The Harnist Family

Jackson's Message from Santa

2010-12-26T21:33:00.000-08:00

To watch it, click here:
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/IJgbOQ9RXgl-09ufzsQNaw

Play Ball!

2010-04-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

Well...guess where our Saturdays are being spent now days? At the ball park!! Jackson is playing baseball, and he really likes it! They had him playing 1st base,and was pretty good at. Plus that is the same position that my brother played when he was little, and Jackson thinks that he has to do everything that Brian did or does! The problem was that the kids were throwing the ball way over Jackson's head.. I mean he's not that tall!! The coach moved him to the pitchers mound. He really likes that, cause that is where most of the balls get hit to! So needless to say he is the middle of all the action!! So far his team is doing pretty good! I guess we shall see!!

Jackson on base after he got a hit. I guess he is just making sure that his batting gloves are ok!

What an Honor

2010-03-02T20:37:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had to go to CRHS for Ashlee to be inducted into the very first group for the National Honor Society. We are very proud of how hard that Ashlee achieves, and that she can manage her school work, cheer leading, dance,and texting time so well!!

Ashlee has been blessed throughout her school years to have had such great teachers.

I can't believe that she is in the middle of her sophomore year. Time really goes by fast! The first picture is of Ashlee and her principal Dr. Hall. The funny thing is that Dr. Hall was one of my teachers when I was in the 6th grade!

Can you say SNOW?

2010-01-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

I never thought that I would be so sick of snow...but I am!! My kids have missed so much school that we are going to have to make up snow days!!

I do not like the feeling of being confined!! I have never drove in the snow before, nor do I want to learn!! We have had fun sledding though!! Mike went to ace hardware to buy us a real sled..the kind that I had when I was a kid. He called to tell me that they were almost $100.00! I told him that it better have a real motor on it for that price..needless to say we didn't buy one! We already had those plastic sleds, so we made them work!! We went sledding one night with Kristy and Ricky and had a lot of fun! On Sunday, The Griffith family came over in the 4x4 to pick us up. We tied up all of the sleds in a line and pulled them down the street. The kids really liked that. Later we went to Pitts Park and found a huge hill!! What fun!!!! It hasn't snowed like this in so many years. Even though it was so cold, and we missed so much school, it was a lot of fun!!

Lordy Lordy...Am I already 40?

2010-01-17T08:34:00.000-08:00

OMG!!! I CAN'T POSSIBLY BE 40!!
Oh wait...yes I am! I was already in a bad mood all week, because it was very obvious that Mike wasn't going to give me a birthday party. I even asked the girls the week before my birthday what his plans were, and they told me that they didn't know of any!! The only plans that I knew we had were to go to the lodge on Saturday night to watch Jackson receive an award from the Shriner's for collecting his tabs from coke cans! To top it off..my cars windshield wipers needed to be replaced, and my car was also leaking antifreeze so much that I was having to replace it like everyday...so all of that was Mike's fault!!!

We start off going to the Lodge on that Saturday night...pouring down rain, and crappy windshield wipers, and ticked off at Mike!! Walk in to the lodge to this loud sound of Surprise!! Yep...Mike had planned me a surprise party...(no award for Jackson) at the lodge! No lie when I tell you that there were 100 people. I had people from high school, people that I used to work with, bowl with, friends in general, and family!!!! What a huge surprise!!!! My kids new the whole time, even Jackson, and no one ever slipped up and said anything!!

I am so blessed that all of these people came out in the pouring down rain just for me!! Turning 40 wasn't so bad after all!!

Thank you to EVERYONE who helped in celebrating my birthday..I love you all!!

Side note: The next day, Mike fixed my car!!!!

Happy 12th Birthday Natalie

2010-01-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

I can not believe that Natalie is only 12 years old! She has always acted so much older, and we of course treat her like she is older. Natalie kinda gets the raw end on her birthdays!! It is just 2 weeks after Christmas, so what would one child need or want after the big holiday? For as long as I can remember, we usually buy her 1 thing, plus a cake and dinner. At her request we take her out for her birthday in March, right when they start putting out all of the cute bathing suits and cute summer clothes!! I did really good this year! I bought her 1 gift a while back!! Natalie is such a great kid...very SMART, and not a lazy bone in her body!! We are so lucky that we have her!! Happy Birthday Natalie...we love you.

