Tara's Photo's

We just had our pictures taken by my friend, Tara. (See website under my links)

This is Haley and My feet :) Which set is mine and which is Haley's.... Erin D. This photo is for you :) I am going to get a HUGE one for you to hang in your home :) I know how much you love feet.

Haley turns 6 on Friday... So I had Tara take Haley's portrait

Look how dark Haley's hair is...

What I am saving my money for

My computer is crap. It is just old. It is slow... It is HUGE.... I it is about five years old... which isnt that old... but we got it for a few hundred... and got the cheapest run down version there was. The monitor is HEAVY and bulky.

Maybe my issues are user problems... FINE... I know I am not the most computer literate gal out there...

Ok...
So jim and I were talking about what we would want to buy if we had money (key word here - HAD). He wants a batting cage.... practical... :).... I want a NICE apple notebook. I dont care how big the screen is :). So now I am saving up my money for a new apple. Just thought I would share :)

How many have an Apple? Do you like it? Recomend it?

Georgia in the Fall

For those of you who don't know yet...

We are moving to Flowery Branch, Georgia.

It is 44 hours from Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.

We are leaving 4am on October the 13th. (Not a friday... monday) :)

We are driving there... ROAD TRIP....
The above picture is Lake Lanier which is about five minutes from where we are going to live.

Why are we moving?
Great question.
Well, basically ... this is something we have been looking into for over a year now, so as it may seem sudden for most of you, this isn't something we are just jumping at at the last minute.
Still haven't answered the question... WHY?
Well, simply, there are a few more opportunities for us out there, we have family out there, so we are going there. :)

We are super excited to jump at this adventure. The farthest I have lived from the home I spent 20 years of my life in is Fontana. I am excited for the experience of living in a new environment... I know there will be struggles and things that I will miss that ONLY california offers...

We will be having a moving sale this Saturday at our current home in Alta Loma, Ca... if anyone would like to pop by and support us. Another way you can support us is just keeping us in your prayers...
- For a safe trip out there and a fun trip out there...
- For our children and their adjusting to all this (Especially Haley)
- For Jim's future job
- God's provision

We will be keeping you all up dated on our journey to Georgia on the Blog... so stay tuned. :)

Thanks for your support and prayers

Calling all police cars

It was a hot day today, so I had the house all shut up and the air going.... probably like most of you right?

At a quarter to 11 I gathered up Jonah, got my keys and headed out the door to my car. I had to pick up Hunter from preschool. The moment I stepped out of my door I was instantly hit with the sight of at LEAST eight cop cars and TWO motorcycle cops. The cars were all blocking my cul-de-sac and the two motorcycles blocked the side walks on both sides of the street.

Before I found out what happened like every nosey neighbor, I had to find someone to pick up Hunter from preschool because there was NO WAY I was leaving my street anytime soon.
To paint a picture... the eight or more cop cars were scattered across the entrance to our street like the end of a police pursuit or a bank robbery... it was exactly like the TV shows and movies.

Mom... thanks for picking up the Hunt man...

Ok... back to the story

Come to find out. My next door neighbor's 18 year old kid (who has had problems with drugs and has had the police here before- but has sworn he won't do anything against the law again - oops) and another neighbor kid was breaking into the homes on our street. The police caught the little suckers... One of the boys gave me a lovely sexual gesture while sitting in the back of the cop car. (Well, maybe he was giving the gesture to Pedro my 50 year old neighbor).

I kinda felt jipped... I mean... I could have totally seen all the action had my shades not been drawn....

A little scary that it was my NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR. What if it was MY HOUSE they robbed? Well, they wouldn't have gotten much. :)

According to the cops, the boys knew what they were doing... .probably having watched our homes knowing who was home or not. And it was most likely to get quick drug money.

One year old pictures

Haley at one... yes, she got a black eye on the way to the photo place - Sept 2003
Jonah... Who do you think he looks more like? (Today)
Hunter - he cut his lip on the way to his photo... June 2005

Vomit or no vomit... that is the question...

My friend and neighbor, Karla, and I were talking about the flu the other day and the question came up... to have the flu, I always thought vomit was included in the deal... Your thoughts?

Why were we discussing such lovely things... I have been sick the past few days... KNOCKED OUT flat dude! Seriously... Yesterday was the first day I was "well" and I was so weak from it all. My symptoms... high fever, body aching EVERYWHERE!!! and shakes (body shakes). THAT IS IT. It doesnt sound like a lot but trust me... I was out cold. I slept for pretty much the whole day of Wednesday.

This is when I wish I could call in sick. But as a mom you just cant. Luckily I am so blessed by people in my life. Jane took Hunter... she picked him up from school and kept him for pretty much the entire day (like 6pm) Karla came over and took Joe for me for the morning part... and Haley was in school for most of the day.

