My sis had one of these on her blog, so I thought I'd do one. Here it goes!!
1. I was born in Blytheville
2. I have two dads
3. When I was a kid, I was obsessed with lunch boxes and thermos'
4. I met Danny at the liquor store--what a love story! HA!
5. I love to spend money..too much..
6. New flip flops make me happy :)
7. I don't enjoy going to the movies
8. I always cry when I sing in church
9. I'm TERRIFIED of round hay bales
10. I love the smell of tanning salons & the smell of swimming pool floaties??
11. My kids are my life..Mess with them and I will tear your hair out of your head!
12. I love to cook in my crock pot and my dutch oven
13. I'm scared to sleep alone
14. Tax season drives me crazy & makes me deathly ill!
15. I have a handsome hubby ;)
16. I love my red Dodge Avenger!!
17. I <3 Jason Crabb & Kari Jobe
18. I love love love the way that Abby looks just like me
19. & that Anna has my attitude!!
20. I am a Nucor Wife..(which means I'm lonely quite often)
21. I love to read adoption blogs
22. I want to adopt my very own Ethiopian Prince or Princess- praying God will lay that on Danny's heart
23. I have ONE TRUE FRIEND (besides my sister & Derek)
24. I love to Cricut
25. I have a spoiled rotten Yorkie named Lula-Belle Ray Stutts
26. I miss my dad- he's in Heaven
27. I miss going to my childhood home :(
28. I love family reunions
29. I have some of the best cousins in the world :)
30. I love the color lime green
31. I love to get my hair washed by my sister (as long as she doesn't talk while doin it!)
32. My #1 son graduates May 20th
33. I love my computer
34. and my cell phone
35. I love getting my nails done!
36. Olive Garden is my favorite place to eat
37. I am addicted to Facebook!
38. I love FunDip
39. I always drink sweet tea
40. I am forever buying new shoes and purses
41. I try to be a friend to everyone
42. I LOVE MY MAMA!
43. DC Cupcakes is one of my favorite shows
44. I love my husband to pieces (most times! LOL)
45. I wear Cajun Shrimp nail polish at all times (it goes with anything you wear, fyi!)
46. I watch the news in the morning- yep, I'm old like that
47. I love how Seth has an old soul. I love how he loves the Beatles and Western movies!
48. I love how Lan loves to decorate!
49. I have a great family and great friends
50. Last, but not least, I am a Christian. I love God and I love my church and my church family!
Princess Lula-Belle Ray Stutts
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Your blessings outnumber your troubles- EVERY TIME!!
As bad as I hate to admit it, I have been focusing more on the negative than the positive. This past week has been total chaos. So many things seemed to go wrong- more than I'd like to talk about. After lastnite, I was so stressed that I just decided that I wasn't going to church today..AND I DIDN'T!
It seems that when you try to live for God, that things hit you so hard. I really enjoy church..I enjoy the fact that my kids enjoy it. But, it's so much easier to just stay home. There is always something that you need to do at home.
I have a point to make, but let me take you back a few months.
In late February, early March, our central heat & air unit went out. It just DIED! Luckily, it wasn't cold..we were able to stay warm. We have been discussing the fact that we needed to make arrangements to purchase a new unit. Now..we are by no means rich. We do live a comfortable life, but lets face the facts..Danny is the only one that brings in income and we have three children..three children that constantly grow- so we are always buying new clothes. Oh..and they eat like grown men. We've joked that we need to buy a whole cow..these boys easily eat 5 lbs of hamburger meat at one sitting..NO JOKE! Needless to say, I was stressed..just worrying about how we would come up with the money to purchase a new unit.
Back to the point I was trying to make.- I didn't go to church today. I let myself & my kids down- not to mention my church family, and most importantly, God. I chose to sit at home a worry about things that are totally out of my control. Worrying about things that I should've just turned over to God in the first place.
