Weekend Trip

We are going to go to my sister's house for the weekend. We have all been so busy this summer we haven't seen them much, and that is very unusual for us.

My sister is 3 years older than me. We did have the normal sibling arguments as children, but overall I would say we got along OK. Now, I would have to say she is one of my best friends.

When I first found out I was pregnant w/my daughter, my sister did not yet have children, and was very excited to become an aunt again (my brother already had a baby at this time, but he is in the Air Force and they lived very far away). At the time she and my brother-in-law only lived about 20 minutes from me. Then a house on my street came up for sale at the same time they were wanting to move, yep you guessed it they bought it - there was only one house in between us - it was very convenient for us. Many people said, I can't believe you want her that close, but having grown up in a very close extended family, I was thrilled to have her close by.

Fast Forward several years, and my sister had a baby boy, well her oldest son is only 8 months older than Camo so they grew up together on the same street, and were best friends. And of course, my kids and hers have a cousin bond much like the one I had w/some of my cousins growing up, not to mention the bond we were able to build w/the kids ourselves.

Fast Forward again, around 5 years ago, we decided it was time to move, and found a new house more suitable for our family. It was only about 15 minutes from them, but the children were just devastated by the move. Well then to make matters worse, my sister took a new job and they then moved to another town an hour away. I believe the kids actually had withdrawals for quite some time. Even a year or so after the move, my son told me one day that he was mad at his Nae (that is what they call her), I asked him why and he said because she took that job and left us.

The two boys are still close and get to spend time together, but not as close as they once were. Of course my sister and I don't see each other everyday anymore, but we talk to each other on the phone at least once a week and often more.

So, anyway for our weekend trip, we are going to my sister's house. They live in a local resort town. My youngest nephew went to an art camp a week ago, and tomorrow the city has a "gallery walk" and he will have art displayed at one of the galleries. (The gallery walk is free and held the first Friday of each month, you can to all the local galleries in the downtown, and enjoy the art and snacks, did I mention it is free!) After the gallery walk, we will all go out to eat, and then back to their house. They have a pool so the rest of the weekend will be filled w/swimming, eating, and visiting (I'm sure there will be at least one argument/fight between the children at some point, it's just part of life.)

I am excited to see my nephews, and my sister and her husband also. I will take pictures and share more of my family with you when I return home. This is a trip I have been looking forward too for some time, and it will be such a refresher for me!

ANOTHER GIVEAWAY

Okay, so maybe I have gone giveaway crazee! But you have to check this one out. Please go to Cinnamon Sticks Boutique and check out the cute necklace giveaway.

I love the necklace and am sure you will too. Please remember to go here to enter the giveaway. Oh, BTW, look around while you are here she has lots of other cute jewelry pieces too!

Good Luck (but I hope I win this one)!

Our Cozy Nest Giveaway

Please go here to enter a great giveaway! Nicole at Our Cozy Nest is helping her friends out and in turn needs our help. All you have to do is go to Our Cozy Nest and help come up with a name for her friends new Internet lighting site.

It is a great site, beautiful giveaway, and great opportunity for you to enter. Go give it a peek and help them out.

TWILIGHT ZONE

Hunter and I thought we must have been in the twilight zone tonight.

I guess first I must explain the relationship between Flicka and Camo so that you will understand. It is not that they never get along, but on any given day there will be arguments of many different natures. They do have days that they co-exist w/out much incidence, and days of non-arguing. I know w/out a doubt they do love each other tremendously and would battle for each other till the end of time - I have actually seen this: Flicka got hurt at school one day. A little boy on the playground was running and knocked her down, she did get a really nasty cut and scrape on her knee, but it was truly an accident, nothing more than a playground mishap. Now this was a few years ago, Camo only 5 or 6 years old. When he heard what happened he wanted a complete description of the boy, and I do believe if I had let him and my nephew out of the car at that moment they would have taken care of it, they were ready to defend her. I have also seen Flicka exhibit this type of behavior towards those who have wronged her little brother.

