This has been a busy week.  I think most of my weeks are busy.  I have already journaled about Monday and Tuesday.  Wednesday I took care of Mom and Dad.  Thursday I went to see the grandbabies.  Nikki came back up here and repainted the bedroom of their house because the touchup paint didn't match the room paint (did I already post that??).  Anyway, I really, really enjoyed the babies.  But, as always, I am really tired by the time I leave.  I don't know how Nikki keeps them both happy and everything running smoothly.  I just can't.  I would get Mason to sleep and lay him down to spend time with Haley (which she really needed too). 

He would start squirming and stretching and after a few minutes start fussing.  He was happy for me to hold him, though.  He is such a precious darling.  A lot of times I held both of them.

 

One time I layed him on the couch and after a while he started to fuss just a little.  I said, "why is he fussing?"  Haley ran to get her pillow and blanket to lay with him.  She sang to keep him calm.  She is a great big sister.

 

She had taken her shirt off because she got it wet drinking a cup of water.  When you are taking care of two littles, you can't drop everything and go get a shirt.  I let her run around in her pullup a lot of the day.   

 I took a video of her singing.  Nikki and I have sang to Haley since she was born.  I sing church songs, Barney songs, songs I sang when I was little, and others.  Out of all the bunches of songs we sing, she sang "Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me" to Mason.  Lol  When she was singing, I couldn't figure out what song it was.  Later, I showed it to Andrew and he told me.  You all just have to notice Mason's eyes as she is singing.  His little brows go down like "what on earth is she singing??"  It is the cutest thing!

http://www.xanga.com/media/xangavideoembedplayer.swf?i=1204477&m=f134a

I don't know how to insert videos anymore, but you can see it from the link.

While I was in Haley's room with her I took some pictures.  Her closet is so cool.  Nikki has some of her toys in there.  I love the way she put books and a animal chair to sit and read.  It is a nice quiet place to read.

  

I have this bad habit now of taking pictures with my phone instead of my camera.  A lot of the pictures are blurry and I have to shrink them to see them well.  As I have told you guys before, I use blurry pictures sometimes because they bring back a wonderful memory to me.  And, that is the purpose of this blog--to journal my life.

This is more pics of Haley's bedroom.  I took one the other day, but these show the other sides.

  

 

Do you kinda see the shoes she is wearing? They look like this:

 

I was able to go back to the mall and get them for her and she loves them.  She wore them most of the day.   She is not wearing them here though.:

Mason's seat is perfect to sit and watch tv.  She actually likes that seat more than he does.

Nikki got home that evening around 8:45.  I left and got home around 10:30.  I made Andrew fix me a cup of coffee before I left.  They have one of those coffee makers that makes one cup at a time (what's it called??).  Anyway, they have different flavors, so Andrew didn't have any creamer.  The reason I even drink coffee is for the creamer.  lol  I drank it anyway because I was worried I would fall asleep on the way home.  He and I laughed because I jokingly told him, "thanks for the cup of coffee, even though it was awful."  He never puts creamer in his coffee. 

Wednesday our refridgerator went kerplunk.  So, Friday morning I was supposed to go buy another one.  Guess what I did.  I went back to bed.  Friday night Ryan and I went with Martha's family to Pigeon Forge.  We had the best time!!!  We stopped at Knife Works on the way there.

 

That place is huge.  Jared helped Ryan find the kind of knife he wanted.

 

This is the knife Ryan chose.

 

I told Ryan it is never to leave our house!  He has been very careful with it.  Every time we got back in the car, he would take it out of the bag and look at it. This is the first knife he has ever had. 

Kevin took us to eat at Longhorn's.  Martha's whole family was there (including LeAnna).  Even though she and Na are not married yet, she is already a part of the family.

 

You see how Jared is teasing me by not looking at the camera.  Haha  I love being with them.  They are such a loving, joking, and teasing family.  Kevin is always stealing kisses from Martha.

 

I love it!!  Even though they have been married 26 years, they still love each other so much!!  He is the best husband!

The food was out of this world!

 

We shared Molten Lava cake for dessert.  It was to die for!!

We went to play putt putt in Gatlinburg after that.  We had the best time!

 

          

This is a pic of me while Jared holds my camera not taking my picture.

    

The birthday boy:

I was super excited because I made a hole in one on the last hole and now have a ticket for a free game!! WooHoo!!  Jared did too.  He actually made FIVE holes in one!  Needless to say, he beat us all.

It was after 11PM when we finished.  Kevin drove us up to the Park Vista.  We went to the top floor to look over the balcony.

 

That is the lobby way, way down there.  It made my knees weak.  I hate heights.  They stay here every January on their anniversary.

