2007 Recap

Each year I like to reflect back on the previous year and do a sort of recap blog.  Here it’s almost February and I haven’t even thought about it yet.  Well in all honesty I have thought about it but I thought why in the world would anyone want to remember the past year in my life?  I was only thinking how horrible it has been and how much heart ache it included.  But really when I thought about it and looked back through the months worth of pictures stored on the computer I realized there were so many wonderful things that happened as well.  And I’d be selling the year short if I didn’t do a recap and mention all those wonderful things along with the bad.  So here goes nothing.   I hope you enjoy and remember the good things about your past year too.  I don’t really have a plan so I’ll just number them and explain.  Some may be long and drawn out and some may be short and sweet.  Depends mostly on how much I remember which considering the state of my mind lately probably will not be alot. 

1.  2007 was my first year as MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship because I know someone will ask) Leader.  What an honor and privilege it has been.  Along with the honor and privilege also came a few headaches.  The main headache being all the fundraising involved.  Our church is pretty small and there isn’t a ton of money for doing everything these kids deserve.  So in order for fun to be had money had to be raised.  Now I hate fundrasiing more than anything.  I guess that goes back to my high school days and cheerleading.  But one of the fundraisers the youth and I did in February 07 was so much fun.  Not only fun but it ended up raising more money than anything else we did the rest of the year.  It was a Womanless/Cow Beauty pageant.  Don’t ask me where the cow part came from but the womanless is pretty self explanatory.  It was mandatory for all the youth and leaders to enter the competition.  We asked for volunteers from the congregation too and had several takers.  Which might have been a bit disturbing considering how many men wanted to dress up like women and strut their stuff.  As for the girls… We had to make ourselves look funny or ugly to the best of our ability.  How was money raised you ask? Well it was pretty guiness if you ask me…  After each contestant walked the runaway they all went back around the room carrying a bag with their number trying to get as many votes as possible to win.  The votes were money and the winner was the one who collected the most money.  It worked out great.  We made well over $800 dollars that one night and there wasn’t nearly as many in attendance as I had hoped.  It’s too soon to do it again this year unfortunately… But seeing this every few years is MORE than enough anyway… 

2.  In May we did another fundraiser that wasn’t nearly as much fun… I hate yard sales but they had always done one each year and I wasn’t confident enough as a new leader to venture out from the norm just yet so I went along with it.  Not so much this year btw.  For a few months before we collected items and junk from all the congregation.  It was a great way for them to spring clean and for us to make some dough so there was tons of donations… It took nearly 2 night to get set up and then the morning of the yard sale it was pouring rain.  We gathered together and prayed that if God saw fit would he please stop the rain for a few hours.. Guess what? He did and we had our yard sale.  We raised over $500 this day.  For me it was too much work for these old bones.  Yah, sure I had 13 or 14 able bodied kids around but they were not very much help.. As much as I love teenagers they are lazy bums when it comes to manual labor and I worked my buttocks off all day…

  

3.  June was a bittersweet month.  Our pastor of 13 years had to move on to another church and we got a new one.  Brother Ron and Mrs. Joan had been such a major part and influence on my life for so many years it was really hard for me to let them go.  Even to this day I still have troubles with it sometimes.  But God works things in his own way and it’s not for us to question or know why things like that happen.  Maybe Brother Ron was meant to preach at another church for the life of one person to be saved.. And maybe that one person would go on to win many many lives to Christ.  If that means I have to get used to a new preacher and wife then so be it.  I can do that for God.  So.. out with the old.. and in with the new.  Brother Eric and Mrs. Barbara then entered into my life.  I love them both but it’s just not the same yet.  I’m sure in a few more years I’ll wonder how I ever made it without them. 

4.  Four and Five happened back to back but are two very different thing… Allison spent 5 days at the University of Alabama for Cheer Camp in July.  I didn’t go so there isn’t alot for me to say.  I do know that her squad did excellent and won camp champions and brought home many other trophies and ribbons.  Allison also tried out for Univeral Cheerleader Associations All Star squad and made it.  This is a very high honor and you have to be really good to make it.  We were very proud of her to say the least.  Winning All star would affect the rest of our year too but I’ll get to that later. 