After dinner with my mother-in-law tonite, she gave Danny the number of a man that could put in a new air unit for us. We discussed the fact that it would cost us about $3,000. Talk about stress! I could pretty much feel my blood pressure rising. Anyhoo..when we came home, I said to Danny, "Honey, I think I'm gonna turn the air on to see if it works." His response, "Go ahead and try it. It will come on a run, but the fan outside WILL NOT work, therefore, the unit WILL NOT put out cold air!" So what do I do? I turn on the a/c. The unit started running. I gave Danny a look like, Hmmmm? Again, he said, "But the fan outside isn't working!". I went outside and guess what? IT WAS WORKING!!! After I came in and told him, he said, "It probably won't work for very long." I told him to stop being negative! After a few minutes of me praising God, OUT LOUD, we shut all of the windows. It's so cool in my house right now.
The point of my post is this: Even when we fail, God still loves us. He wants the best for us. All we have to do is be faithful and ask for what we need!
Tonite, I will go to bed a happy, peaceful woman. Nothing is gonna get me down now!!
It seems that when you try to live for God, that things hit you so hard. I really enjoy church..I enjoy the fact that my kids enjoy it. But, it's so much easier to just stay home. There is always something that you need to do at home.
I have a point to make, but let me take you back a few months.
In late February, early March, our central heat & air unit went out. It just DIED! Luckily, it wasn't cold..we were able to stay warm. We have been discussing the fact that we needed to make arrangements to purchase a new unit. Now..we are by no means rich. We do live a comfortable life, but lets face the facts..Danny is the only one that brings in income and we have three children..three children that constantly grow- so we are always buying new clothes. Oh..and they eat like grown men. We've joked that we need to buy a whole cow..these boys easily eat 5 lbs of hamburger meat at one sitting..NO JOKE! Needless to say, I was stressed..just worrying about how we would come up with the money to purchase a new unit.
Back to the point I was trying to make.- I didn't go to church today. I let myself & my kids down- not to mention my church family, and most importantly, God. I chose to sit at home a worry about things that are totally out of my control. Worrying about things that I should've just turned over to God in the first place.
After dinner with my mother-in-law tonite, she gave Danny the number of a man that could put in a new air unit for us. We discussed the fact that it would cost us about $3,000. Talk about stress! I could pretty much feel my blood pressure rising. Anyhoo..when we came home, I said to Danny, "Honey, I think I'm gonna turn the air on to see if it works." His response, "Go ahead and try it. It will come on a run, but the fan outside WILL NOT work, therefore, the unit WILL NOT put out cold air!" So what do I do? I turn on the a/c. The unit started running. I gave Danny a look like, Hmmmm? Again, he said, "But the fan outside isn't working!". I went outside and guess what? IT WAS WORKING!!! After I came in and told him, he said, "It probably won't work for very long." I told him to stop being negative! After a few minutes of me praising God, OUT LOUD, we shut all of the windows. It's so cool in my house right now.
The point of my post is this: Even when we fail, God still loves us. He wants the best for us. All we have to do is be faithful and ask for what we need!
Tonite, I will go to bed a happy, peaceful woman. Nothing is gonna get me down now!!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Tonight's Dreams Tomorrow's Memories
After all of the drama over Derek's tux, we finally made it to prom..WHOOT!
I have to admit, I had the most handsome son there. And Miss Alli was beautiful!! They had a great time and so did I. I am so glad that I got to be a part of Derek's last prom. Here are some pics..I will add the video later.
Enjoy!!
I have to admit, I had the most handsome son there. And Miss Alli was beautiful!! They had a great time and so did I. I am so glad that I got to be a part of Derek's last prom. Here are some pics..I will add the video later.
Enjoy!!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Really? $10?
Lastnight, I witnessed something that I just couldn't believe. But before I tell you what it is, let me explain something to you!
I will refer to my children as 1, #2, & #3- not because I favor one over the other, but just using birth order.
Now..#1 is a great kid. He's a hard worker and always has been. He's been at his job for two years and has never missed a day. Starting at age 9, he learned to do his laundry..not ours, but his! He mows the yard when we ask him to..his only fault is that he refuses to clean his room. It looks as if SONIC literally threw up in there! There are Sonic cups, hamburger wrappers, FF boxes, & chicken dinner boxes EVERYWHERE! It's nothing to see Lula come out of there with a whole cheese stick in her mouth. That's why #1 is her favorite! For two years, I've griped- Didn't help. I've even told Danny- NO HELP AGAIN! A few weeks ago, Danny had to go into #1's room, & nearly DIED! So, what happens? #1 gets rid of the mess..????