We got back to their house at 1AM.  It was around 1:15AM when Ryan and I got home.  I didn't get to sleep till after 2AM.  Saturday morning I got up around 6:15AM and fixed burritos and cookies for my family.

 

         

I then got ready and went to take care of Mom.  Thank God I was able to nap with her that morning.  That evening I finished cleaning their house before I left around 9PM. 

This morning Ryan and I went to Sunday School and church.  Yesterday while I was at Mom and Dad's, Mark ordered a fridge online.  It came while Ryan and I were at church.  Goodby ole fridge:

Hello new fridge:

  This afternoon I napped.  Tonight after church Ryan and I went to Mary's to give Matthew Ryan's old XBOX.  I told them I had to take a pic to blog about being there.  This is the first pic I took.

I said, "I have to take another one to make sure it took.  You all say Susan is the best aunt I have."  This pic was even better.

I love them so much!!!

Ok, I am off to bed!  Please God give me a calm, wonderful week!!!  Hope you all have a blessed week as well.

Ryan turned 15 today.  He got right out of bed this morning without me waking him.  He is usually dragging until he gets awake.  I guess the anticipation of an exciting day made him wide awake.  We decided I would pick him up at school at 12:20PM.  If they are there half a day, they get counted for the whole day.  He really wanted me to pick him up earlier, but I wouldn't. 

We didn't make any definate plans about what we were going to do.  We had talked about going to "Knife Works", but Martha said their family want to take us to Pigeon Forge Friday evening.  There really was no reason to go twice.  He came out right on time--anxious to get out of school.

 

He first wanted to go home and change clothes.  He had dressed for JROTC and wanted to change to a tshirt and shorts.  Then he wanted to drive the car in the subdivision.  So, I let him. (and no, he doesn't have his driver's permit yet)  I only let him drive if it is during the day when hardly anyone is around.

He really does well driving.  He has been practicing for so long at Nana and Papaw's. 

After he changed, he wanted to go to Walmart.  Andrew had paid him $200 for helping him move.  He also gave him $60 for his birthday.  Sandra and Martha had also given him money.  I tell ya, money was burning a hole in his pocket.  He bought two video games and a year of XBox live (from Andrew).  We had gotten him an XBox for his birthday (but he had to help pay for it). 

I told him we could go anywhere he wanted, and he wanted to go to the mall.  I would say, "we'll go anywhere you want to go."  And, I was being so sweet-sweet to him.  He said, "will you stop being so nice to me and just be yourself." Hahahaha  At the mall, he put a game on hold and bought something else (a membership to something).  I shopped some too, but I didn't buy anything.  I found the cutest shoes for Haley that I hope to go back and get tomorrow. 

When we got in the car, I asked where he wanted to go, and he wanted to go home.  Then he said, "I feel so unworthy. (for his gifts)"  I said, "that is a GREAT way to feel."  It would be awful if he felt like we owed it to him.  He said, "I feel like a spoiled brat.  I don't even feel like I deserve to be controlling what we are going to do."  I love him so much!!  Sometimes I worry that he thinks too much about his wants, so this was good to hear.  One thing about Ryan.  He does NOT want to be the center of attention.  He would rather be in the background.  He said, "I really like Christmas, cause then everyone gets gifts." 

He decided he wanted to go to Nana's.  The funny thing is, he wanted Mark, him, and me to go there for supper.  He loves Nana's cooking.  We had not even planned it, and she knew nothing about it.  I said, "we can't go there and her not know we are coming."  He said, "Nana would love for us to come."  I said, "as a mother and cook, I know she would not be glad for us to show up."  Anyway, we decided I would drop him off there, and Mark would pick him up on his way home.  He called to see if it was ok, and it was. 

I picked up a couple of pizza's for supper and for him to take in his school lunch.  I tell ya, it wore me out shopping with him.  I was so tired.  I ran by to pick up a few sales at the grocery store, and I could hardly get them upstairs.  I sat and rested for a while and then put away the groceries.  He came in with a new hat and money from Nana. 

It was kinda lonely celebrating without Andy and Nikki.  We do everything with them.    Ryan opened his XBox and was so happy.  He kept saying, "this is sweet!!" 

I'm glad he knows how to hook up everything.

After he got it all ready, he had Mark and me come watch how cool it looked.

Doesn't  he look comfortable. Ha! He is playing a racing game he got.  I couldn't show you all the game cause there was some clean clothes on the couch that hadn't been folded yet. "sigh"  Mark usually helps with that.  As soon as he cleans it off, there is more to fold.

Nikki and Haley called to wish him Happy Birthday.  Andrew is on a trip with managers.  Ugh!!!  Please pray he will do the right thing.  He did NOT want to go.  That is one thing about his job we don't like.  Anyway, on another note, Nikki texted me today telling me how sweet Haley is to Mason.  She said if Mason fusses or cries, Haley tells him just a minute Mommy's coming. 

