Life Change!!!

BACK IN THE SWING!!

School has started again and so far so good!!

Jon has been loving his classes. That is a good thing seeing that he is now a teenager!!However, he did have a hard time when we had him moved back into Advanced Math. Football season is coming on in full force!! Go Wolverines!!

Anna is so excited about switching classes now. We have a great system to keep her organized this year.. We will see if works!! She seems really happy with her teachers and her classmates!! Yeah!

Jessica is one of the most easy going kids I know! She has a great teacher and already knew the majority of her class. The school they attend has what they call intact families. She has had the same core class for 3 years now. I love it.

Christian is a spunky second grader. He has more energy some days than the energizer bunny. I really wonder where he gets it from? He is in the same family as Jessica and loves his class. He has some great friends..

Summer did disappear way too quickly! :( The last week in July we packed up the car and traveled south to Panama City Beach! The shore was gorgeous and the water was spectacular. They call it the Emerald Coast for a reason! We did get a lot of algae on the last two days, but the shells found so made up for it. We had a house full of people, the beginning was a little dificult, Keith had to go to a trade show in Savannah, so he couldnt come til Wednsday. That was hard for me. I mean had a good time with my family (mom, dad, Courtney, Marcus, Eric, Mindy, and all the kids), but I kindof felt like the odd man out and just missed my Hubby!! :(

Anyway we did have lots of fun! Then mom, dad and Marcus had to leave by Tuesday night! another bummer.. Keith came in on Wed. (yea)!!We had a great week together!
All Sixteen of us! Can't wait to do it all again!!

Wow what a world we live in!!! I can sit in the doctors office and check my emails, find a blueberry farm and then blog about it all with only using my two thumbs!! Who woulda think it possible??? I can also recommend you check out this other wonderful blog of Cynthia Miller she is having an ARC giveaway!! Some absolutely fascinating books!!! Ohhhh I so hope I win!! Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/2axev4l

ENJOY

Summertime!!

Well it has been a while again!!! This summer has flown by just like a hurricane would. We started the summer getting up at 730 am every day to start swimteam practice and would stay there typically til 11 am. Ok yes that is a long time! I didnt stay and do that EVERY day, but it was often enough! The great thing is that our team had a fabulous season!! WE won all but one meet and only lost that one by 13points!! One race!! We have some great swimmers!!

I also had a job the first ten days of summer and believe it or not, it was really fun!! yes stressful, but really fun! I got to know six other women really well!!It was a hard decision when I chose to leave that job and go to Panama City with our church youth group!!! Big Stuff is the name of the camp and it is PHENOMENAL!! Just imagine...1500 kids in one room litterally rocking out and praising God!! It was so cool!! I roomed with 12 other girls as we shared two rooms that joined one another!! Our room was a MESS!! but it was a fun mess... dance parties til 2am and long talks at strange hours... We were the place to get snacks!! we would have made out like bandits had we charged for the stuff!!! I pray that the girls got as much out of the week as I did!! It was life changing!! Oh not to mention the bus breaking down on our ride home!! We luckily, as the kids put it "we landed in PARADISE!!" It was a very nice mans' land with a pond and we got to swim in it!!!

Fast forward to the here and now!! WE have laid low and seen all kinds of movies, played games, gone to the pool and just hung out together!! Life is great and we are done with swim team! And we are going to Mom and Dads in Camden AL to hang with them and the family for the Fourth!!

Oh yeah, somewhere in there, I turned 38!! I had a great weekend with my sister!! It was a blast!!! And I had my first head cutting ceremony with my best friend from high school!!She is so totally amazing!! I cant believe how postively well and courageously she is attacking her breast cancer!! I never knew she had it in her!! But man I am so glad to see it!!! Well that is our summer so far!! Cant wait to see what the month of JULY holds for us!!

First Swim Meet

WE ARE VICTORIOUS!!!! Yes, it was a great evening watching the kiddos swim their little hearts out!! They all did a fabulous job. We were against our rival Wyngate. Last year, they beat us by one point!! Since we have lived here, every time has been really close. Jon, Anna, and Jess had to each swim 5 events! I think Jon had atleast 3 first place finishes!! He da MAN!! Christian had 2! Jess I think had 2!! and Im pretty sure Anna did as well!! It was great!! I will get pics as soon as my phone is charged!!

