Father's Day!

This is for the Fathers in my life. My loving husband and my wonderful Father.

This hot stud decapitating the pony is the love of my life and the Father to my children. He is my best friend and the one who makes me laugh when I dont want to and the one I like to try and make laugh at the most inappropriate times.

LOVE YOU BABE!!!

My Dad. He is awesome. I love him so much and I am so thankful to have him as my Dad. We always try to out-do each other on the gifts we give him. This year I totally won. I don't have a picture of it but I got him a topsy-turvy tomato planter with the plant already in it and growing tomato's. He loved it. :)

Dad Part II

I just recieved this from my Wonderful Grandmother and just wanted to share it with the rest of you. I loved it Grandma. Thank you. Look for my comments in Bold Italics.

My water broke at 1:30 PM and Mother and I called Bob (Grandpa) home from American Standard. He came home and SHAVED (OMG! That's a man for ya.) while I had severe pains in my back and a towel catching the water. (Officially my hero now!) We lived in Shively and we drove to Jewish Hospital. Mike was born at 3:20PM. While I was having him Mother was in the Chapel praying and God said "It is a little boy." As she walked out Bob came to tell her we had a boy! He was beautiful! Pretty round head, and the lady in the room with me was Catholic and her boy had an oblong head for she had hard labor. She called in the Priest to pray for him. She thought he would die. It was so sad. A few days later Mother prayed for Michael that he would be a Holiness preacher! She stayed with me a week. When Michael was about 2 weeks old -I rolled out of bed and with my knees on the floor-kneeled by the bed -I held his little hand and thanked GOD for him. I told God I would raise him in Church and tell him about JESUS but there was something I could not do-I ask GOD to put the LOVE of JESUS in his heart. I often think of that prayer and know GOD is REAL! Praise HIS HOLY HOLY HOLY name JESUS!

I thought I was going to have more comments in there but she handled it perfectly I thought.

I honestly don't think I could have handled having kids back then. Give me drugs, drugs, and more drugs. Thank you so much Grandma for the information. I have been asking him and Mom more questions lately about them growing up. Things they did, saw, experienced. I just want to know about them. They getting on in years and I don't want to have questions about stuff like that when they are not around to answer. (Also, expecting you to live FOREVER for me so I can ask you stuff they can't answer. On top of other things of course.) Thank you again for the story Grandma. I really LOVED it.

Ps. Did your Mom get to see Dad become a preacher?

Can I go back yet?

As you all know, we just got back from visiting my grandma. We had so much fun. We went to the zoo, went to Huber’s Orchard, went to Polly’s Freeze, and just played with Family. The kids welcomed everyone with open arms and even though they only see these people once a year they didn’t act shy or bashful or anything like that. (Except Conner, he finally let Shelly hold him that last night for about 19 seconds.)

The girls also fallowed their cousins around anytime they came around. I guess it’s too soon to explain that cousins are off limits. We rode on Uncle Marks 4-wheeler and golf cart.

Their dog Lucky loved to ride too. He rode shot gun a few times but mostly liked it under my legs. I swear he would squish that pedal and make us go fast, at least that’s the story I’m sticking to. We got to play in the Tee-Pee. So neat. Thank you Aunt Shelly for putting it up.




I took over a 1000 pictures on this trip. (Yes, I am camera happy.) Here is my favorite Grandma ever! I just had to have pictures of everyone and everything. It’s not this colorful at Christmas. I just wanted to have memories and proof of those memories.




Madyson did not want to pose for pictures. She kept saying she was “scared to take pictures.” Which is really just her way of trying to get out of doing something. “I’m scared to put my shoes on. I’m scared to wipe my own butt. I’m scared to get my own fork.” The Twins really got into it. These are some of my tame shots. I plan on pulling out the crazy ones later when I need a good laugh.



I only got 3 pictures with me and my G-ma but Tim got in like 5. He does not know how to snap super fast and then pick out the good ones later. I love you Grandma!


And of course, you can’t forget the kids favorite part of the whole trip. Fala.




When we first got there Grandma would have to make him go in her room so he would stop running all crazy and give everyone a break. By the time we left 4 days later he was begging Grandma to let him go hide under the bed. Poor Fala. Conner would call him “La-la.” I think he started calling Grandma “La-la” too. Like he got them confused or something. Last time I checked my Grandma didn’t look like a poodle.