New Years Eve 2009

2010-01-02T22:05:00.000-08:00

Every year we go to my cousins house for a new year eves party and we always have alot of fun. This year we played spoons...a very dangerous game, but a whole lot of fun. I only came home with a few scratches and brusies!! The whole night is nothing but good food, and games..in our family games consist of dominoes, rook, or spoons!! We count down to the new year, then we have our annual drink to toast in the new year!! Just so that no one turns me in....that is ginger ale that my child is drinking, although he thinks that it is "beer"!

I hope that everyone has a great 2010!!

Merry Christmas- 2009

2009-12-27T21:51:00.000-08:00

I guess that my kids must have been pretty good for Santa to come this year!! By the look of things, the jolly ole man must have thought so too!!

It's pretty sad to think that if it wasn't for me and Mike waking them up, they would all sleep through Christmas! We all go downstairs and wait for the kids to come running down the steps! My parents, brother, and my grandmother all come over every year to watch my kids open their gifts, then my mama cooks us breakfast! I am so lucky that my kids get to have all of them come every year!! You can tell by the few pictures that the kids enjoyed their gifts!! I normally do not get alot of still pictures, because I am to busy video taping everything!!

Cristmas Card 2009

2009-11-28T21:45:00.000-08:00

This is our Christmas card picture. I usually have to take alot in order to get 1 good shot!! Not this year. This is the one and only picture that I took!! Everyone was well behaved..even the dog!!

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-26T21:28:00.000-08:00

What a day of Blessings. I am very blessed to have such a great family. I am blessed for a good hard working husband, great kids, loving parents, a healthy brother and sister, brother-in-law, and niece. Lots of aunts, uncles and cousins, and last but not least my nana!!

I am so glad that we can all come together every year from other states and spend time together.

Our family Thankgivings are spent in Springfield, Tn at the senior citizens bldg on the square. It is just a big building with lots of space and a tv for the men to watch their football! The kids all have space to hang out, and the women all go over the ads in the paper and map out where we are going first on black friday to shop!!!

Every year everyone stands infront of the same painted wall to take their family pictures!!

The first picture of course is my family. The second picture is my grandmothers grankids, and the third one is her great-grand- kids(minus Hailey).

2009 Fall Soccer

2009-11-02T21:02:00.000-08:00

Jackson really loves playing soccer! This is his 3rd season to play. This season we "played him up" which means that he is playing with kids a little bit older than he is. We did this so that we could stay with our favoriate coach, and his son Mark! At first I thought that we may have made a mistake by moving Jackson up. The kids were a little bit bigger that he was, but after a few games Jackson was just as tuff as the older kids! He got to play goalie some this year, he really loved that!!
He has become a pretty good soccer player. I am glad that he really likes it. Soccer is the one sport other than hockey that I don't really know the rules, but I have learned alot about it!! Thanks to Coach O'Brien for being such a great coach and to Kim for being a good friend!

Titans Win!!!

2009-11-01T21:14:00.000-08:00

Kristy had called me earlier in the week and invited me to go to the Titans game with her. I said yes, but as it closer to Sunday, I was honestly dreading going. Not because of the company, but I was really not on the Titans bandwagon because of how bad they had been playing. I knew that someone was telling me I should go, because on Sunday morning, my friend Lola called and invited me to go too!! That was my sign that I must go!!! I will be the first to say that I am so glad that I went!! The game was AWESOME!! We started off sitting the first half of the game in Kristy's seats....way up high!! Everything was going good until Bruce showed up!! He is some random titans fan who has seats next to Kristy!! All I can say is that Bruce is a funny drunk!!! The second half of the game we sat in the club level!! Now that is some good seats!!

I had a fun Sunday. Thanks Kristy for inviting me to go..I had a blast!!!

Jackson's 6th Birthday

2009-10-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

Wow...Can't believe that Jackson is already 6 years old...time sure does fly by. We had a big party with lots of family, friends, and of course FOOD!!!