Now on to #2 & #3..I've begged them to help out. I've made chore charts..I've promised them allowance & bribed them with video games, movies, etc. They ignore me! #2 has had the chore of keeping the trash taken out & making sure that the cans are out by the road every Thursday morning. He rarely does it, and if he does, we have to remind him. Lots of mornings the trash men have seen me in my gown- NO BRA!
Anyhoo..Danny taught #2 to mow the yard lastnight. Then he said this, "#2, if you will mow the yard once a week & keep up with your trash duties, I will give you $10 a week." You'd have thought it was Christmas. He mowed that yard and took out all of the trash..he even made a hand written chore list!! This morning, he stood patiently waiting on the trash truck to run so he could pull the trash cans back from the road...WHAT? SERIOUSLY? REALLY? $10?
I'm hoping this lasts!
#3, on the other hand, couldn't care less about earning money. He is the laziest of them all! He is content with the computer (he's Wikepedia obsessed), his western dvd's, his Beatles albums, his basketball & his guitar. But, his basketball got a huge gash in it yesterday..Wonder if he will clean a toilet???? lol
I will refer to my children as 1, #2, & #3- not because I favor one over the other, but just using birth order.
Now..#1 is a great kid. He's a hard worker and always has been. He's been at his job for two years and has never missed a day. Starting at age 9, he learned to do his laundry..not ours, but his! He mows the yard when we ask him to..his only fault is that he refuses to clean his room. It looks as if SONIC literally threw up in there! There are Sonic cups, hamburger wrappers, FF boxes, & chicken dinner boxes EVERYWHERE! It's nothing to see Lula come out of there with a whole cheese stick in her mouth. That's why #1 is her favorite! For two years, I've griped- Didn't help. I've even told Danny- NO HELP AGAIN! A few weeks ago, Danny had to go into #1's room, & nearly DIED! So, what happens? #1 gets rid of the mess..????
Now on to #2 & #3..I've begged them to help out. I've made chore charts..I've promised them allowance & bribed them with video games, movies, etc. They ignore me! #2 has had the chore of keeping the trash taken out & making sure that the cans are out by the road every Thursday morning. He rarely does it, and if he does, we have to remind him. Lots of mornings the trash men have seen me in my gown- NO BRA!
Anyhoo..Danny taught #2 to mow the yard lastnight. Then he said this, "#2, if you will mow the yard once a week & keep up with your trash duties, I will give you $10 a week." You'd have thought it was Christmas. He mowed that yard and took out all of the trash..he even made a hand written chore list!! This morning, he stood patiently waiting on the trash truck to run so he could pull the trash cans back from the road...WHAT? SERIOUSLY? REALLY? $10?
I'm hoping this lasts!
#3, on the other hand, couldn't care less about earning money. He is the laziest of them all! He is content with the computer (he's Wikepedia obsessed), his western dvd's, his Beatles albums, his basketball & his guitar. But, his basketball got a huge gash in it yesterday..Wonder if he will clean a toilet???? lol
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Gloom, Despair, & Agony On Me..WHOA!
Danny and I drove over to get Derek's tux today..PROM IS TOMORROW!
I called this morning and she said they were all in, but she had to sort them and press them. She also told me to call back in a few hours.
So, we had lunch and picked up some things for D's graduation party. On our way to the tuxedo shop, I call.
M: Is D's tux in?
H:Only two ties..didn't you change his tux color a few times
M:Once..two weeks ago
H:Let me call to Memphis and see where it is & I will call ya back.
M:I'm already in your parking lot, so I will just come in.
I go in and this was the conversation:
H: You're D's mom, right?
M: YES!
H: It isn't here (looking at me like OH WELL!)
M: So, what am I supposed to do? His prom is tomorrow nite?
H: I can call & order it again & you can come back over tomorrow some time.
M: This is the second day I've been over here this week
H: Well, where is Manila? I can have my husband/daughter to meet you in the middle. My UPS man runs between 11 and 11:30 tomorrow and I will have them bring it right to ya. And I won't charger you the remaining balance of $112.00...
Mad doesn't cover the way I feel right now! It's a good thing that I don't drink and cuss, because I'd be throwin down about now!
