Flowers in My Yard

The yellow one is in our front yard, planted by the gardeners.

The Snap Dragons just popped up all on their own, I have not had them in years!

The red one is on a plant that I originally thought was Aloe, but now I think it is really a cactus! LOL

The purple one is in our backyard, planted again by the gardeners.

The pink ones, well they are in a pot on my front porch, bought from the 99 cent store a few months ago, has it already been that long???

I just thought I would share these with you, since I love to look at them every day!

Check out this Video!

This is a short clip of Brandon that I thought was hilarious! and had to post.

Enjoy!

For those of you who receive this via e-mail, you will have to go to my actual blog to see the video, (I think).

Movie Review ~ Precious

I think this movie was awesome! It was really hard to watch some parts, but it was so realistic.

I would give this 5 stars.

It makes you appreciate your life and what you have...I don't want to ruin it for others who have not seen it, but it does make you think of your upbringing, what you had or didn't have and to be grateful.

I cried several times thru this movie.

Have you seen it? If so, what did you think?

Happy Father's Day!

Here is the drawing Serena did of her dad. I sent it into the Acorn (our local little paper) and they printed it in Friday's edition! You can click here to see it on the web. Her drawing is the 6th row down and the third pic over from the left.
Here is Daddy and Brandon.

Here is my dad and Blake...I think...

I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to my Dad and to my husband and to all the wonderful Dad's out there!

I wouldn't be the person I am without my Dad. He has done so much for me, more then anyone knows...and for that I am grateful! What do you get a person who has everything??? A lunch date at his fav place!

The kids really appreciate their dad...Kylie made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast today and the little kids made their cards, as usual!

It Happened At Work

I will never forget this day as long as I live.

I was a young woman, 20, married and pregnant. I was working for a small credit reporting agency. I had my own desk and phone. I was 5 months pregnant.

Again, I was young, so I had no clue about all the testing they do on pregnant woman, to check different things on the baby. I had already done the glucose test, you know the one where they make you drink the yucky stuff and they check your blood for sugar. I had already done other testing they do in the first few months.

The one test I had done, was the AFP Screening. This simple blood test can detect if the baby you are carrying could possibly have certain genetic abnormalities, such as spina bifida or Downs Syndrome.

I got the call at work one day...that my test came back abnormal, like that of a woman who was 40 rather then 20 yrs old! I was shocked and really couldn't talk. So, I listened to the Dr and was told I can come in and have an amniocentesis, which can test further to see if there was anything wrong with my baby. Well, this procedure has major side affects, miscarriage.

So there you have it. My day was completely ruined and just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, the Dr informs me that if, after the amniocentesis, I decided I didn't want my baby, I could have the pregnancy terminated! Remember, I was already 5 months and could feel the baby move.

That has to be one of the worst days in history for me, at work.

Brought to you by Mama Kat's Writers Work Shop.

It's A Jungle Out There

I am talking about in my own backyard!

Meet Zoe, my cat...she is 14 yrs old! She likes to lay around the backyard and front yard. She has not killed a bird in a long time, she is too old to react fast...

Meet Chloe, my Pug! She is also old, around 10 yrs old...she is too old to react to much stuff going on in the yard...she, too, likes to lay around and relax, most of the day. Unless the kids are outside, then she is running around with them.

Earlier this week, I heard this horrible screeching sound, coming from my backyard, no less, and there is my cat standing there and this bird is dive bombing her! and she is not even trying to get away or even swat at that damn bird. So, I go running out there to scare the bird away and then I see another one! So, there are 2 birds being mean to my cat, who is too old to react and the dog, who is also too old to even bark or try to scare them away!

So, I spent the majority of my morning, chasing birds away from my poor cat, throwing rocks (and missing I might add, I have horrible aim!) and I even threw the dogs hairbrush and almost nailed one bird!

I had to leave to pick up kids from VBS, and I was sad for my cat, she just laid there....when I got home the birds were still there, tormenting her! So, I let her in the house for a while, until I thought they may have gone away.

I was wrong. They are still out there and are there every morning and all day long, this entire week!

I keep meaning to get the water gun from my parents house, so I can nail those birds once and for all and hopefully they will get the hint they are no longer wanted here.

They do chirp and sing really beautiful songs, when they are not dive bombing the cat. Then they do that horrible screech!

My arm is sore from throwing things at them, so like I said, it is a jungle out there!

Friday Fragments ~

As always, this has been brought to you by Mrs. 4444!

Friday Fragments are designed to get all that "stuff" outta our head, so we can enjoy our weekend, right?

So, this is my older kids last week of school...finals and getting out early and then summer! YAY! I know they are both happy to have some free time on their hands...now to figure out what I am going to do with them...hmmmm...maybe have them help me babysit??? j/k

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VBS is next week at our church, Vacation Bible School. They always have a cute theme and it is only 10 bucks! and this includes a cute T-shirt for the kids, that is so long, it could be a dress! This will be the first year Serena is going all by herself. In the past, Kylie and McKayla (my step-daughter) have helped out, for the past 2 years. This year, McKayla is not coming for the summer and Kylie doesn't want to help out, so Serena will be all on her own, something she is not used to at all. I know, I know, cut them apron strings already! She will be in for a rude awakening when she starts school in the Fall, so I have to prepare her now...