Summer Time

Yes the offical beginning to summer time!!! School is out tomorrow. I cant wait!! But for now I have business to blog about. I just entered a contest on my sisters blog. I even put a scene in, it was fun to do, so i thought I would post it here. She gave the word "wicked" and you were to use it in a scene, or flash story. This is what I put exactly as it was entered (BTW i was writing it on my phone and then my phone wouldnt let me correct anything, so instead of redoing all of it, I just posted as is) so here goes.....


As we continued to fight our breath came morequickly and shallow. I don't know about his, but I do know that my body was spent. Every muscle fiber had been used and abused I was beginning to fade and fade fast. I felt the exhaustion as I contined to kick and swing at him with that was left iniside of me. He seemed to be faltering as well he moved a little slower and stumbled a few times. It won't be long now I said to myself. One of us will be victorious! In a flash, we became tangled leaning heavily on one another, I heard him whisper, "she will never fit with you, she doesn't fit into your world. If you really love you will let her go."

For a fraction of a second, I paused in thought. Looked around the arena and focused on those crystal blue eyes. Hazel wisps of hair blew in her face our eyes locked and the love we share was clear in her smile. My love for her swelled and gave me a renewed strength. As I turned back to alexander, I caught the wicked gleam in his eye as the painseared up my right side fear over took me. I reached down grabbing the blade from his hand and shoving it through his heart! I could not let her live with a wickedness like his. The rage over took me as I began to stab him repeatedly.
exhausted, we fell together in a heap onto the sand floor. I rolled onto my back and looked to the sky my side ached painfully. As I closed my eyes, relief flowed through me with the knowledge seeping in that it was over. I was still alive for now. Warm lips touched mine with a sweetness that was all consuming, warmth and love radiated to my bones. Opening my eyes I gazed into the ocean of blue before me.

With a voice as beautiful as birdsong she whispered "Stay with me my love we are now free to be with each other. I love you with all of my heart. please dont leave me." I touched her porcelin skin and all went black.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Contests

My Little sister is working on her book for YA and is constantly meeting new authors and really fun people. I am totally enjoying living a fantasy role through her. I dont think I could put three good paragraphs together to make up a story...Ive thought about trying, but every time I do, I just freeze!! Anyway, I keep hearing about these ARC's and am wondering how I can get one!!! My hope is that I win a contest!! Here is the link for the contest!!

http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com/2010/05/spring-cleaning-giveaway.html

I hope you stop by and enter on your own!! She has some really fun reads over there!! I really need and ARC!!

Change

I am still up in the air about this..Do I like change?

hmmm.... not sure yet...

I know change is good. sometimes it is easy and other times it is hard,
or complicated..Often it may be rather sad and difficult.

My favorite kind of change is the EASY!! I like it when you have a change of some kind and it is the difference is there, but barely noticable. It flows well into your life and the ripple effect is a small one. I find it difficult sometimes to adjust to those major changes...I try really hard to go with the flow and roll with the punches, and I do have to say that I can roll really well. What I dont like is when the change is something that I really DONT want to do, or commit too. Oh well sometimes, you have to do what you have to do... You just cant help it... Life must go on!! And wether or not I like change, I know that as a person, I can only grow if I change (even on a daily basis)!! So Bring on the CHANGE!! I am ready!

Just another RANDOM POST!!

Food Fight!!!!

I am helping out with our Jr high youth group and we had a great outing a few sundays ago. Here is a glimpse at our adventure!! Be warned, this is not for those easily grossed out... It is intense!!

500 followers contest!!

Shannon Messenger,
a fabulous up n coming writer
is having a
500 FOLLOWER
(WOW) contest
go here to check it out!!
Http://bit.ly/91Jiv

What do you think?

I vividly remember my mom and dad often questioning "what were you thinking?". I have recently come to realize that often the truth to that question now would be "nothing". Yep i often find myself thinking about absolutely nothing at all. I wonder if that is normal, or do I have ADD or something? But you know, The really sad part is it sometimes occurs when I should be thinking of atleast something. Please be sure not to tell my children or Keith about this revelation, I will never hear the end of it.!! Sometimes I wonder if maybe I just block things out so I dont have to face whatever it may be. You know if i dont think about it or acknowledge it, It cant be real!! :) (Or so I tell myself!) I do try really hard to keep it all together and be on top of things, but sometimes you just have to let things go... We are not PERFECT!! I definately dont pretend to be! I love life and I Love people, but I often make mistakes. I try to learn from them the first time, but that doesnt always happen. Maybe by the third!! Who knows! Practice does make perfect doesnt it?? If you totally get where I am, I would love to hear from you... and know what you THINK!!