Wednesday - I was wake and up between the hours of 230 and 330. :) I had court - yes... remember the "California Roll" ticket I got... and I had promised Haley I would pick her up from school all week this week. So, again, Karla drove me with her to pick up the kids and even took my to the court house and waited in the car while I took care of my ticket :).

Later on that day, my mom came by and made me soup... and a friend, and neighbor, Karey, brought me a pizza for dinner. WOW... I felt so spoiled. Thank you my friends for helping me out!

Not like me

This morning Haley had a hard time going to school. She CRIED... threw a fit is a good term. It BROKE my heart.

She had diarrhea last night and this morning... I am sure was nerves. When I asked her to get her shoes on for school this morning (after I had already PROMISED to pick her up from school) she had a melt down. All of the shoes she had to choose from were dress like shoes (where the back of them is hard and would leave blisters if not use to them). This made her upset. She had blisters and they hurt her feet. So like any good mom, what did I do? Bribed her... I know... I broke down. I told her that her and I were going to go get shoes after school if she could just walk to the car. (Keep in mind that I have Jonah to get loaded up, another neighbor girl to take to school and I am trying to get this crying sweetie to the car so that we arent late).

She finally made it to the car... but refused to get out of it once we got to school.

After physically removing her from our van... and her wearing flip flops... I got her to her classroom... She REFUSED to go inside... she screamed... she cried... she had a super tight grip on my legs.... she would NOT go inside. Miss Burrows had to come out and get her to come inside.

Once inside... I knew she was still crying... but I knew she was ok... so I left. I had to come back and drop off dress code approved shoes because the flip flops were not acceptable. I left them in the office for her.

AHHH

The teacher inside me says... TOUGH LOVE... you need to let her go and she will be fine once you leave... the MOM in me screams to protect my sad little girl. And of course I left asking all sorts of questions like - would homeschooling Haley be better for her personality? - should we have waited to put her in school?

One of my fears as a parent is screwing up my kids... I know, I know... this is ONE DAY! But it is still in the back of my mind.

SO WHAT HAPPENED AFTER SCHOOL???

I arrived early to the school to pick up Haley so that when she walked out of the gate, she could see me right away. She was happy. I asked her teacher (not in front of Haley) how her day was and she said that Haley was the MOST social she has been! She had a great day. Miss Burrows said that she checked on Haley at both recesses and even asked Haley if she was ok... Haley was playing with friends and just having fun. She was one of the first kids to share a project they made in class in front of the whole class.... It was like this morning didnt even happen. PRAISE GOD!

Haley hasnt talked to much about school... not yet. She is not like me at all. She needs time to come home... veg and then on HER TERMS can she talk about school and her day!

Ahhhh

This week I have been so overwhelmed with just love for my kids.

Haley...
She started first grade this week and has been very emotional. Our neighbor picks up three of the kids from school to help us all out... (I take two of the kids to school). On Friday I got a call from school that Haley refused to get in the car with Karla. Now Karla is not a stranger. Haley is over at her house almost everyday! She is one of the only friends of mine that Haley will have a conversation with. On the phone, Haley was SCREAMING.... Mrs. Gilfry, her kindergarten teacher, had to coax her into the car. This broke my heart!!! I loved having Karla pick Haley up because it was right at nap time for Joe... so this coming week I will have to rearrange nap time.... I have to pick her up from school....

She loves her teacher, Miss Burrows. At Back to School night, her teacher told us that she will answer any question with as little words as possible. She doesnt talk much. :) Hmmmm I wonder where she gets this from?

Hunter....
Now him on the other hand... he asked me this morning, "Mom, I dont want you to pick me up from school.."
Me: "Really? You want dad?"
Hunt: "No I want to go home with Stef (aka Seth) or Nate. I want their moms to pick me up."

Jonah...
a few facts about Joe-
1. He loves to go behind our couch (which is up against a wall) and hang out there.
2. He LOVES balls :) and loves to throw things
3. He LOVES to play in Haley's room, Hunter's room, our bedroom, pretty much everywhere BUT his own room. He cries the moment you take him into his room.
4. He will bite himself and then look at you like you just did it.
5. He is scared of men. :)
6. He will bust up laughing simply if you are laughing... you dont have to tickle him.

I just love my kids unique personalities.