But I have to say for the last few years, their relationship is more of a battle ground. Well tonight was just crazy - we do get nights like this from time to time, but definitely it is not all the time.

What am I talking about??? Well tonight Flicka and Camo got along all night long - not one argument. When Flicka started towards the door and announced to Camo she was going to ride his scooter (it is an electric scooter), he said OK - this usually causes a big discussion of disagreement. When Camo said he was going outside for a little while, Flicka said she wanted to go too, he asked if she would open the garage door and she smiled and said sure. Several other events like this occurred all night long.

Hunter and I just kept looking at each other and wondering if someone had replaced our children, or if we were being "punked", or perhaps on an episode of the twilight zone???

I, however, for this night, choose to believe that they are growing up and realizing they do need each other.

(I do have to confess before I close though, I had much of the same type of relationship w/my little brother. He was the same distance in age from me as Flicka and Camo are. We did finally reach a point were we decided all the arguing was counter-productive and it was better when we worked together. We turned out fine and get along well today.)

So, do you ever have "twilight zone" moments?

TIME??

WOW! It seems, like I just woke up today and realized that summer is almost over. Where did the time go? We have had a good summer so far - probably one of the best in a long time. Everyone has gotten to do more of their own things than usual and have had a great time, but there are still so many things we would love to do. Time has just flown by for us this summer.

But, instead of dwelling on what is almost over, I will make an effort to focus on what is left of the summer, and make it the best it can be. We do have so much to pack in to the last few weeks before school starts.

We are going to visit my sister & her family next weekend (they only live an hour away, but we don't get to see them often enough), my 20 yr. class reunion is coming up, a 2nd weekend is scheduled at my sisters, we will have to fit in a shopping trip to buy school supplies and clothes (as both Flicka and Camo have outgrown last year's clothes) and then believe it or not it will be time for school to start. It seems like we will have a whirlwind of the rest of the summer, but it will be great.

We haven't been able to take a family vacation this year, but I think I now realize more than ever, it's not about taking a trip to some great location, it's really just about being together and fortunately we can do that anywhere! I love being with my family, and we can find a good time no matter where we are.

So, tell me.... What do you plan to do with the rest of your summer??

PS... Please visit my friend ...Scrapper Mom... to see some wonderful children's clothing and for a great giveaway. Also, it's her Bday, wish her a happy one!

Uneventful Week

Well, I have been racking my brain trying to come up with a post that would be interesting to anyone who may read. I have to say this has been a very uneventful week around our household, and I do not have any interesting news, or antics to share. So, I must apologize as this may be boring.

Hunter and I have been working, nothing exciting for us as of yet, and Hunter is off tomorrow (he is off every other Friday). However, last Friday, he did have some excitement - he fell in a manhole. He was not hurt seriously, actually not much at all, just a few scrapes and bruises. He filed a workman's comp report just to be safe though - fortunately there will not be anything that will need to be paid on it.

Flicka and Camo have been going over to the in-laws house and took turns spending one night there this week (they wanted alone time). Flicka has spent a few days at home alone - her favorite thing to do because she can stay in bed till she wakes up, stay in her pj's all day, basically just veg out.

I have a couple of work appts. tomorrow so I will work at least 1/2 day. Hunter and the kids will go over to the in-laws so they can swim, and the kids are planning to ride 4 wheelers for a little while. While, we live in town, the in-laws live outside city limits and have around 10 acres. Gives us a chance to pretend we are in the country.

I think it has just been too hot to get into too much right now. If you live in AR this time of year you know you can't escape the heat. Forecast for the next 4 days - actual temp of 99 - 100, heat index of 105 - 110!!! HEAT + HUMIDITY = HHHHOOOOTTTT!!!!:0( *I still prefer summer over the bone chilling cold of winter!!!*

I guess overall, I would much rather have an uneventful week, than one full of turmoil!

Hope everyone is having a good week, and staying cool! Don't forget sunscreen and lots of water!!!!:0):0)

MORE WEEKEND FUN!