Jackson picked out a soccer cake this year, we thought that it would be fun to have his fall soccer picture on it, since afterall we are in the middle of the fall soccer season! His cake turned out really cute, and was good too!!

We are so lucky to have such a sweet and good boy...not to mention soooo cute. Happy Birthday Jackson..We love you!

First Day Of School

2009-08-14T19:26:00.000-07:00

Well our day started very early this morning!! Ashlee was the first shift. I took her to school and dropped her off. I can not believe that I have a Sophmore! She is really excited about being at school. She just loves high school so much!

Jackson was second! Mike had him awake when I came home from dropping off Ashlee. As soon as I walked in the door, he said"Are you taking me to school?" I told him yes, but he didn't like that! He wanted to walk by himself. Oh my goodness I could have cried!! He did let me walk him, but he would not hold my hand as we walked across the street! As soon as we got inside the front door of the buildng he grabbed my hand!! The farther we walked down the hall, the tighter he held my hand!! I was sorda hanging out in his classroom, and he told me that I could leave!! I guess he was ready for me to leave!! I went ahead and left without a tear!! He was so excited when he got home. He wanted to go the next day (Saturday), but was disappointed when I told him that he had to wait until Monday!! Tuesday will be his first whole day.

Mackenzie and Natalie were next. The middle school doesn't start until 9:00. It took me 35 minutes to drive 2 miles down the road to the school. Needless to say we were late the very first day!! Oh well!! Mackenzie still let me walk her to her first period class. Then I walked Natalie to her class. They both looked so cute in their SSA clothes.

I can not believe that all of my kids have grown so much! I no longer have any babies left. I have been so blessed to have been able to stay home with them. I know that at times it has been hard on Mike being our only source of income, but I really don't think that either of us would have wanted it any other way!!

Last Fun Day Before School....

2009-08-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Nashville Shores for our last day of summer fun!! It was so nice because there wasn't many people out...I guess since some of the other schools had already started. Jenny and Shelby went with us, oh..and Mariah too!! We all had alot of fun. Shelby seemed to really have fun too. We love her so much!! The group of kids that Ashlee hangs around with were there too!! There are more boys than girls, but they are all really good kids that come from really good families that are very involved in the school. The other girl that was in the group moved a few weeks ago. I know that Ashlee and Mariah will miss Danielle.

We had a great time this summer going to Nashville Shores. I really feel that we got our monies worth out of our seasons passes. Can't wait until next summer.

Josie's Back To School Lunch

2009-08-11T22:04:00.001-07:00

If you have read my post regarding Josie's birthday, then you are aware that she hasn't been feeling very well. But Josie being her very driven self insisted that she fix me and the kids a Back to School Lunch.

It was very good..Chicken ala King over cornbread(or egg bread as Josie calls it!), green beans, a salad, and a frozen fruit salad, and of course a chocolate pie!! It was very good, always is!!

We had a great time visiting with Josie and June(my favorite cousin!!), Josie had went out and bought the kids a few school supplies!

Thanks for the lunch we loved it and love you too!

The Mack Family

2009-08-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, my daddy's brother and sisters were able to get together. His sister Carolyn was in from Texas, so little sister Norma had everyone to her house for a family get together. We had lots of fun catching up with everyone. I wish that they all lived in the same state so that they could see each other all the time.

We had a great time and the food was good, especially the potatoe salad and the homemade salsa!!

In the picture are all of the brother and sisters. From left to right: Tommy( the baby), Norma Jean (4th oldest), Daddy(the oldest), Carolyn (3rd oldest & oldest girl!), and Ralph(2nd oldest)

Ralph just got out of the hospital, he is recovering from bladder cancer. We all hope that he can start to get aroud and feel better soon.

Can't wait until next year!!

