Sooo Behind....

My goodness, I'm so behind in so many areas and often wonder if I will ever get caught up. I have this blog that I'm horrible about updating and then I have a facebook account that I'm also horrible about updating, and my family scrapbook is open on my dining room table with pictures from last May's vacation to St. Louis, still waiting to be placed on pages. Now, we've been to Disney World and back, and I've just gotten all the nearly 800 pictures loaded onto our "picture" external hard drive and shutterfly, and ordered those, Carson graduates from kindergarten tomorrow (actually today now) and I'll have MORE pictures and then he turns 6 on Friday and his birthday party is Saturday and I'll have even MORE pictures. Maybe one day, soon, I'll get caught up.
I have to say, we have had an exciting April and May so far.
We did make it to Disney World the week of April 22-29. This was the first time Carson & Emilia had been and their first time to fly. We went with our friends, The Weeden's, from New Albany and their two kids and my parents went too. We had the BEST time, Carson is ready to move to Disney World but my goodness, I don't remember it ever being so tiring when I was the kid!!!
Yesterday was Mother's Day and it was a good day, in a lot of ways it was unlike any other, which at times, I wish it was a little different, but when it's all said and done, I'm so blessed to be able to celebrate Mother's Day b/c of two very special little people in my life. So, even though, I was the first one up, the one who fixed breakfast, the one who got them ready for church, etc, I'm blessed and I made a point to thank them both when they first got up for making me a mother! After church, it was raining and we were sure the lines would be long at restaurants so we decided to go home for a light lunch and then since our church had cancelled pm services to be able to spend time with our families, decided to go out for a early supper. We did go around 5 but this obviously wasn't early enough, we still had to wait an hour for a table but my parents joined us so I was able to spend some time with my mother as well.
Now, this week wraps up Carson's year of kindergarten, my how time has flown by and how it continues to. I can remember how I thought his first birthday would NEVER come and how now, I can hardly remember those precious times with my BABY boy who is turning six on Friday.
He's so big and I love him so much.
I think I've talked before about how I love their birthdays. I had originally planned to let their 5th birthday be the last for a big party but I couldn't stand it. I try to come up with something unique for their parties so that it won't be the same as every other party they have attended throughout the year. So, this year we are having a pirate treasure hunt. I have gotten all the clues together and the children are going to have to participate in an activity in order to get the next clue which will ultimately lead them to the treasure chest, which will have their goody bags and jewels in it. I found a book at the Pirates of the Caribbean exhibit at Disney World that helped me out alot and Carson really enjoyed this ride and gift shop.
Some of the activities are, who can dress like a pirate first? Thanks to my mom for making the boys pirate outfit and finding the girls at Tuesday Morning. Walk the plank, tug of war, jolly roger flag hunt, etc. I'm really excited and am praying for no rain and that the kids will have a good time.
For now, my goal is to finish this shift at work, and then be a "party" mom at Carson's graduation which is at 10 ~ only about 8 hours from now.
I will try my best to write him a letter this week, as I always do on his birthday and put in his baby book to tell him how proud I am of him and hope that one day he'll enjoy reading them.
And maybe in the near future I will get caught up posting Disney, graduation and birthday pictures on here!

A Wedding Cake...

I just have to share a cute story that my mom told me about. This week Vince and I had our schedules crossed a couple of nights and both ended up working the same nights so my mom came to stay with Carson& Emilia. On Wednesday night, she took them to Wal-Mart and Carson asked if he could buy Vince and I a wedding cake. He had found a white cake with shaved coconut. My mom asked him why he wanted to buy us a wedding cake and he said b/c he and Emilia were not able to come to our wedding. My mom explained to them "AGAIN" that they weren't around yet and that's the way it was suppose to be.
Anyway, they ended up buying us a wedding cake, so they could share it with us.
Needless to say, they ended up having a piece before us and my mom said that she was giving Carson and bath and Emilia kept calling for her to come to the kitchen. She couldn't go right then so Emilia, tired of waiting, went to the bathroom and told my mom that there were little pieces of paper stuck to her piece of cake!