My mother-in-law just returned home from a week and half long visit to Savannah, GA. She goes on this trip yearly with some friends, and has a great time. Flicka hasn't seen her in almost a month, for Camo it has been a week and half (they are not used to being away from her for that long, and neither is she). She returned home with 5 lbs. of fresh shrimp and 5 lbs. of fresh crab legs, and invited us over for dinner. We spent the afternoon, swimming, catching up, and then eating. It was a great day for all of us. Hope you enjoy the random pics we took (Flicka took some of the photos.)

me & Flicka

Camo, just chillin!

Camo & Grandpa cooking shrimp together.

Grandma's Hibiscus. (Flicka thought this would be a cool pic.)

Grandpa taking a break from cooking to cool off. (temp hit 100 today, heat index - 105!)
Flicka enjoying some refreshment!
Camo & Hunter having some fun.
Our wonderful dinner!!!

Grandma doesn't like her picture taken so we will have to get one of her later. The kids so love getting to spend time at Grandma & Grandpas, and I must admit I do too. I have the best in-laws, and love every minute with them. It was great weekend!

SATURDAY AFTERNOON FUN!

Well, as I am fairly new to the blog world and still learning all the technical aspects, I have not done a very good job of sharing pictures yet. So, my new goal for blogging - more pictures. I am definitely not the best photographer, but I do enjoy taking pictures. I hope you enjoy these pictures of Flicka and Camo at the pool.

Flicka's reaction when she was told we would have to leave soon!

Short post today, and I am trying to learn new ways to jazz up the posts, adding pictures, linking, etc.... Hope everyone is having a nice and realaxing weekend!!

GRANDMA

I have been thinking about many things I want to post about, but for some strange reason the last few days, I have had this strong, compelling need to share my grandmother with all of you.

Grandma is 83 (birthday was in June), and I have always loved spending time with her! I know I am so fortunate to still have her with me ( she is the only grandparent I still have down here). I still love to spend time with her and I just look forward to seeing her every time I go to visit my parents.

Grandma is my mom's mom. When I was a child she never lived more than 8 miles from us, and I got to see her at least 3 or 4 times a week and usually every Saturday and Sunday afternoons too. We had such good times with her (me, my sis, brother & cousins), it was so much fun to be at her house. I have so many stories of my times with her and grandpa that I could share, but it would take me days to do that. I will just share a few things now, and maybe sprinkle more in here and there in the future.

She currently lives in a small trailer beside my parents so that mom can look after her. She still gets around pretty well, but no longer drives, and does need someone close by now.

I remember when I was around 5 or 6 grandma had a birthday, she was 54. I then remember when I was around 8 or 9 she was still 54, that is about the time that I caught on she was just pulling our legs and she really wasn't still 54!! It's not that she was/is vain, she just liked being 54 and not getting older, also that is just the sense of humor she has - she so loves pulling one over on us!

I also remember her teaching me at one point that a young lady/woman should never leave the house without lipstick on. It didn't matter where you were going, or if you had any other make-up on, but you should never leave the house without lipstick on. To this day she still does not leave her house with out lipstick on (and neither do I!)

When Flicka was a baby, toddler and preschool, my grandmother lived in this area. So whenever, Flicka couldn't go to daycare or preschool, she got to spend the day w/great grandma. As a result of this time she spent with great grandma, she has learned how to sew and crochet!!! It is so awesome that they were able to spend time together and they have such a wonderful connection/bond to each other.

One important story that involves both Flicka and Grandma, I must share with you. When Flicka was 4 years old Grandma got sick. We found out she had some blockage in her arteries and would need a double by-pass. We were at the in-laws house later that day and I was explaining to mother-in-law what was going on and the surgery Grandma would need, and making arrangements for Flicka and Camo to stay with mother-in-law the next day while I was at the hospital, Flicka was coloring in the next room. When I went to tell Flicka it was time to go, she was crying and was very upset. I had no idea she was clinging to every word we spoke - I truly thought she was lost in her coloring. I asked her what was wrong, and she began crying even more. She finally explained to me that she did not want the doctors to open Grandma's heart because that is where Jesus lives and they could not let Him out!. I then had to explain to a 4 year old more about open-heart surgery than I even knew about it, and assure her that Jesus would not leave Grandma's heart. I was finally able to make her understand how Jesus lives in our hearts and it would all be OK. (isn't the literal translations of children wonderful!)

