I had to post this picture because it cracks me up. B's parents visited us shortly after Christmas, and we took the opportunity to take this picture of 3 Generations of Braces. B. is recovering quite nicely from an extensive back surgery in mid-December. His mother had very, very extensive neck surgery in November, and, of course, K. has her braces. What makes this even sadder is that if we could have taken this picture a few days later, we could have added A. in with his cast (for a broken thumb)! Everyone is on the mend, and K. is set to get her braces off in just a few months--just in time for her Senior year of school. * Things are going pretty well around here. We are still having the most ridiculous car woes anyone could ever have. We are about to throw in the towel and finance a new (used) car. We were really trying to save and pay cash, but we are spending all our savings on car repairs. That really stinks. * I have been taking my running a little more seriously since the new year. I've always been pretty happy just jogging a mile once or twice a week (plus walking). I was inspired, though, by a friend who runs for 40 minutes and 6.5 mph. I am thinking I could never do that, but I am working up to 2 miles instead of 1. At this point I can do 1 1/2 miles pretty easily at 5 mph-- three times a week is enough for me. I'm not even sure my knees can handle that much. I really do love the "buzz" from running--I need it just to keep my mood at what would be normal for others. * The weather is a beautiful 70 degrees here today. I am so glad that winter is nearly over in the South--Spring will be here before we know it. The daffodils are already blooming, and the pear trees are budding out--I just love it. It makes me feel like singing. * We are planning a big vacation this year to DC. B. has been there, but the rest of us haven't. We've been planning it for a couple years, and finally get to go. It is such an awesome field trip--I just can't even imagine all the wonderful, fun, educational things there are to do there. We have two sets of friends living there right now that we will get to visit, and one family is keeping track of all the "must-sees" for us. I can hardly wait for May/June so we can go. * We are having some work done on our house right now--all the siding needs to be replaced and painted. Thankfully, we only have siding on our second story, but it's still a huge expense. I am so happy to be able to get it done--actually we only are doing 2 sides this year, and will finish next year. We just couldn't do it all at once. It will look OK though--I know it sounds like it would look trashy, but it matches up well enough and when it's all painted, it won't be noticeable at all. I am so excited to get some work done in the yard too. I am hoping for a new crepe myrtle and some deck furniture this year! Keeping my fingers crossed.

Labels: Family

Labels: Family

It just could be that I have a dear family member who is a part of this great worship team in Missouri--who just got a three CD contract with Universal, by the way! Their CD is out!!! I'm a little proud. "To Know Your Heart" by Cape First Worship available at this Walmart.com link. (My cousin is the blonde on far stage left.)

Labels: Family

For the first time in the five years my husband has been allergic to monosodium glutamate ( a common food preservative/flavor enhancer), I accidentally served B a meal with MSG in it. Can I just tell you that I felt so bad? I have kind of taken pride in the fact that B can always eat at home without worrying or having to ask if something has MSG. He always has to ask at any restaurant--and at anyone's home that we may go to. I made Barb's beef enchiladas (they were yummy, by the way) last night and for some reason didn't think to look at the ingredients on the enchilada sauce can. About thirty minutes after we ate, it popped into my head that I hadn't checked the sauce--sure enough---MSG! UGH!!! I almost didn't tell him because he didn't seem to be having any effects--and I might not would have except he was getting ready to exercise away from home--and when the MSG hits, he requires--ummm, a bathroom. So, I told him. I said, 'Honneeeey, do you love me??? How are you feeling, my most handsome husband whom I love so much???' He was fine. Thankfully, he only ate half of one enchilada without scooping any extra sauce and it wasn't enough to do much. I went to Kroger this morning and found a canned sauce that doesn't have the toxic substance in it!!! I was so glad to find it because we all really enjoyed the recipe, and I was thrilled to find a new keeper.

Labels: Family

a car like this?:

Yep--we did!

**K was dressed for a human video at church where she played a d*em*on! We don't typically let her go around like that--in case you were wondering.