WOW

Have you ever woke up one morning and wondered where did the time go?? I did today, last week was spring Break and it started with Easter. So Easter has come and gone, along with it Spring Break...The long list of things to do still hasnt had anything taken off of it. We did get to go to the beach (not the ocean) and get a nice sunburn... I did apply sunscreen atleast twice on everybody!! The disgusting peeling has begun..We went to Pine Mountain and hung out with some of our FAVORITE PEOPLE!! Chase and Joci, you know who you are!! Then we just played games as a fam and hung out with each other!! It was a really sweet and fun Week! I just hated to see it go so quickly! So now we are in the quick run til the end of the school year!! WOW!! CRCT testing has begun and before you know it summer will over. I am so reminded to enjoy the moment and cherish those around me..My kids are growing up soooooo fast. It is really fascinating and yet a little scary to watch. They are fabulous individually, but work wo well together. I love being with them all. I also love to share them with others so if you are reading this blog, know that I love you and am very thankful that you are in my life!!

Winning and Losing

**sighs deeply**

You know how it is, you've entered a contest

**throaty cough**

(ahem, your sisters contest even!!!)and you think

**devilishly grining**

"hey, I might have a pretty good shot at winning this one!!"

And....of course.....

you don't!

**shoulders droop, bottom lip juts out, sighs again**

Now don't get me wrong, you're not blaming anyone in particular, it is just a little frustrating. Yeah, let's just say that it has been what, forever since i have ever won anything... I think it was a cake in a cakewalk at the Halloween Carnival... Yep, that is about as good as it gets!! he he!!

But I never give up... here is another lovely writer who has some grand contests!! Shannon you are a great writer,I love to read your blog
**claps loudly**

cant wait to read your book...

**grins devilishly again, while rubbing hands together**

By the way, If you are in need of a BETA reader,
**wink wink**
I am here!! I love to read!!I am really hoping to win one of these great books you have.. Best of luck finishing your revisions!! If you are like me and want to win a great prize as you laugh with the author.... check it out here


http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/

FANTABULOUS CONTEST!!!

Well, I do have an amazing family all around, but I will tell you, sometimes my sister has the BEST IDEAS EVER!! She is so cool, (and her writing is so good) that she now has OVER 100 followers!! Ofcourse, I have been following her since day one!! (hey sis, shouldnt that be worth extra!!) HE HE HE!! I am very excited that she has FINALLY started letting the juices flow and doing what she was made for. She is very creative and has such a great way with words!! I am still waiting to see her WIP!! I am supposed to be her BETA reader!! Yeah! Cant wait! If any of you out there are writers, reading this, I love books and would love to give you a common persons opinion on it!!Great Job Courtney congratulations!!

here is a link to her blog www.princesscourtneysbarr.blogspot.com

"FRIED CHEEESCAKE!"

Jon my oldest and I had a nice day together. I firmly believe that a mental health day from work, or school is a very valuable commodity. So needless to say, Jon had his first mental health day today. School was starting 2 hours late and I didnt have a substitute job today, so Jon got to stay home and I took him out to lunch. It was a great date time we went out for Sushi at a place in town call Izumi's. Their appetizers are great and the sushi rolls were just fabulous. Ohhhh and then we indluldged in some decidant "deep fried Cheesecake" Yes you heard me right Deep Fried cheesecake....Oh was is good? Yes it was delicioso! It was a raspberry cheesecake that was smooth and creamy with ribbons of Raspberry flavoring. It was dressed up with beautiful drizzles of mango and strawberry fruit puree. I didnt plan on eating too muc of it, but Jon and I cleaned the plate....LOL I love taking my kids out for dates. Getting to know them is such a valuale investment in time!

Contests contests Contests

Ok, i only have two to really talk about.... My sister who is a writing diva!! is constantly sending me tweets and links to all of these contests... i have even written a short story to enter one..Stepping out of the box for me anyway... I dont have voices telling me what they are going to do all the time... My voices are all around me! HE HE! anyway, here are the links to the contests come one come all there are prizes to be won and great things to read~

Check out the awesome contest via @saramcclung! http://babblingflow.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-madness-saradise-style-major.html

http://writinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2010/03/happy-march-monday.htmlhttp://dangerouswithapen.blogspot.com/2010/02/show-me-your-dangerous-contest.html

Check them out... FUN FUN FUN!!!

LOVING IT!!

Words......hmmmm?