Grandma still loves that story. She and Flicka have a bond that will live forever, and I am so fortunate that they do.

I just hope that when I am 80something, I look as good as she does (and I will have my lipstick on!) The picture is from Christmas, and I am sure if she knew I put that one on here, she would ask me to find a better one even though this one is great. (maybe she is a little vain after all!)

I hope you enjoyed meeting her, she truly is amazing - she actually grew up in an orphanage until she was 14 years old - I will share that story with you in the future.

BACK TO NORMAL

All is back to normal, home is finally home again. Flicka and Camo are home with Hunter and I. We have slept under the same roof for 3 nights in a row now; sleep is much sweeter when all is right in the home.

Don't get me wrong though, it is no fairy tale. When I say back to normal, it includes more than just everyone being back at home. The kids arguing, cooking dinner again (took a break from that when the kiddos were away), running kids here and there again, increase in laundry again, etc.....

Ah, normal - it is awesome, and it is exhausting! But, I do love it!

My normal may be crazy to some, but to quote a line from a Jimmy Buffet song - "if we weren't all crazy, we would all be insane!" (I will learn how to upload music clips, and do links soon, I promise)

So, share with me. Is my normal crazy? What is your normal?

Mom Can Be Cool - WEIRD!!

Quick updates - **Flicka came home today - YEAH!!!!!! Camo, came home too, but then he and Hunter left to go fishing for the night, so one more night and then everyone will be under the same roof again!!! **Car not fixed completely yet, but it is drivable for short distances. (thanks for letting me UGH about it yesterday!)

Now on to the topic of the day.

As I said Flicka is home, it is wonderful. It has just been the 2 of us at home this evening so we have had some time to talk and catch up. While she was at the grandparents she got to spend some time w/one of her cousins who lives there that is her age. They exchanged several ring tones for their cell phones. A couple are of some more popular tunes that are out now. Needless to say, Flicka was quite shocked that I knew some of these songs.

Let me explain a little - I do generally listen to country music, or a station that plays 80's music, but I do venture out from time to time and listen to current tunes as well (of course it depends on the artist and music, some of it actually does make my ears hurt and gives me a headache, but, I did not admit this to her!)

So, anyway, when she played these tunes for me and I sang along, she was very, well, I guess the word would be flabbergasted! I was very amused at her reaction. She informed me that it was just weird that I liked music that she and her friends also liked. (I could tell that she really thought it was cool though.)

What fun to surprise our children and keep them guessing as to what we really know and are up to date on! So, I will accept the fact that I am a little weird to my daughter right now, and make an attempt to stay up to date with things to keep her guessing! Oh, what fun life with a teenage daughter is going to be!!!!!

CAR TROUBLE

Ugh! Isn't having your car break down when you are least expecting it the worst?!!! It happened to me today, and it was not fun! I know it could have been so much worse, but it still was not fun!

My work requires me to drive a lot and my car is basically my office some days. Today I was in a town about 45 minutes away from where I currently live. My car decided to overheat and then not start again. Fortunately, my dad works in the town this happened in, he was at work and couldn't rescue me. But I did call my mom, and she was able to get someone they know, who grew up in the same town I did and still lives close to my parents, that is a mechanic to come and help me out. He managed to get me mobile again, and I was able to make it back to my home safely and park my car.

Hunter is very handy and will be able to fix the car, but will have to wait on a part from the dealer! So, all in all, it will be OK. Just an unexpected expense we didn't really need right now.

So, I just needed to say UGH!!!!

HOMESICK!

Is it possible to be homesick when you are still at home???

You may think that is a strange question to ask, but for me right now, I am at home, but a little homesick. What does that crazy girl mean, you are probably asking yourself. Well, we are now into July and summer is too close to over, and my kids are still away from home. I'm not homesick for my house, but for my home the way it should be - with Flicka and Camo at home with Hunter and me.

