Thankful

I have been reading a lot of people's posts on being thankful and I myself haven't really posted anything.  I have been doing a lot of thinking as to what I am truly thankful for this year or over the past couple of years.  We are all thankful I am sure for our Family and Friends, God, and jobs, but I think a lot of times we forgot all of the little things that seem little, but truly deserve to be thanked.  I have created a little list and I hope you enjoy reading what I am truly thankful for.

And Yes I am THANKFUL for the above...My wonderful family even though we are a little odd, God, and my wonderful Job for allowing me to mold and shape young minds, who knows I might be teaching our next President! :)

To my wonderful husband who has stuck it out with me through thick and thin, and my very special little girl, who has shown me the joys of childhood!



1. A mother and father who watch my child day in and day out, provide her with a safe, loving and fun environment all for FREE!
2. In-Laws that care for my child and love her like their own.
3. A reliable automobile
4.A washer and dryer so I don't have to venture to the laundry mat.
5. A bed to sleep in each and every night.
6. Electricity
7. My brother, for whom I know will always be there for me, and will be able to reminisce with me our childhood memories when no body else will be able to!
8. The 5th Amendment
9. Direct deposit
10. All the mean and rude people in the world to remind me to never be like that!
11. A free and public education to ALL!
12. The Internet :)
13. McDonald's Sweet Tea!
14. Books
15. Puppies that greet us with wagging tails and warm wet kisses
16. Diaper Genies
17. Text messaging
18. Coupons
19. Shoes
20. Modern Medicine
21. I almost forgot....POST-IT Notes! I can't live without them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Calling all readers

So I added a new widgit to the blog.  I noticed I had over 15,000 hits and wondered where they were coming from.  If you happen to stumble across my blog via the www, or just happen to know us and enjoy reading I would love to know.  If you don't mind leave me a comment as to how you found our blog and what state or city your are reading from.  That's all, nothing more.  I am just curious because for a small town girl 15,000 is a lot!
Happy Reading and there is always more to come!

MOTO RUN

Parris Island was the home for my brother for 13 long weeks.  The Marine Corps Dept is in the middle of a swamp near the coast of Charleston, SC.  After completing 13 weeks of intense training we were invited to visit Justin for the USMC Family Day and then the official Graduation!
The first day we got to see and spend time with Justin was on Family Day!  It started at 5am on a cold morning while 11 of us piled into our cars and set in the dark waiting for our boy to run by us.  This was our first glimpse of him.

Welcome Home Marine!

On October 22, 2010 we were officially welcomed into the USMC Family!  I must say to spend time on Parris Island and get to take in all the sites, sounds, marching, and OOH-RAHS, I couldn't have been happier to cheer on my brother!  It is amazing how 13 weeks has transformed a 27 year old.  It was as thought he left a teenager and returned a stronger more responsible grown man!  I have never been as proud as I was when they announced his platoon.  Congratulations Little Brother!

Pumpkin Patch Full of Some Cuties!

Every year we visit the same pumpkin patch and every year it keeps getting better and better.  I guess when you have children of your own you begin to realize how as adults we seem to let all the fun and innocent things slip away from us and we spend much of our time dredging through work, bills, and the repetition of just being.  Life is to short and as adults we sometimes forget that.  To a child especially a toddler, they live in the moment, the excitement and wonder of it all.  I was shown this while at our visit to the patch.  The items there we simply orange pumpkins, some haw and a couple scarecrows yet to 3 kiddos it was like hitting the jackpot!

All the Wild Animals!

In mid-October Ricky and I decided to visit the Knoxville Zoo.  Chloe has a huge fascination with a variety of animals and we are always showing her photos of them, or watching them on TV.  However, with such beautiful fall weather in the forecast we decided to let her experience them first hand.  The Zoo was a huge success and for only $5 to park plus a $10 stuffed lion, it was perhaps the best $15 we have spent.
FYI-The Knoxville Zoo welcomes TN public school teachers to visit for free with their school id or paycheck stub.  Well worth the drive on a beautiful day!

Granny's Birthday!

I am only 3 month behind on this blog.  Time seems to go and warp speed these days.  My mom aka "Granny" celebrated her birthday on July 26th.  This year all she asked for was a homemade cheesecake.  Easy enough right?  No!  I think I am a pretty good cook and this is the one item that takes forever to bake, and costs about $30 to make.  I guess I could have just bought one, but "Granny" wanted a home-made one.  Since my brother shipped out for boot camp on her actual birthday we waited until the following weekend to celebrate.   I kinda threw a mini-surprise birthday.  Dad had flowers delivered, I cooked some yummy Italian, and of course the cheese cake compliments of a Southern Living recipe. 
My mother is perhaps the best mother ever!  She was a stay at home mom, who always had our school lunched packed, was a home room mother, had cookies for snacks after school and always tucked us in at night!  I am so blessed to have her to do the same for my little girl.  She is a stay at home Granny to 3 precious grandchildren.  She goes above and beyond for our entire family.  Happy Birthday Mom!  I love you and will forever be grateful!