Saying it with pictures!!

Proud of his ILE tote!

Jackson and Jagger

Jagger and Mrs. Anglea

Ready for my first day!!

Mama and Jagger
(my brave face!)



3rd grade PTO performance



Fall Soccer 2011

Fall soccer 2011

Daddy and Jagger

Jackson turned 9 years old on Saturday!!  So hard to believe.  He is growing up so fast.  He had a great birthday with friends and family.  Played an awesome game of soccer.  Had a fun skating party with a Spongebob cake, and lots of school friends. 
We are missing Daddy very much though.  Can't wait for him to come home!  I think I got a little spoiled over the last two months.  He is the coach for Jagger's team so I haven't had to do soccer practice at all until last week!  It was a nice break for Mom, but it made the last two weeks an adjustment...for us all!  This is going to be a tough year, but we are looking forward to where this new opportunity will take us!
WE LOVE YOU DADDY!!  We are so proud of you!

Off to 8th grade, 3rd grade, and KINDERGARTEN!!!!!!

Where exactly have the days gone??  I am not ready for school...I am not ready to send this baby boy off to Kindergarten.  Why do they have to grow up so fast?  I am having a REALLY hard time with this.  I know that everyone laughs it off like no big deal, but it is a big deal...HUGE!  He is my baby.  What am I going to do with my time now?  I am trying to stay positive and upbeat about this whole Kindergarten thing,  but I have to be honest with you, I am crying my eyes out....on the inside of course. 
He on the other hand is super excited.  We went to registration to meet his teacher, Mrs. Anglea.  He was so proud of his new classroom.  Although he misses Ryan and Reed so much, he was very happy to see that his other buddy from preschool, Ranger, will be in his classroom.  I hope she is ready for them!  I am very thankful for the whole phasing in process they have here in Sumner county.  For the first two weeks of school, the Kindergarten classes are split up so only a few go for a half a day each week.  I will admit that I did not like this idea at first.  It seemed silly to me for them to go for three and half hours once a week, but I am liking the idea very much now.  I still get two more weeks with him.  He's first day will be Thursday, and he can hardly wait.  Unlike me who could wait...oh say another year!!
Jackson and Jordan started yesterday.  I am going to try to force Jordan to be more like me this year so that should be fun.  What I mean is I am going to try to make him OCD like me.  How can you live in such chaos?  So I have elected myself sheriff of the binder police.  I am armed with a 3 hole punch, dividers, sharpies and paper clips.  A place for everything and everything in its place right??  I was thrilled to learn yesterday afternoon that I have a deputy as well.  Her name is Mrs. Crawford, and her day job is math and lit, but her night job is using a 3 hole punch for all her handouts.  LOVE IT!!  I think she and I will be good friends. 
Jackson's teacher is Mrs. Dillon.  She seems really nice.  I only know what I have heard from other parents, but the most exciting thing I heard is she is not a big believer in take home projects.  God love her!!  We all know how I feel about those.  Two of his buddies from Mrs. Swinger's class are in his room this year so he was happy about that.  Jackson has come such a long way.  Remember in Kindergarten when he wanted to become president so he could change the nations laws on mandatory schooling...to none at all.  Or what about the time in 1st grade, when he told me he would finish out that year, but would NOT be going on to the next.  Second grade was a huge turning point for him, and we owe it all to Mrs. Swinger.  She taught him everything she is suppose to (school wise) and so much more.  She taught him how to love school again.  Awesome!
We had a really great summer.  It went by all too fast.  Now it is time to get back in the swing of things.  I am going to miss staying up late and sleeping in, but I am excited to see what this new school year brings for my boys...all three of them.  And if you can't seem to find me during the day...check the school.  I know I complained a lot about it last year, but I couldn't help myself.  I signed up for everything I possibly could.  You say I'm insane...I call it separation anxiety.

Jordan's Baptism

Today was such a blessed day.  A beautiful service and the baptism of my baby boy and two of somesone else's baby girls.  It was amazing, powerful, inspiring.  Brought back so many memories.  I can not believe that he is 13, but I have never been prouder of him as I am today.  You can see the change in him.  Breath taking.  I will post pictures soon!

Never finished April, May and now there goes June....