The squad being goofy…

When I was looking for this picture of Ally with Big Al (Alabama’s mascot) I found this one of me and Big Al from about 18 years ago at cheer camp… 

5.  The very same day Allison left cheer camp was the day we left to go on the youth trip to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach.  I lost my mind and decided to take 15 teenagers on vacation.  I know I know.. What on earth was I thinking?  Beats the heck out of me.  It was fun but for me not in the relaxing way a vacation should be.  I tried my very best to keep the kids inline and also give them many good devotions about God to ponder, pray and think about as they lay their heads down each night.  With that being said the next time I go to the beach I will only have two kids with me.  The 2 I gave birth to. 

6.  Okay up until now it’s been all fun and games… But here is where 2007 started getting sticky.  I’m in a really good mood right now and I don’t want to bring myself down writing about depressing things.  So if you want to read about my father’s death and his life up to that point read this entry from August 9th…

7.  More Cheerleading… The girls competed at the Haleyville Invitational and of course they won…. By this time their heads are getting purty darn big..

8.  Kelsey got glasses.  Now she is like the rest of this nearsighted family. 

9.  We went camping with my Sunday school class in September.  It was a great weekend full of fun and fellowship.  I am getting tired of writing so the entries are getting shorter.  Hopefully the photos paint a better picture anyway. 

10.  I’ll combine these 2 events… As you can see cheerleading pretty much runs our life.  I’m looking forward to this year because Allison has decided to take a year off before moving up to varsity.  As soon as Nationals are over in February we will get a break..

North Alabama Regionals-  3rd Place

Alabama State Cheerleading Competition- 3rd Place

11.  I told your cheerleading was everything to us… But this time cheerleading paid off in a big way.  Because Allison made UCA Allstar she was invited to be in the Thanksgiving day parade at Disneyworld.  We got amazing group rates and we took advantage of this since we haven’t been on a real family vacaition in a long long time.  We had a blast together as a family and it was just what we needed.  I took so many pictures I’m not even going to try and post them all here.  You can view my Disney photobucket album here though if you want to check them out.  Looking back now I am so blessed for this vacation because little did we know that just a couple of weeks after we returned our world would come crashing down around us. 

12.  Which brings me to the final chapter of my 2007 recap.  Most of you know the story.  I started this blog over 2 years ago when my then 20 year old brother had a car accident that left him a quadriplegic.  I journaled his 7 months in the hospital and recovery from my point of view.  Then we he got home I wrote about his struggles and what I was going through as a part time care giver.  Chuck went from having his back turned on God before the accident to praising him with all he had after he survived what should have killed him and then headed back the other direction as depression over his injury took over.  I journaled it all here.  This was my outlet for stress and worry where he was concerned.  Sometimes the things I couldn’t say to him I could say here.  But I always was able to tell him how much I loved him and he told me too.  On Dec 11th I lost my little brother through circumstances none of us could have prevented or saw coming.  I struggle every day without him in my life.  I’m comforted knowing he is happy and walking again in heaven with our Savior and Lord.  It seems like I’m leaving Christmas out but I’m not really just everything from that day on seems to run together over the few weeks following….I miss him everyday some days it gets the best of me but most days I still manage to smile. 

Thank you to all who have been here over the last year with me.. Laughing, crying and sharing our lives… I don’t know what I would do without this blog & my friends here… Be well and here’s to another great year ahead of us all….

I’m trying again…

Never fails every single time I sit down to blog something or someone interrupts me.  I’m giving it another shot tonight.  Hopefully it will work out to my advantage this time. 

 Let me start by saying thank you to everyone who has left kind comments and for all the prayers that have been sent up for us.  Your thoughts have meant so much to me really.  Some days when I didn’t think I could go on another minute I would come read and just knowing that people care kept me trucking along. 

I’m not gonna lie this has been very hard and I honestly don’t know that I’ll ever be the same.  Just when I think I’ve got a hold of myself again something reminds me how bad I’m hurting and the pain starts all over again. 