I love how much Grandma loves to talk. She told me everything about people I had no clue who they were. And she like to say names of road or towns like I was supposed to know where the heck she was talking about. “So and So live off of Smith rd and was related to this person who lived off of Hill rd.” I loved it though. If I ever meet these people I’m going to know right where they live and all their whole life story. I joke about it but really I love information. I loved hearing all her stories. Especially the ones about “The Family.” How Bobby got in the river over his head when he was only 4 and Tony had to save him. And how Mark almost drowned trying to save a friend, then how Grandma yelled at him and told him not to do it again. How Tony was always sneaking off to places he wasn't supposed to be. It was 4 day of her all to myself practically. At Christmas you have to fight for her attention with the 60 other people there and hope she can hear you over the noise. But this time I got to laugh and joke with her and only have to fight with the girls who barely left her side and fought over who got to sit beside her. After the first day I finally admitted defeat and moved to the other couch. Little brats.


Favorite shot today.
It seems like everyone and their momma had a Winery up there. I wish I would have got a picture of the name of this one so I could remember what it was called. I’ll have to call G-ma and ask. She knows everything and everyone.

Gifts, isn't that what it's all about?

I just love Mother’s Day. All the flowers and gifts. My Grandma racked up. Here is what she had recieved before I left.

From Dad:

From Aunt Shelly and Uncle Mark:

I got her some Daisy’s too but forgot to get pictures.

I haven’t got anything from Tim yet, but my awesome Aunt Shelly got me these.

My wonderful church, that loves me even when I don’t get to go, got me some beautiful flowers too but I am too tired to get pictures of them right now.

I hope all of you mother’s out there had a great day and got a lot of stuff, which as we all know, is what it's all about, right?

Overheard this week:

Regan: Do you know Amy?

Uncle Mark: Yes, I know Amy!

Regan: Oh! You know the one that lives with my Papaw?

Uncle Mark: Yes. Lol.

Aunt Shelly: Lol

Me: Lol.

Grandma: Lol.

Me: I can’t wait to tell Amy that one. Lol.

Grandma: I know!

(Yes G-ma, I did tell her you laughed. I think she might have cried too.)
(j/k G-ma, I didn’t tell her in person, I just blogged about it. EVEN BETTER!)

Photo of the day.

Day one

We are currently on the road when this is being written. (God invented lap tops just for me!) We are driving through Louisville, Ky. and Tim is making the kids guess how many fingers he is holding up (Conner is screaming “May-May” every time). Conner has cried almost the whole time. For chips, for Regans' pillow that he already has on his lap, for cereal, to get out of his seat. You name it and he’s screamed it. I tried laying down but he made me hold his hand the whole time so it was not a real rest. I think my favorite part so far was when Tim started doing the “sprinkler” to “The butt song.” I honestly thought I was going to pass out from lack of oxygen. I thought we were going to have a melt down from Madyson before we even left the house. She had her arms FULL of animals and we told her she could only take 1. She looked at me and stuck her lower lip out and I said, “Fine! The Hawk (parrot) and dog can go, but no bear, cat, ball, or 5 dresses you want to show Great Grandma.” Of course she didn’t listen so Tim had to step in and he got her down to just “Hawk” and dog. She almost started crying again but then he reminded her we’re going to Grandmas and she will have toys that they can play with too and she perked right up.

Some pictures from the trip.

As soon as it came into view the girls started screaming “There’s Josh’s House!!!” We told them like 2 years ago that Josh was going to have to live here when he got kicked out of Mom’s again and they have forever remembered that. Here you go Josh, your “house.”

When we went over the Indiana/Kentucky bridge at Christmas Regan was riding with Beth, and Beth called me to tell me that Regan had cried the whole time over it because she thought we were all “going to die.” Fall into the water and die. She had no problem this time though. She was yelling the whole time for the others to look at the town on her side, no your town is not as cool as mine, mine has pipes. I assume the pipes where smoke stacks and not just random pipes sticking out of buildings. Who knows. Well, I guess Regan does. Here is my Grandma’s house. Such beautiful landscaping. HI GRANDMA!!!!

We were there 20 minutes before Grandma put Tim to work.

Ps. On my last post I put a picture of Mom, Beth, and Amy sitting on a couch and I had just made a comment about the girls peeing their pants. I put that picture right below that comment to show you who was peeing themselves (yes, it was a joke). Amy told me yesterday that she couldn’t figure out why I had put the picture on there. I just wanted to clear up any confusion, I WAS JOKING ABOUT MY FAMILY!!! Yes, Amy, you were the one who was supposedly peeing their pants.

Random quotes:
I was on the phone with Amy when all of a sudden she yelled “Ben! Why is there poop on the outside of your pants?” I’m pretty sure he said, “Mom, Bandit did it.”