I guess I fell asleep, I really thought I published that last post:)  Anyway, where was I...April flew by, May was crazy, busy with all kinds of school stuff.  You know all the things they like to cram into the last 4 weeks of school like teacher appreciation, two field trips, field day, and of course the ice cream social the last day of school.  That's just Jackson's school functions.  I have never been so relieved that school was over...not even when I was the one anxiously waiting for summer!!
Report cards were awesome.  All A's and B's for both boys.  I am so proud of both of them.  They had a great year.  It is hard to believe we now have an 8th grader, a 3rd grader and a Kindergartener!  We had the Duke Tip ceremony for Jordan.  That was pretty cool, and he was so proud.  Since school has been out, we have seemed to stay busy, busy.  Our friends, the Harmon's, found out they were moving back to Ohio a few weeks before school let out so we kept pretty busy with them the entire month of June.  Making the most of our time with them was a blast.  We will miss them terribly, but we know that God has great things in store for them in their new place. 
Ok, I am sure that I am leaving out all kinds of things over the past 3 months, but I am bursting at the seams with my newest news.  I am surprised that I have lasted this long without blurting it out.  As you know, Jordan has been at camp all week.  Centrifuge in North Carolina.  He had a great time...AND  he wants to be baptized.  How amazing to see your son off for his first year of camp as a teenager, and to see him home a completely different teenager. He will be baptized tomorrow.  I am so thankful to Josh and all the counselors that went with our kids on this trip, and I am excited to see God working in so many different lives.  God is really at work in our family too, and I am so thankful.  I feel as if I am witnessing one miracle after another.  God is so amazing. 

Where did April go???

Geez, time is flying by at lightning speeds. I sit here in this quiet house so tired I can barely hold my eyes open, but I all I can think about is how fast my babies are growing up! In the past two weeks we have been super busy. I feel like I have been at the school more than I have been at home, and my house has the dust to prove it!
First, let me start with graduation. It was so sweet...and so sad. I held out well until they started rolling those darn baby pics. I lost all composure. I have dried my tears since then. I just can't get around babies (real or fake) or talk about any type of graduation without tearing up so I am avoiding those things at the moment. I hope I get over this by October...when I start my new "job" in the baby room:)

Who turned out the lights?

What better time to catch you up a little then when there is no electricity!! Well, at least until the battery dies on this laptop:) Things have been a little crazy the past month with school, soccer and spring break. We went to Memphis on our break. It was an eventful week. I enjoyed spending time with everyone. Even if it was just for a short time, it meant the world to me. The boys had a blast at the hockey game, the bonfire, riding the 4 wheeler, the Pink Palace and staying with all the grandmas. Sorry we missed some of you, but you will be first on our list of people to see next trip!
Report cards came home last week. Drum roll please...Jordan made honor roll with all A's and 2 B's.
Way to go Jordan! I knew you could do it.
Drum roll again...Jackson made principal's list with ALL A's. Awesome job Jackson. You worked so hard, and I am so proud of you!
Soccer is going well. Alot of rain means few practices which makes me happy, but doesn't make the team and coaches too happy. I don't know what that's about. Jackson's team has won one game and tied the other two. Jagger's team...well, they play really hard so we will give them that:)
Speaking of soccer...Jackson took one for the team Saturday. A ball right to the face. Knocked his tooth so loose that I had to pull it out or they would not let him play for fear of him swallowing it. So I did and right back out he went. Such a trooper. Now if someone could just get in touch with that toothfairy to let her know we have been waiting on her for the past two nights...what's that about?!?
Are you ready for the biggest news ever!!! Last drum roll please...Jagger looks like a little boy now. That's right...it's all gone...almost every bit of it. He does not even look like the same kid. I have never seen a child so excited about a haircut. He LOVES it. I wanted to cry for days, but he is the happiest boy on the planet right now. I guess it had to happen eventually, but I don't think I was really prepared. I will try to post a picture soon. Well, I think that is all for now. Don't want to use all the battery...it may be a long, dark night.

God is soooo good!!