Labels: Family, Kids

It's been a bit since I've posted--but we've been so busy. The end of "summer" is kind of crazy, especially when you are trying to get your 16 year old daughter settled with an intermediate driver's license and car. I am hoping to have that ready in time for school starting on the 11th. We will be in Missouri next week, so I've got to get everything finished. B has gotten the car registered, oil changed and whatever other maintenance needed doing. He got an extra key made today and got the stickers so that K can get on base. He called insurance and put the car on--thankfully we don't have to add K until she has her actual license. We have written the check and withdrawn all of K's savings--OUCH. So--her car is ready and paid in full. Now, maybe we can start saving to replace our own vehicle--which is 8 years old. I am looking forward to getting a new one in a couple years! I have gotten most of my homeschool material in, and A even said he was ready to start. I said, "Who are you, and what have you done with my son?" on that one. Unbelievable. I think I'm about ready too--after all I did get over a year's break. I have so enjoyed having them home this summer--I'm so glad they aren't going back. I am much more dependent on them than I ever knew. A. had a bike wreck Monday evening. He scared us to death. M. came screaming in the house that A. had wrecked. I ran out and saw him lying in the middle of the road. From that distance, I couldn't tell if he was conscious or not. Thankfully he was--he didn't hit his head at all--his elbow is pretty skinned up, and he's a little sore. He's fine, thank the Lord. He got in trouble, though, for just lying in the road. We live right on a curve, and a car would not have been able to stop in time. Later in the evening, he started throwing up--I was so afraid that it was linked to the bike wreck, but it wasn't. He threw up twice, and then felt completely fine. B. is having quite a bit of trouble with his lower back--we have most of the details of the injury, but I will wait to post them later. Just suffice it to say that it isn't the best news in the world, but it isn't the worst either. He's bummed, but we have determined to give it to God, and not worry. I will post more when I know more. I have been spending a lot of time getting rid of excess in our house. Last week, I cleaned my closet--AGAIN--and got rid of a whole trash bag full of clothes. I have been reading a few blogs by people who are trying to minimize and get down to just what they need. It is inspiring, but I don't feel the need--at all--to go as far as they are. I did minimize my closet last week, and I went through my kitchen this week and got rid of over a hundred items. I plan to go through my kid's closets--including games, puzzles, and toys--after we get home from Missouri. I usually take all of our stuff to a local thrift store because I am way too lazy to plan a big yard sale. Sounds like torture to me. I have made several trips there recently. Fun stuff.

Labels: Family

1. Washed and put away every stitch of dirty clothing in the house.
2. Paid all the bills.
3. Balanced the checkbook.
4. Made out a menu for the next two weeks.
5. Wrote out my grocery list.
6. Walked/Jogged on my treadmill.
7. Talked to my sister.
8. Played two games of Scrabble with my girls.
9. Sort of helped my son make potato candy. It didn't turn out right--but it tasted good.
10. Assisted my daughter in making french toast for breakfast this morning.
11. Took K's car back to get the rest of the work done and get the ball rolling on buying it.
12. Read my book while sipping iced tea with lemon and eating a moon pie.
13. CALLED AN AMBULANCE for my husband who had a terrible reaction after a wasp sting!!! Talk about scary--he's never had a reaction like that before, but since his grand-daddy died from multiple wasp stings, I wasn't about to take any chances--not that he was able at the time to help me make the decision to call 911. He was stung dead center in the back of the neck by a red wasp. Very soon afterwards he tried to knock on the window to get my attention and fell to the ground (deck). I went out and could tell we were in some kind of big trouble. He couldn't talk or focus his eyes on me, and his mouth was hanging open, and he acted like he might pass out at any moment. I immediately got the phone to call 911 ( I already knew he had been stung because he yelled when it happened). He was able to talk within a couple of minutes and said, "My right arm hurts." It was very red and very swollen--and shaky. By the time the ambulance came he was able to be up and was nearly back to normal except for his swollen, red, and shaky arm and hand. He didn't go to the hospital--I gave him ben*adryl and he called his flight doctor (we're military)--who happens to also be a friend from church--and he said to take ben*adryl every six hours and come in in the morning. I will say that he scared me to death--my voice was shaking so bad when I called 911-and I just kept thinking about his grand-daddy--I was scared for a minute that he was going to die. I don't want to ever have that feeling again. He said he was thinking the same thing as me. He was pretty shook up. To top it all off, our oldest daughter was stung on top of the head twice while trying to help me with her daddy. She's fine other than a bad headache.
14. Went to the store to buy more ben*adryl!!!

Labels: Family

Today is our 19th anniversary! The kids are in Kid's Crusade in the evenings this week, so we plan to head to another town nearby to have dinner. I am looking forward to it. And while I'm here, let me just say that I couldn't be blessed with a finer husband. He is everything I ever hoped for and more. Happy 19th Anniversary, Baby. I love you so much.