Jackson's Lemonade Sale

2009-08-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

Jackson has been asking to have a lemonade sale for a while now. I think that he got the idea off of the disney channel or something like that. I had told him that I had one when i was a little girl, and that Nana had a picture of it at her house. So Friday morning, I made up 2 gallons of lemonade so that it could start getting cold. At around 3:00 we went to the store to buy some cups. We finally got set up at around 3:30, at Nana and Papa's house. We set us up a table in the front yard. By 4:50, he had already made $18.50!! It was so funny to watch him. He would get so excited every time someone would stop. Most people would give him a dollar, and told him to keep the change!!

He has put his money in his bank at home. He is wanting to buy some kind of a car at Target!

Happy 89th Birthday Josie

2009-08-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, August 4th was my grandmother's(Nana) birthday. We didn't get to celebrate until Saturday, August 8th. Actually Josie had just got out of the hospital on that Monday, the day before her birthday!

We all got together at Grant and Winnie's house for a great dinner. My aunt Vicki made a cake that has all the names that we call Nana. See... I am the oldest grandchild, so I grew up calling her Nana as did all of my cousins. Fast forward 24 years, and my kids start calling her Josie, (which is her real name), only because they call my Mama and Daddy Nana & Papa!! So part of us call her Nana, and the rest of us call her Josie!!

I am very fortunate that my kids have a great grandmother that they get to see on a regular basis.

Josie, we hope that the next 89 years will be as good to you as the last 89 were!!

We love you.

Miss Shelby Marie

2009-08-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

Today, we had a little "Meet and Greet" for Jenny and sweet precious Shelby. We were so excited to finally get everyone together to see Shelby for the first time. We had a few people to come over for a little visit. We all enjoyed some good cake, and Shelby enjoyed her big bowl of M&Ms!! She was so funny to watch!! She really likes Ashlee. Shelby and Hailey really liked each others shoes!! I think that we got Shelby on a little chocolate high!! We are so thankful that Jenny and Shelby have finally found each other, after three years and 10 months, alot of tears, and many long days and nights, these two are finally one big happy family. I could not be any happier for both of them. We love you!!

Back to School Cleaning

2009-07-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

The first day of school is just around the corner..that means dentist time!! Jackson really loves going to the dentist. I hope that he will always like going, and not have any fear of the dentist. He had a very good check up! No "bugs" in his mouth!!

Mrs. Cathy's Retirement Party

2009-07-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Cathy threw a huge "Thank You" party last Sunday. I really wish that I would have taken more pictures, but I wasn't really thinking!! This was a very emotional day for anyone that went to the party. The whole front parking lot was full of huge white tents. Under each tent were round tables with of course pink table clothes and white chairs. Each table had centerpieces of pink and white balloons. The balloons had crystal rhinestones glued to them! the whole party was catered. We had hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers, Cole slaw, baked beans, chips, and desserts. She even had a D.J.! Two metro council members came and read a declaration from the mayors office declaring it Cathy Turner Day! There were so many people there from as far away as California! We all had a great time, but it was very emotional! We love Mrs. Cathy very much. A new girl is leasing the building from Mrs. Cathy, and dancing will stay in the little grey building. It will never be the same!

FUTURE DIRT CAR RACER

2009-07-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

Brian (my brother)came by on Saturday with the dirt car on the trailer. Right when Jackson saw him pull up he went running out the door and to the car!! Of course Brian let him climb in,and of course Jackson talked Brian into starting it up!! It was funny to watch the people of other nationalities react to a very LOUD dirt car!!

Duck and Cover!!

2009-07-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

The kids were out in the pool swimming while I was in the house. I kept on hearing all of this screaming and yelling. I went outside to see what the fuss was all about, and it was over this little birdie!! Someones parakeet was lost and flying around in the backyard. It kept on trying to land in the pool, and at one point finally landed on my float. Mackenzie thought that she would be brave and held out her finger. The bird came flying toward her, and she took off screaming! Poor bird! It finally landed on the deck, and sat there while I took a picture of it. We haven't seen it since!! I guess the kids scared it off!!

We Sometimes Forget How Pretty Some Things Are

2009-07-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, we were outside with our new dog. The moon looked so cool, that I just had to see if I could get a good picture of it with my new camera and this is how it turned out. How cool is that?