Disaster averted...again! Isn't it amazing how God works things out for us? So why do we do so much worrying and stressing over issues that He is going to take care of anyway? My husband is probably asking me these same questions right now. He has ALWAYS said that everything will work out...and he has been right every time. I know this, and I am still excellent at worrying about everything!! Are you curious to know just what disaster I am talking about now? Well, a couple of weeks ago the refrigerator filter busted and flooded half the kitchen overnight. The water seeped under the floor soaking our bedroom carpet and the hardwood floor in the hallway. The landlord decided this week to claim it on his insurance so the claims adjuster came out yesterday. The carpet in our room needs to be replaced and ALL of the hardwood floors (or they would not match). The hardwood runs under the cabinets so the entire kitchen must be gutted to replace the floors. So for the past 24 hours, I have been going out of my mind with unneccesary worries. We would have to move out for an extended time, our belongings would be left to be moved around by strangers, what about school, what about staying in a hotel with 3 kids and a husband for a long period of time, etc...you get the idea right. Oh, also, the landlord wanted to replace all the flooring at one time so it would match so we are not talking about one room...more like the entire house!!! Well, long story short, we agreed this morning for him to wait until we have moved out to replace any floors. We aren't planning on being here that much longer, and if God has different plans on that, we will just cross that bridge when we get to it! God has really been working in our lives lately, and many changes are coming about because of those plans He has for us. I am thankful for this reminder this morning that He is in complete control, and He will work everything out according to His purpose. I am also very thankful for a hubby who brings me back down to earth whenever I begin to float away in my hot air balloon of worries:)
To my husband: As if God hasn't proved himself faithful enough over the past 5 years, He continues to do so stronger than ever now. Being worried about certain family members, you have really been there for me even if it meant giving me a dose of truth that was extremely painful. I promise not to worry about any decisions that need to be made in the future. I trust that your heart is right where it needs to be. God is opening doors all around us. It is not luck or chance that you are where you are...or even that you have been where you have been for that matter. Isn't it amazing to see the things that God has done in our life opening up new opportunities now? How the pieces fall perfectly into place? All we have to do is keep trusting in Him for only He knows the plans He has for us! I know...this is easier for you than me, but I will do better!

On a little different note, last night at the dinner table Jagger asks if Marley can come to his house. She wants to bring her doll. He would like for her to spend the night so he can show her all of his stuffed animals. Jackson asked him if she was his girlfriend. He said no, but the look on his face suggested a different story. Sweet, right?

Busy Week!

Wow! This week has been super crazy. We had our championship game last Saturday. We lost by six points:(
Those kids played so hard though. It was a fun game, and Jackson is getting really good at stealing the ball. Now that basketball is over, soccer has already begun. Between the two of them, we have practice every night of the week!! Monday night was the basketball banquet. Lots of food, fun, and fellowship! I am so thankful for Bluegrass and the friends we have made there. I also had to get all my items ready for consignment which I did just in the nick of time. Hopefully, it will be worth it though. There was also the bookfair at Jordan's school this week. I have never worked it before, but it was pretty fun. It is like a grocery store now. Just scan the item and take the money! Now today is the end of our very busy week. Dean, Kelly and the boys are in town, and we are excited to spend some time with them today. Two soccer games that may be rained out, but have not been yet. The school festival is today too. It has been a huge headache, but will be over soon. Next week is quieter. Only 6 more days until spring break starts!! I am so looking forward to it.
So I usually leave you with a Jaggerism, but since it has been so long, I have two....

Jagger: I love you.
Me: I love you too Jagger.
Jagger: I love you more than a rat!
Me: A rat?
Jagger: Well mom, you know I love all animals.

Yesterday morning we are standing in the kitchen when he starts laughing that sweet, little laugh uncontrollably. What's so funny, I ask. He won't stop licking me (really laughing). Then he looks down at the floor and says "good boy, yes you are a goooood boy". Poor kid needs a dog, huh?

Way to go Blue!