Labels: Family

The hike was pretty steep, but a lot of fun. My mil was kind enough to watch the munchkin for me so that I could go with all the young-uns on the hike. (Young-uns = aged 50ish years and below!!!) The children all got in to swim in the spray of the falls when we got to the bottom. They said it was so cold it made their bodies hurt. The guys all broke the well posted rules and climbed behind the falls. What a bunch of goofs!

B's cousin's boyfriend, B's brother, B, and B's uncle

All the women just prayed for their safety--those rocks were very slick from the spray. One lady was obviously displeased with our men's lack of discretion. She told how last year she had seen an accident where a helicopter had to be flown in to get someone who was injured out from behind the falls. Thank you--thank you very much, kind lady, for that info.

Labels: Family

We had such a great time with our little niece while she was here--we had her for 16 days. I did decide to potty train--and she did so well. She went home with her mommy yesterday, and they were so excited to see each other--it was precious. Here are some scenes from our visit:

Labels: Family

Labels: Family

The day before B. and K.--(read: yesterday) left for their missions trip to Milwaukee, our niece came to visit us for a couple of weeks. Our niece is 2--almost 3--and quite the handful, especially when you consider there hasn't been anyone that age in our household for 9 years. A person truly does forget how demanding a toddler is--whew!! We've had KP for 28 hours and I'm already worn out!! And potty training--forget it--I may just stick with the diapers--we'll just have to see on that one.

(Judging by A's face, I'm guessing the water's a little too cold.)

The fun thing about the three in this picture is that they all share the same birthday. KP was born on the twin's 9th birthday!

Labels: Family

Thank you so much to all that have checked on me--all is well around here. I have stayed completely up to date on all my blog-reading, but just haven't been in a blog writing mood for quite a while. The last couple months have been really great--I am completely over my stomach problem--it turned out to be a yogurt allergy--really and truly. I am keeping the stuff around for the kids, but I will never touch it again. Sadly, it was a wonderful tool for keeping my complexion clear. I am back to the drawing board for that one again. The kids are all out of school, and I can't even express how happy I am to have them home. Everything feels right again. I am so glad that we have decided to keep the twins home next year. I have my curriculum all picked out, and I feel ready to pick up the schooling reins again! K. will be returning to her private school--and she will even have my friend Jenny as her Bible teacher--and possibly basketball coach. Jenny is the coach, but since K. is still having knee problems, we don't know if she'll be able to play. B. is finishing up his second quarter of his Master's program. He has 16 hours left to finish and is right on track to be finished in December. It is a ton of work--and very stressful--but he's handling it. He is ready for the month long break between quarters before he starts back again. B. and K. are leaving for a missions trip to Wisconsin with our Teen Bible Quiz group this coming Monday. It will be a great experience for them, but I am going to miss them terribly. The twins and I thought about going to Missouri for the week, but because of gas prices, have decided to stay here. Bummer. We may head up there on the fourth of July--we'll have to see. We just got back from a great vacation in the Smokies--we just love going there. It was very restful, and it's always good for our family to get away and just be together. By the way, we saw 10 bears while in the park. It was great. I have managed to maintain my Weight Watchers loss-until vacation. I gained two pounds while away--bummer. I don't think it will be too hard to lose because I really pigged out on vacation--and I'm eating normally now. Well, just wanted to give a little update. I'll try to do better. Oh--I did get my kitchen redone--part of it anyway. We're real happy with it. Oh, and K. is turning 16 this Thursday--she had a really fun party this past weekend--and she actually drove out on a real highway yesterday--and we're all still alive!!!!

Labels: Family, Just Me

The local newspaper says this is the worst flood--8 inches in 10 hours-- in my home town since 1982--which I remember well. Some say it's actually worse.

Anyway, the funeral wasn't in this town, but farther up the road in Pacific--that's the town that FOX has been reporting from a lot. They were actually evacuating the town while the funeral was going on. Denise's funeral was actually delayed a little while because her fiance' was trying to evacuate from his house. Here's a few scenes from that area:

Thankfully, we were able to leave the area before the entire town was flooded--we saw a lot of rain, and a lot of water on the sides of the road but were never in any danger.

The funeral was very sad--all funerals are, but they are especially when the deceased is young. Denise was twenty, engaged, and full of life. There were a ton of kids there--she ran with a group of about 50 kids--there were many, many more than that at her funeral. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. So--in honor of her mother (and my cousin), Beth,--and in memory of Denise-here's the fun song that was played at the end of her funeral. I'll always think of her now when I hear it.