Be Safe Little Boy

One day a little boy was born into the world and for a very small moment, his mother held him close. But soon they came to clean him up and right then the mother knew. Life with that little boy would always mean letting him go.
Time passed and the little boy became a one-year-old. His mother knew something had changed because the little boy didn't want to be held anymore, he wanted to walk. So she kissed him on top of his head, took a seat at the back of the room, and held her breath and crookedly, very crookedly, he took his first steps. From the place where she watched him, that mother hummed a quiet hum. And in her heart the words went something like this:
Be safe little boy,
Don't you fall little boy,
Look how fast you've grown.
Be safe little boy, where you walk little boy
You're not yet on your own.
The boy grew older and for his sixth birthday he got a shiny bike. His mother knew it was time to let go a little more. So she kissed him on the top of his helmet, stood back, and slowly, very slowly, he climbed into the seat. From the place where she watched him start to ride, that mother whistled a quiet whistle. And in her heart, the words went something like this:
Be safe little boy,
Pedal hard little boy,
Look how much you've grown.
Be safe little boy, where you ride little boy,
You're not yet on your own.
Middle school came and the boy became a football player. Football was rough and tough and sometimes boys got hurt, but his mother knew it was time to let him play. So she helped him with his shoulder pads, kissed him for good luck, stayed at the top of the bleacher, and wildly, very wildly, he tackled and ran and won that game. From the place where she watched him play, that mother thought a quiet thought. And in her heart, the words went something like this:
Be safe little boy,
Don't get hurt little boy,
Look how much you've grown.
Be safe little boy, where you play little boy,
You're almost on your own.
More time passed and the boy learned to drive. Driving was scary for his mother, because sometimes she wouldn't know where he was or if he was okay. But his mother knew it was time to give him the keys. So she found him a car, kissed him on the cheek, stayed at the top of the driveway, and carefully, very carefully, he backed down the hill and drove out of sight. From the place where she watched him leave, that mother prayed a quiet prayer. And in her heart, the words went something like this:
Be safe little boy,
Buckle up little boy,
Look how much you've grown.
Be safe little boy, where you drive little boy,
You're almost on your own.
The years went by crazy fast and the boy fell in love. Love meant that his mother would have to share her little boy's heart with someone else, but she knew it was time for him to take that journey. So she helped him order flowers, blew him a kiss as he drove off, and gladly, very gladly he went to find his girl. From the place where she watched him leave, that mother whispered a quiet whisper. And in her heart the words went something like this:
Be safe little boy,
Guard your heart little boy,
Look how much you've grown.
Be safe little boy, where you love little boy.
It's time you're on your own.
Two more years passed and the boy was getting married and moving away. Marriage meant his mother might not see her boy much, maybe not at all. But she knew her boy loved the girl, and it was time to plan a wedding. So she helped him find a fancy suit, kissed them both as they finished their vows, and suddenly, very suddenly her little boy was gone. From the place where she watched them walk out of the church, that mother cried a little cry. And in her heart, the words went something like this:
Be safe little boy,
Don't forget me little boy,
Look how much you've grown.
Be safe little boy, where you leave little boy,
You're finally on your own.
~ Karen Kingsbury

Purity Ball at West Jackson Street Baptist Church

Friday night, our church had a Purity Ball for children ages 3 to high school seniors. Since the first of January, they have all participated in age appropriate purity studies. Since both of my children are in the preschool department they were involved in a study about integrity. This ball was a chance for us as parents to make a commitment to them to keep our lives pure as well as our family and make it a goal to help keep them pure.
Carson was presented with a pocket watch as a reminder of his purity as he gets older and Emilia was given the prayer box necklace that Vince actually gave me on our wedding day to save her kisses in/purity until she gets older and they both meet the person God has for them to marry.
Vince did write a prayer for Emilia along with a letter explaining his commitment as a father to her. And I did the same for Carson.
It was exciting in that we all dressed up for the ball. Then when we got to the church, we had pictures made, ate supper and then the "ball" started. The stories you will read above and below were read and I had to post them for anyone that has never heard them. How touching they are, and so true. Then "A Mother's Song" was sung for the mothers to dance with their sons. I thought this would be a really sweet moment for Carson and I but I've never wanted to spank his bottom as bad as I did them!!!!!!!! I wanted to hold him to dance with him b/c I told him I probably wouldn't be able to hold him many more years. He didn't want to cooperate and thinking if he passed some gas, yes, you heard me right, I'd put him down. Needless to say, I didn't put him down, but I wasn't shedding tears like all the other moms around me either!!! :):)
Then Cinderella was sung for the daddy's to dance with their little girls and I must say Emilia was much more cooperative with her daddy. They were so sweet and she loves to be spun around.
We were happy to have my parents join us for the event, as grandparents were welcomed to join in on the commitment.
This is something we look forward to in the future and a night we'll always cherish.
Thank you WJSBC for all you do for our families and children!!!!

Stay Close Little Girl....