We had two tournament basketball games this morning. Jagger played first. They had a tournament game last week and lost 11-9, but this week they could not be beat. The score was 18-9, and those boys were so excited. They did not keep score for the little ones throughout the season, but I am pretty sure that today was our very first win.
Way to go Lil Blue!!
Now all Jackson's games are exciting, and they only lost three all season so they got a bye week last week. Today was the tournament game, and the winner goes on to the championships next Saturday. Jackson played hard today. The team they played against is a lot bigger so it is funny to see these kids towering over ours. We were on fire though...24-5. Jackson scored the last two points of the game with foul shots. This kid kept knocking him down, but he just got back up. He was mad and played even harder after that! So we are off to the grand championship game, and we couldn't be more excited.
Way to go Big Blue!!
We are almost finished with BB and soccer will start next week already. Everyone is pumped about that as well. We were looking through the box of cleats yesterday and Jagger found some that are black with a gold Nike check. Now he thinks he is playing soccer for the Saints! He wore them all afternoon.
So we will have one more bb practice on Monday. Jagger has soccer practice on Tuesday and Thursday. I haven't heard from Jackson's coach yet, but I am sure they will practice twice a week also. Church on Wednesday night. Somewhere in the middle of all that we have to celebrate the big 13 for a certain someone!! Let the fun begin..

Wow...

I can not believe how fast time flies by. I am sorry it has been so long since my last post. Let's see, where to start. We have been so busy with basketball...and that pretty much covers it. The boys have been home more than they have gone to school in the past 2 months...really. I am so happy to have a taste of spring weather, even if it is only for a short time. Jackson is loving it...wearing shorts to school. We were reading together the other night, and I just looked at him with amazement. He has grown so much. He is reading so well...and get this...HE ENJOYS IT:) Never thought I would see that day. He is starting a sloppy copy of the books they are writing this week. He is really not a big fan of writing, but he is actually excited about this. He is writing a comic book. I would like to take this moment to let Mrs. Swinger now how much she is appreciated. She has done so much this past school year to encourage Jackson. He went from wanting to be president so he could cancel all school forever to enjoying it. Just this time last year he told me that he would finish out the first grade, but would NOT be going on to second. Now he is a happy almost third grader. My hat goes off to Mrs. S!!
On a different, much sadder note is the fact that my oldest will be an official teenager in 6 very short days and my sweet baby will be going off to the big K this year. How crazy is it to think that almost 13 years ago, I was preparing to have my very first baby boy. How different things were back then. How grateful I am for all that God has given us. Jordan is such a blessing. He has always been my little man. Smart beyond his years and sweet and loving too. Although I can get very frustrated with him at times (usually the times he is acting just like his momma), I am so proud of him. He has grown up so fast, but he is growing into a strong, handsome young man. He took his ACT on Saturday for the Duke TIP. He was a little nervous, but he thinks he did fine. He did not even want me to wait in the check in line with him. I did, but he didn't want me to.
**Jordan just got home from school. He is so excited...all A's and B's...officially ungrounded...WooHoo!! He is so excited, dancing around here like we won the lottery! Way to go Jordan!!
Okay, time for the afternoon rush before church, but let me finish with this...Saturday is Jackson's tournament. If they win this game, they are on to the Grand Championships. Go Blue!!
Jagger has been walking around here for days telling me how pretty I am. I don't know what he is up to, but I am loving it. Everyone can sleep soundly tonight knowing this...If I die before I wake, I died one HAPPY MOMMA:) I have a wonderful hubby who loves me so and works very hard so I can stay home with our three amazing boys who love me, take care of me, and make me smile everyday. I couldn't ask for more!

As I sit here in Monkey Joe's, I start to wonder if this was a good idea. My head hurts slightly. We accomplished almost nothing on our errands today because I refused to stand in line forever to return something with three boys anxiously waiting to go to Monkey Joe's. So now here I sit with 4 kids that do not belong to me running circles around my chair as if they do. My children are such a blessing to me. Even when they are on my very last nerve. They are growing up so fast, and I am quickly becoming irritable at that thought. Really, where has the time gone? When Jagger was born, I knew that I wanted to watch every minute of him because the two older ones had grown so fast. I didn't want to miss one second of that sweet and obviously last baby. Yet here I sit today with a five year old. How is that possible? It is just so sad that they grow up so fast. Even sadder that my hubby won't give me just one more. He is a big boy now. That is what he told me at McD's earlier. He got the sprite "All by myself". I know they can not stay babies forever. I know that they do indeed have to grow up eventually. I know that life goes on and on and on. Does it really have to pass by so fast though? Think about this...in 3-4 years Jordan will be driving a car by himself. If he keeps his grades in check, he will be graduating from high school in 5 years. Jackson will go to middle school in 3 years. He will be a teenager in 5 years. This all sounds like a long way off, but like I said...yesterday I had a brand new baby and today he is five years old...well that is how it seems. Five years goes by really, really fast. Almost in a blink of an eye. Makes me wonder where we will be tomorrow.