I called this morning and she said they were all in, but she had to sort them and press them. She also told me to call back in a few hours.
So, we had lunch and picked up some things for D's graduation party. On our way to the tuxedo shop, I call.
M: Is D's tux in?
H:Only two ties..didn't you change his tux color a few times
M:Once..two weeks ago
H:Let me call to Memphis and see where it is & I will call ya back.
M:I'm already in your parking lot, so I will just come in.
I go in and this was the conversation:
H: You're D's mom, right?
M: YES!
H: It isn't here (looking at me like OH WELL!)
M: So, what am I supposed to do? His prom is tomorrow nite?
H: I can call & order it again & you can come back over tomorrow some time.
M: This is the second day I've been over here this week
H: Well, where is Manila? I can have my husband/daughter to meet you in the middle. My UPS man runs between 11 and 11:30 tomorrow and I will have them bring it right to ya. And I won't charger you the remaining balance of $112.00...
Mad doesn't cover the way I feel right now! It's a good thing that I don't drink and cuss, because I'd be throwin down about now!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
One of those days...
Today has been a bad terrible day! To start off, Derek's tux did not come in! It was supposed to have been in yesterday. I was told today that I needed to call tomorrow sometime!!! That's STRIKE 1!!!!!!!!!!
Then I had Seth's daily meds called in to the pharmacy. He gets his first two meds on the 2nd of each month. Today is the 6th. (yes, I realize that I'm a few days behind..story of my life!) He gets his newest med on the 18th. So..when I get to the pharmacy this afternoon, they inform me that the meds hadn't been called in. I call the doctor, and the receptionist said that there was a note on his records saying that all three meds were called in on March 18th, so he couldn't have his meds until April 18th. I was FURIOUS!!!!! She told me that she would call the pharmacy and see what was going on. Turns out, I'm NOT STUPID- GO FIGURE!! I went back out and got his meds!! STRIKE 2!
For those of you that don't know our story, Seth has Aspergers Syndrome. It is a MILD form of Autism. Thankfully, he is as close to "normal" as he can possibly be. He just has a little trouble in school. He is an EXCELLENT speller, but is a poor tester. He just gets nervous and messes up! Anyhoo, when he got in the car today, he informed me that the kids that scored proficient or advanced on last years Benchmark were being treated to a party. He scored BASIC, so he isn't included. NOW..that isn't really what bothered me. We have never told him that he was any "different"..we always praise him for a job well done. We always tell him how smart he is..but today, he said to me, "Somethings just wrong with me. I tried to do good!"...talk about sick. I could have vomited right there. I felt as if I'd been hit in the stomach. My heart instantly broke for him. I then told him, "Bub, there is nothing wrong with you. You are very smart! It will be okay..Mommy will keep you home from school on the day of the party." He was fine with that and got over it pretty quickly. Keep in mind, he isn't the only one that isn't attending the little party. And like I said, that doesn't bother me as much as the way that he feels about himself. He also has wonderful teachers that keep me informed and help him as much as possible!
Never in my life did I think I would have a "special needs" child. Chas and I were both really good in school. We never had any problems. Derek and Lan don't have problems either. When Seth was first diagnosed, he was 5 years old. It took me forever to accept it. I'm not sure that I have accepted it yet! I just know that to me, he is the SMARTEST kid I know! He loves Wikipedia, his guitar, his basketball, the Beatles, and his mama!
So..officially, I haven't reached STRIKE 3 today. Praying it doesn't come to that point!
Just look at this handsome little man..
Then I had Seth's daily meds called in to the pharmacy. He gets his first two meds on the 2nd of each month. Today is the 6th. (yes, I realize that I'm a few days behind..story of my life!) He gets his newest med on the 18th. So..when I get to the pharmacy this afternoon, they inform me that the meds hadn't been called in. I call the doctor, and the receptionist said that there was a note on his records saying that all three meds were called in on March 18th, so he couldn't have his meds until April 18th. I was FURIOUS!!!!! She told me that she would call the pharmacy and see what was going on. Turns out, I'm NOT STUPID- GO FIGURE!! I went back out and got his meds!! STRIKE 2!