Denise Ann Brunk

June 17, 1987-March 15, 2008

I was so glad to have my cousin, Angela, come back to Mississippi with me on Wednesday for a visit. She just left a little while ago with her hubby--who was with my hubby on the hunting trip--to go back home. We had a nice time--didn't do a whole lot--we shopped, ate, talked, and watched several movies, including August Rush, Enchanted, and Horton Hears a Who--they were all pretty good--I hated the ending of August Rush--it could have been so much better, in my opinion. We also talked a little about our 40th birthday trip--we focused on Maui...

The company is gone now, B. is home taking a nap (they didn't shoot a single turkey), the kids will be back in school on Tuesday, and it seems things are going to get back to normal--whatever that is.

Labels: Family

Wow, I haven't posted for two weeks--it's been a tough couple of weeks for me. I have been sick for nearly 3 weeks, and, thankfully, we've finally figured everything out--I think. Since I last posted, I have had a ton of blood work, a cat scan, an endoscopy, and an urinalysis. I have had an elevated temp (99.5-99.9) for nearly two weeks--that has really bothered me for some reason. Anyway, I went from thinking I was going to have to have my gall bladder out to having acid reflux and a possible urinary tract infection--I say possible because one doctor said I did and today another said I didn't and that she wouldn't have even given me an antibiotic --WHATEVER. I had a little reaction to the antibiotic they gave me Friday so when I went in today the new doctor said I had taken it long enough and could just stop taking it without getting a new one. I feel a little insecure about that, but I will trust her. So, it boils down to this--I'm on ne*xium for acid reflux, and I just semi-finished an antibiotic for a urinary tract infection that may or may not have been there. I'm just glad to be feeling better, because these past couple weeks have really done a number on me. I won't even go into how Satan has messed with my mind--the lies he told nearly drove me CRAZY!! I have worked very hard to stand on the Truth--I didn't always do so well though :) I'm glad that all I have to wait for now is the results of routine biopsies from my endoscopy (down the throat with a camera). I am working hard to relax and deal with these little problems that can come when a person reaches 40--growing older has its challenges. We had such sad news Saturday night. My cousin's twenty year old daughter was tragically killed in a car accident. She drove off a steep embankment and her car landed upside down in water. It's so sad. B. is out of town this week, but the kids and I plan to head to St Louis tomorrow for the funeral. I am dreading the long drive, but I just feel so bad for my cousin and her family. Please say a prayer if you think to. And I miss my husband, so a prayer that the week would go quickly for me would be nice too!!! One of my cousins may be coming back with me from Missouri to spend the weekend--that will be so very lovely!

Labels: Family

I wasn't aware B. was taking a photo at that very moment. My son won, by the way--and he enjoyed it--immensely!

Labels: Family

Labels: Family

...that my husband was the only one to get the flu shot--and is the only one to get the flu. He has been home sick with the "influenza" since Wednesday afternoon. In spite of being sick, it is very hard to get him to rest. He has managed to get a good deal of school work finished and filed our tax returns. I'm not sure if he will return to work tomorrow, but I think he will. We had such a crazy eventful week last week that I wasn't able to post--plus, B. was on the computer most of the waking hours--we have YET to get wireless. K. had her orthopedic appt on Tuesday, and they told us they were unable to diagnose. She had a full body bone scan on Wednesday morning--we are getting the results of that tomorrow afternoon. She gave us a terrible scare as she had a vaso-vagal response to the shot they gave her before the bone scan. Basically, her blood pressure dropped terribly from "needle phobia"--which she has only had once before--two weeks ago. They had to get a stretcher, call a nurse, then a doctor, and were going to give her vali*um to calm her. Her stomach and back cramped up so that she was crying out in pain. It took a while for her to calm down--and I was quite concerned--none of my children have ever reacted that way before. Thankfully, B. had called right after they gave her the shot, and he was able to get right over. I was so glad--I usually do ok under pressure--but I pretty much collapse as soon as I can!!!! She was fine by the afternoon, and was able to go back to school for 6th and 7th periods. While we were gone all day for this, our neighbor decided to cut down a huge pine tree on his property. It fell on our property and did some damage. We may lose one of my favorite trees. M. developed pink eye on Friday, so we were off to the doctor again. She is much better today. So, in addition to all that, I worked very hard to get the house clean, run errands, and buy groceries--just in case I succumbed to the influenza! I didn't--or haven't--and for that I am truly grateful.