It's going to be a white Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right...it looks so beautiful out there with all the snow on the ground. I am finally finished with all my "duties" for the night. Praise that nothing was too hard for mom to handle. Everyone is asleep and I am watching A Christmas Story wishing that A Wonderful Life was on right now. Well, we can't have it all I suppose. Anyway, today was a really great Chirstmas Eve. The boys decorated cookies for Santa while I wrapped presents upstairs. They ate over a dozen of them while I wasn't looking, but at least I got all the gifts wrapped. It was well worth the 3 sugar highs I had to deal with later! We took the firemen there cookies and pumpkin breads. Jagger sat in the ladder truck and even got to turn the lights on this time. My little future fire fighter. We finally were able to open one gift...Jackson didn't know quit what to think when he asked today and I told him yes. He was expecting a no like every other day over the past 4 weeks. Just another reason I usually wait to put any presents under the tree until closer to Christmas. We fed the reindeer and sat out Santa's cookies and milk. It is all done. Now we just wait for old St. Nick! I love Chirstmas. I can't wait to see the excited smiles on their faces in the morning.

Let me leave you with a little bit of Jagger:

On the way to the fire dept, Jackson starts singing that song about how beer is good and people are crazy. Well I unfortunately say "Jackson, let's not sing songs about beer on Christmas Eve please." Yes, I am a hypocrite because two minutes after this conversation took place as we are about to pass the liquor store, I swing in to buy not one but two bottles of wine. Hey-they are closed tomorrow...anyway....Jordan says, "I don't like beer or wine." And sweet little Jagger pipes up "Well I LOVE beer and wine!!" Maybe it is time to become closet drinkers...at least for my children's sake.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

This is my favorite time of Christmas. All the parties, cookie and ornament exchanges, and gift shopping is over. Now it is time to relax and enjoy the Christmas season. Today was the first day of Christmas vacation. We have lounged around watching movies, baking cookies and I am hoping to get in a nap too. This is what it is all about. Spending time with the ones you love. Now if I can only get a certain little boy to quit begging to open just one gift everyday!!
Jackson had his Christmas party yesterday. I will admit I was a little stressed out about this one. On the teacher's suggestion, we had different stations at our party with cookie decorating, PB&J Reindeer sandwiches, lunch stackables and fruit kabobs, candy cane reindeer and reindeer food. It really went well...even when bags of reindeer food busted everyway. I have to say that I may even consider doing room mom again next year...maybe. Especially since my baby will be in KINDERGARTEN!!
It is so funny how fast time flies. I can't believe that we are about to be in the year 2011. I am looking forward to it though. The past few years have been so crazy for us. I know that we can't predict the future, but I hope that we are here to stay for awhile. We like it here in Hendersonville. We are making great friends. We have found a wonderful church full of great people. I miss Hattiesburg and the friends we made there and especially our church there, but for the first time since we left, I feel like we are at home. I am so happy with our life here. Hendersonville is a great area to raise a family, and it is close enough to go home occasionally. Life is good. God is good...all the time!

Brrrrr....It's cold outside!

Happy Birthday to my Mom today!! I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Glad we got to share a Starbuck's on your special day.
Today is a snow day. Our first of the school year and sure to not be our last!! The boys wanted to go outside to build a snowman. Well, there is no snowman because you can't build one in less than 20 minutes. Really, they were only out for 20 minutes. It took me longer than that to get them all bundled up to go out!!
Well, I just received the dreaded phone call. NO SCHOOL TOMORROW EITHER!!!
My favorite part of living in Sumner county is the 13 snow days they have built into their school schedule. Well, one down and 12 more to go. Why not just go ahead and give them the next 5 days before the Christmas holiday! So exciting!
Happy birthday to Bert's dad, Johnny, and to Tyler Porter too. Hope everyone has a blessed day. I am going to hibernate!