I have enjoyed the break and the alone time with Hunter. Hunter and I definitely needed the time together, we have so enjoyed the conversations without interruptions, the life without much of a schedule, the few dinner dates we had, etc.... But now, I think it is time for my home to return to normal.

Flicka and Camo have been gone for almost the entire summer. They were home the first week school was out and then both left for camp - Flicka for 2 weeks and Camo for one. Camo returned from camp and went straight to the grandparents in the country. Flicka came home and then switched places with Camo at the grandparents. Camo was then home for only 2 nights and left to go camping with the other grandparents. These brief moments with the children have been nice, but I am ready to see them daily again.

I love that they enjoy spending time with their grandparents and do not get homesick for me when they are away, I love that they are independent and happy, but I do miss them when they are away.

So, even though I am at my own home, I am still a little homesick. They will both return home on Thursday, and I am looking forward to a restful sleep in my home as it should be - all the family under the same roof!

The Kids - the girl

I had several ideas for a post today, but decided I couldn't wait any longer to introduce you to my daughter. A new bloggy friend commented (thank you!) on my previous post about a mother's love, and I must admit, my heart was swelling and pumping as I wrote that post, and I know it will with this one also; and that is why I couldn't wait to tell you about my daughter!

I have so many things I could tell you about my daughter, but will try to keep it down to the basics and elaborate more in the future.

Flicka, is what I have decided to let you come to know her by. I chose this because she loves horses and is somewhat of a free-spirit much like Flicka the horse in the movie (and book). Also, every time I hear that name I think of the Tim McGraw song from the movie - "My Little Girl". Every time I hear that song, I tear up and think of my little girl (who is not so little anymore, but will always be to me.)

Flicka is 13, she will be in the 8th grade when school starts again. She is very much a teenager, eye rolls and all! She loves her cell phone and her computer. Doesn't talk on the phone like we did at that age, but instead she texts and IMs (instant message). She knows I have very strict rules for the computer and phone and always asks before visiting any new websites (we can't be too careful anymore.)

As much as Camo is like his dad, she is like me. She can be very high strung and stubborn, and she is very opinionated (some times this is a good thing, because she is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, but she still needs to learn a little control with it).

She loves school and is a very good student; math is her favorite (did not get that from me or her dad!). She also loves girl scouts, and has already received 2 of the highest awards a GS can receive (bronze and silver). She just spent 2 weeks at girl scout camp - one of the camps where they ride and do all things w/horses. She did very well and will get to go to the next level next year (will get to do some overnight trail rides); she is very excited about that.

She also, loves taking pictures. Flicka is a very good photographer - she sees things that you wouldn't think would make a good photo, but she will snap a pic of it and it turns out amazing! Very creative and thoughtful w/snapping pics! I will share some of them in the future (with her permission of course.)

Yes, Flicka does have some of her dad too, she does like to hunt with him on occasion, but not as much as when she was younger. She is a daddy's girl though.

I will keep you all updated with new posts of our journeys through the teenage years - I'm sure it will be an adventure!

THE KIDS - the boy

Now here comes the hard part introducing the kids. I wanted to do it in two separate posts, but there are risks involved with that - if they find out, whichever one I do first will rub it in to the other and someone will come out mad. However, I do believe they deserve their own post, so I am flipping a coin to make the decision. My son will be first this time.

I have decided his name will be Camo. Yes, he is definitely following in his daddy's footsteps, and loves all things outdoors (yeah, no video junkies at my house.) He especially loves to hunt (deer, duck, squirrel, etc..) and fish.

Camo is 10 (will be 11 in August). He is laid back (like his dad) and he is funny. He keeps us laughing alot. Everyone he meets falls for him immediately - he is a definite charmer. He is also very sweet and loving, he will still cuddle w/me and still calls me mommy sometimes (that is the best!) Camo also is very kind to others and is very compassionate.

