Wow.....has everyone been this busy???

Feels like ages since i've had the opportunity to sit down, think a minute (without interruption) and just blog...

CHRISTmas has come and gone.......

A new year will be here tomorrow night.

We had a great Christmas, the boys were happy with what Santa brought and what mom and dad were able to find too.  Peyton was happy to once again assume his position as Santa Tracker and followed NORAD to see when the jolly fellow was coming our way......to ensure a proper bedtime, of course

Cookies were once again placed for Santa's delight.....although Dad thought he might enjoy one of my homemade fruit bars, so we tried it out this year and low and behold he loved them.

This year Cooper's instructions were "Half clothes and Half toys, got it?"  LOUD AND CLEAR SON!!  He was happy that Santa and his parents obliged......a new sleeping bag, really cool water bottle, baseball bat and glove, a new football and a really cool camoflauged airsoft gun complete with holster and bullets

Peyton on the other hand didn't really care as long as the presents were under the tree.....

a set of perfect push-ups and an iron gym, mammoth crocs, bakugans....this kid was happy.....way to go Santa, ya did awesome again this year!!

It wasn't a Christmas tree filled with hundreds of presents,

but Nanny and Pawpaw were here,

 so was the spirit of giving as well as receiving and the most important part was the spirit of Christ....

Thank you Lord for one more blessed year, thank you for not abandoning us, for always being there to provide for us in ways we can't begin to imagine, but most importantly for the gift of your Son.

Thank you for CHRISTmas!

Wow.....has everyone else been this busy??

I've been wanting to write for two weeks and haven't had the time.....
is everyone this busy??

I had a Christmas Party,4th grade field trip, karate competition, church, another Christmas party...work, kids, babysitting, the gym.....sheesh....

but the best part of it is.....3 1/2 more days and then over 2 weeks of VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YIPPIE!!!!!!!

I had so many pictures to post, so many cute things to write...but this is all time would allow.

oh well, til next week when I can play catch up.  Everyone have a great week, Blessed Christmas and as the somewhat cheesy but so true of a saying goes..."Remember Jesus IS the reason for THIS season".....oh how I'm so thankful for that gift.

Overcome.......

o*ver*come....verb........1.  to defeat; conquer.  2. to surmount; prevail over 3. to over-power, as with emotion

Sunday Gregg had the opportunity to preach while Pastor Roger was away in NY hunting with his family.  He had been preaching on the subject of "Overcoming" and Gregg picked up right where he had left off.  IN A POWERFUL WAY.....

We have many obsticles in life we have to over come.....some are big, some are tiny, some are life threating, some are not....some are marriage threatening, while others seems trivial and almost laughable....while others are not. 

I have finally overcome this issue of my weight, Gregg acknowledged it in his sermon and made me feel so proud that he's proud and noticed my success....I was happy for the moment, then my heart turned inward and remembered a dear friend of mine who is struggling to overcome marital issues in her life.

I wish I could fix it for them, I wish I could help them overcome this troubling time in their marriage, I'm just a wanna be fixer-upper but I can't.  I can pray for them, it's the best thing I can offer them at this time.  I just hate that my friends are struggling....I pray that they can overcome, that God can guide them and provide an end to this struggling they are enduring....

My happiness and joy at my overcoming has to take a backseat right now while I help my friend get through her situation, I hope that at the end of this path that they are on they can and will feel like an overcomer too.

God is that able, that loving, that merciful to help anyone in any situation overcome....even my friends.  Please keep them in your prayers that they too can feel the victory of overcoming...... to defeat and conquer, to surmount and prevail over, to over-power this time in their life, their marriage is worth it, their family is worth it and I hope they know that there are those of us out here praying for them and who love them dearly.

Jewlery....CYNTHIA Style.....Gotta love it, I sure do.

Last night Cynthia had one of her jewlery parties at Marina's.....

All I can say is I LOVE HER(YOUR) STUFF!!!  She is sooo incredibly talented.

God has given her a unique gift and she is definately putting it to good use.....

 If you haven't seen any of her stuff check out this link http://www.cynthiagarrett.typepad.com/

I wish.....

I could have it all.....Cynthia you are talented and a super friend...I wish for you all the sucess you can handle!

There's so much more....check her out! 

Wow...he's really 10.

My baby, the one I tried to have for 8 years is now 10 years old....

W o W

I can't believe how fast time has flown. 

He's 10, double digits.....he's so handsome, so smart, so funny, such a pain in the butt.....but he's MINE and I love him.

Happy 10th Birthday to my Peyton Gregory....I love you more now than ever, but not nearly as much as tomorrow.....I thank God daily for choosing ME to be your mom, YOU ARE AMAZING!

You're one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me, I love you.

Best night of my life EVER....ok without my family.

So last night turned out to be "Ladies Night Out".......

Patty and I had ben DYING for a good girls night out and well, last night was it.  THANK GOODNESS Marina and Hollie came too, without them the night would have been good and enjoyable but the laughs and fellowship would have suffered just a bit.

So off to dinner we went....Two Urban Licks, if you've never been SHAME ON YOU.  The food and atmosphere are the best in Atlanta, HANDS DOWN!!  The appetizers were amazing and the main course was to die for.  I had jerk chicken that was so much it will feed both Gregg and I for lunch today.  Patty had the Mahi-Mahi and her plate was cleaned (we all helped her on that one) Hollie had the Scallops with Gouda Grits and Marina had the beef rib (it was one HUGE rib) with their famous Mac & Cheese.....we were so not dissapointed.

Then after dinner we went to the Dark Horse Saloon over in Higlands, for a few more snake charmer laughs and cervezas......

After mid-town we decided to head home, but not before a stop on Chesire Bridge Road at the POSTER HUT......okay if you dont know what that place is, I aint telling....but i can tell you this I haven't laughed or heard Patty and Marina laugh so hard or much in YEARS......Hollie and I had our share but the two of them really enjoyed themselves....

Then I wont mention was happened on the way home from there, but I will say it required 4 unsucessful stops and finally an indecent exposure in a gas station parking lot....

then finally back to the southside.....Backwoods....Jaibait capitol of the world, that's all I am going to say about that.

Thank you to my wonderful girlfriends for an INCREDIBLE time, I had the best time ever, I hope we can repeat it again soon!!  Love you all so much. 

obligation, schmobligation.

Today I feel like I'm an "Obligation"

I HATE, HATE, HATE that feeling.....do ME no favors.  If it wasn't for my beautful, wonderful, innocent two boys, I would speak my peace.

That being said, I can't.

)@(*#&$)(*%R(*@&#)($&&@#($*&@(*#&$(*@^T)(*^%_@*#&%(*@#%(^  is what I really want to say, but I can't

UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH......

Why do we let people affect us the way they do????

Why does it seem like some people are strong enough and or just dont care enough to speak their peace.

Why can't I be that way???

Oh well, God just help cleanse my lips, purify my heart and let my actions speak louder than my words, because right now my words are not pleasing to anyone's ears....

My God is an AWESOME GOD.....

"the steps of a righteous man (child or woman) are ordered of the Lord".......heard that before?? 


I have COUNTLESS times and until today hadn't truly witnessed it in my life, much less in my child's.


Peyton had to have a few test run at the hospital today, all came back normal by the way, but regardless...
for a 9 year old, 19 year old, 39 year old or 99 year old the hosptial can be a very spooky place.


Today it was an ultrasound and an Upper GI series.....we had the ultrasound, bingo no big deal, the GI a different story....thinking about swallowing that crap on an empty stomach didn't sound too appealing to anyone much less a 9 year old. 


We were sitting there waiting to be called back and then all of a sudden we heard his name called and when we stood up to go...low and behold there was Ms. Becky.  Peyton's face went relaxed and his shoulders showed no fear....I nearly cried at the sight of her because I knew Peyton would feel much more calm with someone he knew.


***Okay this is the awesome part.....Ms. Becky is Cooper's best friend Walker's Grandmother.  Cooper met Walker THIS year in school at ELCA....we first met Ms. Becky with Walker at karate (Walker and Peyton take lessons at the same studio) then again at Walker's bday party, she and Walker's family are the neatest thing in our life since God gave us Gran and family.  God knew when he put Walker and Cooper together that today would occur....HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!!!!!!


God knew Peyton's steps and had them ordered....today it was obvious.  I nearly cry just sitting here thinking about how awesome God really is.  Peyton did the test BEAUTIFULLY...no tears, no hesitations, or reservations.  It was a really cool day for me.  I felt God's peace and presence, just like Peyton did.


God thank you for keeping your promises to us, I am humbled once again by your Awesomeness!!

Wooohooo for me....

today Peyton had an orthodontist appointment.....I was NOT looking forward to it since the wallet is on the kinda tight side....VERY tight.

Peyton was apprehensive about it, he's just that much like me.

they called and could see us 45 mins earlier, hooray for that since we had to go over towards Southern Regional...

we get there, Dr. Hunter checks him out and says well mom, this is one beautiful mouth, I have people pay me thousands of dollars for a mouth like this. 

WOOOHOOOO i was soo happy. 

The only reason we went was the boys dentist wanted his bite looked at.  Dr. Hunter said if the gap between his two front teeth didn't close up, he could put "buttons" aka brackets on them and for 100.00 and in 6 weeks have him all fixed up.

I was rejoicing all the way back home, so was my wallet!!

Love you 2nd....

In the kitchen the other day Cooper says to me..."Mom do you know who I love 2nd?"

of course my initial thought was "I hope it's your dad" but of course I didn't say anything to the sort and asked Cooper "No honey, who do you love 2nd." and his reply was "You mommy, I love you 2nd."

I WAS CRUSHED......but then I thought..........well let's wait and see who's at the #1 spot...

so I asked, "Well Cooper who DO you love first?" and he replied "Mom I love God first, because He loves me as much as you do."

my heart melted...

Stay Tuned..........

Okay so this friday, pending NO RAIN....my sweet Cooper will be in the Homecoming Court at ELCA!!! He will be representing his 1st grade class. We are so proud of him and can't wait so......stay tuned for furter updates and pictures!!!

PARTY TIME!!

Yep it's party time at my house today........I finally did it...

this morning the bathroom scale was my friend and rendered itself to show a 25lb loss since the first of June!!!! WOOOHOOOOOOOO

I am so proud of myself....

words are hard to come by...

Now it's the dreaded last 19 to go....but hey, I'm more than half way there.

I hasn't been difficult, emotional yes, difficult no.

I can't tell you how good it feels to have my size 12's feeling loose and baggy and to top it off for the first time in I can't tell you how long I bough a size MEDIUM shirt the other day and IT FIT!! I haven't been this weight in OVER 20 years....since my highschool days.

Maybe turning 40 in March wont be so difficult after all, I just have to keep pressing towards the mark and remember that this is for me and my future and it's been TOTALLY WORTH IT.

Not to mention how sexy it makes me feel around my hubby...........but i digress :o)

The gym has actually become my friend and I love going and miss it on the days that I can't.

I NEVER though I would say those words, but I have and it feels good.

I'm so proud of myself, Thank you God for never leaving me or abandoning me and I know you never will. Thank you too for helping me during those emotional days to realize I can overcome.

Just what holiday's and vacations are ment for...

So today we were supposed to go see my grandmother, but I couldn't get in touch with her....so
onto plan number 2.

The boys haven't had a spring clean of their rooms in quite sometime so today turned out to be the day....

Three trash bags and two boxes of yard sale later, I'm a happy mom....for now.

Let's just see how long these beautiful, clean, clutter-free rooms last.

I give them til friday....

we'll see.

Whew....

What a week........i'm telling you what, i've never looked forward to the week being over as much as I did this week. it sucked, i mean stunk

A week off from work next week............no school for the boys, therefore......

Monday.....dentist appts for the boys......... golf with dad afterwards ..........Solace Center for mom (YIPPPPPPIE)

Tuesday dad's off again and we're going hiking, YIPPIE our last canyon on the Ga State parks "Canyon Climbers Club" then we get our T-shirts.

Wednesday we're going to griffin to see my grannie mamie

Thursday hopefully bowling with our friends and then......

Friday, the day the boys are looking SOOO forward to................. Y A R D S A L E DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I told them what they sell they can keep the moolah....what a better way to get two boys motivated to be outside and not indoors in front of the "idiot box"and clean out those un-used toys piled up in their rooms!!!!

wish us luck, i need this crap GONE and i need the MONEY!!

hope you all have a good week, we sure hope to.

Gimmie an E....

Today has been a very emotional day for me.....dont know why, but it has.

Work was a challenge, life has been a challenge, motherhood has been a challenge...

Tomorrow will be another day with it's own set of challenges, this I realize....

Gregg and I are trying to listen to the voice of God and be faithful to His will in the path we are currently on.....some days it feels like we're succesful....others not so

My friend "M" has been enduring her share of heartache and trials and I think my share too....

I know my friend "P" has had MORE than her share.....