Keeping busy makes it easier and there’s no doubt I’m always plenty busy enough.  The past few weeks have been no exception.  Especially with the holidays.  I guess the best way to get back in the blogging saddle again is to start with a quick review of what’s going on around here.

Chuck’s funeral was on the the 14th of December.  I was afraid it was going to be really difficult and it was but for me the time at the hospital and his passing was much worse. By the time we got to the funeral I was almost numb.  At that time I could barely cry anymore.  Not to worry though my tears are back now in full force.  The service was real nice.  We had the service at my church and Brother Ron came back to preach since Brother Eric didn’t know Chuck.  Then we had a procession to the cemetary where my dad is buried and Chuck was laid to rest beside him. 

I was glad to have that over with but once it was reality set in.  Now I had to focus on Christmas.  Here it was December 15th and I had not purchased the first present.  I managed like always and got all my shopping done within just a couple of days.  At one point I caught myself thinking about what I was going to get Chuck for Christmas.  Crazy huh?

On Sunday the 16th was the children’s Christmas program at church.  I posted a few pictures from that night. They were so cute and Mom, Mitch, Grandma and Aunt Chris came.  Yes, that’s right.  I said Grandma.  At least one good thing came out of all this. Grandma apologized to Stephanie and Markus and everyone made up.  I’m sure it was hard for her and I was really proud of her.  When Chuck was at the hospital after his stroke the whole family was there supporting one another.  Everyone except for Grandma.  I guess Stephanie intiated the apology so I’m proud of her too.  She told Aunt Chris to tell Grandma to come up that we wanted her there.  Grandma was staying away because she did not want to upset Mom or Stephanie.  But by the time it was all over everyone was fine and Grandma even personally invited Markus over to her house for Christmas eve. 

On Friday night the 21st I had already planned for the Youth’s Christmas party.  Even though I didn’t think I was quite ready for partying we went ahead with it because they were all looking forward to getting together.  I wish I had the gumtion to go ahead and explain it all to you because they really did have fun.  We had 16 or 17 teenagers.  I sent them on an “Amazing Grace Race” scaventure hunt.  They had items they had to find and certain types of group pictures they had to take in certain places in the community.  The team Allison was on ended up winning so she was pretty excited.   Then we had a lock in at the church that night.  I didn’t sleep much so on Saturday I slept in with Chris. 

Christmas eve we went to my Aunts house in Decatur.  Remember this was my first Christmas without my dad too and I was worried about dealing with that emotion.  Little did I know I would be missing my brother too.  Not many people were able to make it Christmas eve but it was nice anyway.  We ate great food and sang Christmas Carols while Aunt Linda played the piano.

Christmas morning was great.  Both the girls knew that Santa played a huge part in the whole Disneyworld trip so he wasn’t going to be able to leave much for them for Christmas.  They both got the main things they wanted.  Allison got a Northface jacket and Kelsey got a Nintendo DS with a Hannah Montana game.  They both ended getting plenty for Christmas and they were so happy about all the gifts they recieved.  We spent Christmas day down at Stephanie’s starting with breakfast.  Mom and Mitch left about noon heading to Indiana to spend a few days with his family. 

I did not like Christmas being on a Tuesday because I had to go right back to work on Wednesday.  I was glad that Mom was visiting her family out of state so we didn’t have to worry about leaving her alone yet.  She’s still not doing well if you leave her alone.  She says she has flashes about that night.  Wondering if she could have done something differently when she put him to bed.  And even she says that Friday night before she went to work on Saturday morning Chuck had asked her not to go to work because he didn’t want her to leave him.  She blames herself even though she knows as well as you and I do that’s ridiculous.  I’m sure I’d be the same way.. Replaying conversations over and over in your head.  So for now we are not leaving her alone for very long at all. 