Christmas 2010

With Love Chartreuse Christmas 5x7 folded card

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How the days fly by....

Really, where does the time go. It is so hard to believe that another month has come and gone. So just a quick little recap...
Happy Birthday Daddy!!
Happy Birthday Jagger!!
Happy Thanksgiving too!!
Those are the highlights. Jagger had a really great birthday day, and I think I did pretty well seeing how I threw it together in 3 days. We had it at the First Baptist Church here. They have a big indoor play area that the kids really loved. They have a separate party room with two hosts which mom really loved. I made a firetruck cake. It looked pretty good considering I am no cake boss! The best part in my opinion was the surprise visit by the firetruck. Jagger is loving all things fire dept related right now so this was really special for him. My pictures didn't turn out all that great because it was dark, but that doesn't matter because I am not posting them right now anyway! Those to come 6-8 months later...right?
What I am really excited about tonight...the reason that I am writing on my blog instead of making dinner or doing laundry or addressing these Christmas cards that have been sitting here for 2 days...is our Santa pictures that were taken out at Rock Castle. So let me get them uploaded so you can enjoy them too. I am so glad that I decided...at the last minute...to take them because these turned out really awesome! Enjoy!

P.S.

I forgot to tell you that I added new pics in the slide show above so be sure to check those out. The one of the boys and the dog dressed like a clown, that is Thomas. Thomas walks by our house everyday. Jagger loves Thomas. Nothing new here. He loved Duke and Buddy our neighbor dogs in Bowling Green. Anyway, if Jagger is outside when Thomas is taking his neighborhood stroll, he will asks to pet him. This afternoon Thomas came knocking on our door with 3 pumpkin buckets full of treats for the boys. How sweet is that. They love Thomas!

Fun, fun, fun

I have so much to talk about tonight. I don't even know where to begin! This has been a super busy week for us. After 2 doctor visits, 6 hours out of my days, and $150 dollars later, Jagger has been diagnosed with asthma. Poor thing still hasn't kicked the cough he has, but he has been a real trooper throughout this busy week. He is being pumped full of steroids and albuteral. They gave him a breathing treatment on Thursday's visit. Have you ever seen a child after a albuteral treatment? Have you ever seen Jagger on any given day? Can you imagine the product when the two are combined? He was like a bouncy ball...that would not stop. Thankfully, it only lasted about 2 hours so by the time we got home we both took a long nap to recover from our experience. Wednesday was his Pumpkin Bash. He dressed like a red power ranger. Yes, the costume we have owned for how many years now? Not the costume I just recently purchased him.

Friday was a super busy day too. Jackson's school does a costume parade before the party. It was big fun. The party was super awesome as well. Our room moms ROCK! Mrs. Swinger said it was the best party ever. Ok...let me just add that I am not the only room mom. Mrs. Daniella is super helpful. Not to mention the room full of parents that sent in everything on our list. We do have a great class. The only reason I feel like a rocked that is because I had goody bags made (from last years Target after Halloween sale), I ordered awesome Fox's Big Daddy pizza (with my smart card that was BOGO free), and I made a cool Halloween bingo game (that Mrs. Swinger liked so much she asked if she could laminate them). See...I rocked that day! I promise not to say the r-word for the rest of this post :)
That night we went to a really cool Halloween party that we were invited to by some new friends of the boys. I won't go into too much detail because these two moms would make me look like mediocre mom. There was all kinds of spooky foods, popcorn & cotton candy makers, games, and lots of goodies too. It was like a mini carnival! It was super cold, but lots of fun!!
Today was just another awesome mom day. (Hey-did I tell you about the nutrion lady who made me feel like the worst mom ever because I feed my kids too much mac n cheese? Ok-maybe it didn't go down exactly like that, but this entry is all about me...obviously...and how much I ro...how great a mom I am...even if it is only occasionally!) Anyway-our super busy 10th day in a row started with basketball camp this morning at 9 a.m. Jackson and Jagger will start playing BB the first week of December. Jagger's camp was today. He has never played BB before, and was a little apprehensive at first. Once it got started though, he was all about it. Trying really hard to do exactly as the coach said and getting as many words as he could in edgewise of course. Well, they started doing these drills. Dibble to the other side, do a jumping jack (which amazingly no little kid can seem to do) or circle the ball around your head, body, ankles (their arms are not quit long enough for this) or a crazy dance, then dribble back to start. They were on the last one, and these little kids were doing their version of a dance move. It was funny. Then it is Jagger's turn, and I am curious to see what crazy move he comes up with. He runs to center court (never dribbling because he really can't), puts the ball down, sits on his bottom, spins around 3 times, picks the ball up, and remembers to dribble right at the end. Huge smile across his face the whole time. Like he does this dance move everyday! I wish I had video taped that! After camp, we came home and by sheer miracle accomplished all our chores with minimal yelling. They were quick too. Then we finished up our super mom week at the fall festival down the street. They had 15 huge blow up house things, games, food, pony rides, hay rides, and goody bags when we left. All for free which Jordan couldn't seem to get past the whole time we were there. It has been a really great week. I hope my boys have had fun because daddy is off tomorrow, and super mom is taking a vacation! Well, I guess we have to trick or treat. So I will be taking my scary monsters, the Joker, and who knows what Jagger will be tomorrow. He was Batman today. I do know that it will not be Spiderman or blue Power Ranger. Those are at Grandma's for repairs. Speaking of Grandma's, I am very excited to go to Memphis this next weekend to see all my people. Maybe even sell a little CM and PC too!