Labels: Family

Not feeling so well today, so I'm just going to list a few things that are going on around here.

• My cousin, Angie, called the other day with the BEST idea. She is wanting the two of us to go on a 40th birthday trip this year. Yep, we both hit the big 4-0 this summer--and I can hardly believe it. Angie is my life-long friend--our mothers walked together when they were pregnant with us (our dads are brothers)--and we spent most of our lives together until one of us--ME--married someone who took her far, far away from home! We've still managed to stay close though, and I think it would be a blast to take a trip somewhere. Where should we go?--she mentioned St Thomas or North Carolina's outer bank. I was thinking about a cruise--hmmm...
• Becky over at Blessed With Olive Plants gave me a sweet award. Thanks so much Becky. Becky is my blogland fellow JBQ parent. She has a wonderful and precious family. Hope round 4 goes well for you guys!

• I'm so thankful for everyone's concern for K's knee. She said that it is some better, but thinks it's just because she's not doing anything physical. We don't think the shot did much of anything. We will see the doc on Tuesday. She also has her orthodontist appt. that day--fun!
• M. jammed her pinkie finger at her Upwards basketball game Saturday. At least, we thought it was jammed, now I'm starting to wonder if it was broken. It's so hard to know what to do --take her to the doctor or not. In addition to playing on her all girls team, M. has been playing on her brother's team because there haven't been enough showing up on A's team to play the game. The boys are a little rougher--and that's the game she hurt her finger in.
• We are going to see the Gaither's Homecoming concert this Saturday night. I am a pretty big contemporary Christian fan, but I've got a Southern Gospel bent as well. I love it--well, not all of it, but, I do like a lot. I especially like the Gaither Vocal Band, The Crabb Family (I know, they split up), and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. Anyway, I bought our tickets 4 months ago, and we have excellent, up close seats. I'm practically giddy about it--okay, I AM giddy about it. There are a few things that have popped up to try and ruin that day for me, but I refuse to let them. We have our last JBQ match of the year that day--which is being held 4 hours away from the concert. We have to rush out of the match and get on the road. --B. found out it was his drill weekend--so he has to miss the JBQ match--but will, thankfully, be off for the concert. I will swing by and pick him up on the way. --K. is supposed to have a basketball game that day. I have already told her that if the game time conflicts with when we have to leave for the concert, she will have to miss the game. She's not playing anyway--so she was alright with it. She knows that I have been looking forward to this since October. Wow, what a rambling paragraph--sorry for that.
• My weight loss is still going well--down 7 lbs--5 to go. I am loving Skinny Cow fudge bars! Yum.
• I tried three new recipes last week--a from scratch carrot cake, Ranger cookies, and a white chicken chili. They were all from the lastest Taste of Home mag. The carrot cake was to die for--and I only had two small pieces. The cookies were good, the chili-not so much. M. really liked it, but I wasn't so crazy about it.
• My friend, Judi, over at Momma's Mind Sweep has a new blog design business. Her designs are terrific. Go check it out--you might be a winner! Just click on the button below and it will take you to Doodlebug Designs.

Have a great weekend.

Labels: Blogging Info., Family, Just Me

We went to the Doctor on Tuesday concerning K.'s knee. It was not Osgood-Schlatter's disease, and they don't have a clue what it is. All x-rays and the MRI came back perfectly normal. He gave her a cortisone shot--which caused her to nearly pass out--the needle was huge!! She seems to be doing some better, but she is bummed about her basketball season being over. That's the way it has to be. We will take her back in 2 weeks to see what's going on. The Dr. said that if the shot helps, he will know it's one thing and not the other (joint versus muscular). He did ask if she had been tested for rheumatoid arthritis--which my cousin and mother-in-law have. She was tested two years ago for that with negative results--surely her x-ray would show joint damage by now if it was RA. I'm so glad it isn't because I have seen how awful that disease is. I have had a good week with WW--down 5.5 pounds. I'm happy about that, and I can finally tell a difference in how my clothes fit. We have Upwards basketball with the twins tomorrow--we will spend our whole afternoon watching games--then I am looking forward to a quiet evening at home with my family. Actually, we're going to have one of those--a quiet evening, that is, tonight. I missed the premiere of "Daniel's Daughter" on Hallmark last week because we were invited for dinner--I'm so glad it's on tonight. My house is clean, supper is cooking, no one has homework, and B. and I have plans to watch a movie together--Life is Good!

Labels: Family, Just Me