The Last Day to Vote...Bloggy Friends Unite!

Calling all bloggy friends! I need your help! The organization I work for (Big Brothers Big Sisters) is trying to win a grant to send our Littles to a Christian camp this summer! We are competing with another organization that simply has a lot more manpower and contacts that we do so I'm asking for your help.

Could you take just a few minutes to ask (read BEG and PLEAD) your blog readers to vote for us? I would be so very grateful! Right now we are 134 votes behind. What do you say, friends...will you help the underdogs!? Here's the link...

Check out this Nike Back Your Block application and vote

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Catching Up Post #1 - Mother's Day Tea with William - 2009

Will with Mommy's special place mat!

Will and Mommy!

Sweet friends Janelle and Loulabelle!

Sweet friends Dixie and Tessa!

Preschool Buddies!

See, I told you!

I told you I would be back soon with a real post, but I bet you we're expecting it to be this soon. I mean my track record lately with posting has been less than stellar. However, I am home with a sick kid for the 5th day out of the last 7 and I thought maybe I could use a little of my time here for something besides attempting to seize and destroy all the germs in this house!

So, how ya been? We've been pretty well. We had a really big event recently when my youngest went to Kindergarten! He is loving it! And once I was able to work through all the emotions and implications of this event in my life, I have really been loving it, too! I have been reminded about just how crucial alone time is to my psyche. I am still working three days a week, but I now have two days BY MYSELF to get things done at home and elsewhere. I will admit that I have been home more than elsewhere because it just feels so good to be alone in my house. Of course, I miss the boys, but I find that I appreciate the time I do have with them even more. I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder!

The second big event in our life as of yet involves a word that starts with a B. And no, it's not BABY! The B word I am thinking of is not as cute and cuddly as that one. The B word I am referring to is BUDGET. I know. A bad word for some of you, maybe, but I'm actually finding it is not as bad as it sounds and that I really find a lot of comfort in it.

One of the biggest changes has been our frequency of eating out. This has been huge for me and I thought it would be a lot harder than it has been. Rich has been a huge help and we have really enjoyed cooking together at times and he has been a lifesaver at helping me clean up. Yep. He's a keeper. I have also enjoyed the quality time at the table as a family (somehow it is just different than being around a table at a restaurant). Also, I have found the boys have been eating and trying more new foods because...well, there is no short order cook to give them exactly what they want. It's good.

Another big change with the budgeting has involved meal plans, grocery lists (what a novel concept!), coupons, sale papers, etc. I have been truly amazed at how much money I have saved just by having a plan! It takes a lot of time initially, but I believe it saves time in the long run. Seriously, how many hours of your adult life have you spent standing and staring at the freezer/refrigerator/freezer pondering what to have for dinner? It's nice to be able to go to the kitchen and just do instead of think. Ya know?

Anyway, I guess that's my little update for now. I'm going to download some pictures later and see about putting a few of those on here to catch you up in visual form.

Later!

If Anyone Is Still Reading This

I don't know if anyone is even still reading this blog anymore (aside from my Mother and Mother in Law), but if you are...I need your help! The organization I work for (Big Brothers Big Sisters) is trying to win a grant to send our Littles to Kids Across America (A Christian sports camp). For most if not all of our Littles, this will be a bright spot in their summer and year! We need your votes to help us get there. So, please go to the link below and vote! It only takes a few seconds! And then go to your blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter pages, and email address books to ask your friends to vote! Please! We are behind in votes and only have a couple of days left! Thanks so much. I promise to be back soon with a "real" post.

Check out this Nike Back Your Block application and vote

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The Elephant in the Room

So. Notice anything different about my blog? You might be wondering if I have noticed anything different as I have yet to say anything about the fact that the design has been changed for the first time in about 3 years!

Well, I have definitely noticed and I LOVE it! I have to give some serious thanks to Jackie who tirelessly and patiently worked with me until I was completely satisfied with the finished product. Jackie has started a new blog design business called Memories By Design. I hope you will check out her site and maybe even hire her to redesign YOUR blog. I promise you won't be disappointed. She is a GEM! Thanks again, Jackie. I thoroughly enjoyed working with you.

And I'm tempted to leave this post at that because to try and catch you up on life as of late just seems too overwhelming.  It has truly been a crazy year for our family.  To sum it up, and I should really not say this without knocking on wood (hold on, I'll be right back)...I am the only person in my immediate family this year who has not had a head CT (among other expensive tests).  Yes, all three of my boys, including the oldest and largest one (who will remain nameless, but you all know who he is...okay, I'll just say it - RICH) have had injuries or accidents that have required a head CT.  Thanks be to God, all of the results came back normal. However, at this rate we are thinking about purchasing one (a CT machine) to keep in our home for future usage.  It really might be cheaper in the long run. 

In all seriousness, though, I have found myself wondering several times this year...what is up?  I usually go back to the conclusion that I must be doing something right or Satan would not be attacking so relentlessly.  Haven't figured out exactly what that right thing is yet, but I have a possibility or two.

Anywho...moving on to a lighter subject. Aside from Richie's eye injury and the passing of my Grandfather we have really had a good summer with activities including, but not limited to a trip to Florida (including Disney World, the beach, and celebrating Rich's parents' 50th anniversary), Tball, baseball, swimming, cooking out, etc.  And this week, my parents are here visiting with us!  We are going to hang out with them for a few days and then Rich and I are heading on a little outing BY OURSELVES to St. Louis.  After that we get to spend a few more days with my parents before they go home.  Thank you, Lord for these blessings!

I guess that is my little update in a nutshell.  I hope to post some pictures soon of our recent adventures, if I can ever muster the energy to download them...I know, it's pathetic. What can I say? Downloading pictures is a bit of an IHC for me.

In the Arms of Jesus

Yesterday, July 1st 2009, my Papaw Allen passed on into the arms of Jesus.



Papaw, you are dearly loved and missed...

Update on Richie

I apologize for not updating the blog before now regarding Richie's injury. I think a lot of you probably saw the updates I posted on Facebook, but Richie is doing just great! His eye has completely healed and according to the Opthamologist there will be no lasting damage to his eye or vision! We are so thankful to God for that! We really appreciate all of you who lifted us up in prayer during that time and sent us messages of encouragement. We definitely felt your prayers and believe that God was faithful to answer them!

We are heading out of town soon for a trip to Florida to see Rich's family and to celebrate his parent's 50th wedding anniversary! We are excited about that!

Pretty soon I'll have my new design up on the blog. Jackie and I are almost ready to unveil it!

Also, please forgive me for not getting around to read your blogs like I have done in the past. Ever since I started working part time, it seems like there are just not enough hours in the day. I try to get by as often as I can and I haven't forgotten about all my sweet blog friends!

Oh, one more thing, I ran another 5K with Rich last week and beat my first time by 6 minutes! I was so excited about that. I'm still running, but am taking a break from "races" for the time being.

I think that's all for now...over and out.