For those of you that don't know our story, Seth has Aspergers Syndrome. It is a MILD form of Autism. Thankfully, he is as close to "normal" as he can possibly be. He just has a little trouble in school. He is an EXCELLENT speller, but is a poor tester. He just gets nervous and messes up! Anyhoo, when he got in the car today, he informed me that the kids that scored proficient or advanced on last years Benchmark were being treated to a party. He scored BASIC, so he isn't included. NOW..that isn't really what bothered me. We have never told him that he was any "different"..we always praise him for a job well done. We always tell him how smart he is..but today, he said to me, "Somethings just wrong with me. I tried to do good!"...talk about sick. I could have vomited right there. I felt as if I'd been hit in the stomach. My heart instantly broke for him. I then told him, "Bub, there is nothing wrong with you. You are very smart! It will be okay..Mommy will keep you home from school on the day of the party." He was fine with that and got over it pretty quickly. Keep in mind, he isn't the only one that isn't attending the little party. And like I said, that doesn't bother me as much as the way that he feels about himself. He also has wonderful teachers that keep me informed and help him as much as possible!
Never in my life did I think I would have a "special needs" child. Chas and I were both really good in school. We never had any problems. Derek and Lan don't have problems either. When Seth was first diagnosed, he was 5 years old. It took me forever to accept it. I'm not sure that I have accepted it yet! I just know that to me, he is the SMARTEST kid I know! He loves Wikipedia, his guitar, his basketball, the Beatles, and his mama!
So..officially, I haven't reached STRIKE 3 today. Praying it doesn't come to that point!
Just look at this handsome little man..
Where has the time gone?
Today I am taking Derek to get his tux for Prom. The closer he gets to graduating, the more I think back on when he was young.
When Danny and I met, Derek was 5 years old. I remember the first time I met him. I came over to meet him and Lan. Derek was this skinny little red-headed boy. He was sitting in the floor watching wrestling. He told me all about the wrestlers and all of their moves. SO CUTE!
Later, when I was pregnant with Seth, I would often have to carry him around. We would go out for the nite and when we came in, he would be asleep. So, I would grab him up, put him on my hip, and carry him in. Now, I couldn't budge him if I wanted to! He is so much bigger than Danny and me. I guess all of those late nite trips to the fridge caught up to him.
I will always remember his first football game- and his last home game. Danny and I were so proud to call him our son! And I'm so glad God chose me to be his mama:)
Cutie!
Ab & Anna cheering for Derek!
Proud to sport that #55 jersey!
When Danny and I met, Derek was 5 years old. I remember the first time I met him. I came over to meet him and Lan. Derek was this skinny little red-headed boy. He was sitting in the floor watching wrestling. He told me all about the wrestlers and all of their moves. SO CUTE!
Later, when I was pregnant with Seth, I would often have to carry him around. We would go out for the nite and when we came in, he would be asleep. So, I would grab him up, put him on my hip, and carry him in. Now, I couldn't budge him if I wanted to! He is so much bigger than Danny and me. I guess all of those late nite trips to the fridge caught up to him.
I will always remember his first football game- and his last home game. Danny and I were so proud to call him our son! And I'm so glad God chose me to be his mama:)
Senior Night
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Good Morning!
This morning was great. The kids weren't arguing & I didn't have to pack lunches..PRAISE GOD!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Counting Sheep..
This is something that I've been doing for a while now. Sad thing is that it just doesn't work for me. I have so much going on, mainly with Derek. Graduation is in 46 days. So, not only am I dreading the fact that he may move out & leave me, I'm also doing a lot of planning. Prom is this Friday. We are going to Jonesboro on Wednesday to get his tux and to get his hair cut. I'm sure we will have Fuji for lunch :)..Just a little time alone with him will be special for me.
After prom, the craziness really begins. His senior trip is on April 22nd. Mandee and I are following the bus to Six Flags. I think we are more excited than Derek and Bay!! Then we have graduation invites to stuff and mail, Graduation Party invites to mail, then Awards Day, Senior Day, the THE BIG DAY!! So much to do, and not a lot of time left to do it..WOW!!
BUT, before I get way ahead of myself, let's get back to the reason for my post!