Happy Fourth Of July

2009-07-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

Normally we have our family 4th of July get together at my house, but this year we went to June and John's house in Hermitage. We had lots of fun seeing everyone. This year my cousins from Kentucky were able to come down and join us! June had lots of good food for us. We were all enjoying the Hot weather, until the lovely rain came down on us!! We all took cover in the garage and continued our festivities, without the fireworks!! Hope that everyone had a great holiday. Next year...we will be back at my house!!!

End Of An Era

2009-06-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

We received some very sad news on Sunday night. After 34 years of teaching dance, Mrs. Cathy has decided to retire. We are all in shock, but knew that it was coming, just not so soon. We have been there since Ashlee was 4 years old. She has been dancing since she was 2, but at another studio. For the past 11 or so years, we all have made some great friends at dance, and we all have tons of great memories that we will never forget.

The girls have no idea what they want to do. We just can't imagine dancing for any one other than Mrs. Cathy! What a wonderful christian role model that she has been for my girls. We will miss the studio, friends, and Mrs. Cathy very much.

We Got A new Puppy!!

2009-06-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

I know that I said that I wanted to wait a while before I got another dog...but I couldn't help it!! Yesterday I saw an ad in the paper for beagle puppies. I called the man this morning, and we went to Lebanon to go LOOK only!! I warned the kids not to be upset if we didn't get one, because I was going to be very picky on the one that I choose!! My mama & daddy went with us. Mike was in a lake somewhere fishing, and of course he had no idea!!

As we were walking to the barn, the man was telling me about how many different litters of pups that he had. Before we could even get close I saw the one that I wanted!! I immediately got her out and held her the whole time. Of course the kids liked all of the puppies, especially the smaller ones. After about an hour of looking and trying to get Jackson to understand that the smaller puppies were going to grow and be as big as the one that I had choose, he finally agreed to the one!! We already knew that we wanted a girl, and she already had a name...Rosie Mae!

During the whole time that Biscuit was sick, Jackson never cried, even the day that we put him to sleep. Before we got in the car to leave with the new puppy...he just breaks don and starts crying. The only thing that we could come up with was that he was relieved that he got another dog. Before we could even get Jackson in the car, he said "If this dog dies can I get another one?" What do you say? Of course I said yes!

Miss Rosie is 7 weeks old and is soo cute!!

Dane Reital 2009

2009-06-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend was the girls dance recital that is held at TPAC downtown. As usual it was a great performance. All three of the girls danced well and looked so pretty on stage. This year Mike got to dance with Natalie in her ballet. It was a very pretty dance, and Mike looked so handsome up on stage!
I can't believe that Ashlee only has 3 more recitals until she graduates! She has been dancing since she was 2 years old!

After dress rehearsal and the actual two nights of recital, we are all pretty worn out!!

Cheerleaders...again!!

2009-05-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

This week Ashlee and Mackenzie both had cheerleading tryouts at their schools. It was a very busy week to begin with, dance, dog being sick, Mackenzie's birthday, Ashlee's school play, Jacksons soccer pratice...just plain busy and crazy.

They both had cheer clinics for a few days before the actual tryouts. Ashlee tried out on Wednesday, and made it! Mackenzie tried out on Thursday(her birthday) and made it!

We are very proud of both of them. They really love this cheerleading stuff. It's fun..until they both have to be at the same place at the same time!!!

Go Ravens.....Ashlee
Go Cubs......Mackenzie

Not A Good Outcome.....

2009-05-15T18:54:00.000-07:00

I took Biscuit to the Southside Vet for a third opinion. The results were the same. The only difference was that Biscuit had already lost feeling in his lower body, and was dragging himself around. His body and brain were not communicating to each other. The end result was that I could not watch my dog live a pitiful life anymore. I had him put down yesterday afternoon. I have cried for him so much that my face feels numb. The kids are taking it better than I have. Of course, I was the one that has been emotionally involved. They want another dog, but I am in no hurry to get one.

Today has been hard, I have been cleaning and getting rid of all of Biscuits toys and things. I know that I will get over it, but loosing a pet is like loosing a member of your family. In the last year and 5 days I have had to put both of my dogs down. That's what hurts the most.