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Remember, last week I told you all about the killer movie deal place??? Well, I can beat that! Our local movie theater is having FREE movies all summer long! On Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting at 10 in the AM they have movies like Curious George, Charlotte's Web, Planet 51, Madagascar 2, Where The Wild Things Are, Surf's Up and Ice Age, just to name a few! Some are people movies that I know the boys won't be interested in seeing, but the cartoons, oh bring it on, I know what we will be doing a few days a week! Now I will just have to remember to bring some snackies in my purse, because I am not spending 20 bucks on pop-corn and drinks, no way!

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My son, my baby boy, is so strong he can open my van door...and shut it. That is just what he did and then couldn't open it...and was in the van crying and screaming for me...He was not in there long, since we were at my parents house, I cannot loose sight of him for they have a pool and that day it was not covered, yet, we had just gone swimming and didn't cover it..so the second I realized he was not with his sister in the room playing, I booked all over looking for him, calling his name and I heard this muffled scream, crying for MA MA MA MA MA MA...guess I won't win the Parent Award this week, will I?

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Had to take my parents to the airport. No biggie, I have driven there countless times and I know how to get there and home, no problem...except this time...My dad tells me at the last minute I should take this other way home, it will be quicker then the freeways...and I took his way and got lost, for 40 minutes, with both Serena and Brandon in the van...I got all red on my chest (for those of you who don't know, when I get really, really upset, I get all red and blotchy on my chest, it is not very attractive!) I got that knot in my throat and tears in my eyes, I had a pit in my stomach...but I held it together for the kids and to get the Hell outta Dodge! I had to stop for directions and I was able to get back on track and make my way home...it was a little discouraging when I asked for directions at a gas station and the cashier area was enclosed in bullet proof plexy-glass...and I have never looked at those signs, with the arrows that say which lane to be in, the way I did today, utter happiness!

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I am super bummed that the Lakers lost their game Thursday night...but they will have a chance to redeem themselves, right? GO KOBE!

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I have so much in my brain right now, I can't even sort thru it...guess I just need to do one day at a time and one issue at a time. I know God doesn't give us more then we can handle, but man sometimes I really have a hard time believing this.

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My son, Brandon, is deaf in his left ear, for those of you who don't know (he has what is called Auditory Neuropothy which means he hears noise out of that left ear, like trying to tune in a radio station that doesn't want to be tuned) and most days I don't even think about it. He has a specialist teacher and I have put posts on here and here in the past. He has developed quite normally, whatever that is, and he doesn't qualify for services once he turns 3. This should make me happy and it does, sort of...I am scared for the future...what if I miss something...I mean it is great he won't need services and I know if he does or I have questions I just have to make a phone call. But, I am so used to his Specialist teacher and his Speech Therapist coming to the house for the past ...almost 3 yrs. This week, we were on our walk and he covered his "good" ear when we went by 2 houses where there were gardeners, they had weed whackers and they were loud. I kinda got sad at that...then another time he told his dad..."this ear doesn't work" and pointed to his "bad" ear...he has to know, he must be educated that his hearing is not the same as everyone else...so I just pray that he will learn and hear what his teachers are trying to teach him.

Brought to you by Mrs. 4444!

Writer's Work Shop ~ I picked 2

2.) Before I was a mom…(inspired by Loukia from Loulou’s Views)

Before I was a mom, there were a lot of things I did differently.
I worked full-time and only worried about paying rent and bills.
I drank coffee and soda and smoked cigaretts, selfish, I was.
I didn't understand how it felt when your child said, I love you!
Or when they grabbed your hand before crossing the street.

Before I was a mom, I stayed up late and slept in on weekends.
I never worried about colds, bed-wetting or being scared of the dark.
I never thought twice about potty-training or eating a well balanced meal.
I never knew what I was missing, until I did have a child and became a mom.

Before I was a mom, I drove reckless and never worried about other drivers.
I probably didn't obey all the laws while driving.
I did all the things I did for myself...again selfish, I was.

But, when I did become a mom, it changed everything about me, in the best way possible!


5.) The ultimate honey-do list. If your spouse agreed to do any ten things you asked, what would they be?(inspired by Tristina from Mr. and Mrs. Wright)

This would be my Ultimate Honey-do List for sure!:


1. Dishes for a week ~ sometimes I hate doing all the dishes (which includes all the kids stuff and any pots and pans anyone uses).

2. Diaper duty ~ just the poop ones, those are the grossest!

3. Clean the bathrooms ~ we only have 2, but still!

4. Putting crabby kids to bed ~ Serena has gotten over her crying when it is bedtime, I am talking about Brandon!

5. For him to get up quietly and let me sleep in on Saturdays! LOL

6. For him to do the food shopping and not spend over 100 bucks!

7. Back massage.

8. To come outside and sit with me while the kids played...he does this, but usually complains it is too hot, so he wouldn't be able to complain!