Have you ever really thought about the words we use every day? I have heard that women speak over 15,000 words a day. well, i am not surprised by that, we have a lot of important things to say. I am surprised however by some of the things my children say... not all are good.. Yesterday while in the car, my youngest let me know of a word I had never heard of, "sexing". Who knew that I had been sexing for many years!! go figure. Atleast when the actual event occured, I was in the presence of mind to redirect the conversation with a little story and describe it as flirting. (the definition Christian was given was when a man and woman are hugging and kissing) Needless to say.....Keith and I have been sexing for years!!! and all in front of everybody...Hmmm is this a good thing, or a bad one? You decide.


On to other issues, What do I want to do when I grow up??? Does any one have ideas? I feel like I should do something with the medical field seeing that is where I have had the most training. I am enjoying being a substitute teacher, but I definately know now that I dont want to be a full time teacher!~ I have tried my one quick hand at writing a short story. It was fun, but i needed to edit it a little more than I did. If I could have my own personal preference, I would stay home and make money. I just dont know what I would want to do. I do still want to teach Jazzercise and keep in shape, I just dont want to do it every day in the afternoon. It takes up too much family time.... but for the moment...I can do it!! So if you have any suggestions please feel free to pass them on this way.....


It is amazing how quickly our kids grow up!! I look at them every day and am amazed at how much they are growing. I have a friend whose daughter is 2 years older than Jon and told me just how HOT he is.... let me just say, it is hard to hear how HOT your oldest child is... I know he is cute and a great guy, but HOT is just different. We have tried to get back into the swing of doing date nights with each of them. I have recently had the priveledge of going out to eat with Anna and Christian they are both such great kids. I love them dearly. I look forward to taking Jon and Jess to lunch as well. I try really hard to make the time light hearted as I try to dig deeper into their heads!!! Who knows what you will find. It is going to be fun finding out though!! I will keep you posted!

Words......hmmmm?

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Well the day we single out to celebrate LOVE is here... Are you prepared? Can you make up for all of the days you let that special someone down? Or have you been the one who lets those you love know it without a doubt, every day? I have just recently run into many people who dont like Valentines day..... I am sort of torn.

I find it fun to take the time and do something special for those in my life that I love. We make it lots of fun and get them one or two really quirky gifts.

Keith has taken the extra time to make me feel really special this year... I have had a special gift every day for the past 10 days. With each one there has been a little note, It has been so sweet and romantic, as well as unexpected! They have ranged from a single chocolate rose, ice cream, massage oil, cheez its, and gummy bears. it has been so much fun waiting to see what he would come up with next... Keith had done this once before when we were dating. He gave me a dozen and a half roses one at a time. Lets just say " I loved it so much, I still talk about it". Seeing that we have four energetic children, finding that time to make each other feel special is a rare treat indeed.

So to everyone out there in this cyber world...Celebrate the LOVE!! Take time to just give a hug, a smile, or a kiss and show those who are special to you how much you love them!!! It will make your Life a happy one!1

A New Year!!

OK yes it has been a while...(I hear you courtney!) We had a fabulous Christmas holiday!! STayed in my PJs for 3 whole days!! We absolutely hated that Mimi and Papa didnt get to make it!! But that just means the kids will get a third Christmas. The joys of being children!! We played games the whole time!! Kids just love it! We then went to mom and dads. We had a great time!! I got to spend a day with my parents at the shop, helping to organize the papers. It was so remeniscant of my highschool years!! We would got to the shop with mom and hang out for hours at a time. When we were kids we did make it fun and would sled on cardboard boxes down the big red hill. Now that was soooo much fun... I dont think mom appreciated the really gad stains we would have on our clothes and persons!! ok no more memory lane!

We got to play with Hannah and the Twins while we watched lots and lots of football!! woohoo!! go SEC! Yes I have waited to YELL and CHEER but I am so very PROUD of the CRIMSON TIDE!! ROLL TIDE ROLL!! I was very jealous of Courtney and Marcus who had the priveledge of being at the Rose Bowl!! *sigh*

So we had a great start to our New Year!! We've even had a few SNOW DAYS!! Yes in the state of Georgia we have had 2-3 inches of snow. My kids were in heaven. They stayed out all day sledding down our hill in the back yard. The next day it was icey and they got to sled down the street!! The boys along with our neighbor Joseph realized that the hill covered with leaves was just as good for sledding as the snow was...who knew?? They had a blast. Well now we have another holiday tomorrow and we have three cases of strep in the house!!! Happy Happy JOY JOY!!

Oh yeah, did you have any New Years Resolutions?