Before and After

Well yesterday we finally went and got Adrienne's haircut. We love it. I had to post this pic b/c lately all I've seen her in is high buns and so it was nice to see her hair down. What do you think?

So much to tell ya...but first.

I just got up from the dinner table with my 3 teens and I literally laughed til my head hurt. I enjoy talking to them. You never really know what they are going to say. Tonight's dinner conversation ranged from Adrienne as a "girlfriend" to Justin's views on the music editor for the schools newspaper. Trust me you don't want to ask him about that one. I can honestly say my kids got their opinionated attitudes from me. They have an opinion about EVERYTHING. I love it! We have so much fun together. I try to teach them life lessons and I think they teach me more! I can't believe in less than 5 years they will be graduating :( Oh let's not forget Brendan he ate really fast so he could go and play the Wii (our new addiction). He's getting pretty impressive with the baseball on Wii. I had to explain to him what the mercy rule was and that was pretty fun. In my house there is never a dull moment.

Now I gotta update you with the big news. Mikey's wife Kelley had her baby. She gave birth to Kaylin Leeann Chambers on Jan 1st. Yep she was a New Year Baby for Oxford. She weighed in at 6lbs 10ozs and 21.5in. long. She is so long and skinny. She's beautiful. Being the New Year baby is def the way to go. Kelley got a years supply of diapers and a huge gift basket with all kinds of goodies. Mikey seemed so excited it was fun to watch him. They were both so tired though. I will leave yall with some pics of our precious New Year baby.

Rick with is parents...Can you tell they are proud?

The proud uncle...He was so excited about holding her. It was very sweet.

Ok so like I said earlier she was the first baby born in Oxford. Oxford is also home of the Ole Miss Rebels. Ole Miss is the school that Adrienne has said she was going to since she was in 1st grade. Pretty much as soon as she learned about college. So here she is on campus by the speed limit sign that is 18 after Archie Manning's number when he went there. We love the Manning family. Living in Arkansas now she does catch some flack for staying true to her roots. Although everyone that knows Adrienne knows that doesn't even phase her. Hotty Toddy! On a side note my son ya know the 6 year old that moved here when he was 2 wants an Arkansas Razorbacks shirt...we are hoping this too shall pass. :D

Out with the old in with the new!

Well first off let me say there is so much to blog about WOW what a roller coaster couple weeks since Christmas. Its really been wonderful but I will have to save that for another blog and trust me it's coming. Here's a hint...I'm a grammy (name pending) ;) Anywho I've been doing some reflecting lately. I have felt some serious lulls in my life worrying about things I really can't control. Ya see I don't have a real strong core of friends I mean I have friends I can tell anything to but I used to have a friends that I went everywhere with and I just haven't been able to find that again or even keep the one's I had. I've been trying to figure out why I can't seem to get that again. I realized it's me! Yeah it was a DUH moment. I am perfectly content with spending my days and nights with my kids and although an occasional night out with just me and maybe a friend is very nice it's nothing I really make time for. I for once in my life am content. My husband is really my best friend. We love spending time with our family. The times I've spent running around with and talking on the phone with people for endless hours are really not who I am anymore. I have found texting, twittering, facebook and myspace to be my best form of communication. I use that quiet time in the morning for talking to my kids and once they are dropped off just listening to music and praying and thinking about the day ahead. It's been really nice reflecting and getting comfortable with myself and my relationship with Rick and God. I really can't have it both ways. Don't get me wrong I love my friends and I truly regret not finding a happy medium with the ones that have wrote me off. I can't change the past all I can do is look forward to the future. I am trying to take a more positive look at things. I wont lie that will be hard for me. I've already struggled and failed. I am fortunate that God is helping me with this by showing me little ways that I can be positive. In 14 years I've never felt more content with my life. I love growing as Christians with my husband. I dont want to come off like I don't care about my friends because I really do I just can't worry about what I can't control. I don't want to get in that rut again where I stay so negative about everything. I know this is just a bunch of rambling but I needed to get it off my chest. In church Sunday the Pastor asked "What are you big rocks?" and it really got me to thinking about priorities and whats important. Sunday night after we left our small group I really got to thinking about this and have spent the rest of the week working on it. I have to go now and get ready for church. Pray for me : D

My Christmas

Well I have to admit this was the most prepared Christmas I've ever had. I didn't shop any on Christmas Eve and that's a first. I actually enjoy Christmas shopping so it's never been a big deal for me. I love having this time with my family and we did alot of family type things...I do however regret not being close to family b/c we don't have "family gatherings" to go to. Rick's family celebrates Christmas in January or even later sometimes b/c of scheduling conflicts. My mom did come up to watch the kids in The Festival of the King and it was amazing BTW (that's another post) We had Christmas while she was here and she cooked enchiladas, rice, beans, tacos...it was wonderful! I was kinda over the whole traditional meals. I think the kids had a wonderful Christmas here are some pics from the last few days.

Ok so the kids got texting for Christmas and Justin who said he didn't even want texting is using it almost as much as Adrienne. Ok so my dad used to always make me take a pic in front of the tree with our outfits that we got for Christmas so I made my kids do the same thing. LOL They loved it...can you tell? Adrienne went to a friends so I haven't got her yet. Bren didn't really get any clothes but his Mario PJ's as you can see in Jere's pic. Oh yea we got a Wii FINALLY! My kids love it...not to mention Rick and I love it too! We are sore from playing so much. Here Adrienne and Jere are playing Wii golf. Pay no attention to my living room this was Christmas morning.
Bren got his portable DVD player and he's so happy he doesn't want to watch movies on our actual TV anymore. He's so funny. Oh and there are those Mario PJ's again...he wore them for 2 days straight we had to make him take them off and shower last night before bed. He was going to shower and put them back on! LOL He was so glad Santa gave them to him and we were too!

Enjoying this while I still can.

Well Bren was in a good mood last night and actually didn't mind getting his pic made. I was so shocked when I asked him to sit by the tree and he said Yes Maam. He is getting so big and I know I wont have pics like this anymore. He is my Lil Love Bug even though sometimes he's more like a pest. I wouldn't have him any other way. That's Super Boo Jr Bren doesn't go very far without him. If you look closely you will see Super Boo Jr's uniform needs washing...again. I know I have so many things to blog but I just wanted to share this with yall.

My quote of the day! :D

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

This is awesome..don't know who said it but they were obviously very wise.

Psalm 33:22, NLT

"Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone."