Not Me Monday

I have been reading MckMama's Not me Monday's for awhile now. I definately have something to say this week. Unfortunately it covers two weekends.

• McKenzie did not spend the night with my mom on Friday the 19th and have an episode of croup that caused a middle of the night trip to the ER.
• I did not take McKaleb to the ER with me and have him throw up all over me because he gagged on a hair in his mouth. We did not have to get clothes from the clothing closet at Childrens in order to go home because we were covered in grossness.
• We also did not crash at mom's when we got home from the ER so that we could catch up on our rest.
• Mom's oven did not decide to go out the Saturday before Christmas. David did not think that it was working, test it and say it was fine, only to have it be out on Christmas Eve around 4 pm, with mom having company on Christmas day to fix a meal for.
• The oven not being out did not cause me to do something I hate with a passion, go to the grocery store, for a second time in one day. I did not have to buy meat from the deli (just before the store closed on Christmas Eve), which I would never admit that I had not done before the first time to the store earlier in the day.
• While at the store, I did not look for Cake Wrecks and hope to find one to submit to the blog.
• I did not allow my daughter to put out PB sandwiches as reindeer snacks and cookies for Santa. Said reindeer did not leave just the crusts as proof that Santa had visited.
• I did not hit a mailbox with my sideview mirror yesterday on the way to Pee Paw's after church. Fortunately since I did not hit the mailbox, only the mirror came off and didn't scratch the car at all since the mirrors are the break away kind. I am not driving looking at a black spot where the mirror fell off trying to check my blind spot.
• I was not glad that there were no services last night as I didn't feel like going, even though I haven't been in a few weeks.
• I did not have to take both kids to the doctor on Friday after Christmas. I did not have one kid with a sinus infection and contact dermititus and one with beginning stages of croup needing breathing treatments every 6 hours, steroids, and a toddler Zpack. I then did not have to go to the doctor for myself to be diagnosed with a virus that could turn into a sinus infection.
• I also did not have to send the sick kids to be with their dad for the weekend.
• I did not stay in bed until 3pm on Saturday watching an NCIS marathon on USA, only to get up for a few hours to see my dad, Darlene and Emily. I did not return home and climb back into bed, fall asleep, and wake up mad the next morning because I missed the episodes that I had not seen from that season.
• I did not buy myself a box of Turtles Friday night at the Christmas Clearance Sale at Wal-Mart, and hide them so that I don't have to share them with the kids.

And this was just a few of the things that I did not do. If only I had the time and space to let you know all of the things that I did not do in the past 10 days. Maybe this will become a habit of Not me Mondays. Maybe I will have a calmer week than the last 10 days.

Off the topic of Not Me Monday, I am in a bad funk and desparately need prayer. If you have the time, a small one would help me greatly as I am in a place that I am having a hard time doing it for myself.

Hope your Christmas was great. Ours was except for the Not Me Stuff. I will try to post some pictures and a couple of videos of McKaleb singing Christmas songs for your enjoyment.

Another lost tooth

McKenzie has lost another tooth. She has now lost 4 teeth. She is growing up so fast. Just 6 years ago, she was such a little thing, and now she is almost as big as I am.

The last tooth that McKenzie lost was pulled by Mrs. Book, at teacher at her school. She refused to let me pull this tooth since Mrs. Book is apparently the "best" at pulling teeth. She had to wait for Mrs. Book to pull it.

So Mrs. Book pulled it yesterday. We put it in the tooth fairy pillow and went to bed. I was exhausted because I had to work late on Monday night at a Financial Aid Night at Milligan College and we had gymnastics last night. My plan was to get up early in the morning and make sure that the tooth fairy had stopped by to collect the tooth and leave a surprise.

Needless to say, I felt like I had been hit by a truck this morning and I forgot. I realized that I forgot when a very disappointed McKenzie said "She didn't come." I quickly realized my error and let her know that I had been in the kitchen to turn on the iron and I thought that the tooth fairy had left something for her in there. I instructed her to get her clothes on quickly so that she could come check it out.

I quickly grabbed the notepad on the fridge, disguised my handwriting and wrote a note from the tooth fairy explaining that she left the surprise in the kitchen because she saw how tired McKenzie was and she didn't want to wake her. What had the potential to be a huge disaster was averted and McKenzie skipped back to the bedroom to show McKaleb the money she got for her tooth.

I told McKenzie that we would put the tooth back in the pillow and that the tooth fairy would pick it up tonight since the tooth fairy wouldn't have to worry about waking her up since it is the night she stays over with her dad. Boy am I glad that she accepted that without question. It was awful to hear her disappointed little voice. She was happy after she got her personal note though.

Keep me in your prayers over the next few weeks. Today it has been 10 years since my first date with Lucas. Obviously a lot has changed in the last 10 years and not all for the best. December has always been a rough time for me since I have Peter Pan syndrome and don't want to grow up or things to change. Unfortunately everything changes. I remember being upset over growing up when I was 10 years old. Since my birthday is in December and New Years is right around the corner, it has always made this a difficult time of year.

Thanks in advance for the prayers. I hope you all are having a good week!

McKenzie's Slumber Party

McKenzie had a slumber party on Friday night for her birthday. The kids had a great time. I survived having 5 screaming kids at my house. The house is still standing, but it is going to take a while to recover from the damage of a party and McKenzie and me getting a stomach virus.

Kaleb had a great time aggravating the girls. After they left, he kept asking where they were and when they were coming back.

Kindergarten Sings!

McKenzie had her first school program last night. At NVE there are 9 Kindergarten classes. The classes were grouped in 3 separate groups. Each group prepared a song and then they all sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." McKenzie's was the second group to sing. She did so well. She is an amazing singer and she loves to act. Be sure to check out her facial expressions in the videos.

McKenzie's 6th Birthday

Today my first angel turns 6. It is emotionally daunting to think that she has been here for 6 years. I want to be able to do so much more for my kids than I do now. Sometimes, the time just slips away from me though. I love this little one with all my heart. She is such a sweet, sensitive little girl. So here's to you Kenz! Have a Happy Birthday!

I have included a few photos from her first days to commemorate the occasion! She's going to love me for this!

Just minutes old!

Cleaned up by Nurse Becky!

Pictured with Granny Myrt. who passed away May 14, 2003.



Pictured with Nana, who passed away on Sept. 14, 2004.

Please be in prayer for me tonight as she is having her first slumber party. She is inviting 2 girls from school and her cousin Kelly. Kaleb will also be in attendance. I will have 5 kids. Yikes, what was I thinking. Anyway.........as far as I know this is the first slumber party for at least 3 of the girls, McKenzie included. Fortunately everyone but Kelly lives close. Kelly has spent the night with us a number of times, so I don't anticipate any issues for her. Wish us luck!

Have a great weekend!

Rebel for a Cause

Please view McKMama's blog to see this awesome opportunity to help some great organizations that families need when the unthinkable has happened. For $10 you donate to the Raffle-Way and get the chance to help 3 wonderful organizations and possible win an awesome camera package, blog make over etc. The prize is huge. You can also link from your blog so that you can get in on the bonus drawing (in case you don't win the big prize).

Oh No, I've Been Tagged!

And so I have been tagged by Stephanie. I posting the 4th picture in the 4th folder on my computer. Since I am trying to preserve pictures and scan them in as I have time, here is my picture. Very appropriate for this time of year, and yet not something that you would want to post for everyone to see.




Hope you enjoy the laugh. I am tagging Summer L., Kari P., and Whitney P.. Go find your 4th picture ladies! I can't wait to see it.

Long Awaited Photos

These may be the cutest kids ever, and I am not partial at all since I am their mother. Their eyes have not been touched up, I was there and the blue popped out that morning as she was taking the pictures. It was very cold that day. McKaleb didn't last long because he was sleepy and on medication recovering from bronchitus and strep. You would never know from these pics that the little sweetheart was sick. Let me know which is your favorite. Thanks Rhonda and Kim for a wonderful photo shoot! You can view their other work at www.imageeverything.blogspot.com

Fireproof the Movie DVD Release Date!

As many of you have been anxiously awaiting the news of the release of the Fireproof movie on DVD, and now the information is available. The DVD is going to be released January 27, 2009. It will probably only be in theatres another weekend, so if you haven't seen it, you need to go. If you have and have time, you should go again. If not, you can pre-order the DVD at several local retailers. You can go directly to Lifeway and order here. I would check to see if Lifeway is offereing any pre-order deals in the upcoming sales ads too. They typically offer some kind of deal if you pre-order anything.

I am anxious for our photo shoot tomorrow with ImagesEverything. It is going to be cold, but I think it will be fun. I hope everyone has a restful weekend.

McKaleb's 2nd birthday photo shoot

These photos were taken by Jill Payne at the JCPenny portrait studio at Knoxville Center Mall (East Town). We went to HS together and have a couple of kids about the same age. She has 4 to my 2. How she manages, I'll never know.

I can't decide which is my favorite. He was such a ham for her. There were many more, but I didn't order them. I am not sure that they would show up on this blog since they are so small on my computer.

Let me know which is your favorite of my "little man!"

He is so cute, but then again I am partial because he is mine!!!



He was looking out the "window" and said "It's scary back there!" Too cute!



Is he a stinker? I think so!!!







He had a great time playing with the hat!



He has such a sweet smile in the one below!

images~Everything: CHRISTMAS TIME!!!

images~Everything: CHRISTMAS TIME!!!

Check out the photos at this blog. These girls are getting back into their business after having their kids. They do excellent work. They have a Christmas special coming up on Nov. 22nd. Please give them a call!

McKenzie's Week

This is not McKenzie's week. First she got bit by a spider at church (we think). She didn't see it, only knew that it hurt and was very itchy. Last night the kids had their first gymnastics classes, which they loved. I was hesitant to let Kenzie participate in the class because she had a 103.00 fever. My mom was certain that it would be ok, since she thought Kenz had a UTI and it wouldn't be contagious. Turns out, mom is correct, she has a UTI. She is also getting her 6 yr molars too! What a week for the kid. She will be out of school until Thursday for sure. The doctor wrote the note for her to be out until Monday if necessary.

The last time McKenzie went to the doctor, he was concerned about her weight. He didn't want to her gain anymore because if she keeps gaining at the current rate she is going, she could be at risk for a multitude of things. The most devastating to a child being ridicule by classmates. Since her last visit to the doctor about 3 weeks ago, she has lost 2 pounds and grown a 1/2 inch. She is 69 lbs and 48 1/4 inches tall. I am so proud of her. She was hoping Dr. Ruth would be there so she could tell him how well she was doing. She is growing so fast. Dr. Ruth predicted that she would be at least 5'4". I wonder if he will be right, or if she will be taller........

She got her first report card last week. She did great! She only had a couple of things that she needed to work on. The best part of her report card was the comment made by Ms. Cox. She said, "McKenzie is kind to all in our class." What a great compliment to get on your child. I know she didn't get that quality from me or Luke.

Kyker Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

This weekend was a busy one. We went to the Kyker Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. Below are a few of my favorite pictures!

Birthday Gathering for Dylan

Dylan turned one on September 28th. Larissa wasn’t able to have his party as scheduled because the little guy to the chicken pox. He hadn’t had the vaccine because they don’t give it until babies are about 18 months old. I wasn’t worried about McKenzie and McKaleb because both are up to date on their shots.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the party

Look at them cramming as much icing as they could into their mouths!!!

McKenzie's expression is priceless!

Dylan is trying to get the lens cap on my camera!!

A big boy pony ride!!!

Please pray for all who are going to see this movie, that God will change their marriages and lives so that He gets the glory. If you haven't heard about it, please go to www.fireproofthemovie.com to find out about it. You may watch the trailer below.

Fireproof the Movie

From the makers of Facing the Giants, this movie has the potential to change marriages! I am so excited about it. I watched the trailer when I found the link on Love89's page and I cried. God is moving to counter the attacks that Satan has for our families. Go God!

Please tell your friends. The movie opens September 26th. Love89 is giving away sneak peak preview tickets. Their sneak peak is September 16th.

McKenzie's First Day of Kindergarten

Yesterday was McKenzie's first day of Kindergarten. I thought that everything was going to be ok and that I wouldn't lose it because I wasn't emotional the entire morning. McKenzie picked her clothes out the night before and we had a special breakfast of cinnamon rolls. We had our pictures made, loaded the school supplies, and got lunch money ready. We left for her first day at Northview Elementary School in Kodak.

On the ride over, she asked if she was going to have a test. I assured her that she would not be having a test the first day of school. Since she didn't have a pocket in her shorts and we left her backpack at home, she was also concerned about where she was going to put her lunch money when it was time to swing. I assured her that we could give it to her teacher.

We parked had pictures made as she was going in to the school. I was still doing well. We met her teacher, Ms. Katie Cox. She seems very nice. We got the updated materials (because McKenzie was originally going to be in another class) and got ready to go. I was fine until Ms. Cox told McKenzie to give mommy and daddy hugs so they could go to work. I started crying right then. I didn't let her see how sad I was. I waved goodbye and left the room. Outside the room, I had to take a few minutes to get myself together before I could leave. One of the other Kindergarten teachers came an hugged me and told me it would be ok and that they would take good care of my baby. Being a mom herself, she has experienced the heartache too!

Yesterday was the hardest day that I have had leaving her since I went back to work when she was 2 months old.

She called when the day was over very excited! All she would tell me on the phone was that she thought she was getting Quickey Candy on her tray and it turned out to be refried beans. (Quickey Candy is what we call the no bake chocolate and oatmeal cookies.) She also told me that she liked the Tacos, but not the cheese that they had. What a funny kid!

Here are some pictures of her first day!