9. To get up and tend to the kids every time they fight/argue..this includes getting up to put kids back to bed, if they come out.

10. To cook dinner for the entire family, including the big kids, who eat meat!

Digital Picture Frame

I came up with a great idea for my Grandmother: a digital picture frame! I have mentioned this gift idea before, here, and I went ahead and ordered this really awesome 15 inch frame!


Look at how HUGE this thing is! I have to admit, I really didn't know how big it was going to be until I opened it and started to try and figure it out! So, this wonderful thing that also plays videos and you can add music to your pictures...It was on sale for 129.99 and the shipping was free. We divided this amount plus tax, among 7 people, so we each contribute 21 bucks, not bad, right? Well, I couldn't get it to work, no matter what I did. I also called the number to the manufacturer and it was disconnected! so it was a good thing I had ordered it from Best Buy.

I was able to return it to our local Best Buy and get another one.

Now this one is substantially smaller, only 9 inch screen. But my dad assures me it will be better since it is smaller and he won't have a hard time finding a place to put it in Grandma's small apt.

I have finally downloaded all the pics from all his sisters and from my sister and from my cousins. My parents leave later this week and they will take it to Grandma and set it up for her and show her how to use the remote! It also takes SM cards from cameras, it really is a great gift. And this one is the same price as the other one, and no shipping since I picked it up from the store.

I have not been ummm what's the word? myself lately....I have a lot of personal things going on and I really have not been in to blogging or reading blogs, so if I fall behind, please forgive me.

I have been searching other blogs for different meme's to be a part of, to help keep me connected, if only thru a writing post.

Friday Fragments ~ Lakers, Water World and Temps

I love Friday Fragments! Get the brain clean for the weekend and for the new week, thanks to Mrs. 4444's for hosting!

My sister had the strangest thing happen to her...her temperature dropped to 93 degrees! I will keep you posted on that...

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We recently went to Universal Studios (again!) and this time we saw the Water World show. You sit in this stadium like thing and there is this huge pool as the stage, long with ladders and props. You get wet like a lot!The kids enjoyed it, so much so, that Serena told Ginger Girl today..."we will play Water World, you can be the girl and I will be the bad guy and I will shoot you"...I was rollin' when I heard her say that because that is what happened in this show. Good guys and bad guys and one good girl and they shoot at her. They have the most awesome special effects and they use lots of water crafts. Brandon didn't enjoy it so much. I think it was too loud for him, only hearing out of one ear. He wasn't crying, but just wanted out of there, so we left just before the end.

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Lakers won the 1st Play Off Game against Boston, 102 to 89! I am a huge Lakers fan! You can go here to read that story and about Fantasy Basketball. I won't bore you too much here, if your not into basketball or Kobe, but for the record, KOBE ROCKS!

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I am scrambling to read Eclipse, you know that book from the Twilight Saga! I have to finish it by the end of this month, so I can go see the midnight showing with my daughter! I can't wait.

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I have a friend who is a year older then me, late thirty's. She has been going thru some major medical stuff to find out what is going on with her. She shakes all the time and is super cold all the time. Her Dr first put her on Beta Blockers and that slows her heart and makes her more cold. The poor thing has to wear thermal shirts and like 3 jackets to work and have a heater on...Then her Dr ordered blood work, 16 viles! at one sitting! I hope he is checking a bazillions things...that is a crap-load of blood. Then, he ordered her to gather her pee for 24 hours. Then an MRI and then to a neurologist for some brain test. Like I said, major medical stuff. So, please, if you pray can you add her to your prayers. I will keep you posted on this when I know something. Thanks!

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I found this movie theater that is just up the freeway from here. Tickets are 3 bucks to get in to any show! On Wednesdays, you and a buddy ( that is what the website says, so it doesn't have to be a "date") can go to any movie after 6 PM for 10 bucks for both of you to not only get in, but you each get a pop-corn and a soda! Can we say deal?

Have You Ever...

Begin each line of your post with “have you ever”.

Have you ever wanted to get out of your car and yell at that kid who flipped you off, after you were going slow behind him, while he was on his skateboard and wouldn't move out of the way, so you honk.....well my hubby did the other day when the kid flipped us off!

Have you ever wanted to just scream your head off at your children when it was PMS-ing time?? I want to probably every month, but I don't.

Have you ever eaten cake for breakfast? I have not but would love to!

Have you ever wondered what goes thru people's mind when they drive like idiots? I wonder that every time I drive to a town about 5 miles up the freeway from me.

Have you ever realized how short life can be? Really, it is short and goes by so fast. I hear it goes by faster and faster the older you get.

Have you ever wanted to say something to someone and then didn't for fear of what their response to you would be??? All I can say is YES!

Have you ever loved someone so much it hurt? and you want to take away all their pain. Yes Yes and Yes