My favorite picture today. That does not mean it was taken today, just that I really, really like it today.

Is it vacation yet?

Why do they have to make it so hard? So they get some kind of perverse pleasure out of it? Or are they all just a bunch of jerks?

I have been trying to get my kids in to see a Dr. since 7:30am. Madyson has had some kind of allergic reaction that has caused her face to swell and get red splotches on it. Conner has a snotty nose that is allergies, but I am afraid it is going to cause an ear ache. Regan has poison ivy on her neck and Natalie has ear ache. We got on Tenn Care but no one wants to see us because they don’t accept new patients who are sick. On top of all this I still have to pack for all 6 of us, clean the van, and REGISTER THE GIRLS FOR KINDERGARTEN. Which means going to the Health Dept. to get their shot records on a special piece of paper, go to the school with the 2 that are not in school yet and fill out who knows how much paper work while trying to keep my sanity. Did I mention that Tim has in-service today till about 4pm? Yup, no Tim. I had wanted to clean before I left also, because it’s so nice to come home to a clean house, but now I don’t know if I’ll have the time. OH THE JOYS OF MOTHER HOOD!!! I honestly think I would trade it all right now for an Awesome Mango Margarita. I really didn’t want to risk taking anything really contagious to Indiana around my G-ma or my cousins kids. SEE THIS AMBER AND LINN! I am trying to be considerate. I know it was stupid of me to wait but I honestly didn’t/don’t think they were/are sick. Thought it was just poison ivy and allergies but I just wanted to make sure. I like having all my bases covered and that is hard to do with kids.
Ok, enough of this downer crap.

Madyson loves getting covered in the calamine lotion. Regan too. Conner and Natalie are totally jealous. Conner will squeeze between me and whoever I am applying it to at the moment and stick his little chest out and say, “Mu urn!” (my turn.) Here is Madyson and her lotion face.

Natalie fell last night and hit her throat somehow and for some reason it made her throw up. Weird. Well, Conner thought that was the coolest thing since cheese and decided to give it a try. He leaned over the trash can (like Natalie)and coughed and spit. They took turns. Back and forth. Puke. Cough, spit. Spew. Cough, spit. Oh, fun times. Seriously, Margarita. Any takers? With the Twins I’ll give you 2 for the price of one.

I’d give him to ya but I think his father has fishing plans with him later.


See, they look exactly the same so you would only need one to pretend you have twins.

No takers? Well, I guess I’m stuck with them….. For now. Oh, wait! I just got a call! Goodbye, kid.

P.S. No kids were really sold due to this blog.

G-ma's

Oh, vacations. Why do I bother. It’s not like I get any rest. Or it’s any easier not being at home. Why, oh, why!

We are leaving Wednesday morning around 7am and driving for 5 hours to visit Grandma and the rest of the Family. I capitalize Family because we are like the mob. Once you get in, you can NEVER get out. Just ask the boys. Tim, Chad, and Josh. I have so much stuff to do to get ready. Panties, panties and more panties for the girls that can’t seem to make it to the potty in time.
Just kidding! Lol. Look, there’s my awesome Mom. 9 kids and doesn’t have a stretch mark anywhere, I had my first 2 and looked like Freddie Kruger went to town on my belly. (Hi Amy and Beth!) HOW DID SHE DO THAT!!! Magic? witch craft? Prayer? Who knows. Here’s the real pee pants girls.




Tim and I can fit our stuff together in one suit case. He is a drama packer though. Can never find anything, or blames me for moving it, so I end up packing him too practically. He yells at me for "taking up all the room!" I mean seriously, how hard is it to squish stuff. Men! We should call them Drama Queens. (j/k babe XOXOXO) I have to get all Conners stuff together. Diapers, lotion, jammies for all of them, phone chargers, diaper bag, socks, flip flops, toys to play with so they don’t drive Fa-La crazy, (G-ma’s dog) pillows, bathing suits. If I let Madyson pack then she would take nothing but dresses. There is so much more that goes on that list but I don’t have time to write it all down on here. Here’s where we are going. G-ma’s house! On her right is my uncle Tony’s house, on the left is Uncle Marks house. (Tim’s already called Mark to see if they can go fishing together. If I could find an eye roll icon on here I would totally inset it right here.) She has a nice view of the valley too.

I plan on getting another picture during the spring because I haven’t seen it during the warmer months for about 8 years, maybe more. I am so excited!
I have to go now. Kids to deal with, stuff to pack, clothes to wash, etc, etc, etc.

SEE YOU SOON AMBER!!!