Math Fun

Being the math teacher I am... when my friend Julie, sent this to me I had to blog it. I thought it was funny.... This first example I have SERIOUSLY seen kids do on quizzes. I have wanted to do this on my own homework :) (below)

Another answer I LOVE.... (Below)

The start of school

The start of school has been eventful :). Haley and Hunter start school at the same time... Jim had to rearrange his work schedule so that he can take Hunter every morning. I think it is great. Jim is enjoying the time to chat with his son and be involved in Hunter's day... :) Hunter was THRILLED when I told him that Dad is going to take him to school everyday! It was cute. (to see more of Hunter's class and teacher - it is in a previous post)
Haley is in first grade. She is still at Caryn Elementary School, which is right by our home. WE walk to school. She has Miss Burrows. I really think her teacher will be a good match for Haley. Haley picked out her first day of school clothes... Camp Rock. She has a Camp Rock backpack... shoes, shirt, shorts, folders... I think she likes camp rock. We listen to the sound track in our car (even Hunter sings along) I am not sure how much of the movie she really follows....
Above is Nate and Hunter at Chick-Fil-A after school on their first day of school. Jane and I took our boys for a fun lunch to celebrate. Hunter and Nate seemed to really enjoy preschool. The first thing Hunter told me when I asked him about school was, "MOM, Mrs Jones DOES have trains!" He was worried that there wouldnt be trains to play at school... :) Hunter likes trains :)
Haley and Grace (across the street) I think it is funny that she will forever be known to my friends and family as Grace-across-the-street as if that is her WHOLE name. They wore the same outfit for the first day of school. Grace is in afternoon Kindergarten this year and has Haley's kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Gilfry.
Overall, this week has been a tough one on Haley. Just adjusting to going to school ALL DAY LONG and having to get use to new routines... She likes school and her teacher and for that I am happy!

OH and I know earlier I posted about my cell phone being found... I was referring to my cell phone that got stolen earlier this summer. :)

My Cell Phone???

Get this...

I just got a call from a girl in SOUTH Ontario, YOUNG girl...
She found my cell phone on a bus and looked up the phone number for HOME... and called me. She told me she had my phone.

I was pretty impressed with the kindness of this young girl. :)

Scarlet Rose!

Uncle Jimmy!
Brothers!
Aunt Stephanie
What a doll...
Scarlet cant be exposed to little kids for a while to Jim and I took turns going in and seeing her. They live RIGHT next door to a park... so it made it very handy :)
Jonah kept wanting to run into the street... He thought it was funny everytime I would chase him... FUN
My new tattoo...
It is fake. :) But I thought it was fun having one for a day :)

Aunt Jenna... and Hunter who was being a stinker.

Hunter's Back To School Meeting

Hunter gets to have Mrs. Jones for another year! We love that!!! She is a great teacher for Hunter!

HE is entering his second and last year of Preschool on Monday.

He is still going to C.L.O.U.D.S.

But this year, the school is located at a different elementary school.

Lasy year it was on Haley's elementary school campus... so we were able to walk to school EVERYDAY! I loved it!

This year they are at Perdew Elementary school... which is by the Victoria Gardens.

The bummer is- his school starts at pretty much the same time as Haley's school and now they are at different schools.

I love this picture because it shows Hunter sitting on his letter from last year :)

A Night away!

Yes that is right baby!!!

I was having an interesting week and I remembered Megan saying WEEKS ago that she wanted to go on a girls get away. So I texted Megan: Wanna go on a girls weekend? ... half thinking - where would we go and when would we even have time to plan such a trip...

She responded quickly... YES!!

Somehow in just a few short days... all VIA text and email... planned a night away to Santa Barbara. Her Aunt Carol lives out there and had room for two of us to bunk on her couch... PERFECT!

Personally, we could have bunked in the bathroom I would have gone.

We Left Last Saturday morning (the day scott and jenny left for Georgia) at about 830am.

We had lunch... ice cream... walked the beach... shopped...

It was great!

There was no hurry...

No complaining children (or husbands - Jimmy hates to window shop)

This is us eating our Rite Aide ice cream. YUM!

If we had to stop for gas or Meg had to change a diaper... I popped out with my sudoku.

Averie came with us... She is a doll!
We ate cookie dough and watched a chick flick. (Like High school)

We stayed up till 2am talking and just chillin'. I cant get this picture to delete... HA... so I made it small.... We did face masks and it was fun but not a picture you want big on your blog :) ... sorry meg
Sunday morning we slept in :) and then went to the beach to walk the beach where they were having an art show. (And a memorial for our troops)
Overall... we had a ton of fun! No agenda... It was great. Did I mention it was fun? :) Anyways... next time we want to bring a group of us and find somewhere to go where we could go for the WHOLE weekend.

Good bye pictures

Smile!
We gathered in a circle outside my parents house to pray for scott and jenny.

There really was just a little get together, kinda last minute... to say goodbye!
Joel and Scott. Good BUddies
Joel taught Hunter some new moves on the wall outside my parents house. THANKS JOEL :)
Jenny getting some last minute cuddles in. Do you notice Hunter in the background jumping off the wall? The Williams Family

Jenny outside their car which was PACKED to the max!

The Smith's
Just an update... But scott and jenny are settled in their new home, for now. They are living with my "Uncle" Rodger and "Aunt" Pam. (Rodger is my mom's cousin). They are in Flowery Branch, Georgia. They have a blog too if you want to check them out... (See my link on the side)