My friend "N" seems to be experiencing some at this time in her life too, so many of my friends are.....

feels like death and uncertainty are EVERYWHERE yet there seems to be no peace or hope ANYWHERE....

but I must remember God's promises....."Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you." Job 22:21

and also...."The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Ex 34:6

God knows what's happening....he knows what's next. I will keep a steadfast pace and keep my eyes focused on the prize set before me, God please give me the strength, the determination and endurance needed to finish my course victoriously. Keep my head clear and heart pure and help us ALL to have a better day tomorrow.

Happy 40th Birthday and Girls Night Out!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLIE!!

Us

Friday was my dear friend Hollie's 40h birthday....i tease her because she's 6 months older than me, she's like a second mom to my boys, a sister to me and her parent's are like an extra set of grandparents to them too..... Our family would be so lost without their influence and presence in our life..... I digress....



Hollie & Me

We took Hollie out to Shout for dinner in Midtown...then went to the World Comedy Theatre for some belly laughs.....Gran (Hollie's mom)

rented a limo for us and we had a blast....here are some snapshots from our night out. Hollie, I hope you had a fabulous birthday, you are loved and the dearest friend to me. Hoping for many more memories like these!!

The gang's all here and hungry!!

The gang on the patio....

Belly laughs on the patio....

Then it was off to the World Comedy Theatre and talk about funny....

Then it was on for a mid-night run to KRISPY KREME!!!

The limo was too big to fit in the drive-thru so those that were yearning for doughnuts walked up to the window to place their order......

Talk about fun..........we had a great time and great laughs. Thanks Gran for allowing us to share this special time. Hollie I hope you had a great birthday and that MY 40th isn't too far off the mark from yours.....we'll wait and see.....

It's NEVER EVER ment to be understood...or should I say THEY

Today is my nephew's 16 birthday.....Happy Birthday Samuel.

My BROTHER-IN-LAW......let's clear that up real fast....and his wife are planning a "Coming into Manhood" 16th bday party for my nephew tonight. Which is all good and all but it's for MEN ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!! and also in Columbus GA.....nearly 2 hours away.

am I the only one a bit bothered by this???

why have such a "supposed" serious and big deal if the entire FAMILY can't be there to share this day with Sam??? I would love for my nephew to know how proud I am of him and how much I love him....

am I the only one a bit bothered by this???

they asked the men who were invited to send letters to Sam for his scrapbook.....why couldn't I, he is after all my nephew.....Such injustice.....

my poor, sweet, awesome mother-in-law....yes let's get this one fact straight......I LOVE MY MOTHER IN LAW!!

ok now back to where I was going....my poor, sweet, awesome as all mother-in-law has been assigned "kitchen" duty with Jodie, Sam's mom and I'm sure Jodie's mom too.....God bless Martha's little soul, I'll be praying for ya mom, I love you!!

am I the only one a bit bothered by this???

Coop said he didn't wanna go if I couldn't **did I mention how much I love my kids?**

The sad part about all of this is that my kids dont even really know their cousin that well (okay there's a slight age difference) and for them they dont know why they can't miss this event....they are just happy and glad for new Nintendo DS Games to keep them occupied!!! Let me stand corrected, I think Peyton's a little bit excited about going....Coop on the other hand isn't, like I stated earlier.....

am I the only one NOT a bit bothered by this???

after all we haven't been the one's so distant from the family....

oh well.......guess I'll enjoy my nice quiet evening at home with a cozy book and bed early tonight.

Have a happy Labor Day everyone!!

A small Victory indeed

Okay so after i was feeling guilty about the benadryl,

Peyton says to me this morning..." Mom can I go to bed tonight as early as I did last night?"

Me..."Sure baby, why are you still not feeling well?"....

Peyton "No mom I feel fine, I just feel so good today after all that rest last night."

Allelujah choir singing in the back ground.............AHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

then of course dad has to chime in and remind him that tonight is "Wipeout" on ABC....so needless to say no early bedtime for any of us tonight....it's all good. I'm just glad he's feeling better.

Evil Mother or Not?

So the boys haven't been feeling well lately and we've been on the go so much that I feel like it's partly my fault....

So tonight they both, along with their runny noses and coughs got a dose of benadryl and off to bed they went.

EVER BEEN THERE??

EVER DONE THAT??

Should I feel evil? Peyton couldn't even keep his eyes open at the dinner table, I kinda felt bad...
but he NEEDED the rest.....

Oh well, tomorrow is another day and hopefully this one will find them well rested AND feeling better......darn those allergies....

Welcome to my slice of heaven on earth....

Woohooo....okay so i am new at this, REALLY NEW.

Everyone else bloggs so I figured out why not me?!

Who know's what to talk about, what to do but here we go anyways....