Baseball is his life in the spring and summer - he loves to play and has played since he was 3 (yes they had a t-ball team for 3 year olds). The last several seasons he has been catcher. This was really scary for me at first because he got hit so many times, but he always shakes it off and seems to be fine; he loves it and that is his favorite position so I am fine with it. I absolutely hate to miss any of his games, and don't if I can help it. I love to watch him play!

As I said before he also loves to hunt and fish, of course right now w/summer time here fishing is his favorite past time and he and his dad go when they can. There is a little lake in our town just a mile or 2 from our house at a park, and they can go over and fish in the afternoons - they love it! He is a boy scout and loves the camping and meetings involved with it; and I know he will achieve the Eagle Scout rank some day.

The picture was taken the day of his 5th grade graduation. He will go to middle school in the fall. (BTW - he has always been an honor student) He got braces this summer and that really made him look like less of a kid and more like a preteen boy - everyday he seems to act and look a little older; time flies!

I feel like I have made this post a little too long, but wanted to make sure you had some background on Camo. I can assure you, I will have many more posts about him to come; he is so adventuresome and loves life that there is always a new story (some funny, some of not so good things he might pull, after all he is 100% boy!) I have to share w/someone.

The Family - part 2 - the husband

I contemplated for a while as to who I should introduce next, my husband or kids?.... I decided I should introduce my husband as without him there would be no kids to introduce. I have decided that Hunter will be his blog name, and I as I tell you about him you will understand why.

I think I should start w/our story. I first met Hunter when I was 16. He was a friend of my sister's from college, and would stop to visit with my sister or parents on occasion when he was in our area. He is 6 years older, and at the time I just thought he was on old (and I mean old as in age) college friend of my sister's that got in my way when he came by - I definitely had no thoughts we would ever date. Fast forward 6 years - he came back to Arkansas (I'll explain where he had been later) for my sister's June wedding. We talked some at the wedding and my sister's best friend suggested to me that we should get together - as in date. I still didn't think much about it. He then went away again. Then in Sept. he came home for his brother's wedding and invited my sister, brother-in-law, and me to the reception. We went, I went out w/him and a group to a local club. We had our first official date a week later on my 22nd birthday the rest is history as they say - we dated for 2 years, and then got married. We have been married for 14 1/2 years!

The name - I chose the name Hunter because he loves to hunt (fish, camp, really anything outdoors.) Outdoors is very important to him. During college he spent his summers in Georgia on the Chatooga river as a whitewater raft guide, after college he chose to continue the raft guiding in the summers, and worked for a friend of his in Atlanta in the winters. He loved it and does miss it. I'll share more of his adventures as we go.

He is a great dad and husband. He is very laid back and easy going which is a good balance for me since I can be a little high strung at times.

He keeps calm and balanced! It hasn't always been rosy, we have had ups and downs, but we are still going strong and are still in love!

RELAXING

Taking a quick break from introducing the family, but will get back to that soon.

How do you relax? Do you relax? For many, true relaxation is hard to obtain due to the busy schedules of everyday life, but I believe it is a vital part of our survival of everyday life.

Relaxing for me comes in many ways, but don't really to get to as often as needed. I can relax while I veg out in front of a favorite TV show, taking a nap on a weekend afternoon, a hot shower/bath, and many more. However, summer is my favorite season and brings many more forms of relaxation. I know, I know, but I do love the heat (not a fan of the humidity here in Arkansas, but it comes free); I hate being cold and will take the heat over cold any day! But I digress, back to relaxing in the summer sun. My in-laws have a pool and fortunately only live a few miles from us. We have been indulging ourselves, by taking a daily trip to the pool each day. Some afternoons we can spend 30 minutes or so, but some days we get longer. A couple of days I had the pool to myself - the husband was gone fishing, both kids at camp, and in-laws away - now I tell you that is some good relaxation, just floating around mindlessly, dozing some, watching clouds, birds, and planes in a quiet country setting! It just doesn't get much better than that(maybe relaxing on the beach is better, but work w/what you have!).

Again, I'll ask - How do you relax? Do you relax? It is important! Find your relaxation, and try to do it as often as possible, but no matter take at least 5 - 10 minutes each day to find a way to relax, it will rejuvenate you.