Thank you to everyone that has called and checked on me. I appreciate it.

Future Class Of 2022

2009-05-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

Today was Jackson's Pre-K graduation. I can't believe that he is all ready for Kindergarten. How time flies!!

His program was really cute. They sang one song for each month of the year! On the song for Mothers day, the kids came out and gave each mom a little vase that they made with a flower in it...then they kissed their moms. It was so sweet. After they sang, they gave out the diplomas. The teachers had asked each child what they wanted to be when they grow up. Of course Jackson said a race car driver. Who would have thought any different?! After all of the diplomas were given out, they announced this group as the future class of 2022!! Oh My Goodness! I will be soo old, and Mike even older!!

Thanks to Nana and Papa for coming and celebrating with Jackson. Josie(g.grandmother)& June, we are so glad that you were both able to come too.

Prayers for Biscuit

2009-05-14T12:01:00.000-07:00

Most of you all that follow my blog knows that we have a Beagle named Biscuit. He has been soo much fun, and the cutest darn dog that I have seen!! Biscuit needs everyone to be praying for him, and for me too as I have to decide what is best for my dog.

Tuesday evening, Natalie went outside to get him out of his kennel. I'm still not quiet sure what she saw when she went to get him. I got a phone call from my daddy telling me that Biscuit has been hurt and that I need to get home(I was at Ashlee's school play). I called the house and Natalie answered the phone. She was screaming, crying to the point that all I could get out of her is "Heres Daddy". Mike gets on the phone and said that the dog will not walk, he had to carry him up the steps. I came home and took him to the emergency pet in Cool Springs. Thank god that my BFF Lynn went with me. Lynn if you are reading this..you are great. Without doing any x-rays they said that he has a slipped disk. She told me that I could crate him for 6-8 weeks, or the worst would be surgery. They sent me home with pain meds and told me to follow up with my regular vet.

Wednesday morning I called the vets office @ 7:15. The recording said that they did not open till 7:30, that's fine. At 7:30 I called and got the same recording. I continued calling until 9:00 getting the same stupid recording that they do not open until 7:30. At this point I am very irritated. I finally drove over to Pet Med on Bell Road. This is where he has been going ever since we got him as a puppy. Without doing any x-rays, the Dr told me that he has to have surgery. She called the 12th ave. South animal hospital. They told me that the cost for surgery would be around 4,000.00. Of course I was still willing to go and let him have it. I asked the girl if they take care credit ( for pets & humans) she said yes! I then asked her if they could set me up on a payment plan for the remaining balance. The girl on the phone LAUGHED at me and said that they do not do things like that. I am already an emotional wreck, crying my eyes out. So needless to say my dog did not have the surgery yesterday. Now my regular vet Never said anything about creating him for 6-8 wks like the vet did on Tuesday night. Plus my regular vet Never did any thing to my dog, with the exception of giving him his new rabies shot. I contacted my cousin who works for a chiropractor. She gave me the name of a vet that does chiropractic work on dogs. They say that he is a good candidate for things like this. The only down side is that they can not see him until next Wednesday. This brings me to the present. My dog can not walk with his two back legs. He drags himself, almost like he has been hit by a car, but hasn't. So in the next few minutes, I am on my way to another Vet...Southside on Nolensville RD to get another opinion and x-rays.

Please pray that my dog will be OK and that i will not have to be put in situation to make a life or death decision for Biscuit. He just turned 2 years old this month.

A Day Of Nothing But Good News!!!

2009-04-03T19:24:00.001-07:00

Today has been a day full of good news, well actually the last few days have been full of Good News! My friend Heather Hood had a new baby on Thursday morning..Mr. Hunter Michael Hood. I can't wait to see him in person, I did see him on T.V. (Thursdays Baby)! Congrats Heather, Derrick and new big sister Hannah. Another friend, Mary Rose and her husband had a baby boy Friday morning, guess what his name is? Hunter James! Congrats Mary Rose and Jerry! One of my best girlfriends- Angela, called me this afternoon with great news! Her husband Dave got the head basketball(boys) coaching job at Hume Fogg High School. Dave, we are so proud of you!! And last but not least...My best friend Jenny finally got her picture of the cutest little baby...Miss Shelby Marie. After waiting for 3 years, 6months, and 3 weeks we finally know what she looks like. Miss Shelby is coming to us from China and we can not wait to finally see her in person. Jenny I am so happy for you, and I know that Frank and Granny are too.
Well I guess that's all the good news that I have for now!