Ok. Let me end with this from our very own comedian, Jagger Smith

It was very cold this morning so I went into the living room to turn on the gas logs. Getting them started is really hard sometimes, and I had to keep clicking the starter which is pretty loud especially when the whole house is quiet. I have been trying this for about ten minutes when I hear,

"Hey mom, can you keep in down. I am trying to sleep in here."

Smith Family Update

Maybe I can guarantee you an update at least once a month...Maybe!

Jackson turned 8!!!!!
Yes it is hard to believe that he is now 8 years old. He had a great birthday. A huge thank you to all of you that sent cards for his card birthday surprise. 34 birthday cards and $186 dollars later (not including the new shoes, shirts, stickers, goodies, beef jerky, binonculers). Yes, he was very surprised. Since his birthday fell right at the end of fall break, only two of his friends were able to come to his sleep over. These were his Bowling Green friends though so he was still very excited. We had a great night of pizza, birthday cookie, movies, and of course a whole lot of Playstation. In fact, I was awakened at 4:30 a.m. by a lot of loud talking and game playing!! I went to bed at 11 p.m. leaving Jordan in charge of turning the t.v. off when the movie was over. They said that they did turn the t.v. off and went to sleep. Ironically, they all woke up at the same time (4:30 a.m.)!! So of course the only obvious thing to do was to start playing the Playstation again...right? Well the only thing that matters is Jackson said he had a GREAT birthday!

Now we are just getting ready for Jagger's 5th birthday party. I have no idea where to have it or what to do. That is not from lack of discussing it on a daily basis either. He changes his mind everyday about what he wants for his birthday, where he wants to have it, and what theme he wants it to be. I am still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that my baby is turning 5 years old!!

Today is report card day. Jordan was officially grounded on Friday though thanks to the new parent portal that shows your grades early!! He was not happy, but hey, neither was I! The crazy thing is that his grades are not bad. All A's, one B and one C. The bad part is that he could have had all A's if he had just turned in homework instead of taking 4 zeros in each of those latter classes. Homework that he insist that he did. How crazy is that to work so hard actually doing your homework only to take a zero for not turning it in!!! Well, there is a bright side. He can get off on good behavior in 4 1/2 weeks if he brings home all A's on his progress report. I know this may seem crazy to some, but my point to Jordan is that he can do this. It comes easy to him to make good grades. Therefore, a C is unacceptable. A "B" is too if it is a half a point away from an "A" for that matter! Especially when all you have to do is turn in your homework.

Jackson was super proud of his report card. An A in Math (of course because this is his fav subject), and B's in Spelling and Language. He does need more practice in writing, but he absolutly hates to write. This also happens to be the reason why our thank you cards are coming along so slowly!! He also can't understand why Jordan can not be ungrounded because "he got 5 A's on his report card!" This will probably be their argument for the next 4.5 weeks...