After I picked the kids up today, I felt a little sleepy. Lately, my body has been running on little or no sleep. Anyhoo, I decided to take a nap. When I woke up, I hit the info button on the remote. The time was 6:40 PM. I'm thinking it's wrong, so I look at my cell- it had the same time. So what do I do? I jump up and begin to panic!! "OMG- I forgot to go get my kids!!!!!".. I couldn't figure out why the school hadn't called me.
Then, I remembered that I took a nap- after the boys were home safely!! I'm losing it, I tell ya! Lan just shook his head..HA!
So, I am bound and determined to do this tonite, one way or the other!!
After prom, the craziness really begins. His senior trip is on April 22nd. Mandee and I are following the bus to Six Flags. I think we are more excited than Derek and Bay!! Then we have graduation invites to stuff and mail, Graduation Party invites to mail, then Awards Day, Senior Day, the THE BIG DAY!! So much to do, and not a lot of time left to do it..WOW!!
BUT, before I get way ahead of myself, let's get back to the reason for my post!
After I picked the kids up today, I felt a little sleepy. Lately, my body has been running on little or no sleep. Anyhoo, I decided to take a nap. When I woke up, I hit the info button on the remote. The time was 6:40 PM. I'm thinking it's wrong, so I look at my cell- it had the same time. So what do I do? I jump up and begin to panic!! "OMG- I forgot to go get my kids!!!!!".. I couldn't figure out why the school hadn't called me.
Then, I remembered that I took a nap- after the boys were home safely!! I'm losing it, I tell ya! Lan just shook his head..HA!
So, I am bound and determined to do this tonite, one way or the other!!
Love Love Love this song!
I recently found this song- by accident. It is now my favorite. I listen to it many times each day. I've also added it to my play list. Here are the words..
WOW! What a morning!!
This morning started off pretty ruff crazy & ended the same way! I didn't wake up until 7:10 (only ten minutes later than usual), so I knew that we would all be running around here like chickens with our heads cut off. And I was right. I don't know why, but packing lunches takes me forever. Derek wants his turkey sandwich plain, while Lan wants mustard. One wants a fruit cup, while the other wants a Little Debbie snack cake. Lan is griping because Derek ate the whole bag of nacho flavored Doritos.
Now, Seth..he's the easy one. What did he want for me to pack for his lunch? Here it is:
I wish he wasn't such a picky eater, but he is. After I packed it all, he decided that he would eat in the cafeteria..they are having Frito Chili Pie. Five bucks says he will eat the corn chips only!
Anyhoo..I finally got all of that taken care of. We were almost to the school when Lan realizes he forgot his backpack. DEREK TO THE RESCUE!! (Well, not really!)..We sent Derek a text so that he could grab Lan's bag..turns out he couldn't find it!! So..Lan is at school WITHOUT his backpack! It was empty anyway.
So, it's just me and Lula. I'm gonna do some laundry & then go for lunch with Mandee, Analee, & Thomas James. I'm really looking forward to some adult time.
Praying tomorrow morning goes much smoother than this morning :)
Now, Seth..he's the easy one. What did he want for me to pack for his lunch? Here it is:
I wish he wasn't such a picky eater, but he is. After I packed it all, he decided that he would eat in the cafeteria..they are having Frito Chili Pie. Five bucks says he will eat the corn chips only!
Anyhoo..I finally got all of that taken care of. We were almost to the school when Lan realizes he forgot his backpack. DEREK TO THE RESCUE!! (Well, not really!)..We sent Derek a text so that he could grab Lan's bag..turns out he couldn't find it!! So..Lan is at school WITHOUT his backpack! It was empty anyway.
So, it's just me and Lula. I'm gonna do some laundry & then go for lunch with Mandee, Analee, & Thomas James. I'm really looking forward to some adult time.
Praying tomorrow morning goes much smoother than this morning :)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Welcome!
Welcome & Thanks so much for following my blog. My hope is that those that read this will be able to keep up with the madness that we call life.
Just a warning: Some days my posts may be funny & some sad. You never know what is going to take place in this house!! I hope you can find some humor in it all!
Enjoy!
Just a warning: Some days my posts may be funny & some sad. You never know what is going to take place in this house!! I hope you can find some humor in it all!
Enjoy!
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