Soccer Saturday

2009-03-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

Today was Jackson's first soccer game of the season. He was so excited about game day!! This season his team colors are marroon and white. He calls it marroon red. Their team name is the Tigers!! He has the same coach that he had last Spring and this past Fall, Coach O'Brien. He is so good with the kids, never raises his voice and makes every little thing seem like a really big thing!! His son, Mark plays on the team as well. Jackson and Mark sorta look alike, especially if they have their backs turned. We are so glad to be on his team again. Jackson played good and made one goal, the whole team played well together. It's hard to yell for all of our players, the only names that I know is Jackson and Marks! All of the other kids are new on the team, so it will take me a few games to figure out who everyone is!! Oh, by the way we lost 4-1. They do not keep up with the scores, but the girls do it for me!!

What Comes First, The Chicken Or The Pox?

2009-02-07T12:09:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought that my kids would get the chicken pox? I sure as heck didn't!! I mean after all, wasn't that what the shot was for? The "chicken" has been going around with all the kids that me & mama keep. One would get it, then 11 days later another got them. On Wednesday, the day of mama's knee surgery, I went in to wake up Jackson. He had this little red spot on his forehead. I immediately started looking all over his body. I only found like 3 spots on him. I didn't send him to school, not really sure if it was the pox or not, but to be on the safe side I kept him home with me. He cried. I felt so bad for him, he really loves going to school. By the end of the day he had less than 15 spots on him. They were in random places, a few in his hair, one on his back one on his arm, three on his back, and that's about it!! I kept him home from school again on Thursday. Know keeping him home meant that he was at mama's house with all of the day care kids. I mean after all, the majority of them had already had them, plus I look at it as they had all already been exposed!!

Saturday morning, Mackenzie comes into my room and lifts up her shirt. Lo and behold she has 2 spots on her back. This was @ 8:30 in the morning. By 9:05 they had already spread to her face and her shoulder. All together no more than 10 spots. I gave her benadryl to keep her from itching. It is now 2:30 and she only has 5 spots. The others have just disappeared!! It is the weirdest thing. You can tell that she doesn't feel well. She is just dragging around the house. We were suppose to go to a surprise party tonight, but I can't take Mackenzie or Jackson for the fear that they will expose other kids that will be there. She is upset about that the most! Of course she is blaming Jackson!! My only fear is that Ashlee will get them. She has never missed a day of school since her first day of kindergarten, she will go regardless!!

Hopefully the other two won't get them!!

Jackson

2009-01-28T14:41:00.000-08:00

Jackson finally started pre school this past fall. He goes 3 days a week, and absolutely loves it! I can't believe how much he has learned in such a short time. They are very structured and treat it like real kindergarden. He has met all kinds of friends and even has a "girlfriend"- Cheyenne. On the days that he doesn't have school he tells me that he is bored. I guess that my daily routine is not much fun to him anymore!! He was the lead role in his school Christmas play. He got picked to be Joseph, and Cheyenne was Mary. One afternoon when papa picked him up from school, he blurts out that he is going to be a daddy! My dad was like what!! He(Joseph) is going to marry Mary(Cheyenne) and they are having a baby!!

I just signed him up for spring soccer. He played this past spring and fall. He is really good at it. Just this fall he scored 12 goals during the season. It is so cute to sit and watch all of these little kids run and chase a ball.

It seems to be that his best friends "Hawk & Dale Jr" have skipped town or something!! These were his 2 imginary friends that he has had since he was 2 1/2 years old. Some of the storys that he would tell us were absoutley hillarious. Hawk was the trouble maker. Dale was just Dale!! He still brings them up every once in a while, but nothing like he used to. There for a while, I was shutting the car door and was told that I had to open it back up to let Hawk & Dale get in the car with us!!