One day a little girl was born into the world and for a very small moment, her father held his breath, because that little girl was all his and his heart had never been so filled with joy and fear. From her tiny hospital bed, that baby girl reached up, took hold of her father's finger and held on tight. And right then, that father knew he would never let her go. Life with that little girl would always mean holding her hand.
Time passed and the little girl became a on-year-old. Her father knew something had changed because the little girl wanted more than his finger to hold. Now she wanted to walk with him. So he took hold of her hand, led her across the room and daintily, she took her first steps. From the place where he stood beside her, that father grinned a silly grin. But in his heart, the words went something like this:
Stay close little girl,
Be my angel little girl,
Hold onto my hand,
Stay close little girl, when you walk little girl,
I'll always be your man.
The girl grew older and for her sixth birthday, she got a princess crown. Princesses wore pink satin and curled her hair. Her father looked at that little princess and knew she needed a prince. So he took hold of her hand, led her on a parade across the living room, and proudly, very proudly, that princess giggled at her tall prince. From the place where he paraded beside her, that father waved a silly scepter. But in his heart, the words went something like this:
Stay close little girl,
Be my princess little girl,
Hold onto my hand.
Stay close little girl, when you play little girl,
I'll always be your man.
Years passed and the girl didn't want to play dress up anymore. Instead she pulled her hair back in a ponytail and became a rough-and-tumble soccer player. Her father knew it was a long walk from the parking lot to the practice field, even for rough-and-tumble soccer players. So he took hold of her hand, grabbed her gear, and easily, very easily she jogged with him across the field. From the place where he ran beside her, that father gave a silly pep talk. But in his heart, the words went something like this:
Stay close little girl,
Be my star little girl,
Hold onto my hand.
Stay close little girl, as you run little girl,
I'll always be your man.
Seventh grade came and the girl was changing. She was growing up and she didn't like princess crowns or soccer balls. Now she liked to shop. Shopping wasn't really a daddy thing, but some nights the girl needed a new sweater or a pair of socks and she would beg her father until he gave in and drove her to the mall. Her father knew that parking lots could be dangerous, so he took hold of her hand and safely, very safely, they made their way from the car to the store. From the place where he walked beside her, that father teased a silly tease. But in his heart, the words went something like this:
Stay close little girl,
Be my laughter little girl,
Hold onto my hand.
Stay close little girl, when you wonder little girl,
I'll always be your man.
More years passed and the girl was invited to her first dance. Dancing was something she'd dreamed of doing, but she wasn't sure how to dance with a boy. Her father watched the way his big girl's eyes sparked and he felt something strange in his heart, but he knew that little girl needed a dance partner. So he turned on the music , took her hand, and fondly, very fondly, he twisted her around the living room. From the place where he danced beside her, that father smiled a silly smile. But in his heart, the words went something like this:
Stay close little girl,
Dance with me little girl,
Hold onto my hand.
Stay close little girl, though you date little girl,
I'll always be your man.
The father blinked and six more years disappeared. This time the girl fell in love....love so real the boy asked her to be his bride. In the time it took to smile at her ring, the father's heart sank to his knees, and that's where it stayed until her wedding, because marriage meant his job was done. HE knew that the walk down the aisle would be the longest in his life, so he took her hand, looked long into her eyes, and slowly, very slowly, he walked his girl toward the front of the church. From the place where he gave her away, he swallowed a lumpy swallow, but in his heart, the words went something like this:
Here we are little girl,
Change your name little girl,
Here we are little girl, I'll let you go little girl,
And now he'll be your man.
-Karen Kingsbury

Happy Birthday Todd

My children LOVE birthdays and birthday parties. We aren't party goers except for birthday parties and they think EVERYONE, no matter how old you are, should have a party. So, when I told them last weekend that Uncle Todd's birthday was yesterday, they wanted to know where his party was. Since he is working in Verona now, my mom decided we should meet for lunch. When I picked Carson up from school, we went to Creative Cakes and bought cupcakes for his party and then met he, his wife Marilynn, and two of their three children, Jack and Mari-Todd, along with my mom at Harvey's. My mom carries her camera everywhere, so she had to get a birthday picture of Uncle Todd and his birthday guest. Here we are:)

Thank You God......(the teeth are out)

Well the teeth, yes two of them, are finally out! Vince decided Tuesday night that it was time for the teeth to come out. He had tied a piece of dental floss around one of them the previous two nights to get Carson adjusted to string hanging from his tooth. Since I had already made it clear that I did not want to be the one who had to be responsible for pulling teeth, I let him do his deal. Anyway, when the actual tooth pulling was to occur on Tuesday, things did not go as smoothly. I tried really hard to stay out of the way but have any of you mothers ever tried to do this when your child is BEGGING you to intervene???? It's AWFUL. So, finally after I had suggested Vince and Carson pray themselves up for this and they had, I had to step in. I have to say, things did not get any better. I think it all started when Vince gave the string a yank and it came off the tooth, with the tooth still in the mouth. By now, Carson is PARANOID! like I have never seen him. All I could think was, this cannot be the FIRST of TWENTY!!! and we've messed it up already. I have to say by the time we did get to bed, Carson was crying, I was crying b/c he was crying, Emilia was crying b/c I was crying and Vince was just mad. Needless to say, we went to bed without pulling any teeth.
So, Wednesday rolled around, and as the day ticked on, I kept thinking to myself, I've got to get these two loose teeth out before Vince has a chance to do anything else to them, to save Carson :):) I tried to call his pediatric dentist to see what I needed to do, pull up, pull out, or come have them pulled. His office was closed. So I decided to call a friend of mine who is a dental hygienist and is married to a dentist. (how convenient) well, she wasn't home but he was (thank goodness) After explaining the whole ordeal and him thinking we are complete teeth idiots I'm sure, he suggested that I just bring Carson to his office that afternoon and have the teeth pulled. So, without explaining much to Carson and without telling Vince, we went. And with a very few tears shed, some tender words from the dental assistant and Mr. Sam, the teeth were pulled!!! And Carson thinks he'd like to have the other18 done the same way :):) When we got back home, he sat down at the door to take his shoes off and he said, "THANK YOU GOD!" he was so happy he had been such a big boy, had been praying about these teeth prior to the pulling, and was just so thankful they were finally out without anymore trauma from his parents trying to get them out.