! I'm not idiot! So....I'm happy...and they are happy because I'm not going to slam Ashley's. I actually like a lot of their furniture and it is reasonably priced. Ever watch Clean HOUSE!!! They use Ashley's a lot!
So...went to Gymnastics today too and dressed Morgan the same as her friend Charlese. People were asking if they were twins? Are you kidding? I think they were just being nice. ;) Anyway...I asked if they gave private lessons at this age. Not like I want Morgan to be this famous gymnast. I was just thinking she would like more one on one attention from the coaches. I asked the owner of the facility and she kind of gave me a weird look. I felt like she thought I was one of those mothers that wants to push her kids to be the best...blah blah blah...I'm sure I turned bright red. Then I started stammering and tried to explain my thought process which made me even sound more stupid. Anyways...they don't do privates unless they are at the competitve age. Which she made me well aware of that my daughter is not at yet. DUH!!! I know that!!! Am I wrong to want my daughter to get one on one attention? Well...it's no big deal. My daughter is going to demand more attention from her coaches regardless if she is in a class with others or not.
So...I still feel like an idiot. I think in the future I'll just call them that way they don't know who I am!!! He He!! I'm so sneaky!
On another note...Garrett got no color changes yesterday in school.
Today we purchased the new Transformers movie and I'm about to put on a pot roast for dinner tonight. Hope it's done by 4:30....that is 3 hours??? Hmmmm....Maybe, Maybe not.

Gotta go...
Got lots of stuff to do.

Monday Monday

It's a new week. It's Monday. We had a great weekend. Garrett won his soccer and football game. Sunday was my first day to sing in the choir and Garrett thought that was awesome. Garrett is now actually coming into the chapel for the first part of worship and then goes to Kid Worship. He is so excited about going off away from Mom and Dad.
Sunday we had a surprise birthday party for Garrett so that his dad could celebrate his birthday with him. Garrett was so excited!!! He got 2 Wii games and a Rockem' Sockem' fighting toy. Have you seen Toy Story? The two fighting games in Al's office...The blue and the red guy!!! This is actually Toy Story 2! That is the game.
Well...I'm off to get Morgan to school and myself cleaned up too.
I have a parent teacher conference today!
uggg...Pray it goes well.

While I'm bloggin

Have you ever had a chance to sit back and watch your child or children play by themselves?
Well...while I'm blogging and talking to a friend on the IM, my daughter is playing by herself. She has what she calls her sticks and balls. (They are these awesome magnet sticks and metal balls and you can build stuff with them.)
But...do you think she is building towers??
Nope...She has all the ball by the front door in rows.
They are her children. And she is teaching them...diciplining them....giving them kisses and playing games with them.
I asked her...How many children do you have? She says. 5
And she said...they have all been bad. They are in time out.
I just love the way she sees the world. You can learn a lot about your child just by sitting and listening to them play.
Okay...now...one of the brothers just went to jail. ;) I wonder which brother she is speaking about...hers maybe???

Heather...I just realized that if I moved to McKinney...Morgan and Luke would be in the same grade!! Isn't that cool?

Just blogging for the heck of blogging

Well...here is an update on Garrett. Doing great in school. His teacher is going to be nomniating him for the Gifted and Talented class. DUH!!! He thinks Garrett is bored. YOU THINK? If you have ever spent a minute with Garrett you will think either two things...man he is full of energy!! or WOW he really knows a lot!!!
I don't like to use the word "smart" because I think all children are smart in their own way. Garrett is what I consider "book smart" or science channel smart. He is like a little sponge. However...he lacks smartness in behavior situations. Matureity is lacking there. But, I've been reading a book called "Raising Boys" and it seems that all boys lack matureity at this age. (Oh...I'm a bad speller...deal with it.)
It helped me understand that Boys are more mechanical and more hands on and need to move. Where girls can actually sit quitly for 8 hours and play and follow directions. (they haven't met my daughter yet..He He)
So...anywho...Garrett is doing excellent academically and fair behavior wise. But, there is much improvement to be made. Garrett has a zest for life and learning everything about it. Last night when he got home he said, "Mom" I want you to write Mr. Garza a note and tell him that Garrett said he is going to be much better tomorrow. Poor thing...was already thinking about the next day.

Morgan...is a littl toot. what's changed? She is hammin' up with Dad. You would think she would be a total daddy's girl right? HA!!! NOT! She is a total momma's girl. Today when takingn her to school she says...Mom I don't want Dad to pick me up. Can you pick me up? "Of course I will honey." Morgan then says..."Will you tell dad for me?" Just in the past 2 weeks...her vocabulary and her usage has just exploded. I love when I notice little milestones like this still. She has a little friend in Gymnastics name Charlice. They are two peas in a pod. Actually, she is in dance and gymnastics together. Too cute! They dressed just alike this past Tuesday at Gymnastics. Both girls in Doka Dots...I wish I had my camera. I'm still kicking myself. They looked just like Nadia and Thea. Mom can dream right????

On a really good note. Kirtus got a promotion. When he gets back from Iraq. He is going to be promoted to a Commissioner. What does this mean for us? Well...it's great news for one. He is going to be paid like he was paid in Dallas...with less travel. Which means...dad is home more often. It also means that once he is trained...we are moving home. Well...moving home...next year sometime. That is our hope. That is what we are praying for. He will be able to work out of our home. I love this little town we live in. I love our home. It's huge and I like all the space we have....however...I'm tired of being so far from friends and family. I'm looking forward to living in the country...and possibly building...we will see, we will see. One day at a time.

That's all that is going on here in the Barton household.

Peace!