For New Years we went to St. Louis to see Chris’ family.  We have missed them so much.  It had been a year and a half since we had visited.  That’s just too long and I hope we don’t do that again.  We were only there for 3 days so we stayed pretty busy getting together with folks.  One day we went to The Magic House with our neice Heather and her little boy Memphis.  I have pictures to post of this too.  I will get to that later.  That night we took the girls to a movie.  This first time in a while all four of us had went to a show.  We saw Enchanted which was mine and Kelsey’s pick.  It was a cute movie but I’ll admit I wanted to see it just so I could stare at Mcdreamy um I mean Patrick Dempsey. 

We were really hoping it would snow while we were up there but it waited till we left to start.  I haven’t seen snow in years and Kelsey doesn’t even remember snow since it’s only happened once or twice when she was just a toddler. 

Each day is a battle to get through since we lost Chuck and everything I do reminds me of him or the situation.  For instance, I love Nicholas Sparks novels and the new one came out a little while back and I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.  I sat down earlier this week with it and guess what it’s about.  A man has to make “The Choice” on whether or not to continue keeping his wife alive who is in a coma or let her go.  And then the other day I was alone at home.  It was the first time I could actually sit and watch something on the television without interuptions.  I flipped through the channels and Steel Magnolias was on just about the part where they turn the breathing machine off and let Shelby die.  

I cleaned out my closet this past weekend. Yep, I took pictures of that too so be sure to check back later for those.  I don’t know why but I’m feeling the need to de clutter my life.  I threw out 4 huge bags of trash and I’m taking 5 huge bags to Good Will as soon as I get them loaded into my car.  Anyway, while cleaning I came across a lot of old home videos that I need to get converted over to Dvds.  I had a good cry or 10 while watching them because some of them had Chuck when he as a little boy and the girls when they were toddlers.  I can’t believe how they are growing up. 

 Well I guess that’s about it.  There’s more but I’m tired.  I’ve been having some troubles with my diabetes and some other health issues. I have a big Dr. appointment tomorrow.  Hopefully I can get my diet and medication back on track so I can feel better soon.  I’ll let you know how that goes in a few days. 

There is also tons of cheerleading and work drama going on too that maybe I’ll feel like talking about soon.  I always have so much to blog about.  It’s just finding the time and energy to do so.

Hope you are all doing well.  I have made it around to check on a few of you but I’ll try to do more later.  Thanks again for everything.      

Quickie

Hey Everyone.  I’m so sorry I left on such a bad note.  I’m doing fine.  I appreciate all the concern.  Wow, I didn’t know you guys loved me so! It must have been what the doc said because after a few days on the antibiotic, I felt like myself again.  If the pain ever does come back like that again tho, I promise I will head straight to the ER. 

I haven’t updated because I have been so busy.  We had our annual church drama and I wrote and directed it.  I have a video of it that I’ll try to get posted soon.   That kept me busy, busy and more busy over the last few weeks.  Things have calmed down finally and tomorrow begins my well deserved vacation and our long awaited trip to Disneyworld!!!! The kids are so excited and I don’t think I could be more excited if I was a kid too.  I’ll take tons of pics to share with you all when I return. 

I hope you all are doing well.  The holidays are here already and it’s so hard to believe that Christmas is just a few weeks away.  I miss you all and if I don’t get a chance to come tell you all in person I hope you have a wonder holiday season with your loved ones. 

For now I’m out…. see yuns when I return… OH YAH I almost forgot—-Today happens to be my 33rd birthday!!! I’m spending it doing my favorite thing in the world- relaxing with my family..

Love,

me 

Overdue update

Where to begin….
 
I had to look back through my pictures to remember what all as been going in my life over the past few weeks.  Let me begin with last night and go back.  Wait, let me go back to Saturday night.  I had 12 teenagers come over to the house for a bonfire.  I was even shocked that my brother rolled back as well.  He even sat through my talk with them about how we are all sort of like vampires. 
 