Ok, it is late and I am off to bed.  I am supposed to take care of Mom tomorrow.  Of course I dread it.  May your day be blessed! 

 

I love to be at home now.  I appreciate it more than ever since I am gone so much.  I have not had to take care of Mom for the last three days and am supposed to be off tomorrow.  I did go last night from 6-9PM to relieve Sandra.  Wayne had a headache, dizziness, and nausea and wanted her to come home.  It is getting harder and harder to go down there.  Mom is harder to take care of, but the dread is dealing with Dad trying to nitpick how we do everything.  Life is surely hard to understand. 

Today I worked for hours making a wreath.  I don't have a creative bone in my body, so it was so hard.  I had taken a couple of pics last year of Walmart wreaths that I liked.  I tried to look at one of the pic and kinda go by that.  Yesterday I took pics of the wreaths and flower arrangements Kristen did at church.  I wish I had looked at Kristens more as I made it, but it is what it is.  

I love the fall colors.  After I finished I really liked it.  Then I went back and looked at Kristen's and realized I made it too full.  See, this is Kristen's.

She is so great at arranging flowers. 

I wish I could create arrangements like her.

After I worked so hard on the wreath, I took a break and napped.  If I am home for a day, I love to take a nap.  It is so refreshing.  Then I washed sheets, dusted and vacuumed.  I also cleaned the return vent for the heat pump and changed the filter.  For dinner I fixed a pasta/canned tomatoes/ground beef dish with mixed veggies on the side.  I emptied and refilled the dishwasher as I cooked supper so it wasn't such a mess afterwards. 

Tonight I washed the siding and back deck area with the clorox water.  I have a plan in my mind that I saw on Pinterest to create a little oasis for myself.  My friend Robin is very talented in painting.  She painted two beautiful bird houses for me that I plan to use. I took these pics with my phone, so they are not great pics.

          

Aren't they great?  I sprayed them with shellac today so I can put them outside without ruining the paint. 

Ok, so you all know I can't have a post without pics of at least one of my babies.  I usually take more pics of Haley because Mason is usually sleeping or taking a bottle in my arms.  This one I took last week when I was there.

 

I think this is my most favorite pic of her ever.  It shows her cute little dimple.    Do you see the magic marker on her hand?  She looooves to write with magic markers, but she hates getting it on herself.  We have to get a wipe and constantly wipe her hands as she writes.  She hates to have messy hands.  She is a princess tomboy! 

Nikki sent me this pic the other night as an idea for Halloween.

She actually had another idea tonight that was great.  I am not going to tell you till I take pics of them.  On another note,  Nikki said Mason had slept all night for the last two nights. PTL  He had his last bottle @ 10PM and slept till 5AM.  That's a lotta sleep for a one and a half month old.  He is such a darling.  I am supposed to keep the babies Thursday for Nikki to go back and paint the bedroom of their house.  When she touched up the paint it came out a different color.  Bless her heart!!  I know she is so ready to be finished with that house.  Nikki said the lady sent her an email complaining that the water in the shower was spraying out too hard.??  Andrew and Nikki lived there for three years without a problem.  "sigh"  Nikki is going to see if she can have the water pressure lowered.  Please pray the lady will not give them any problems and be a good renter. 

Tomorrow is Ryan's 15 year old birthday.  I cannot believe he is 15 years old.  He is so excited to get his learner's permit.  Mark took him to Nana and Papaw's Saturday in Andrew's truck that is a straightshift.  (Andy is storing it at our house).  Ryan drove it up and down their long driveway and he said Papaw took him a little on their back road.  He thinks he is doing pretty good driving a straight shift. 

I am supposed to pick Ryan up early from school and do something special.  I am thinking about taking him to "Knife Works"  for him to pick out a pocket knife.  I am not sure though.  He loves to be at home as I do.

Ok I am off here.  Thank God for my many blessings and I hope you all have a blessed day tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm feeling better.   I know y'all are glad I'm not going to be posting another depressing post.  I really miss my kids and grandbabies, but I love so much about where they live.  Although it takes an hour and a half to get there, it is a beautiful drive.  And, I have been going often.   Nikki says we are seeing more of each other than when they were here.  I would love if their city could be moved about fifty miles this way, but I am trying to be peaceful about the way it is. 

Yesterday I went down to watch the babies while Andrew and Nikki went shopping.  I tried to take pics of everything (you know me) to show you all.  One thing I really love about their apt. is this.:

It is a gated complex.  I know it is truly God's mercy they are protected and safe, but this makes me feel a little better.  I have to call them on the call box.