Well, Jackson needs attention and Jagger needs more meds. (I forgot to mention that we went to the doctor today. He has bronchitis again.) There is also dinner to cook and more laundry to fold among a million other things I should be doing. I just want to leave you with this little bit of funny from Jagger the other day.

After I picked him up from school, we ran a couple of quick errands. It was a beautiful day, and I had been riding with the windows down about half way. Well Jagger didn't like the windows down. I think because it blows all that hair in his face, but anyway he had asked me to roll them up.
Him: "I have had a HARD day today!"
Me: "Really?"
Him: "Yes, mom. Today was Chloe's birthday. And we had messy cookies. And I sweated a LOT on the playground!"

Who can argue with that? Sounds like a hard day to me.

Have a happy and safe Halloween! This wicked witch will be taking the Wolf Ninja, the Joker, and 2 very freaky dead zombies to trick or treat.

Where does the time go?

Wow! It is hard to believe that it has been almost a month since my last update. Time just seems to fly by these days. Today was the 1st annual Warrior Walk for Indian Lake Elem. Jackson was so pumped. He told everyone that he was going to complete 100 laps. They had 50 minutes to run/walk an 8th of a mile track. Jackson, Ian, and Mason were competing to get the most laps of course. Jackson came in 3rd with 34 laps! Way to go Jackson. After the run, they had a popsicle break before resuming class. This is the conversation between the 3 boys. Ian says, "Mason is the fastest runner (with 38 laps), and I am the second fastest runner (with 34 laps), and Jackson is the third fastest runner in the class!" Jackson says, "No, I am the fastest runner in the class. I just chose to walk some of my laps. That is why I don't have as many." So competitive. It was really fun though, and I think it is great that ALL the money goes to the school. What a great idea.

Labor Day Weekend
We all recieved a little surprise on Friday. My mom and Julie were coming in town for Jackson's last Saturday game. They stayed until Sunday. Jackson had an awesome game scoring not one, but two touchdowns. The Steelers won again, and Jackson was excited that so many people were there to see it. We all had lunch after the game, and then some had a quick nap before we went to the park. We took the Jackson and Jagger (Jordan had a birthday party at Circus World) to Kids Kingdom because Jackson had brought home a flyer about a free family event there. My boys love this park anyway because the playground is like a castle. The event was a foam fountain and then a movie. I had no idea what a foam fountain was, but let me tell you it is the coolest thing I have ever seen. The boys had a blast. The firetruck turned on its water. The water went through this mesh net filled with something like dish soap. Out came the BUBBLES!! Tons and tons of bubbles. Literally a foam fountain. It was awsome! The boys were totally soaked, but loving it. Until it came time for the movie. They were having technical difficulties so at 8pm when the movie still had not started, we took our little popsicles home. They were freezing. Note to self: Bring them a change of clothes next time. At least the beach bag was still in the truck with nice warm towels.
Bert's brother, Dean, Kelly and the boys were in town to see Thomas the train. His sister,Mandy and Brian were here for the day. (Bert and the boys saw her, but I didn't because I told her to come on over, and then I forgot about her and left to go to the zoo! Sorry again Mandy!) Bert's dad, Johnny and his new wife June (yes Johnny and June to cute) were also in town. Very busy weekend, but it was great. We had a great afternoon Sunday at the zoo. Mom and Julie stayed for awhile and then headed back to Memphis. Dean, Kelly, Bert, all the boys, and I hung out there until it closed. Then we all went downtown for icecream. It was great watching the cousins hang out with each other. I miss that for our boys. I grew up seeing ALL of my cousins for EVERY holiday, birthday, or during hunting season of course! So it is really special when my boys get to have that even for a little while. It was a great weekend. Long and exhausting, but fun just the same.

The Thursday before Labor Day was the night of the Saints game. Bert and the boys had a great time. I enjoyed a little peace and quiet! All Jagger could talk about is the food. He had a hotdog and a sprite. Then he and dad shared some fries. He is a MESS!

It has been a really long two weeks, and I am looking forward to getting a little break. Before I know it, fall break will be here, and we will be running around again. I will try to post pictures soon. I guess I need to go. The AC guys are here to put in a new unit so we can have it nice and cold again....right before we turn it off and turn on the fire place!Have a great week!