1.  We are afraid of mirrors.  It’s not that we scream in fear when we look into a mirror.  It’s that we don’t like ourselves.  When you look into a mirror what do you see? Are you afraid of seeing who you really are?  Weak? Addicted? In desperate need of love? Someone who will do anything to be cool? 
2.  We are afraid of the light.  Light has a very distinct purpose- it exposes things and makes reality clear.  God’s light exposes the truth- and that can be scary!  Think of the Titanic.  This tragedy would never have happened in the daylight without fog because everything would be clear.  John 8:12 says “I am the light of the World”.  The hard reality is it can be scary to live and walk in the light.  But it’s the only way to experience life.
3.  We are afraid of the cross.  When you think of the cross as a crucifix like in those days sort of like we think of an electric chair now.  If Jesus lived in this day and age we might be wearing little electric chairs around our necks instead of crosses.  Maybe the cross is feared because people do not understand its symbolism.  Many people see the cross as a symbol of demands, rules and a boring life.  But actually it is a symbol of love—of Jesus’ amazing love for each of us.  As Romans 5: 6-8 states “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we are still sinners, Chris died for us.”

So that same night we walked in the night air down the lake road (the same one we had the hayride on last year).  I turned around about half way because I didn’t feel right all the sudden.  I’ve been having this sharp pain my abdomen/pelvic area.  True to me I just tried to ignore and went on the best I could never letting on there was anything wrong.  I have too much going on right now to be sick or even slowed down. 
 
Sunday after church we went down to Stephanie’s and watched the Colts on pay per view because they have a new big screen TV.  It’s not normally something we would pay for but Mitch’s (step dad) mom is in town from Indiana and she really wanted to see the game.  I left before the game was over because I had to be at church at 3:30.  I had asked for volunteers to help me clean out the outdoor storage shed so I could get to the decorations and props for the drama I’m directing.  Of course the only person who showed up was the preacher, Chris and I.  So once again I’m hurting but still pushing through the pain and hauling these huge boxes into the church.   

Then we had drama practice and following that I took a few of the kids to another drama at another church.  It was 9:30 when we got home so I went straight to bed because I was hurting so badly the only way I could stand it was to hug a pillow tight against my stomach. 

 

Yesterday was Monday and I took Kelsey and Jake on a trick or treating hayride with 30 other friends and kids.  I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle the pain but I really wanted them to be able to go so I didn’t say a word and just kept on pushing myself.  It was nearly 10 when I got home and then I cried myself to sleep from the pain while listening to my husband yell at me for being so stubborn and not going to the doctor and pushing myself so hard.  Yah that really made it better.  NOT.  

 
This morning I of course got up and came in to work still aching so much I can barely stand up straight intending to call the doctor and go right in to his office so he can figure out what is wrong with me.  I guess they are too busy because he called me instead and diagnosed me with a severe bladder infection over the phone.  I just don’t think that’s what my problem is but I’m willing to try the antibiotic for a few days and see if it works.   Something has to work because I’m really in severe pain. 

 That’s about it for now.  The next couple of weeks are super busy as well.  Saturday is a big regional cheer competition.  November 9-11 is the production of the drama we have been working so hard on.  Sadly I’m so stressed out about it all I will be glad when it’s over.  I know that it serves God in a wonderful way so I feel like I should be looking forward to it more.  I guess being a faithful servant of God isn’t always promised to be easy and I should be thankful that I’m in a place where we are able to express our beliefs in this way.   

God Bless you all….

Internet hook up

Hey! How’s everyone?  Great I hope.  I’ve just been getting right along in life.  I have a couple of quick updates tonight.  Today I had my first internet hook up!

A couple of years ago on Myspace after only being on there about a month I got this random message from Micheal.  Now at first I thought it was Michael like a guy but then I noticed the ‘ over the E in the name.  Anyway, long story short.  She lives nearby and actually married a guy that I went to high school with and she was looking for a local person to talk with.  We talk for hours and hours for months.  Then my brother had his accident and she purchased a business that kept her really busy so we didn’t have the time to really stay in touch very often but we did keep up with one another the best we could.  Anyways last night she sent me a message saying that she would be in town where I work pretty much everyday if I wanted to go have lunch someday.  I say how about tomorrow and that’s what we did.  After 2 years of only talking online I met my dear friend Cheal in person today! She’s such a beautiful sweet gal.  She is going through a tough time right now and yet she still has the sweetest smile on her face.  I’m really looking forward to spending more time with my cool “new” friend. 