Then they key in a code for the gate to open.

Although there are lots of condos and apts. in this complex, they live at the back next to a wooded area.

I took this pic as I was driving up to their place.  (hence the glare)  Their apt. is on the top floor, which is absolutely wonderful for the view and quietness, but it was horrendous to get their furniture moved in.

 

Since they are on the top floor, they have wonderful vaulted ceilings.  Do you see where the point of the roof is in the middle of the building--where it is stone and there is a railing?  That is where the steps are.  That means they only share one wall of their apt. with someone else.  It is the wall at the back of the kitchen, bathroom, and closets.  The floors have extra whatever (don't know what it is) in them so you hear nothing.  It feels like you are in your own little world when you are in their apt.  Ryan and I helped them move in on a Friday.  We left their apt. that night @ 10:30 and we never passed anyone on the stairs the whole time we were moving in.  Well, I didn't.  I don't know if Ryan and Andrew did. Its very quite.  I am a very private person.  I would have a hard time living in an apt., but I really love theirs. 

Can you believe Ryan, me, Nikki, and Andrew moved them in with a baby and toddler running around??  Ryan and Andrew moved most of the hard stuff.  Ryan and I held one side of the couch and then the loveseat and Andrew held the other.  They were unbelievably heavy.  I thought I was going to pass out when we got them each in the apt.  Nikki carried way too much having just had a c-section.  We were worried she would hurt herself.  Shew!  It was one day we do NOT want to repeat!!  I am still amazed we were able to do it all. 

Something else I love about the apt. are the windows.  The living room has three windows and there is a sunroom where the dining table is. 

  

That pic was taken from the kitchen.  It is an open floor plan.  You can see how the whole place is full of light.  I absolutely love it. The back windows are to the woods as you can see in the next pic of the sunroom window.

 

The side windows are to the city.  It is cool to see the lights at night.

 

This is the living room from the side.

This is a little bit of Haley's room (after she had played a while). Her bed is usually in the corner next to the windows, but I moved it down a little for her nap so she wouldn't get hot.  I didn't want to close the blinds. 

 

She has a huge walk-in closet and her room is big too.

Our little guy is growing every day.  He makes all these precious grunting noises that are so cute.  Sometimes when we talk to him, he grunts back.

He is listening to me talk.  Andrew used to make his mouth in a circle just like this when he was a baby and we talked to him.

 

He is so, so precious!!!

 

Haley is growing too and saying everything!  I can carry on a conversation with her now.  She is a little stinker.  She had a messy diaper and I thought it was Mason.  I checked and it wasn't.  I said, "do you have a messy diaper?"  She said, "Baby Brother messy diaper!"

Shhhh...don't tell Nikki I stood her on the table to take her pic.  It was the only way I could keep her still.  She is always busy.

I took this next pic the other day after her bath.

Yesterday Andrew and Nikki bought her a toy vacuum cleaner.  She loves for Nikki to hold her while she vacuums.  Haley holds the handle with Nikki (can you imagine how hard on Nikki?)  So, now she has her own and she loves it.  Nikki texted me today telling me Haley picked up the rug in her room, vacuumed under it and then neatly put it back.   Nikki is a good teacher.  Nikki said she told Andrew she wishes Haley's vacuum really worked cause their house would stay so clean!

Nikki sent me this pic she got back from having them made at Sears.  I want to have one for my mantle.  I love it so much!!

I am so thankful they are close enough for me to be able to see them.  Thank God they did not move further away.  As I was driving home last night, I randomly took pics to show you the beautiful views.

 

See how far you can see.  And there is usually not a lot of traffic till I get close to home.

 

I took a pic of my rear view mirror so you can see how far back it shows.  I love it!

 

You can see car lights way, way back there.  I really hate when I get close to home and run into all this traffic.

I got home around 8 last night.  Ryan and I ran back to the store to get his birthday gift.  It is this coming Tuesday.  I am always running behind.  This morning I took him to school, then went to Walmart to get lots and lots of groceries.  We were out of about everything.  After getting everything upstairs and eating lunch, I took a nap.  This afternoon I worked and worked and got the whole front of my house, the front porch/deck, and everything on it washed.  I used a broom and clorox water.  I even washed the gutters.  I worked till almost 7pm.  I am so tired and sore, but I'm so happy to get something else complete on my to-do list.

 

I still have to trim the bushes.  Oh, and btw, we got a new roof and I really don't like the color!! The color on the computer looked different than in real life.  There is nothing we can do about it. Aaarrrg!!! 

Ok, I am off to bed.  I have to take care of Mom tomorrow.  She is getting harder and harder to take care of.  Hope you all have a blessed weekend.