He is growing so much. It won't be long until he is off to school full time. We have all had so much fun with Jackson. We were all worried when we found out that he was going to be a boy. After having 3 girls, we knew nothing about boys!! He is truly ALL BOY!!!

Natalie

2009-01-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

Natalie started middle school! She was really excited until the last week of summer break, that's when the nerves hit!! At first she didn't like it all that well. I think that it was just the new environment that comes with middle school. She had a hard time trying to figure out how to open her combination lock on her locker, that alone was stressing her out!! After the first month she had completely adjusted to life as a fifth grader. She has 2 teachers, and takes an elective course every 9 weeks. She was student of the month/semester. She was recognized and received a certificate in front of the whole student body. Her class peers elected her as student council Representative. She has monthly meeting that she has to attend. I believe that she is the tallest 5th grader! She actually looks older than Mackenzie!! Her grades are out of this world. On the first 9 week grading period, she didn't have anything lower than a 95 on her report card. She is Very smart. She has already attended her first school dance. She thought that it was boring!!

In metro school you can not try out for any sports until you are in the 7th grade. She has already said that she is going to try out for cheer leading! Go figure!! Natalie takes dance 1 night a week, and has talked about maybe playing soccer in the spring! She a great kid, and we couldn't be more proud!

Mackenzie

2009-01-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

Mackenzie is in the seventh grade this year. Here is a little bit of how her first week of school went! On the fourth day of school, she was at home pratcing for cheerleading tryouts. I had gone to wal-mart and left the kids at home. While I was out Mackenzie calls crying and said that she hurt her foot. I asked if anyone was bleeding, or if a bone was sticking out! I was't too concerned, because I just kept on shopping!! I came home and checked on her. She looked fine to me, but I did call our favoriate person, Dr. Dave!! We just figured that she had sprung her ankle.

The next morning when I had come back home from taking Ashlee to school, Mackenzie was already up and dressed. She was hopping around on one foot. She had her mind set that she was going to school with one good foot. She could not even put weight on it, she hurt so bad. I talked her into going to nanas house and we could lay around with ice on it(it really wasn't swollen). To make a long story short, I took her to a walk in clinic. They did an x-ray, and of course her foot was broke. Go figure!! They put her in a boot and said NO CHEERING for 2 weeks. Tryouts for cheerleading were in 1 week. She ended up going to all of the tryout pratices, and with boot and all came out onto the gym floor, turning cartwheels, and spiriting around. She made the squad!!! We were all so happy for her. She looks so cute in her uniform.

She has made awesome grades so far this year. She has pratice 2 days a week, cheers 2 games a week, and dances 1 night a week.

She can't wait until next year...she will be in the upper class of the school!

Ashlee

2009-01-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

Ashlee is in the ninth grade this year. I can't believe that my baby has started High School! I still remember the first day of kindergarden, Mike & I walked her across the street. It didn't really bother me sending her off to school then, but this year it really did!! I actualluy had this sick feeling. My friend Angela keeps reminding me that these next 4 years will go by faster than any of the years past. I drove her to school and pulled up to the front, and out she went!! She was so excited. I was excited for her, but I felt very weepy when I drove off and left her.

Here we are, already in the second semester of school. She is in all honors classes. She made the varisity cheerleading squad. Her grades are excellent. I could not ask for a better kid. She doesn't give me a hard time, every once in a while I have to remind her who's in charge, but that is about it. I am very proud of how she manages her free time. She cheers at games 2 days a week, has pratice 2 days a week, and on top of that she has dance once a week, with all of that she still manages to keep good grades! Mike and I are both very proud of her.

Let's Give This A Second Try!!

2009-01-28T13:24:00.000-08:00

I finally have a faster working computer with no virus, so now I am going to try for the second time to start a blog about my kids and the busy, fast paced world they live in. I can't promise you many enterys, but I will give it my best!!

I hope that you will continue to check up on us, and watch how we tackle the teenage years with the girls, and Jackson soon going off to kindergarden.