Saturday was Jake’s 4th Bday party.  Whatta cutie!

After eating everyone went to ride Go carts. Jake was so cute in this little one.  Those overalls are just so adorable!

Kelsey could barely reach the pedals but she insisted on riding the big ones that went fast. She did pretty well too.

Allison was trying so hard to pass Adam on this curve..

It was a fun time for us all!

 

I rented 3 movies tonight for some reason.  I just finished watching Evan Almighty.  It was pretty cute.  Much better than the original Bruce Almight I think.  Now I have Reign Over Me (Adam Sandler) and Evening (Clare Danes and Toni Collette) left to watch in the next few days. 

 So I’m out.  I’ll get around to checking in on you all soon I hope. 

We’ll have fun fun fun till her daddy takes the T-bird away…

Here it is another week since I have blogged.  Its so easy to get out of the habit of taking time for yourself.  Blogging is something I enjoy doing yet I haven’t been doing it.  There isn’t much going on around here to talk about, just a few updates. 

It’s been so long since I have gone out and done something fun on my own.  Without the kids.  Chris and I have went out to eat a couple of times but we haven’t really spent any time together just having fun in a while.  This past Saturday night we went out with my sister and her boyfriend.  It was technically for my sisters birthday but we all had a blast.  We went out to eat first which was really nice without the kids.  Both girls were mad at us because they couldn’t come.  Even though they had both gone to a friends house for a sleepover on Friday night.  They are so spoiled and used to everything being about them.  But eventually that got over it and we finally got out of the house.  After going out to eat we went to The Station.  Since I was the DD I didn’t do any drinking but it was fun just to watch my sister and my husband get trashed. We danced and sang karaoke.  Although my throat was really sore from the cold I have had this week it was still tons fun just to get out of the house and forget about my worries for a night.    

Marcus singing “Ordinary People” -John Legend

A little intoxication please??

Me and Stephanie singing “Fancy”-Reba

No Idea what I was singing here.

Awww.. Aint they cute? She looks so white! hehe

Awww.. Aint we cuter?? The Alabama ballgame was on the TV screen. That’s why he is looking up.  Notice the waitresses tit in between our heads!

Labor day was also my brother and sisters birthday.  No, they aren’t twins.  My brother was born on my sisters’ first birthday.  We grilled and hung out by the pool for most of the day.  After my big partying weekend I didn’t have any money left for birthday gifts so I made a slideshow dvd of them growing up.  I think they liked it more than anything I could have purchased anyway.

Football season is underway.  Ally’s games are on Tuesday nights and then she has to attend all the varsity home games on Friday nights for fundraisers. With practice every week day we stay pretty busy with that.  It’s hard enough just to keep uniforms and practice clothes clean.

Kelsey had a stomach flu or something Wednesday night and I was up half the night cleaning up vomit.  She had went bowling with the church and at Pizza at the bowling alley.  Just a warning.. Never do that

Here I come Gulf of Mexico!

Just a quick list of things I need to remember to pack for my vacation that is only 2 weeks from today!!!!

1.  Camera and batteries (rechargeable ones with the charger)

2.  Beach towels (which mean rounding all ours up at Mom’s)

3.  Laptop computer (also look up dial up numbers for Orange beach just in case wireless is not available.  What? Did you guys really think I was gonna go 5 days without checkin my email? Plus I’m sure all those teenagers will have to update their MySpaces!)

4.  Sunblock SPF 60!

5.  Coolers

6.  Beach chairs

7.  Nerve pills! No kidding I seriously got my Dr. to give me a few chill pills so I can relax and not worry so much about all those kiddies…

8.  All of Christopher’s Meds.

9.  Contact solution (I have to buy that)

10.  Flip Flops (That’s the only shoes I plan on wearing)

11.  DVD’s

12.  Devotion Resources

13.  CD Player (with plenty of batteries) and CD’s.

Of course this list is only the tip of everything I have to pack.  I pack for 4 people and I’m always expected to remember everything.  Also Allison will be at Cheerleader competition for the 4 days before we are leaving for the beach so she will have to be packed for that as well.